Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: a leverage points perspective

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Authors

  • Miles Richardson
  • Julian Dobson
  • David J. Abson
  • Ryan Lumber
  • Anne Hunt
  • R. Young
  • Bert Moorhouse

The climate emergency and crisis of biodiversity loss show that the human–nature relationship is failing. This paper introduces the psychological construct of nature connectedness as a measurable target for improving the human–nature relationship, and therefore helping tackle the warming climate and loss of wildlife. The ‘pathways to nature connectedness’ (sensory contact, emotion, meaning, beauty and compassion) provide an important and flexible framework to help improve the human–nature relationship. Research evidence and practical examples are given from organisations using the pathways (e.g. National Trust, Wildlife Trusts, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust). This illustrates how the pathways provide a new methodological approach for improving human–nature relationships. A systems perspective is taken to consider wider application of the pathways framework. The societal relevance of the pathways approach is proposed, and the application of nature connectedness is considered across a range of leverage points relevant across multiple societal scales (from individuals to societies). Recommendations are given for specific pathways informed interventions to improve the human–nature relationship. These interventions focus on cultural programmes and urban design to increase sensory, meaningful and emotional engagement with nature. The interventions based on the pathways framework engage with leverage points around system goals, design, feedback and parameters across policy areas such as education, health, housing, arts, health and transport. Showing to read This shows that the pathways to nature connectedness have a large scale of societal relevance and the potential to provide solutions across a range of leverage points to foster closer human–nature relationships across society.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEcosystems and People
Volume16
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)387-401
Number of pages15
ISSN2639-5908
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.12.2020

    Research areas

  • compassion, disconnection, emotion, extinction of experience, human-nature connection, leverage points, Nature connectedness, nature relatedness, policy, sensory experiences, urban design, wellbeing, Ágnes Balázsi
  • Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

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