Human–nature connectedness as a ‘treatment’ for pro-environmental behavior: making the case for spatial considerations
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Authors
The degree to which an individual feels connected to the natural world can be a positive predictor of pro-environmental behavior (PEB). This has led to calls to ‘reconnect to nature’ as a ‘treatment’ for PEB. What is not clear is the relationship between where one feels connected to nature and where one acts pro-environmentally. We propose that integrating spatial scale into the conceptualization of these constructs will provide insights into how different degrees of connectedness influence pro-environmental behavior. We discuss trends towards a spatial understanding of human–nature connectedness (HNC) and introduce three archetypes that highlight scalar relationships between scale of connectedness and scale of pro-environmental behavior: (1) equal interactions, (2) embedded interactions, and (3) extended interactions. We discuss potential policy and practice implications of taking a spatially explicit approach to HNC–PEB research, and propose a research agenda for investigating these scalar relationships that can inform nature as a ‘treatment’ intervention.
| Original language | English | 
|---|---|
| Journal | Sustainability Science | 
| Volume | 13 | 
| Issue number | 5 | 
| Pages (from-to) | 1375-1388 | 
| Number of pages | 14 | 
| ISSN | 1862-4065 | 
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 01.09.2018 | 
- Ecology
 - Health(social science)
 - Global and Planetary Change
 - Nature and Landscape Conservation
 - Geography, Planning and Development
 - Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
 - Sociology and Political Science
 
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Local-to-global scales, Nature as treatment, Nature connectedness, Pro-environmental behavior, Sustainability
 - Sustainability Science
 
