🌅 Humans Are Losing Connection with Nature

SOURCE

Richardson (2025)

WHAT TO KNOW

• A novel computer model developed by a researcher at the University of Derby in the U.K. shows humans’ connection with nature has declined by more than 60% over the past 220 years. The model simulated historical trends from 1800-2020 using data on urbanization, nature degradation, and other less tangible factors, like parents passing on engagement with nature to their children.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Other research shows people who are more connected to nature are more likely to take actions to protect it, and experts say nature connectedness is now viewed as one of the key drivers of climate change. The present study’s modeling suggests humans are living through an “extinction of experience” with nature, putting future generations at risk of even worse environmental outcomes.

CONNECT THE DOTS

• The model found one driver of humanity’s declining connection with nature dominated the rest: a lack of parents who pass on engagement with nature to their children. The study found reversing the loss of “intergenerational transmission” and instilling awareness of nature in young children is key to improving nature connectedness and stemming the climate crisis.