A comprehensive modeling study published in Earth reveals the staggering scope of humanity's disconnection from nature. Having tracked the evolution of "nature connectedness" from 1800 to 2020, researchers find that restoring humanity's relationship with nature isn't simply about planting more trees and creating more parks.
KEY FINDINGS
🏢 Massive decline: Nature connectedness dropped approximately 60% since 1800, closely tracking urbanization rates that increased from 7.3% to 82.7% of the population
⛓️💥 Disconnection across generations: Parents' relationship with nature emerged as the strongest predictor of their children's connection (80% weighting), creating a self-reinforcing cycle
🧒 Intergenerational payoff: Because disconnection is handed down through families, early childhood interventions are disproportionately impactful; they ripple through society over multiple generations
💪 Recovery requires transformation: Only the most ambitious combined interventions — radical increases in nature access paired with targeted family-based programs — will trigger self-sustaining recovery after 2050
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRANDS: FOUR ROUTES TO PURSUE
If society fails to act, disconnection from nature could undermine sustainability and mental health for the rest of the century. But if organizations invest in systemic interventions now, they can trigger a self-sustaining cultural recovery. Corporate programs act as cultural multipliers: strengthening parents' connection, and giving them confidence to help their children engage with nature.
🌳 1. Green the workplace
— Biophilic design: natural light, plants, green walls, outdoor workspaces
— Dedicated green breaks: encourage short daily outdoor time, not just lunch breaks
— Company policy: buildings must include green spaces (think rooftop gardens, courtyards), preferably also accessible to the general public
📄 2. Integrate nature engagement into benefits packages
— Nature days: extra paid leave for outdoor volunteering or family time
— Subsidized memberships: national parks, urban farms, wildlife trusts
— Green prescriptions: walk-and-talk therapy, mindfulness in parks, forest bathing
👭 3. Family nature transmission
— Family-focused weekend events, for example "Nature Discovery Days" for employees and their children
— Parent workshops on nurturing children's nature connectedness
— Partner with schools: sponsor outdoor classrooms or nature play areas
🏅 4. Cultural storytelling
— Internal communications highlight employees' nature experiences, making nature engagement visible and valued
— Annual nature-at-work awards recognizing teams or individuals for innovative engagement with nature
— Tie company values to stewardship: "our sustainability goals begin with connecting people to the nature we depend on"