Community service activities reducing hate crimes and extremism: A "green intervention" approach

This brief review examines the topics of evolutionary psychology, community development, and human preferences towards "green space" environments as an effective intervention model to reduce ethnic conflict and violence. The term "Biophilia" is introduced to describe the innate human preference to specific types of outdoor or natural (i.e., "green space") environments and how humans as a species have evolved to adapt and prefer greener environments that promote health and sustainability. Communities that provide individuals with increased opportunities of positive contact and to interact with each other in the development of superordinate goals will help to promote greater understanding among ethnically diverse environments and ultimately reduce conflict. Suggestions are offered for further research addressing the inherent benefits of "green" sustainable programs in community development as a means of reducing conflict and promoting increased health and empowerment.