Natural Environment

The use of our natural environment for work, leisure, sport and recreation is directly related to the prosperity of both urban and rural areas and has a direct relationship with our overall health and wellbeing, both individually and for our communities.

According to recent research by the Commission for Rural Communities, over 70% of the England land area is used for agriculture whilst 10% of the land is developed. However, most people believe that more than a quarter of England is developed. The number of people volunteering their time to conservation activities has increased markedly since 2001. Almost 650,000 people living in rural areas are under medium or high chance of flooding. The per capita greenhouse gas emissions in rural areas are 8% higher than in urban areas, this is primarily due to the fact that people in rural areas need to travel further for work and to access services. Protecting the environment and enhancing biodiversity is a priority for the government and is listed in Defra’s Structural Reform Plan

With concern growing regarding global food supplies, people are starting to question how and where their food is grown and whether it is produced in a sustainable manner. More people are starting to use rural areas for recreation and leisure. Rural land will continue to be needed for food production along with the other uses demanded by an every growing population. Along with the challenges that this brings it also offers opportunities for rural communities to look at the land and countryside around them and to develop projects that improve the environment and also address wider climate change issues.