Every action that we take can make our life longer or shorter. So, if you want to extend your lifespan, you have to ensure that you are taking the right steps.
There are various factors affecting people’s longevity, from the food that you eat to the thoughts inside your head. Added to these, the environment is also extremely important.
If you look at the people who get to live for a hundred-plus years all over the world, you will notice that many of them have access to clean water, fresh air, unspoiled nature, close-knit community, and less stressful surroundings.
It is obvious that the quality of the environment where you live has an impact on how many years you can stay alive.
Air and Water Pollutants Reduce Your Lifespan
Pollution is the biggest environmental threat to people’s life expectancy. Studies have shown that the poor quality of air to breathe can decrease a person’s lifespan by nearly two years. Air pollution is killing seven million people annually. This is because of the toxic particles coming from the burning of fossil fuels. Air particulates can lead to various illnesses, especially but not only respiratory health problems.
Unsafe water reduces the human lifespan by seven months, and water pollution is attributed to 1.8 million deaths yearly. The world is 70 percent water, and drinkable water is a basic need for humans. However, a large portion of water is no longer safe due to industrialization, poor waste disposal, and population growth, among many others.
Wastewater contains many unhealthy chemicals and also provides a great environment for viruses and bacteria to thrive. These lead to diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, skin infection, and gastrointestinal illnesses, which can all turn to other serious and life-threatening conditions.
Other environmental factors affecting mortality include the continuous depletion of natural resources due to mismanagement, deforestation, too much grazing, and unsanitary practices.
Green Habitats Can Help You Live Longer
If you live close to green vegetation or within green cities, it can increase your ability to live longer. They can provide a generally clean environment to live in, with fresh air and clean water and cooler temperature, along with many other health and mental benefits.
Studies have found that parks and green spaces are improving the health of many people, reducing their visits to doctors and medical expenses. Beautiful cities with access to public transportation, parks, green spaces, and other amenities make people happy. That happiness is linked to a longer life.
It Goes Both Ways
As a good environment that you’re living in can increase your life expectancy, it also works the other way around. Reduced lifespan is linked to adverse effects on the environment, such as depleted natural resources, endangered animal species, and continued environmental degradation.
Taking care of the environment means providing a safe and healthy place to live for people. Fortunately, there are many ongoing efforts that promote taking responsibility for the environment and showing more concern for future generations.
Many countries have started to transition to renewable energies, cutting their fossil fuel consumption significantly. Organic foods have also increased in popularity in recent years, replacing products that use pesticides and herbicides heavily.
There are inspiring stories of people who are creating forests on their own. Keeping a few house plants can also help in improving the quality of air around you. Planting trees and making urban areas green will help reduce the impact of carbon emissions coming from cars on the street. Electric vehicles are becoming more common.
The Takeaway
It may seem that the environment is too big of a factor to control, and you may feel helpless in making sure that it is a conducive place to expect an increased lifespan for yourself. However, you do have some control and on different levels.
Firstly, in your own small ways, you can contribute to an environment that is clean, safe, and healthier for everyone. Dispose of your trash properly, plant a tree, reduce your carbon footprint-small things, when gathered together, become something big enough to make an impact.
Secondly, it is too easy to stay where you are and leading the life you live. Most people have more choices than they care to exercise. If your health and longevity, and that of your loved ones are important to you, it may be time to reconsider your priorities and lifestyle options.
