Britain ranks 55th out of 61 countries in a global study of how people feel connected to nature — placing it among the least “nature-connected” nations worldwide.
The research, published in Ambio, surveyed 57,000 people and found that Nepal topped the list, followed by Iran, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. At the bottom were the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, and Spain.
Nature connectedness measures how emotionally and psychologically close people feel to the natural world. Those with stronger connections tend to enjoy better wellbeing and show more environmentally friendly behavior.
The study, led by Prof. Miles Richardson of the University of Derby, found that spirituality and religious belief were the strongest predictors of a close bond with nature. In contrast, high levels of urbanization, income, and internet use were linked to weaker connections, as was a strong emphasis on business and economic growth.
Richardson said Britain’s low ranking reflects a “rational, economic, and scientific” culture that often sidelines emotional or spiritual ties to nature. “It’s about mainstreaming the value of nature — making it integral to wellbeing so it becomes respected and almost sacred,” he said.
He suggested boosting nature-based health treatments, integrating biodiversity into business decisions, and even legally recognizing nature’s rights.
The Church of England’s bishop for environmental affairs, Graham Usher, added: “What we notice we begin to love, and what we love we want to protect. It all starts with helping children connect with nature.”
