Nature connectedness as a psychological construct refers to an individual's relationship with nature. Aspects of this construct include how we think about nature, our affective relationship with nature, and the extent to which we see ourselves as part of nature. These aspects of nature connectedness can be measured; some studies suggest that they can also be increased through interventions specifically designed to promote engagement with nature. Nature connectedness plays a beneficial role for both humans and nature in that it is positively linked to improved mental well-being and increased pro-environmental behavior. A phenomenon known as “extinction of experience," however, is recognized as a contributing factor to decreased levels of nature connectedness for individuals and society. Extinction of experience refers to an ongoing reduction in individuals' experiences of nature, which then permeates culture and society and becomes a social norm. Two key factors contributing to extinction of experience are loss of opportunity to experience nature and loss of orientation towards engaging with nature.
This paper introduces the idea that a “pathways to nature connectedness” approach could be helpful in improving human-nature relationships. Earlier research had identified five pathways (or types of activities) to nature connectedness: contact through the senses, emotion, beauty, meaning, and compassion. While some research indicates that simple exposure to nature can bring about short-term increases in nature connectedness, larger and sustained increases depend upon active engagement with nature through the pathways.
Suggestions on how to apply the “pathways to nature connectedness” approach across multiple societal scales consider a range of leverage points, that is, points where small changes within a complex system can produce large changes. The suggestions are also based on the understanding that the different pathways to nature connectedness rarely work alone. Examples are given on how related activities often activate several of the pathways. A distinction is made between “deep” and “weak” levels of influence of the pathways at different leverage points for individual and societal outcomes. Meaning, emotion, and sensory contact are noted as pathways with the potential for deep influence (large scale change) at the societal level. Interventions based on these three pathways may encourage people to engage with the remaining two pathways – beauty and compassion.
The “pathways to nature connectedness” framework can inform different segments of society -- education, health, housing, arts, health and transport – on how they can be more effective in fostering closer human-nature relationships.
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