Human–nature connectedness as a ‘treatment’ for pro-environmental behavior: making the case for spatial considerations

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1375-1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Klaniecki ◽  
Julia Leventon ◽  
David J. Abson
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals Gratitude to Nature: Presenting a Theory of its Conceptualization, Measurement, and Effects on Pro-Environmental Behavior

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim-Pong Tam
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Environmental Problems ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Connectedness To Nature ◽  
Personal Stories ◽  
Nature Connectedness ◽  
Trait Gratitude

Feeling grateful to nature for its bountiful benefits to humans and wanting to give thanks to nature is a familiar theme in personal stories and cultural rituals, but this emotional experience has rarely been understood scientifically. The present research fills this gap by presenting a theory of gratitude to nature. Findings from four correlational studies and one experiment robustly support its propositions. Gratitude to nature can be conceptualized as a form of benefit-triggered gratitude. The distinction between trait and state gratitude to nature was found to be valid, and both forms of gratitude can be reliably measured. Trait gratitude to nature was associated with interpersonal gratitude as well as a number of constructs relevant to the human-nature relationship (e.g., experience with nature, connectedness to nature, anthropomorphism). Also, gratitude to nature strongly and robustly motivated not only intention but also actual performance of pro-environmental behavior. The theory offers novel insights into the understanding of humans’ relations with nature and responses to environmental problems. It also suggests potential directions for environmental education and communication.

scholarly journals The Role of Social Relational Emotions for Human-Nature Connectedness

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evi Petersen ◽  
Alan Page Fiske ◽  
Thomas W. Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals Anthropomorphism of Nature, Environmental Guilt, and Pro-Environmental Behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 5430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim-Pong Tam
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Individual Difference ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Environmental Behavior ◽  
Environmental Action ◽  
Theoretical Possibility ◽  
Human Environment ◽  
Psychological Knowledge

Feeling guilty about the occurrence of environmental problems is not uncommon; however, not everyone experiences it. Why are there such individual differences? Considering that guilt is a predominantly interpersonal phenomenon, as emotion research has demonstrated, how is it possible that some individuals feel guilty for the degradation of the non-human environment, and some others do not? The present investigation tests an integrated solution to these two questions based on the concept of anthropomorphism. In three studies, with an individual difference approach, it was observed that anthropomorphism of nature predicted the experience of environmental guilt, and this feeling in turn was associated with engagement in pro-environmental behavior. That is, it appears that individuals who view nature in anthropomorphic terms are more likely to feel guilty for environmental degradation, and they take more steps toward environmental action. This observation not only improves existing understanding of environmental guilt, but also adds evidence to the theoretical possibility of describing and understanding the human–nature relationship with reference to psychological knowledge regarding interpersonal relationships.

The impacts of social-ecological system change on human-nature connectedness: A case study from Transylvania, Romania

2019 ◽  
Vol 89 ◽  
pp. 104232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ágnes Balázsi ◽  
Maraja Riechers ◽  
Tibor Hartel ◽  
Julia Leventon ◽  
Joern Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
System Change ◽  
Ecological System ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals Nature engagement for human and nature’s well-being during the Corona pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles Richardson ◽  
Iain Hamlin
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Connectedness To Nature ◽  
Nature Connectedness ◽  
The Uk

Purpose To explore the associations between noticing nature, nature connectedness, time in nature and human and nature’s well-being during the corona pandemic restrictions. Design/methodology/approach Natural England’s people and nature survey (PANS) data (n = 4,206) from the UK was used to assess a number of well-being outcomes (loneliness, life satisfaction, worthwhile life and happiness) and pro-nature behaviours as a function of longer-term physical time in nature and psychological connectedness to nature and shorter-term visits and noticing of nature. Findings Longer-term factors of nature connectedness and time in nature were both consistent significant predictors of well-being measures (apart from loneliness) and pro-nature conservation behaviours. Considered alone short-term visits and noticing were again consistent and significant predictors of three well-being measures, but recent visits to nature were not associated with pro-nature conservation behaviours. A combined regression highlighted the importance of a longer-term relationship with nature in all outcomes apart from loneliness but also revealed that even when considered in concert with longer-term factors, currently noticing nature had a role in feeling one’s life was worthwhile, pro-nature behaviours and loneliness. Originality/value The closeness of the human-nature relationship and noticing nature have rarely been examined in concert with nature visits. Further, the reciprocal benefits of pro-nature behaviours are often overlooked.

scholarly journals Human–nature connectedness and other relational values are negatively affected by landscape simplification: insights from Lower Saxony, Germany

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maraja Riechers ◽  
Berta Martín-López ◽  
Joern Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Lower Saxony ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Rural Landscapes ◽  
Relational Values ◽  
Nature Connectedness

AbstractLandscape simplification is a worldwide phenomenon that impacts biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Humans benefit greatly from nature’s contributions to people in both material and immaterial ways, yet landscape simplification can undermine these contributions. Landscape simplification can have negative consequences, for example, for human–nature connectedness and other relational values. Major and rapid land-use change, together with a declining appreciation of nature by individuals and societies, in turn, could cause a downward spiral of disconnections. Our empirical research combined a comprehensive assessment of five dimensions of human–nature connectedness with the lens of relational values to assess how these are influenced by landscape simplification. Focusing on two rural landscapes with differing agricultural development in Lower Saxony (Germany), we conducted 34 problem-centred interviews. We found that landscape simplification, especially if rapid, negatively influenced human–nature connectedness and particular relational values such as social relations, social cohesion or cultural identity. We postulate that human–nature connectedness might have a balancing influence on preserving relational values, buffering negative impacts of landscape simplification. Losing connections to nature could potentially foster conflicts among actors with different values. We conclude that combining the notions of human–nature connectedness and relational values can generate valuable insights and may help to uncover new ways to foster sustainability.

scholarly journals Indigenous and local knowledge in environmental management for human-nature connectedness: a leverage points perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 290-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aracely Burgos-Ayala ◽  
Amanda Jiménez-Aceituno ◽  
Aura Marcela Torres-Torres ◽  
Daniel Rozas-Vásquez ◽  
David P. M. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Indigenous And Local Knowledge ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals Participatory collective farming as a leverage point for fostering human-nature connectedness

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 222-234
Author(s):  
Irene Pérez-Ramírez ◽  
Marina García-Llorente ◽  
Clara Saban de la Portilla ◽  
Alejandro Benito ◽  
Antonio J. Castro
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Leverage Point ◽  
Collective Farming ◽  
Nature Connectedness

scholarly journals Inner transformation to sustainability as a deep leverage point: fostering new avenues for change through dialogue and reflection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Woiwode ◽  
Niko Schäpke ◽  
Olivia Bina ◽  
Stella Veciana ◽  
Iris Kunze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
System Change ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Leverage Point ◽  
Nature Connectedness ◽  
Concrete Elements ◽  
Structured Approach

AbstractThis article provides a rationale for inner transformation as a key and hitherto underresearched dimension of sustainability transformations. Inner transformation relates to various aspects of human existence and interactions such as consciousness, mindsets, values, worldviews, beliefs, spirituality and human–nature connectedness. The article draws on Meadows’ leverage points approach, as places to intervene in a system, to reveal the relevance of inner transformation for system change towards sustainability. Based on insights from a series of dialogue and reflection workshops and a literature review, this article provides three important contributions to sustainability transformations research: first, it increases our conceptual understanding of inner transformation and its relevance for sustainability; second, it outlines concrete elements of the inner transformation-sustainability nexus in relation to leverage points; and third, it presents practical examples illustrating how to work with leverage points for supporting inner transformation. In sum, the paper develops a systematized and structured approach to understanding inner transformation, including the identification of deep, i.e., highly influential, leverage points. In addition, it critically discusses the often contentious and divergent perspectives on inner transformation and shows related practical challenges. Finally, current developments in inner transformation research as well as further research needs are identified.

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