Final answer:
Green space provides societal, health, and environmental benefits, including higher property values, enhanced psychological well-being, reduced illness impacts, economic growth in certain industries, and support for biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benefits of green space can be classified as societal, health, and environmental. Societal benefits may include higher property values and increased social capital. Health benefits encompass reduced obesity, enhanced psychological well-being, and the potential for longer, healthier lives. The environmental benefits include ecological resilience and support for biodiversity.
For those with illnesses such as asthma, the value of clean air might be considered a health benefit, as it directly impacts their quality of life. Industries such as farming, fishing, and tourism can see economic growth thanks to a cleaner environment, which we can view as societal benefits due to their market value. Moreover, experiencing satisfaction from a clean environment, like the clear air over the Grand Canyon, while difficult to monetize, is a societal benefit that contributes to overall well-being.
Finally, the concept that humans psychologically benefit from living in a biodiverse world supports the idea that psychological well-being is significantly impacted by our natural surroundings, leading to the conclusion that the environmental benefits are far-reaching and contribute to both health and societal gains.