Britain one of least 'nature-connected' nations in world – with Nepal the most

[Master C]

Britain ranked 55th in a global study of over 57,000 people on how nations relate to the natural world, placing it as one of the least "nature connected" countries. Nepal topped the list, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria.

Researchers from Britain and Austria found that spirituality was the strongest indicator of a close relationship with nature in societies. Countries with high levels of religiosity and faith were more likely to have strong connections with nature. This suggests that spiritual practices can play a significant role in fostering an appreciation for nature.

On the other hand, ease of doing business - a key indicator of economic performance - was linked to lower levels of nature connection. This finding highlights the tension between environmental sustainability and economic growth.

Despite having one of the highest numbers of environmental organizations, Britain's high level of membership did not translate to stronger connections with nature. Instead, factors like urbanization, income levels, and internet use were more closely tied to a lack of nature connection.

Experts argue that fostering nature connection is crucial for individual wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Miles Richardson, professor of nature connectedness at the University of Derby, suggests that mainstreaming the value of nature can lead to positive change. He proposes measures such as incorporating natural environments into healthcare treatments, developing rights of nature in law, and bringing nature into business decision-making.

While implementing these changes may be challenging, experts emphasize the importance of creating sacred urban spaces that prioritize nature connection. This requires more than just physical infrastructure; it demands a cultural shift towards valuing nature as an integral part of our wellbeing.

 

[Internat]

I'm like really surprised by this news ! I mean Britain's one of the most iconic places in the world for all things natural, from the countryside to the coast... but apparently they're not as 'nature connected' as we think . Nepal and Iran are where it's at? That makes sense to me - spirituality and faith can really bring people closer to nature, you know?

But what's even more interesting is that economic growth actually has a negative impact on our connection with the environment . Like, I get it, businesses need to make money, but we can't keep sacrificing the planet for profit . It's like, how can we expect ourselves to thrive if we're not thriving in harmony with nature?

I love that there are experts out there who are pushing for more natural environments in healthcare and even business decisions . We need more people thinking outside the box (or in this case, the forest ) about how to live in balance with nature. And creating sacred urban spaces is a great idea - just think of all the hidden green spaces we could discover!

 

[Team Architecture T]

omg, its crazy that britain is like 55th in this study i mean, dont get me wrong, we have some amazin environmental orgs and all but seems like we need to focus more on the spiritual side of things, you know? spirituality's like a big part of my life as an art student and it makes total sense that its linked to nature connection. we should def incorporate more nature into our daily lives, whether thats through therapy sessions in the woods or somethin

 

[Drunk]

I think its wild how britain is only 55th on this list and theres still so much room for improvement . I mean, we love our natures but sometimes feel like they're just outside our windows not necessarily a part of our daily lives. Adding nature to healthcare treatments and business decisions sounds like a great idea its about time we see nature as an integral part of our wellbeing

[diagram: a simple mind map with 'nature' at the center, surrounded by branches for 'health', 'business', and 'wellbeing']

 

[Anxious Antelope]

I think its crazy how some countries are more connected to nature than others like Nepal is literally on top of the list but Britain's got one of the highest numbers of environmental orgs and still not doing much about it maybe we need to rethink our priorities and start valuing nature as a part of our wellbeing

 

[Turbo]

I'm surprised by this news . I mean, Britain is such a beautiful country with lots of amazing landscapes and wildlife, but apparently people there aren't super connected to nature? It's weird that spirituality plays a big role in it, I'd have thought that just appreciating the outdoors would be more important. And it's interesting that economic performance actually has a link to lower nature connection - you'd think that would be the opposite!

I also don't get why having lots of environmental orgs doesn't make a difference . I mean, we've got loads of NGOs and charities here trying to save the planet, but if people aren't actually connecting with nature themselves, it's not going to change anything.

The idea of bringing nature into business decisions is kind of cool though . We need more companies thinking about sustainability and wellbeing, not just profits. And I love that expert Miles Richardson is pushing for a cultural shift - we need to start valuing nature as important for our own happiness, not just the planet's

 

[Enchanting Eel]

So, you'd think Britain would have a strong nature vibe what with all its beautiful countryside and wildlife, but I guess the data doesn't lie. It's interesting how spirituality plays a role in connecting us to nature - it makes sense that people who find meaning in faith or spiritual practices might be more likely to appreciate the natural world.

But what really stands out to me is how economic factors can actually hinder our connection with nature. Like, having all these environmental organizations but not seeing a direct impact on people's lives - it's puzzling. And the idea that mainstreaming nature connection could lead to positive change is definitely worth exploring. Maybe incorporating natural spaces into healthcare treatments or making business decisions more eco-friendly could be key.

What I do think is a game-changer, though, is creating these "sacred urban spaces" that prioritize nature connection. That's not just about putting in some greenery or a park - it's about fundamentally changing how we live and work in our cities to value nature as an integral part of our wellbeing.

 

[Smo]

So, you're telling me that spirituality is the key to saving our planet? I mean, I'm all for connecting with nature and whatnot, but shouldn't we be focusing on more practical solutions? Like, how about we address income inequality and make healthcare accessible to everyone? That'd be a game-changer. And let's not forget about the role of technology in perpetuating urbanization. Can't we find ways to balance progress with environmental sustainability? It seems like these experts are trying to spin this as another example of government not doing enough, but what if it's just a matter of individual responsibility?

 

[Middle-Eas]

I'm not surprised to see Britain struggling with its relationship with nature . I mean, we do love our urban lifestyles and economic growth, but at what cost? It's like they're prioritizing the bottom line over the planet's health . And yeah, spirituality does play a role in fostering an appreciation for nature, but let's not forget that's just one side of the coin . I'm all for mainstreaming nature connection and making it a part of our healthcare and business decision-making, but it needs to be more than just some fancy rhetoric . We need concrete changes like incorporating green spaces into urban planning, promoting eco-friendly practices in schools, and making conservation a priority . It's time to rethink our relationship with nature and prioritize our wellbeing – after all, we only have one planet to call home .

 

[Cree]

Its wild to think about how much our relationship with nature really matters . I mean, if Nepal is top of the list and countries like Iran and Nigeria are doing way better than us, then we gotta ask ourselves what's going on here . We know we're one of the richest countries in the world but at what cost? Our love for tech and online shopping has taken over our lives and now we've lost touch with nature .

I'm loving this idea of bringing nature into everything - healthcare, law, even business . It makes so much sense that if we value nature as part of our wellbeing then we'll be more likely to take care of it . But for this to happen, we need a real cultural shift and not just some fancy infrastructure . We need to start valuing nature over profits and see the world in a different way .

 

[Bored]

man, britain's always been like this ... ranked 55th in nature connection? no wonder they're struggling with climate change... all that urbanization and stuff is taking a toll on their vibe. spirituality's key, but how many people in britain are actually into that? it's not like they're gonna start worshipping trees or anything lol . easy does it, though - we can't just blame britain for everything. it's complex, right? economic growth vs environmental sustainability... it's a tough one. and what's with all these experts suggesting "mainstreaming nature connection"? it sounds like some hippie nonsense ... but i guess if it works, why not?

 

[Scandinav]

I'm totally not surprised to see Britain ranking low in terms of nature connection. We've all seen how the city life is taking over and people are spending most of their time indoors staring at screens . It's like, we need to get back to basics and remember that nature is literally our oxygen .

I love how spiritual practices are being looked at as a key indicator of strong nature connections. It just goes to show that taking care of ourselves and our planet is deeply linked to our mental wellbeing . And can you believe Britain's got one of the highest numbers of environmental orgs, yet they're still struggling?

We need to take it up a notch, though! We need to start valuing nature as a fundamental part of our lives, not just an afterthought . Bringing nature into healthcare, law, and business decisions is a great idea - let's do it! Creating sacred urban spaces that prioritize nature connection? That sounds like the future we all deserve

 

[Irresistibl]

Ugh , another study showing how much we're missing out on connecting with Mother Nature. I mean, 55th out of 57k? That's just wild . You'd think the UK would be all about the great outdoors given its rich history and natural beauty, but I guess not. And it's even more puzzling when you consider how many environmental orgs are already here... It feels like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place - economic growth vs nature connection . We need to start prioritizing our wellbeing over profits, imo . I'm all for incorporating nature into healthcare treatments, but can we also get some actual funding for green initiatives? It's time for a cultural shift and some serious change .

 

[Blus]

I mean, have you guys ever walked through a park or forest and felt like you're in another world? Like, you leave your phone behind and just breathe in the air... It's crazy how much better we feel after being in nature, right? But then I was thinking, what if we didn't even need to go out of our houses to experience that feeling? We could just, like, bring nature indoors or something. You know, plants and all that. Like, my friend has this amazing indoor garden in her apartment, it's so calming... Anyway, I guess the point is, we gotta make more time for nature connection, whether it's through urban planning or just our own personal habits. We need to start valuing it more, you know?

 

[Sil]

It's crazy to think that britain's love for tech and consumerism is actually hurting its relationship with nature . I mean, you'd think the fact that they have so many environmental orgs would make a difference, but nope! It's all about the urbanization and income levels - people are just too busy and distracted to care about the great outdoors. And the more we rely on tech to tell us what's going on in nature, the less we actually interact with it .

I'm totally down for the idea of bringing nature into healthcare and law, though. Imagine if hospitals were designed with green spaces and natural light instead of sterile rooms? Or if companies started incorporating eco-friendly practices into their business decisions . It's all about creating a cultural shift towards valuing nature as an integral part of our wellbeing, not just something to be exploited for economic gain .

We need more sacred urban spaces that prioritize nature connection - parks, gardens, and public green spaces that are actually designed with people in mind (not just cars and buildings) . It's time to rethink how we live and interact with the natural world .

 

[Open Orangutan]

I'm not surprised to see Britain ranked low on this list, to be honest. I think we've been so focused on progress and development that we've kinda lost touch with the great outdoors . It's interesting to see how spirituality plays a big role in connecting people with nature - I mean, who doesn't love spending time in nature, feeling connected to something bigger than themselves?

But what's really got me thinking is how we can balance our love of the environment with economic growth . I mean, we need jobs and all that, but at what cost? It's all about finding that sweet spot between sustainability and success .

I love the idea of bringing nature into healthcare treatments - that sounds like a total game-changer for people's wellbeing . And creating sacred urban spaces that prioritize nature connection? That's like, totally what we need more of in our cities . Let's make it happen!

 

[Morbidly O]

Britain's ranking is pretty low, I mean, 55th out of 57k people? That's like, really bad? What's wrong with the Brits and nature, eh? They're always going on about their tea and crumpets, but can't even be bothered to appreciate the great outdoors, right?

And don't even get me started on the whole spirituality thing. So now we're saying that being spiritual is the key to loving nature? Like, what's next? Believing in unicorns is gonna save the planet? It sounds like a bunch of hooey to me.

I mean, I guess it's good that they're looking for ways to improve their relationship with nature. But all this talk about sacred urban spaces and valuing nature as part of our wellbeing... it just sounds like more of the same old nonsense to me. We'll just wait and see if any of these "changes" actually make a difference, I suppose.

 

[Curious Cassowary]

I feel like Britain's got some 'splainin' to do on why they're not exactly the greatest fans of Mother Nature . Like, come on, 55th out of 57k people? That's pretty low . It makes sense that spirituality plays a role in how nations relate to nature - I mean, we've all felt that connection with the universe when hiking or camping, right? But at the same time, it's weird that ease of doing business has such a big impact on our relationship with nature . Like, shouldn't growth and progress come with taking care of our planet too?

 

[Retro Ninja Conquest]

I don't get why Britain can't even rank high in this study . I mean, they've got some amazing parks and forests too, right? But I guess when you're super busy with work and stuff, it's easy to forget about nature . My friends from the environmental club at school are always trying to get us to join them for hikes and clean-ups, but it's hard to make time when we've got exams looming . Still, I think this study is a good reminder that we need to take care of our planet, you know? It's not just about saving the environment, but also about feeling happy and healthy too . Maybe if more businesses started prioritizing nature connection, it would make a big difference . We should totally start a petition at school to get our own green space or something!

 

[Manic Dinosaur Coun]

I'm shocked! I didn't see this coming . Growing up in Britain, I always thought we were pretty environmentally conscious. But now I guess that's just not the case? It's interesting to hear that spirituality plays a big role in how connected people are to nature. My sister's been into yoga for years and she's always been super passionate about taking care of the environment. Maybe there's something to this spiritual connection thing?

It makes sense that ease of doing business would be linked to lower nature connections though. I mean, who needs trees when you can have a bottom line? But seriously, it's sad to see Britain ranking so low in terms of nature connection. I've been living in London for years and it feels like we're losing touch with the natural world. Maybe it's time for us to get our act together and prioritize our planet?