Keon Huang

I'm passionate about exploring the often overlooked connection between nature and human health and the economic value of nature on human wellbeing. While we all intuitively know that spending time in green spaces is good for our wellbeing, the actual economic value of protected areas in promoting mental health is staggering - potentially trillions of dollars annually according to recent estimates. With healthcare costs skyrocketing and conservation budgets being slashed, my research aims to provide solid evidence that investing in nature can pay massive dividends for public health. By quantifying these benefits more precisely, I hope to influence policymakers to prioritize ecological preservation not just for its own sake, but as a cost-effective way to keep populations healthy and happy. At the end of the day, humans and nature are intrinsically linked.