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).
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.
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.
Keeping our children disconnected from nature is one of the worst things we can do for them and for the world. Restricting their access to free play, outside, in natural settings is putting them behind emotionally, physically, and academically. Our cultural view that humans and nature are separate things is, as others said, such a big part of the problem as well.
Thanks for your thoughts! Couldn't agree more. It's a pandemic. For instance, devices rule so many kids lives these days. As a parent, it can be hard bringing kids up without things all their friends have got. But in the end they'll thank us for it. Kids need to be outside getting up to mischief in nature.
I like to think about biodiversity or education as a value-added business model; think dairy, beer and wine. Our business grows X, converts it to Y, and sells it for higher profit margin than just selling X, and as a result creates jobs that keep people busy and proud of what they do. This type of mindset does get through to a lot of mover and shaker type people.
When you speak about connections with nature, I keep coming back to these two words: "horticultural therapy". I like this simple phrase not because I want to stick with a standard definition or anything. But when you bring the word "horticulture" into it you maintain that connection between work and nature, rather than just leisure and nature. Working the land does not mean using it, it means working with it. If your not there with boots on the ground doing it, you will never really see it or feel it, nor will you be there to trade ideas with others doing the same thing. There is a minimum number of people needed aspect to all of this to make it work. Migrating a bunch of the workforce over time to intensive greenhouse food production or non-traditional intensive organic gardening operation that require a lot of people, is a good way to achieve this goal in the short term. Unfortunately the farm fields are pretty beat to crap and then there is that pest problem - so it is hard to start there, hence the intensive greenhouse. Biochar derived from virgin wood wastes (say sawdust) will be a big player in this - there are breadcrumbs everywhere.
I totally do some of my best work (thinking) in nature. But that is because I was literally brought up doing "nature" a lot of the time. I caught insect as a kid and put them in a jar to see if the praying mantis would eat them. I would get soaked looking in wetlands for frogs, salamanders and egg sacks. I feel more comfortable in nature than most anywhere. While I do some peak bagging, I also enjoy spending time in just "the woods" no matter the time of year. I know that this is not the norm everywhere but I only bring this up because you said, you've got to start with them early, and essentially let them eat sand in the sandbox. That is exactly what you have to do.
Great reflection, Stephen. Thanks! That's my kind of childhood! Kids need to get away from screens, out of houses, and into the dirt. I won't add more than that for now. Cheers!
Jonathan, Here’s hope. Attleboro MA is moving forward to plant a miyawaki forest on an abandoned ball field near the High School. A Miyawaki Forest is a dense planting of about 35 native woody plants from all succession stages from sumacs to oaks and hickory. It is being planted not only for more nature and more pollinators, also ten times the carbon dioxide draw down and increased soil depth holding ten times the water compared to a stand of one type of tree. With more verdant vegetation and spongier soils we can reverse climate change locally while enjoying nature.
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.
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.
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! 😁
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).
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.
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.
Thanks so much, Stacy. And unfortunately, nature is coming back to bite us as a result of our lack of action.
I think it is fair of her ...
Keeping our children disconnected from nature is one of the worst things we can do for them and for the world. Restricting their access to free play, outside, in natural settings is putting them behind emotionally, physically, and academically. Our cultural view that humans and nature are separate things is, as others said, such a big part of the problem as well.
Thanks for your thoughts! Couldn't agree more. It's a pandemic. For instance, devices rule so many kids lives these days. As a parent, it can be hard bringing kids up without things all their friends have got. But in the end they'll thank us for it. Kids need to be outside getting up to mischief in nature.
I like to think about biodiversity or education as a value-added business model; think dairy, beer and wine. Our business grows X, converts it to Y, and sells it for higher profit margin than just selling X, and as a result creates jobs that keep people busy and proud of what they do. This type of mindset does get through to a lot of mover and shaker type people.
When you speak about connections with nature, I keep coming back to these two words: "horticultural therapy". I like this simple phrase not because I want to stick with a standard definition or anything. But when you bring the word "horticulture" into it you maintain that connection between work and nature, rather than just leisure and nature. Working the land does not mean using it, it means working with it. If your not there with boots on the ground doing it, you will never really see it or feel it, nor will you be there to trade ideas with others doing the same thing. There is a minimum number of people needed aspect to all of this to make it work. Migrating a bunch of the workforce over time to intensive greenhouse food production or non-traditional intensive organic gardening operation that require a lot of people, is a good way to achieve this goal in the short term. Unfortunately the farm fields are pretty beat to crap and then there is that pest problem - so it is hard to start there, hence the intensive greenhouse. Biochar derived from virgin wood wastes (say sawdust) will be a big player in this - there are breadcrumbs everywhere.
I totally do some of my best work (thinking) in nature. But that is because I was literally brought up doing "nature" a lot of the time. I caught insect as a kid and put them in a jar to see if the praying mantis would eat them. I would get soaked looking in wetlands for frogs, salamanders and egg sacks. I feel more comfortable in nature than most anywhere. While I do some peak bagging, I also enjoy spending time in just "the woods" no matter the time of year. I know that this is not the norm everywhere but I only bring this up because you said, you've got to start with them early, and essentially let them eat sand in the sandbox. That is exactly what you have to do.
Great reflection, Stephen. Thanks! That's my kind of childhood! Kids need to get away from screens, out of houses, and into the dirt. I won't add more than that for now. Cheers!
Jonathan, Here’s hope. Attleboro MA is moving forward to plant a miyawaki forest on an abandoned ball field near the High School. A Miyawaki Forest is a dense planting of about 35 native woody plants from all succession stages from sumacs to oaks and hickory. It is being planted not only for more nature and more pollinators, also ten times the carbon dioxide draw down and increased soil depth holding ten times the water compared to a stand of one type of tree. With more verdant vegetation and spongier soils we can reverse climate change locally while enjoying nature.
Love it! Thanks Rob. Great to hear such stories.
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.
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.
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! 😁
Absolutely! 📢📢📢