Sustainable Futures February Seminar

On the 20th February, Sustainable Futures held their monthly online seminar. In this edition, active mobility and creating momentum for climate action were discussed. Chaired by Dr Stephen Lowe, Research Associate for Sustainable Futures, the seminar included two talks from: Luana Scrivano, PhD candidate at the University of Bologna, and a Visiting Researcher at the University of Manchester and Dr Christopher Walsh, a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at The University of Manchester.

The first presentation was delivered by Luana and was called: Active Mobility and Mental Health: A Scoping Review towards a Healthier and Greener World.

Read the abstract below:

Research has proven that engaging in active mobility (AM), namely walking and cycling for transportation, significantly enhances physical activity levels, leading to better physical health. It is still unclear whether AM could also offer any mental health benefits. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current knowledge on the relationship between AM and mental health, given its crucial role in public health. The authors searched online databases to isolate primary studies written in English involving an adult sample (16 or over). AM was the exposure factor. Many mental health elements were included as outcomes (depression, anxiety, self-esteem, self-efficacy, stress, psychological and subjective well-being, resilience, loneliness and social support, quality of life, mood, life satisfaction and sleep). The results were organised in a narrative summary per each outcome selected, graphical syntheses and an overview of gaps to be further examined. The authors identified a total of 55 papers as relevant. The results show inconsistency in study designs, definition and operationalisation of the variables, approach and methodologies used. A cross-sectional design was the dominant choice, primarily examining data from national public health surveys. Nonetheless, there has been improvement in outcomes of interests, initially mainly the quality of life and affect. Lately, authors have focused on a broader range of mental health-related factors (such as travel satisfaction). The experimental studies showed promising mental health improvements in those who used active modes more than those who used motorised vehicles. It creates a rationale for further research towards implementing a unified theoretical and methodological framework to study the link between AM and mental health. The ultimate goal is to generate solid conclusions that could support building societies and cities through public health promotion and sustainable strategies, like walking and cycling as a means of transport.

The second presentation was delivered by Chris and it was on Creating Momentum for Climate Action in Devolved Governments. Read the talk abstract below:

Watch the full recording of the seminar here:

Connect with Sustainable Futures:

For more information, visit our website here.