Between towns, we need to have areas of low development. Places that can thrive and prevent urban takeover are essential in allowing nature to reclaim its biodiversity and offer safe habitats for the UK’s endangered species. This is just the beginning of the importance of Green Belt land.
The concept was first introduced in 1938 in order to contain the mass post-war housing that expanded significantly in the following years. While we understand the need to cater for growing populations and communities, it is important to contain this and allow agriculture and native wildlife to form.
These areas are protected and preserved as open spaces. Often acting as borders between towns and cities, they offer a glimpse of the countryside amongst the polluted and populated built-up areas.
The Importance Of Green Belt Land
Over the years, the main purposes of these areas have remained the same.
- To control the unrestricted sprawl of large and built-up areas.
- Prevent adjacent towns and cities from merging into one another.
- Preserve the charm and character of particular historic towns.
- Assist in urban regeneration by improving derelict and unused land.
- Provide space for outdoor recreation.
- Protect farmland.
- Improve the air quality and therefore the health of the surrounding population.
This just goes to show that while the overall appearance of the surroundings is important, it is not the only factor in explaining the importance of green belt land. Furthermore, the attractiveness of a particular location does not diminish its ability to be Green Belt.
Essential characteristics are based upon their performance in rewilding and offering value for the surrounding towns and cities.
Beyond this, the importance of Green Belt land remains with the impact it can have on our natural world and offering habitats to UK animals.
Control Urban Sprawl
Without some control of our natural land and countryside, we would see increasing issues related to the spread of towns and cities.
More densely populated areas like this will increase car usage. As a result, carbon emissions will be sky-high. The climate crisis cannot be brought under control with the continued expansion of urban areas. The importance of Green Belt land lies within its ability to absorb excess CO2 and give us clean air.
Not only that but the loss of farmland and wildlife will be detrimental to the health of our natural world and the human population alike. Important species won’t have anywhere to remain as a safe haven and will have trouble adapting to the ever-changing climate.
Because of this, the state of our cultivation will be at risk. We cannot rely on man-made fields and unnatural farming methods to supply our country. Not only is it unsustainable, but it could affect our own health.
Provide Space For Outdoor Recreation
People living in built-up areas need access to green and natural space. Without this, we would simply reside in polluted towns and suffer the consequences of poor air quality. Having ample space for meeting up with friends and engaging in exercise is crucial to our health and wellbeing.
By focusing on maintaining our carbon sinks, we can create a cleaner atmosphere – benefitting the ongoing climate crisis as well as offering open spaces away from the pollutants and business in our towns and cities.
Furthermore, maintaining green areas will prevent the flattening of hills and preserve the natural beauty of our British countryside. This is where we enjoy trails, hikes and admiring the local flora and fauna. Similarly, it gives our farm animals the ability to exercise and graze as we would.
The Wellbeing Of Our Livestock
As we all know, free-range products are an advantageous part of our farming strategies. The destruction of the Green Belt and other agriculture or farmland would mean the inability to offer such products. We may not be able to cater to our animals as they require – putting what are currently abundant species more at risk in the future.
The range of biodiversity allows natural food chains to remain and provides nourishment for livestock as well as other wild species. We forget that not only does construction development destroy habitats, but it takes away their ability to live with easy access to food and water.
Proper exercise also plays a large role in the care of livestock. Paddocks and open fields are essential for the continuous development of healthy animals. Farmers’ livelihoods also depend on this and so the importance of Green Belt land is reflected in the need for agricultural jobs. Without this, a huge part of our economy would fall through and with increasing pressure on land, we need to avoid unnecessary damage now, more than ever.
Biodiversity
When we talk about this topic, we are covering all the different kinds of life you find in one area. This includes animals, plants and fungi that all work together to allow the natural processes that maintain balance within our ecosystems. Without one, the others could not fulfil their roles in the world.
The importance of Green Belt land can be seen in the need for the variety of species we only see in areas of diverse habitats. When we intervene as humans to create space for our own use, it limits the number of animals that can thrive. Diminishing their natural habitats and resources will only see us lose out on valuable assets ourselves.
For example, without bees to pollinate there would be no fruit and limited species of flower. Without plants, we would have no oxygen. They are all contributors to our natural life and provide us with essential things each day. Maintaining this and allowing nature to reclaim areas is crucial. We are only hindering ourselves by doing anything else.
Protect Our Water Supply
Within our Green Belt land, underground reservoirs provide drinking water for many communities and act as a base flow for rivers and streams. Built-up areas disrupt the availability of fresh, clean water as we dig the ground for electrical work and plumbing for large cities.
As well as this, our natural areas act as sponges. Soaking up water will naturally manage flooding and steer it away from our populated areas. Our welfare relies on the trust we put in man-made barricades. Especially if we continue to build next to large bodies of water, it is more essential than ever to maintain our grasslands.
As droughts and floods are expected to become more common due to climate change, we need to use our resources to protect natural features. This is why the importance of Green Belt land remains prevalent. Protected habitats bring us one step closer to reversing human intervention. The more space we can reclaim – the more available clean water and biodiversity will become.
Work With Us To Rewild Our Green Belt Land
Our mission remains – allowing nature to reclaim as much area as possible and continue the processes needed to provide a healthy and sustainable life. Green belt land allows us to restrict the development of urban areas and create borders of natural beauty between them
This benefits biodiversity and the future of our towns and cities. Not only offering clean water and food sources but allowing keystone species to thrive.
We can prevent flooding and keep natural disasters at bay with vast open spaces. As well as protecting our own land, we are looking after that of our own livestock and maintaining the livelihoods of farmers around the country.
Farming around two thirds of our food this way demonstrates the importance of Green Belt land. So today is the day we should all stand up and commit to this cause. Without it, we will be looking at a polluted country and putting more and more species at risk.
We created The Natural World Fund to make a real difference. We are fed up with companies wasting so much of your money and not doing what’s right for Britain and what’s right for our wildlife. By subscribing to the Natural World Fund, you will fund climate projects across the UK. We ensure that every penny of your money goes towards helping nature thrive, all whilst providing you with updates on how your money is making a truly positive impact.
If you would like to learn more about The Natural World Fund, our projects and how you can support us, visit our website and get in touch with us today!
