A new study warns of a 60% decline in people’s connection to nature since 1800 — a drop that mirrors the disappearance of words like river, moss, and blossom from our books. The research, led by Prof. Miles Richardson (University of Derby), calls this the “extinction of experience,” driven by urbanisation, vanishing wildlife, and parents no longer passing nature on to their children.
Future generations risk losing touch with the natural world entirely unless society makes transformative changes — from radically greening cities (up to 10 times more than current efforts) to introducing children to nature early in life. Richardson warns that small-scale engagement campaigns, while valuable for mental health, cannot reverse this deep intergenerational disconnect. Rebuilding our bond with nature, he says, is critical — not only for the planet’s wellbeing, but for our own. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
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