Humanity’s distance to nature: time for environmental austerity?

Seppelt, Ralf; Cumming, Graeme S.

doi:10.1007/s10980-016-0423-5

Cited by 26 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Other literature has introduced the term “distance from nature”. Seppelt and Cumming ( 2016 ) suggest that humanity must decrease its distance from the natural world in terms of knowledge of contact with nature while increasing ‘distance’ in the sense of direct impacts of human activities on ecosystems to maintain the earth’s life support system.…”

Section: Conceptualising Human–nature Connectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reconnecting with nature for sustainability

et al. 2018

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Calls for humanity to ‘reconnect to nature’ have grown increasingly louder from both scholars and civil society. Yet, there is relatively little coherence about what reconnecting to nature means, why it should happen and how it can be achieved. We present a conceptual framework to organise existing literature and direct future research on human–nature connections. Five types of connections to nature are identified: material, experiential, cognitive, emotional, and philosophical. These various types have been presented as causes, consequences, or treatments of social and environmental problems. From this conceptual base, we discuss how reconnecting people with nature can function as a treatment for the global environmental crisis. Adopting a social–ecological systems perspective, we draw upon the emerging concept of ‘leverage points’—places in complex systems to intervene to generate change—and explore examples of how actions to reconnect people with nature can help transform society towards sustainability.

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Section: Conceptualising Human–nature Connectionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Disconnection from nature is often considered as a symptom of broader-scale societal changes (Pyle 2003 ; Seppelt and Cumming 2016 ). However, the literature varies according to whether immediate or more fundamental causes of disconnection from nature are considered.…”

Section: Causes Consequences and Treatmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reconnecting with nature for sustainability

et al. 2018

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“…Disconnection from nature has been implicated as a key factor in ongoing environmental destruction ( Nisbet et al, 2009 ; Zylstra et al, 2014 ), with some arguing that a sense of connection to nature is a necessary precondition for caring for, and commitment toward, protecting the natural environment ( Schultz, 2002b ). Thus, (re)connecting people with nature is seen as a potentially viable means of addressing sustainability outcomes ( Seppelt and Cumming, 2016 ; Ives et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The CN-12: A Brief, Multidimensional Connection With Nature Instrument

et al. 2020

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In recent decades, there has been increasing interest in (re)connecting people with nature to foster sustainability outcomes. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting a relationship between connection with nature and pro-environmental behaviors. Connection with nature has often been conceptualized as a unidimensional construct, and although recent evidence suggests that it is multidimensional, there is ongoing debate regarding the dimensions that make up connection with nature. Existing multidimensional connection with nature instruments capture similar dimensions, yet they are lengthy and may not have practical application in real-world contexts. This research sought to clarify the dimensions of connection with nature and to develop and validate an abbreviated yet multidimensional connection with nature instrumentthe CN-12. Analyses of two large datasets revealed three dimensions of connection with nature-identity, experience, and philosophy. Results suggested that the CN-12 and its three dimensions are positively correlated with: (1) environmental and altruistic values; (2) time spent in nature; and (3) a range of pro-environmental behaviors. Results also suggested that the CN-12 and its three dimensions are stable over time and are positively correlated with two existing multidimensional connection with nature instruments, the Nature Relatedness (NR) Scale and Environmental Identity (EID) Scale. The utility of the CN-12 for exploring human connections with nature and the role of fostering connection with nature to increase engagement in pro-environmental behaviors are discussed.

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“…For example, human-nature disconnectedness can increase inter-and intragenerational injustice by taxing future generations and distant regions (Haberl et al 2002, Martinez-Alier et al 2014 via overconsumption, depletion of natural resources, and pollution of the environment (Pearson 2007, Wiedmann 2016). In addition, disconnection from the natural environment may foster a systemic cognitive distancing of land use related activities from their environmental impacts (Cumming et al 2014, Seppelt and Cumming 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing sustainable biophysical human–nature connectedness at regional scales

Dorninger¹,

Abson²,

Fischer³

et al. 2017

Environ. Res. Lett.

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Humans are biophysically connected to the biosphere through the flows of materials and energy appropriated from ecosystems. While this connection is fundamental for human well-being, many modern societies have-for better or worse-disconnected themselves from the natural productivity of their immediate regional environment. In this paper, we conceptualize the biophysical human-nature connectedness of land use systems at regional scales. We distinguish two mechanisms by which primordial connectedness of people to regional ecosystems has been circumvented via the use of external inputs. First, 'biospheric disconnection' refers to people drawing on non-renewable minerals from outside the biosphere (e.g. fossils, metals and other minerals). Second, 'spatial disconnection' arises from the imports and exports of biomass products and imported mineral resources used to extract and process ecological goods. Both mechanisms allow for greater regional resource use than would be possible otherwise, but both pose challenges for sustainability, for example, through waste generation, depletion of nonrenewable resources and environmental burden shifting to distant regions. In contrast, biophysically reconnected land use systems may provide renewed opportunities for inhabitants to develop an awareness of their impacts and fundamental reliance on ecosystems. To better understand the causes, consequences, and possible remedies related to biophysical disconnectedness, new quantitative methods to assess the extent of regional biophysical humannature connectedness are needed. To this end, we propose a new methodological framework that can be applied to assess biophysical human-nature connectedness in any region of the world.

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Humanity’s distance to nature: time for environmental austerity?

Cited by 26 publications

References 34 publications

Reconnecting with nature for sustainability

Reconnecting with nature for sustainability

The CN-12: A Brief, Multidimensional Connection With Nature Instrument

Assessing sustainable biophysical human–nature connectedness at regional scales

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