Physical Activity Boosts Climate
Here's a twist: physical activity initiatives now have benefits for climate change mitigation too [https://www.nature.com/articles/s44360-026-00057-6]. Encouraging walking and cycling reduces emissions and improves air quality – can cities really design infrastructure around this?
A 2025 UCLA/Google study found that expanding city-level walking and cycling infrastructure could cut global carbon emissions by 6% and create $435 billion in health benefits annually. Increasing density and redesigning streets for safe, comfortable active travel are key to boosting walking and biking rates. Walking and cycling can reduce mortality risk by at least 10% with just 30 minutes of walking or 20 minutes of cycling most days. Active commuting is associated with a roughly 10% decrease in cardiovascular disease risk and a 30% decrease in type 2 diabetes risk. In 2021, people opting for walking, wheeling, and cycling resulted in 14.6 million fewer cars on UK roads. This shift saved 2.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and prevented 138,000 serious long-term health conditions. Cities are taking note, with Nairobi dedicating 20% of its transport budget to active mobility. Rwanda has introduced car-free days and is building new roads with traffic calming measures and sidewalks. Yichang, China, has constructed a 192-kilometer network of bicycle lanes, footpaths, and linear parks with heat safety features.
