Discover the wonders of interconnectedness with nature and how it enriches our lives. Click on any part of the image below to start your journey in this mini-storybook about nature connectedness. You can discover the link between nature connectedness and sustainability in the section below the image.

Nature connectedness plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability. Individuals who feel deeply connected to nature are more likely to develop pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. This strong sense of interconnectedness fosters a greater understanding of the impact human activities have on the environment and motivates individuals to adopt more sustainable practices in their daily lives. Furthermore, people with higher nature connectedness tend to be more mindful of resource consumption, advocate for conservation efforts, and actively engage in environmental protection initiatives.

Lumber et al. (2017) identifies five pathways to nature connectedness: 

• Contact: This pathway involves direct physical contact with nature, such as touching plants or animals, or being in natural environments.
• Emotion: This pathway involves experiencing positive emotions in response to nature, such as joy, awe, or wonder.
• Meaning: This pathway involves finding personal meaning or significance in nature, such as seeing nature as a source of inspiration or spiritual connection.
• Compassion: This pathway involves feeling empathy and concern for the well-being of nature, such as wanting to protect or care for natural environments and the creatures that inhabit them.
• Beauty: This pathway involves appreciating the aesthetic qualities of nature, such as its visual or auditory beauty.

Richardson et al. (2020), building on Lumber et al. (2017), suggests that organizations can enhance human-nature relationships by creating interventions that promote specific forms of active engagement with nature. This approach involves focusing on cultural programs and urban design to increase ‘sensory, meaningful, and emotional engagement’ (p. 387). These pathways can be applied at various levels, from individual activities to social and educational initiatives, infrastructure design, and even on a broader scale.