Britain is one of the least connected countries to nature, ranking 55th out of 61 nations in the first worldwide study examining how people relate to the natural world.
Researchers surveyed 57,000 people across the globe and found that Nepal topped the list for “nature connectedness,” followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. At the bottom were countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Spain.
Published in Ambio, the study defines nature connectedness as the closeness individuals feel to other living things — a factor linked to both wellbeing and pro-environmental behavior. The researchers, led by Prof Miles Richardson of the University of Derby, found that spirituality and religiosity were the strongest predictors of a close bond with nature.
In contrast, wealthier, highly urbanized nations with strong business environments and heavy internet use showed weaker nature ties. Britain’s low ranking reflects what Richardson called a cultural shift toward “rational, economic and scientific” values at the expense of emotional and spiritual relationships with nature.
He suggested integrating nature more deeply into everyday life — from healthcare and business to law — to restore balance. “Nature must be seen not just as a resource,” he said, “but as a stakeholder in our shared future.”
