A study by Professor Miles Richardson reveals a 60% decline in human connection to nature since 1800, highlighting the impact of urbanization and industrialization.

This disconnection is linked to the 'extinction of experience,' where reduced interaction with nature is passed down generations, raising questions about humanity's evolutionary path and dominance over the planet.

We as a society are disconnecting from nature. This is a truism for the human species. But how disconnected are we from nature, from where we evolved? On the face of it, this sounds like a philosophical question.

Still, if one gets to measure this, which tool to use? Miles Richardson, a professor engaged in nature connectedness studies at the School of Psychology, University of Derby, UK, has published a study that attempts to measure this widening connection between humans and nature.

His finding says that human connection to nature has declined 60 per cent since 1800.Richardson used a model that simulated people’s interaction with the environment. “It’s built on the idea of the extinction of experience—the cycle where loss of nature leads to lower connection, which can then get passed on to the next generation,” he said. 

Source:Downtoearth