Britain is one of the least “nature-connected” countries in the world, ranking 55th out of 61 nations in a global study examining how people relate to the natural world.
Researchers surveyed 57,000 people and found that the UK lags far behind countries such as Nepal – ranked highest – followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. At the bottom were the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Spain.
The study, published in Ambio, found that societies with higher levels of spirituality and religious belief tend to have stronger connections with nature, while those focused on economic growth and business efficiency were less connected.
Lead researcher Prof Miles Richardson from the University of Derby said the results reflect how “a rational, technological and economic society” like Britain has grown distant from nature. “We need to reintegrate natural thinking into our modern world,” he said.
Urbanisation, higher incomes, and internet use were also linked to weaker relationships with nature, while environmental group membership had little effect.
Richardson suggested that fostering a deeper connection could involve using green spaces in healthcare, recognising “rights of nature” in law, and embedding ecological thinking in business decisions.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, added: “What we notice we begin to love, and what we love we want to protect. It all starts with children and time spent in nature.”
