Chapter 9: Answers
Benefits of Urban Greenspaces
Comprehension Questions
- The author lists several proven benefits of green spaces and urban forests. Describe three of those benefits. Answer: Any 3 of the following – green space builds communities, reduces stress and anxiety levels, and enhances brain function; associated with lowering stress levels, moderating the stress of life events on health, and increasing social activity; positively affects an individual’s emotional state, shortens surgery recovery time, lowers stress and anxiety, and improves brain functioning; increasing physical activity within individuals; encourages social interactions and improves local environmental conditions; decreases anxiety and increases working memory performance; reduces the number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease and increases birth weight; counteracts seasonal affective disorder.
- What is a problem with the distribution of urban green spaces? Name two groups of people that are impacted by this problem. Answer: Urban green spaces are distributed inequitably. Racial and language minorities and low-income neighborhoods have less green space.
- What does the author say is the reason that racial minorities are in greater need of green spaces? Answer: These communities are in desperate need of green space as they are more likely to live in areas with high exposure to air pollution, toxic waste sites, and other environmental hazards.
- According to the author, how does income affect access to areas which have trees? Give one example. Answer: These communities often have less adequate access to health care and would benefit the most from natural and ecosystem resources.
- At the end of the article, what does the author say needs to be done? Why does she think it is so important? Answer: The issue of inequity in urban greenspace needs to be addressed and action commenced as soon as possible to protect vulnerable communities across the country. Disadvantaged communities would benefit the most from green space and yet lack access to it. As urban forests benefit the physical, mental, and social health of individuals, it is unfair that accessibility to forests deprives millions of disadvantaged Americans of these resources.
