Human Connection with Nature Significantly Declining

A recent Guardian article reported that “people’s connection to nature has declined by more than 60% since 1800”, according to a study by Miles Richardson (a professor of nature connectedness at the University of Derby).

The article points to computer modelling predictions that this decline will be ongoing unless new policies are introduced to encourage greater nature connection, particularly within urban environments and for young children.

Something needs to be done to improve human connection with nature. Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

Factors causing connection decline

Professor Richardson’s research highlights “urbanisation, the loss of wildlife in neighbourhoods and, crucially, parents no longer passing on engagement with nature to their children” as key factors contributing to the decline in human connection with nature.

It is also important to consider how demographics and socioeconomic inequality can impact on human connection with nature, with factors such as race, education, and financial wealth having the potential to increase or decrease this connection.

With nature instead of separate

Personally, whenever I discuss nature with someone, I say that I have spent time “with nature” and not time “in nature”. At first this seems like I’m being picky with word use, but there’s deliberate intent behind this choice.

So often, there’s rhetoric about the benefits of spending time “in nature”. For me this wording gives a feeling of being separate to nature, a feeling that nature is somewhere that you visit temporarily, that it’s something we have a surface level relationship with.

I believe that saying “with nature” feels stronger. It points to a deeper connection and symbiotic relationship between people and nature, an acknowledgement that nature is to be respected, and that humans have a responsibility to care for it.

Finally, this brings to mind a line from my Grandad’s favourite poem, Desiderata by Max Ehrmann:

“You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars”

We are all interconnected.

First acorns of the season. Photo by Beth Andrew-Dann.

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this article you might also find this one interesting.