Planetary well-being

Tensions between the well-being of present humans, future humans, and nonhuman nature manifest in social protests and political and academic debates over the future of Earth. The increasing consumption of natural resources no longer increases, let alone equalises, human well-being, but has led to the current ecological crisis and harms both human and nonhuman well-being. While the crisis has been acknowledged, the existing conceptual frameworks are in some respects ill-equipped to address the crisis in a way that would link the resolving of the crisis with the pivotal aim of promoting equal well-being. The shortcomings of the existing concepts in this respect relate to anthropocentric normative orientation, methodological individualism that disregards process dynamics and precludes integrating the considerations of human and nonhuman well-being, and the lack of multiscalar considerations of well-being. This work derives and proposes the concept of planetary well-being to address the aforementioned conceptual issues, to recognise the moral considerability of both human and nonhuman well-being, and to promote transdisciplinary, cross-cultural discourse for addressing the crisis and for promoting societal and cultural transformation. Conceptually, planetary well-being shifts focus on well-being from individuals to processes, Earth system and ecosystem processes, that underlie all well-being. Planetary well-being is a state where the integrity of Earth system and ecosystem processes remains unimpaired to a degree that species and populations can persist to the future and organisms have the opportunity to achieve well-being. After grounding and introducing planetary well-being, this work shortly discusses how the concept can be operationalised and reflects upon its potential as a bridging concept between different worldviews.</p

Features of the physical environment, walking difficulty, and physical activity in old age

Mobility enables engagement in out-of-home activities and thus is important for the well-being of older adults. Walking difficulty may limit mobility, and low physical activity is one risk factor for walking difficulty. Environmental features close to home may hinder or encourage physical activity in older adults. This study aimed to contribute knowledge on features of the physical environment that support the physical functioning and physical activity (PA) of older adults, and to investigate whether the associations between environmental features and PA may differ by perceived walking difficulty, type of residential neighbourhood, and day of the week. The data were collected as part of the Life- Space Mobility in Older People (n=848) project in structured interviews, performance tests, and accelerometer measurements (n=167) among communitydwelling 75- to 90-year-olds living in Central Finland. The data on environmental features were retrieved from open sources of geospatial data. The results showed that a more steeply sloping road network and lower PA were risk factors for developing walking difficulty. The supportiveness of the infrastructure for outdoor mobility and diversity of large natural, green areas were positively, and slope negatively, associated with PA. Perceived infrastructure-based facilitators in dispersed areas and nature-based destinations in city centres and densely populated areas outside centres were associated with higher PA. Perceived nature was a more important PA facilitator for older adults with than without walking difficulty. Among those with walking difficulty, the presence of waterside areas increased while higher diversity in large natural and green areas decreased the odds for higher PA. Among those without walking difficulty, higher diversity in large natural and green area increased the odds for higher PA and for perceiving nature as a facilitator for outdoor mobility. Naturebased features were associated with PA consistently throughout the week but infrastructure-based features only on weekdays. Depending on the home location, environmental features appear to support older adults’ engagement in outdoor PA. At the greatest, when converted to PA volumes, the difference in supportiveness might correspond to the difference in PA accumulation between older adults with and without walking difficulty. Keywords: outdoor mobility, mobility limitation, neighbourhood, infrastructure, nature, older adultsKodin ulkopuolella liikkuminen on tärkeää iäkkäiden ihmisten elämänlaadulle. Ulkona liikkumista voivat rajoittaa kävelyvaikeudet, joille vähäinen fyysinen aktiivisuus altistaa. Kodin lähistön ympäristönpiirteet voivat kannustaa liikkumaan tai estää sitä. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli lisätä tietoa iäkkäiden ihmisten kävelykykyä ja reipasta liikkumista tukevista ympäristönpiirteistä ja siitä, eroavatko ne henkilön kävelykyvyn, asuinalueen tai liikkumispäivän mukaan. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin Iäkkäiden ihmisten liikkumiskyky ja elinpiiri (n=848) aineistoa, joka oli kerätty strukturoidulla haastattelulla, toimintakykymittauksilla ja kiihtyvyysmittarilla (n=167) kotona asuvilta 75-90 vuotiailta jyväskyläläisiltä ja muuramelaisilta henkilöiltä. Ympäristönpiirteiden tiedot kerättiin avoimista paikkatietoaineistoista. Tämä tutkimus osoitti, että runsaampi kävelyä tukeva infrastruktuuri ja ison luontoalueen monimuotoisuus kodin lähellä olivat positiivisesti ja tieverkoston suurempi mäkisyys negatiivisesti yhteydessä reippaamman liikkumisen määrään. Tieverkoston suurempi mäkisyys ja vähäisempi liikkuminen olivat itsenäisiä riskejä kävelyvaikeuksien ilmaantumiselle. Reippaampaan liikkumiseen yhdistyivät houkuttavaksi koetut infrastruktuuritekijät harvemman asutuksen alueilla ja lähiluonnon kohteet kaupungin keskustassa sekä tiheillä asuinalueilla. Liikkumaan houkuttajana lähiluonto oli tärkeämpi kävelyvaikeuksia kokeville kuin niitä kokemattomille. Kävelyvaikeuksia kokevilla veden läheisyys lisäsi mutta suurempi monimuotoisuus laajalla luontoalueella vähensi lähiluonnon kokemista houkuttavana. Kävelyvaikeuksia kokemattomilla ison luontoalueen suurempi monimuotoisuus lisäsi todennäköisyyttä kokea luonto houkuttajana ja liikkua reippaasti. Luontopohjaiset ympäristötekijät yhdistyivät fyysiseen aktivisuuteen samankaltaisesti viikonpäivästä riippumatta mutta infrastruktuuritekijät vain arkipäivisin. Ympäristön tarjoama tuki iäkkäiden ihmisten ulkona liikkumiselle vaihtelee suuresti kodin sijainnista riippuen. Suurimmillaan ero tuessa vastasi fyysisessä aktiivisuudessa olevaa eroa kävelyvaikeuksia kokevien ja kokemattomien välillä. Asiasanat: ulkona liikkuminen, fyysinen toimintakyky, naapurusto, infrastruktuuri, luonto, iäkkäät ihmise

Nature diversity and well-being in old age

Background The research aim was to study the associations of nature diversity with quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms among older people, and whether physical activity explains the associations. Methods Community-dwelling people aged 75–90 years (n = 848) living in Central Finland were interviewed in their homes. QoL was assessed with a short version of the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Assessment (range 0–130, higher score indicates better QoL) and depressive symptoms with the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (range 0–30, higher scores indicate more depressive symptoms). Self-reported physical activity was assessed by intensity and duration using a single question with seven response options ranging from mostly resting to competitive sports. Nature diversity (Shannon Diversity Index) was assessed objectively within a 500-m buffer around participants’ homes using a geographic information system (GIS). Results Mean QoL was 100.3 (SD 11.8) and mean CES-D 9.6 (SD 6.8). Those in the highest nature diversity tertile had better QoL than those in the lowest tertile (p = .022). Physical activity did not explain the association between nature diversity and QoL. Adjustment for health indicators did not change the results. Nature diversity was not associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion A diverse environment, especially when this includes elements of nature, is associated with better QoL. Good quality of the green infrastructure and adding natural elements to residential areas may enhance well-being among community-dwelling older people.peerReviewe

Clustering of reported activity destinations and use of active transport among older adults

Background Conducting everyday activities out-of-home may accumulate a large share of older adults' daily physical, especially if active transportation is used. Environmental features in home neighborhood may motivate for higher physical activity, but the role of features around destinations is less known. Our goal was to study 1) clustering of older adults' reported activity destinations, and 2) whether transport mode to a destination was associated with characteristics of destination clusters. Methods Data comprise AGNES study participants (901 community-dwelling people aged 75-85 years living in city of Jyväskylä, Finland; 57% women) combined with geospatial data. Using digital mapping, participants located frequently used destinations for shopping, services, and social and spiritual activities on a map, and reported transport mode (active/passive) for each. Geographic information system was used to define distance from home to each destination, to identify spatially clustered destination areas, and to assess destination areas' characteristics (urban location, intersection density, nature versatility, and the proportion of reported social/spiritual destinations of all destinations in the area). Based on their characteristics, destination areas were hierarchically categorized to area types. In mixed model, active transportation (vs. passive) was regressed for area type and adjusted for distance, car use possibility, walking difficulty in 2km, age, sex, and MMSE score. Results Of reported destinations within 2km from home (1278 destinations for 642 participants), 81% clustered spatially in 23 destination areas and 19% remained separate. Hierarchical clustering resulted three area types: 1) city centre (versatile activities and nature), 2) less serviced areas (versatile activities and less nature), 3) shopping areas (shopping/service activities and less nature). The proportion of destinations visited using active transportation was 63% in city centre, 68% in less serviced areas, 69% in shopping areas, and 56% for separate destinations outside the areas. Based on mixed model results, the odds for active transport use were higher when destinations located in city centre (OR = 4.8, 95%CI 1.3-17.0) or in shopping areas (OR = 11.9, 95%CI 2.6-55.6) compared to visiting locations outside spatially clustered destination areas. Conclusion Majority of older adults' activity destinations locate as spatially clustered. Varied destinations close to one another may promote active transport.nonPeerReviewe

Active transport to physical exercise places among older adults living in different urban zones

Purpose Motorized transport to and from places of physical exercise (PE) causes considerable amounts of carbon emissions. We study how locations of home and PE place on urban zones (UZs), reflecting options for transport modes, relate to use of active transport (AT) among older adults. No previous knowledge on the topic exists. Methods Data of AGNES study participants reporting at least one regular PE place <10 km from home (n = 819, mean 79 years, 58% women, Jyväskylä Finland) were combined with geospatial data on UZ. Using digital mapping, participants located their PE places (N = 2171) and reported transport mode (active/passive) used. Type of UZ (pedestrian/public transport/car) of participants’ home and PE places and distance from home to PE place were defined in GIS. For analyses, participants were grouped according to home UZ, shares of PE places in each UZ defined, and differences in total number of PE places and median distance tested with Kruskal-Wallis test. In each group, use of AT (vs. passive) to PE place was regressed for PE place’s UZ and distance, and adjusted for car availability, difficulty walking 2 km, age, sex, and years of education using a mixed model nested in participants. Results In all groups, participants had more PE places in their home UZ than in other UZs. Median distance to and number of PE places did not differ across groups (for both p>.05). Overall, between-participant differences explained 22 % of total variance in AT. Compared to AT to PE place in home UZ, odds for AT were higher to PE place in car zones among those living in pedestrian (OR 5.1 95%CI 1.7-15.4) and public transport zones (OR 3.6 95%CI 1.3-8.4). The odds for AT were lower to PE place in pedestrian zones among those living in public transport (OR 0.2 95%CI 0.1-0.4) or car zones (OR 0.02 95%CI 0.001-0.3). In all groups, longer distance was negatively associated with AT. Conclusions Older adults’ transport mode choices cannot be concluded from the UZ of home or PE place. Proximity to PE places is important to facilitate AT use.nonPeerReviewe

A landscape approach to planetary well-being

“Landscape” refers to a perceivable spatial level shaped by socio-ecological interactions and represents the systems where people live. Human societies have globally transformed landscapes to meet their needs, e.g., nutrition or shelter, according to cultural preferences. This human domination of land has resulted in considerable competition for space with other lifeforms, driving biodiversity loss through land-use change and intensification, as well as coming into conflict with planetary well-being. Recent research has highlighted the relevance of the landscape level when articulating human activities with and in their environment and maintaining human and nonhuman cohabitation. Indeed, the landscape structure is a strong determinant of many ecological processes (e.g., species dispersal or nutrient flows) that support long-term ecosystem functioning and, ultimately, planetary well-being. This chapter discusses the transformative potential of systems-oriented landscape approaches to achieving planetary well-being. First, this chapter conceptualizes landscapes as geographic interfaces between humans and nonhuman beings, with a focus on their ecological characteristics, and in relation with planetary well-being. Second, this chapter provides examples of land-use planning principles that reconcile biodiversity and human benefits: (1) Agroecological farming systems, (2) urban green infrastructures, and (3) multi-objective forest management zoning.peerReviewe

Hilliness and the Development of Walking Difficulties Among Community-Dwelling Older People

Objective: The objective of this study is to study the associations of objectively defined hilliness with the prevalence and incidence of walking difficulties among community-dwelling older adults, and to explore whether behavioral, health, or socioeconomic factors would fully or partially explain these associations. Method: Baseline interviews (n = 848, 75-90 years) on difficulties in walking 500 m, frequency of moving through the neighborhood, and perceived hilliness as a barrier to outdoor mobility were conducted. Two-year follow-up interviews (n = 551) on difficulties in walking 500 m were conducted among participants without baseline walking difficulties. Hilliness objectively defined as the mean slope in 500-m road network. Results: Logistic regression showed that hilliness was associated with incident walking difficulties at the 2-year follow-up (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.09, 2.51]) but not with the prevalence of walking difficulties at baseline. Adding behavioral, health, or socioeconomic factors to the models did not markedly change the results. Discussion: Greater hilliness should be considered a risk factor for developing walking difficulties among older adults.peerReviewe

Associations of Environmental Features With Outdoor Physical Activity on Weekdays and Weekend Days : A Cross-Sectional Study Among Older People

Background: Physical activity (PA) of higher intensity and longer duration mainly accumulates from older adults' out-of-home activities. Outdoor PA is influenced by environmental features; however, the day-to-day variability of PA and its associations with environmental features have not been widely studied. This study focused on the associations of environmental features with accelerometer-measured PA in older people on weekdays and weekend days. Methods: The study population comprised 167 community-dwelling older people aged 75–90 years. Accelerometers were worn on 7 consecutive days and a structured interview on physical functioning, health, and socioeconomic factors was administered. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to assess environmental features within a distance of 500 (number of land types, road network slope, intersection, and residential densities) or 1,000 m (habitat diversity within natural and green areas) from participants' homes. Accelerometer-based PA [number of PA bouts >10 min and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA)] was analyzed for weekdays and weekend days separately. Associations between environmental features and PA were analyzed using linear regression models. Results: Participants accumulated on average 0.60 PA bouts and 34.2 MVPA minutes on weekdays and 0.50 PA bouts and 31.5 MVPA minutes on weekend days. Especially participants with low overall PA were less active at weekends. Habitat diversity in natural and green areas, intersection density, and residential density were positively associated with numbers of PA bouts and MVPA minutes on weekdays. Moreover, more diversity in natural and green areas was associated with more MVPA minutes on weekend days. A higher road network slope was negatively associated with the number of PA bouts throughout the week and with MVPA minutes on weekend days. Conclusions: Environmental features close to home, especially PA-supportive infrastructural features and services, were more strongly associated with weekday than weekend PA. This suggests that older people's out-of-home activities, typically conducted on weekdays, are related to service use. However, greater diversity of natural areas close to home seemed to motivate older adults to engage in higher MVPA throughout the week.peerReviewe

Environmental Features Associated With Older Adults’ Physical Activity in Different Types of Urban Neighborhoods

The authors studied associations of nature- and infrastructure-based features with physical activity (PA) in different urban neighborhood types; 848 community-dwelling people aged 75–90 years reported PA and three perceived nature-based destinations and seven infrastructure-based features as outdoor mobility facilitators. Neighborhood type was defined using a geographic information system based on proximity to central service areas and residential density (city center, subcenter, and dense and dispersed areas outside centers). PA was higher in dense areas and the city center. Binary logistic regression showed that perceiving nature-based destinations increased the odds for higher PA in the city center and areas outside centers. In dispersed areas, perceived infrastructure-based facilitators were especially associated with higher PA. Environmental features were not associated with PA in subcenters. Higher residential density, as a proxy for a higher amount of infrastructure, rather than center proximity, may underlie older adults’ PA. The spatial context should be acknowledged in studies on environment–PA associations.peerReviewe

Vesialueiden ja suurten luontoalueiden monimuotoisuuden yhteys iäkkäiden ihmisten fyysiseen aktiivisuuteen

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