Time Spent in Nature Is Associated with Increased Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors

Nicole V. DeVille, Linda Powers Tomasso, Olivia P. Stoddard, Grete E. Wilt, Teresa H. Horton, Kathleen L. Wolf, Eric Brymer, Peter H. Kahn and Peter James
Additional contact information
Nicole V. DeVille: Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Linda Powers Tomasso: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Olivia P. Stoddard: Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Grete E. Wilt: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Teresa H. Horton: Department of Anthropology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
Kathleen L. Wolf: School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Eric Brymer: Faculty of Health, Gold Coast Campus, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast 4225, Australia
Peter H. Kahn: School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Peter James: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: Urbanization, screen dependency, and the changing nature of childhood and parenting have led to increased time indoors, creating physical and emotional distancing from nature and time spent in natural environments. Substantial evidence from observational and intervention studies indicates that overall time spent in nature leads to increased perceived value for connectedness to nature and, subsequently, greater pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors (PEAB). This narrative review of the recent literature evaluates associations between time spent in nature with values ascribed to nature and nature connectedness, as well as PEAB. We discuss the influence of nature exposure and education in childhood on subsequent development of PEAB in adulthood. We analyze theoretical frameworks applied to this research as well as metrics employed, populations studied, and individual and societal values before presenting limitations of this research. We conclude with suggestions for future research directions based on current knowledge, underscoring the importance of promoting time spent in nature and PEAB in the face of growing challenges to planetary health. Research indicates that overall time spent in nature, regardless of the quality of environmental conditions, leads to increased perceived values ascribed to nature, which is associated with PEAB; however, this literature is predominantly cross-sectional. Furthermore, personal and social factors may influence PEAB. Thus, more longitudinal studies that consider these factors are needed to assess the duration and frequency of time spent in nature in childhood and its impact on PEAB throughout the life course. Identifying contexts which cultivate PEAB and reverse alienation from nature beginning in childhood may better sensitize adults to the urgency of environmental issues such as climate change, which adversely impact individual and environmental health.

Keywords: nature; nature exposure; time in nature; nature affinity; environmental values; pro-environmentalism; environmental education; nature experience; environmental attitudes; environmental behaviors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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