GOOD FOR YOU: The arrival of spring is a good time to reflect on our relationship with nature
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Spring has arrived and it feels like a good time to reflect on our relationship with nature, writes Kristina High.
It’s easy to forget we’re completely dependent on nature for the oxygen in the air we breathe, the purity of our water, the food we eat, the breakdown of waste, many of the medicines we use, building materials, the fibres of our clothes, perfumes, cosmetics, cleaning products etc.
But when a lot of these are made elsewhere and presented packaged in a shop or as tablets or liquids injected to treat illness, it’s easy to forget the processes that went into getting them there.
Take painkillers as an example. Many people need opioids like morphine, diamorphine and codeine for pain.
You may know they come from the opium poppy, but did you know there are fields and fields of these poppies grown just to produce opioids?
Poppies need to be pollinated to keep producing, and they rely on bees and a small species of fly to do this. But insect species are disappearing at a scary rate.
What happens to pain relief when there aren’t enough pollinators?
We live in an incredibly complex combination of ecosystems, but now many of these are threatened. And when one species becomes extinct it has a knock-on effect on others.
There are many actions individuals can take that will have a positive impact.
For the planet:
* Try to find out what goes into producing the things you buy and what the impact might be where they come from.
* Try to buy locally grown food that uses as little pesticides and herbicides as possible in production.
* Think about the clothes you buy – are they made from natural materials that don’t damage the environment where they’re produced?
* Or even better – use recycled materials or buy second hand.
At home:
* Embrace your green spaces, whether it’s a big garden, some pots or a window box.
* Plant a range of species and see the visitors you get.
* Don’t try to keep an immaculate lawn – it doesn’t support many species. How about an area for wildflowers? Or mow paths through rich areas of flowers, bushes and trees.
* Put up bat boxes and bird nesting boxes – they’ll love feasting on the insects you’ve encouraged.
* Make friends with the bees and wasps – they’re doing a brilliant job pollinating and helping the plants grow.
* Don’t use artificial weedkillers and pesticides, they’re bad for biodiversity and your health.
* Try putting plants with each other that naturally work together.
* How about getting a green roof on your shed or garage?
* Before cutting down a tree with many year’s growth, consider how many species it might be supporting and how many are important for supporting plants and animals elsewhere.
Out locally:
* Join a local group working on helping to restore wildlife.
* Vote for councillors and politicians who have wildlife restoration on their agenda.
* Write to your local councillor.
* Spend time in nature – it relieves stress and is good for your wellbeing.
Even the small things we do spread ripples and lead to bigger and better changes.
* Kristina High is an anaesthetics consultant at Raigmore Hospital.
