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More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

news.northwestern.edu

11–20 of 68 posts

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#11

nah I don't buy it. it's just work Vs free time. Any serious sailor in their 50s looks shagged, and they've had all the outdoor space you can get. plus if you ask those people they'll actually be just 29.

The article talks about the benefits of living near and having access to green spaces, not doing manual work outside in the elements all day, which is clearly not the same thing.

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#12

We need to stop doing these pointless studies. Everything is linked to everything, showing it is is a waste of money because (1) we already know and (2) we can't use this info because we don't know what causes what. But people would rather click on these pieces and feel good having their assumptions confirmed that learn and actually improve our society.

People do these studies so that you can then use it to actually improve society by, let's say increase and improve our green spaces. When someone asks you why you're wasting time and money on a silly childish thing like a greener city instead of more asphalt for Business Inc. you can point to this study.

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#13
post #3

We need to stop doing these pointless studies. Everything is linked to everything, showing it is is a waste of money because (1) we already know and (2) we can't use this info because we don't know what causes what. But people would rather click on these pieces and feel good having their assumptions confirmed that learn and actually improve our society.

You're right, it's basically air pollution. We know that air pollution makes people older and kills millions every year, although the exact mechanism is not known (I have lots of health problems because of it, but no good test to show it except bad sleep patterns at places with high air pollution). We also know the solutions: electric cars (I just bought my first), heat pumps with electric heating, and reversing agin…

Cars are generally not a mode of transport that makes sense in a city. There are some exceptions, but the vast majority of transportation in a city should be by foot, bicycle or public transport.

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#14
post #3

We need to stop doing these pointless studies. Everything is linked to everything, showing it is is a waste of money because (1) we already know and (2) we can't use this info because we don't know what causes what. But people would rather click on these pieces and feel good having their assumptions confirmed that learn and actually improve our society.

You're right, it's basically air pollution. We know that air pollution makes people older and kills millions every year, although the exact mechanism is not known (I have lots of health problems because of it, but no good test to show it except bad sleep patterns at places with high air pollution). We also know the solutions: electric cars (I just bought my first), heat pumps with electric heating, and reversing agin…

Cars are a big part of the problem, regardless of energy source.

Trains, trams, buses, bikes, walking, etc. are the actual solution.

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#16
post #3

We need to stop doing these pointless studies. Everything is linked to everything, showing it is is a waste of money because (1) we already know and (2) we can't use this info because we don't know what causes what. But people would rather click on these pieces and feel good having their assumptions confirmed that learn and actually improve our society.

You're right, it's basically air pollution. We know that air pollution makes people older and kills millions every year, although the exact mechanism is not known (I have lots of health problems because of it, but no good test to show it except bad sleep patterns at places with high air pollution). We also know the solutions: electric cars (I just bought my first), heat pumps with electric heating, and reversing agin…

Electric cars are not a solution (most of the particles come from the brakes, tyres and too many roads instead of vegetation, which blocks wind dust and erosion).

Heat pumps or electric heating help solve climate change, not air pollution (it helps a bit if it replaces an old wood stove, but would make things worse if the grid is coal-powered, which is sadly still common).

Reversing aging isn't a thing and even if it were, it wouldn't be a solution to anything. Air pollution problems aren't only about physical health but mental health and biodiversity as well. Maybe I don't get the sarcasm.

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#17

We need to stop doing these pointless studies. Everything is linked to everything, showing it is is a waste of money because (1) we already know and (2) we can't use this info because we don't know what causes what. But people would rather click on these pieces and feel good having their assumptions confirmed that learn and actually improve our society.

People do these studies so that you can then use it to actually improve society by, let's say increase and improve our green spaces. When someone asks you why you're wasting time and money on a silly childish thing like a greener city instead of more asphalt for Business Inc. you can point to this study.

But we already know green spaces are nice.

And this study does not prove anything about them being good for people.

Maybe instead of X USD on this study we should have spent that money on an actual green space somewhere...

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#18

We need to stop doing these pointless studies. Everything is linked to everything, showing it is is a waste of money because (1) we already know and (2) we can't use this info because we don't know what causes what. But people would rather click on these pieces and feel good having their assumptions confirmed that learn and actually improve our society.

People do these studies so that you can then use it to actually improve society by, let's say increase and improve our green spaces. When someone asks you why you're wasting time and money on a silly childish thing like a greener city instead of more asphalt for Business Inc. you can point to this study.

Doing crap studies to argue from the authority of science has gradually eroded that authority.

I don’t know that this study is crap, but it fits the pattern on the surface: “Correlate politically valuable thing A with biomarker B, observe that B is correlated with universally valued C, totally ignore statistics to infer that A causes C”.

I say this as someone who actively believes it’s healthier to live in or near green spaces!

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#19
I don't see in the paper they adjusted by family size. They mention socioeconomic status but that isn't the same thing. Would it be possible people living in urban areas close to parks have less kids or no children at all? Usually real state closer to parks within the city permiter are much more expensive, the same money buys you less square footage.

I have done my own study with 7 siblings in my family half with children and I can assure you having kids adds at least 3 years of biological age per kid.

Re: More green spaces linked to slower biological aging

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People do these studies so that you can then use it to actually improve society by, let's say increase and improve our green spaces. When someone asks you why you're wasting time and money on a silly childish thing like a greener city instead of more asphalt for Business Inc. you can point to this study.

But we already know green spaces are nice. And this study does not prove anything about them being good for people. Maybe instead of X USD on this study we should have spent that money on an actual green space somewhere...

It does in fact increase our evidence that they’re actually good for people beyond being mere perks that some people enjoy.
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