Human-Nature Connectedness: An Anchor for Environmental Predicament

Abstract

The ongoing environmental destruction calls for our attention. Climate crisis and loss of biodiversity indicate the failing human-environment relationship. Even after intensive execution of the internationally agreed upon sustainable development goals government-regulated schemes, the situation does not seem to improve. Therefore, recognition of personal responsibility as a prerequisite for attaining these targets is essential. Human connectedness to the natural world can play an essential role in this regard. The current study aims to examine the relationship of empathy and big five personality with one’s connectedness to the nature. The study was done on 60 participants in the age range of 20-40 years from India and United Arab Emirates who have been residing there for more than 2 years. Standardised measures of connectedness to nature, empathy, and big five personality were administered to the participants. The results indicated a relationship between connectedness to nature, empathy and agreeableness. No country-level differences were found. The findings provide an insight into an important way to culminate human-nature connectedness at the most personal front. The research provides promising opportunity for further investigation into the area of empathy as a variable amenable to training with a view of increasing connectedness to nature and tackling the current environmental crisis.