A recent study has revealed the relationship between people and the natural world has dropped well over 60%, worldwide, over the past 220 years. Researchers are concerned about this decline for the impact in the global environmental crisis. People who feel disconnected from the natural world or a part of a new nature are unlikely to act to defend, the research reveals, and the cycle of disconnection threatens ecosystems and people.

The study, conducted by Professor Miles Richardson at the University of Derby, is published in the journal Earth. The researchers developed a computer model to track connections to nature historically. The model captured trends of urbanisation, the generational shift in people's attitudes about nature, and people's use of outdoor environments. This study highlighted that urbanisation and shifting family habits have recognised the dominant contributors to people's disconnection from the natural world.

In this research the importance of intergenerational transmission (parenting passing attitudes and behaviours to their children), was developed as the sole important reason for this decline. Since urban societies have spread out, and people are becoming more and more indoor living-centred, less children are growing up with relationship connections to their local place, plants, and animals. The model also engaged what the researchers called an "extinction of experience," in which people lost the opportunity to develop direct relationships with nature in their lifetime. This was a less strong factor than family influence but was still part of the trend.

In addition to behavioural data, the team analysed the use of language for the last two hundred years, and found that a variety of words associated to nature have been used much less in writing as time progresses, (e.g. terms like "river," and "blossom," and "moss"). The usage of these terms fell over the study period between 1800 and 2020, by 60.6% indicating a cultural shift away from nature related themes. Most of the decline occurred in 1990, but some of the most recent data indicates that it has partially recovered at (52.4%) below historical level.

In the future, the researchers foresee further deterioration of the relationship between people and nature unless a major change in society that views outdoor time and environmental education as a priority occurs. Increasing transition to green space and more outdoor time may not be enough to stop the trend from continuing without a significant intervention. The investigation modelling suggests that cities would need to be around ten times greener than they are now for the decline in connectedness to nature to reverse.

One of the more successful methods indicated from the study is to change nature awareness with children's education; and when possible with their families, and through experience. The researchers also recommended immersing children in outdoor learning environments such as forest school nurseries. This allows them to experience and develop their curiosity, comprehension, and perceived emotional connectedness to the natural world that they might maintain as adults and pass onto future generations.

Despite the decreases overall, there is some positivity in the research. The computer model predicts, that if actionable, significant, and lasting interventions occur before mid-century, there is a chance for a self-sustaining recovery of human-nature connectedness around 2050. These interventions would need to be impactful, and far-reaching, to address not only the presence of natural areas, but also the cultural and educational elements of nature involvement. 

The implications of these findings should help fulfill global sustainable development goals. Environmental scientists have, up to this point, cautioned that without public buy in, conservation initiatives will be limited and small scale, from biodiversity to climate change. Without a personal or community connection to the natural environment, it is unlikely that any policies or lifestyle changes that seek to protect it will be supported. We have highlighted that this cannot be seen solely as a struggle of culture or education, but rather a component of environmental strategy.

City planners, policy makers, and educators are being encouraged to collaborate to help incorporate nature in a more significant way into people's everyday lives. This might include, designing urban areas that prioritize green infrastructure, integrating environmental education into the school curriculum, and supporting community initiatives that reconnect people to local ecosystems. In addition, cultural initiatives such as nature-based art, storytelling, and media might help to revive natural themes in the public consciousness, and start to reverse the trends of (a) the lower use of both natural themes and (b) lower levels of personal engagement.

The loss of nature connection may also have health implications. Numerous studies show a connection with the time spent in natural environments, with reduced stress, improved mental health, and greater physical activity. Losing these benefits at such a scale, may lead to increased burden on our public health systems, adding further justification for incorporating nature.

All in all, the research illustrates a society standing at a crossroads in supporting the connection between people and various forms of nature. Without intervention the gulf between people and nature will keep marking the shape of perceptions and interactions for generations to come. However, with thoughtful, large-scale effort, it is possible to initiate a sustainable recovery plan as part of re-defining connections, associations, and linked sense of belonging and stewardship. The next few decades will be far more defining in waking-up and finding restoration of humanity's connection with nature (hopefully in time to address the larger environmental issues). 

The research of Professor Richardson and his team reminds us that conservation has to be about conserving the human ability to care for and appreciate species and landscapes. Actions we take today - education, urban planning, cultural focus - will have lasting implications about whether and how the whim of connections is reclaimed for generations to come.