Britain has one of the weakest relationships with nature in the world, ranking 55th out of 61 countries in a global study of 57,000 people. The research, published in Ambio, examined how cultural, economic, and social factors shape people’s connection to the natural world.
Nepal topped the list as the most nature-connected nation, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. At the bottom were the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Spain.
Led by Professor Miles Richardson from the University of Derby, the study found that spirituality and faith were the strongest predictors of closeness to nature, while factors such as high income, urbanisation, and internet use were linked to weaker connections.
“Nature connectedness is not just about what we do, but how we feel and value our place in the living world,” said Richardson, adding that Britain’s highly technological and business-oriented culture may explain its low ranking.
He suggested integrating nature into healthcare, law, and business—such as through biodiversity regulations—to restore a sense of respect and balance.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, welcomed the findings, saying: “What we notice we begin to love, and what we love we want to protect. It all starts with children.”
