Havering Friends of the Earth

Health, Wellbeing & the Environment

by Jill Luff; first published 25-Feb-2022

Green spaces are the lungs of any suburban environment because they offer an immediate reconnection with nature, countryside, wildlife, fun and fresh air. Havering is very fortunate to enjoy large areas of protected open green spaces; parks, fields - and we are part of a community forest which stretches through Havering into surrounding London boroughs and Essex.

During the lockdowns, many residents in Havering have benefitted from reconnecting with nature, finding calm amongst fear and worry. Our stimulated senses then create a green pathway to help rebalance our thoughts and feelings. We ultimately benefit from improved mental and physical health alleviating anxiety, health problems, daily worries about family and finance - these are often key stressors in life.

It is vitally important we preserve our green spaces allowing them to become havens for ourselves and nature e.g. birds, insects, bees. We should allow roadsides and verges to be left to grow for wildlife whilst maintaining road safety. Increased diversity will help to ensure our air is clean for us and especially our children. Our school children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing. They are our future and during their growing years it is essential that they breathe the cleanest air.

How can we achieve this?

Havering Friends of the Earth, over the last decade, has been meeting with members of the council to address the use of pesticides in green spaces and on verges and roadsides. Pesticides are detrimental to wildlife, therefore we need to ensure that hedgerows, wild flower areas, and grass verges are allowed to flourish and street spraying with potentially harmful chemicals is stopped.

Schools, especially those close to main roads, could have green screens planted alongside them, which would reduce the concentration of vehicle exhaust fumes right next to playgrounds and sports fields.

What can I do to help?

• Put aside an area in your garden to grow wild - even weeds are valuable for pollinators
• Plant wild flower seeds (available from Friends of the Earth) and create your own meadow
• Plant nectar rich flowers in your flower beds or planters
• Support tree planting schemes to help combat Climate change. Growing trees absorb carbon which contributes to global warming.
• Walk and cycle more often - it is good for you and the environment.