People's Connection to Nature Declined by 60% Since 1800, New Study Shows

The relationship between people and nature has decreased by over 60% from 1800 to today, a large-scale study by Prof. Miles Richardson from the University of Derby shows. This strikingly coincides with the disappearance of words like "river", "moss", and "flower" from literature, according to an analysis of books over the past 220 years.

Computer models predict that this connection will continue to decline unless radical social and political changes occur. The most effective ways to reverse the trend are early introduction of children to nature and bold urban greening.

Prof. Richardson's study accounts for the loss of nature in life through urbanization, reduction of wild zones, and – most importantly – the lack of passing love for nature from parents to children. The analysis of books from 1800 to 2020 shows a 60.6% decline in the use of words describing natural phenomena, with the peak reached in 1990.

Forecasts indicate that future generations will suffer from a lack of "natural experience" as increasingly built environments and interrupted intergenerational connections will deepen alienation. Other studies confirm that parents' connection to nature is the strongest factor in children's interest in the natural world.

"Connection to nature is now considered a primary cause of the ecological crisis," Prof. Richardson commented. "It is critical for both human mental health and nature's well-being. A transformative change is necessary if we truly want to restore society's connection to nature."

The author explains that the scale of required changes is impressive – a city needs to become 10 times, not just 30% greener, to interrupt the negative trend. Measures to increase public engagement – like the popular #30DaysWild campaigns – are useful for mental health but do not reverse the long-term decline.

According to the models, the most effective approaches are early education policies and mass greening, especially in urban areas, as well as direct work with families and parents to involve children in an inseparable connection with nature.

The study cites a survey among Sheffield residents who spend an average of 4 minutes and 36 seconds in natural spaces per day. If this time increases 10-fold – to about 40 minutes daily – a significant turnaround could be achieved, Prof. Richardson believes.

"Working with parents and families to pass on love for nature, focusing on the connection between generations, is the key. Children are still enchanted by the world outside the home – we just need to maintain this connection throughout their childhood and schooling, together with mass greening. We need a transformative approach – not 30%, but 1000% more green spaces," the scientist summarizes.