9 Comments
Oct 26Liked by Jonathan Tonkin

Very important issue. I dare say that one reason we are loosing our connection to Nature is because we have been indoctrinated with the false dichotomy that humans and Nature are separate. We are Nature. We don’t need to connect with “it” we need to reconnect our understanding of “self” to include all the things that sustain us—like trees, soil, phytoplankton, the water cycle—because without “them” there is no “us.” So much of our suffering comes from trying to uphold the inaccurate ideology that we aren’t part of Nature. But when we recognize that we are Nature, then we can start seeing how to live in harmony with our habitat (as many non-Western cultures have done and continue to do).

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Well said, Tara! Thanks for sharing. That's so true. I guess the framing of losing our connection with nature is a little bit off really as it perpetuates the 'over there' narrative of nature.

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Oct 26Liked by Jonathan Tonkin

I always enjoy your newsletter, thank you. I agree with Tara, we are nature but the human species seems to forget that. Instead, the knowledge people seek is how to gain power over others, the next rung maybe, that feels more in your face these days. We "conquered" nature, she has no benefit, except she has everything we need to live. I am so sad.

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Thanks so much, Stacy. And unfortunately, nature is coming back to bite us as a result of our lack of action.

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Oct 28Liked by Jonathan Tonkin

I think it is fair of her ...

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Oct 29Liked by Jonathan Tonkin

Thanks for this piece. I completely agree with everything you say. It’s depressing thinking about the disconnect with nature that so many of our children have. Surely it all starts with education - we need to get our children out into gardens and into nature. They should all be doing forest school and learning from play and interactions from nature rather than sitting in a classroom aged 4. And for older children gardening should be on the curriculum! And we urgently need to fill our cities with communal gardens to give everyone access to green space. Yes, we ARE nature and nature is us, we are not separate from it, and our disconnection can only be a negative thing.

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Thanks so much, Clare! 100%! Unfortunately, there's little sign of that happening re: kids in nature. And the amount of screen time kids receive these days is mind boggling. The science is clear on the problems that causes, yet there seems to be no slowing screen time down. I feel the hurdle to get them into forests and gardens would be even higher. But one can hope. Let's keep sharing in the hope it reaches the right ears. Beyond the human health aspect, I find the fact that a greater connection to nature leads to higher chances of having positive impacts on nature through activism and advocacy super interesting. Thanks again, Clare -- appreciate your thoughts.

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Oct 29Liked by Jonathan Tonkin

Yes so interesting - once people make the connection they are so much more likely to feel some sort of guardianship over our planet. Which is why we need to keep shouting about it! 😁

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Absolutely! 📢📢📢

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