Childhood Nature Connection and Constructive Hope

Abstract

Abstract1. Within a generation, children’s lives have largely moved indoors, with the loss of free-ranging exploration of the nearby natural world, even as research indicates that direct experiences of nature in childhood contribute to care for nature across the life span.2. In response, many conservation organizations advocate connecting children with nature, and there has been rising interest in measuring young people’s connectedness with nature, understanding how it relates to their well-being and stewardship behaviour and creating programs to increase connection.3. This article reviews the literature on these topics, covering both quantitative and qualitative studies. It notes that this research emphasizes positive experiences and emotions, even as global environmental changes and biodiversity loss accelerate.4. Young people’s emotions of worry, frustration and sadness as they learn about environmental degradation also express their understanding that they are connected to the biosphere. Therefore this review includes research on how young people cope with information about large-scale environmental problems, and it identifies practices to sustain hope.5. The review concludes by suggesting how research on connection with nature and coping with environmental change can benefit from integration.

Eco-anxiety: What it is and why it matters

“…As an example, those with pro-environmental values or a strong environmental identity are more inclined to feel anxious in the face of environmental threats (Clayton and Opotow, 2003;Doherty, 2018;Helm et al, 2018). This suggests that efforts to promote environmental values (e.g., classic environmental education methods such as multi-day opportunities to emerge through nature camps or wilderness outings, see Talebpour et al, 2020) could also help address the false-negative problem, especially if they are integrated with both group-and individual-based methods for coping with difficult emotions (Chawla, 2020;Pihkala, 2020b).…”

Gratitude’s Entanglement with Petroculture: The Undeniable Relation Yet Key Tool for Separation

“…The continual connection with youth to natural experiences and sights will help foster their appreciation of the environment and be more prepared for its destruction. 19 This is a concept referred to as constructive hope. The formation of gratitude will allow for more pro-environmental engagement in the future.…”