Factors in a failing relationship with nature: Country level correlates of nature connectedness – a key metric for a sustainable future

Climate change and biodiversity loss show thatthe human–nature relationship is failing. That relationshipcan be measured through the construct of natureconnectedness which is a key factor in pro-environmentalbehaviours and mental well-being. Country-level indicatorsof extinction of nature experience, consumption andcommerce, use and control of nature and negativisticfactors were selected. An exploratory analysis of therelationship between these metrics and natureconnectedness across adult samples from 14 Europeancountries was conducted (n = 14,745 respondents). Theanalysis provides insight into how affluence, technologyand consumption are associated with the human–naturerelationship. These findings motivate a comparison of hownature connectedness and composite indicators ofprosperity, progress, development, and sustainabilityrelate to indicators of human and nature’s well-being. Incomparison to composite indexes, it is proposed that natureconnectedness is a critical indicator of human and nature’swell-being needed to inform the transition to a sustainablefuture.