“The disconnect from nature is one of the key causes of the environmental crisis,” said Professor Miles Richardson, a researcher studying the relationship between humans and nature.

Researchers analyzed more than 220 years of history, using data on urbanization, the disappearance of wildlife in residential areas, and the loss of the cultural tradition of passing on a love of nature to children. One alarming indicator was even the disappearance of nature-related vocabulary from books—its use declined by 60.6% between 1800 and 2020, with the sharpest drop occurring in 1990.

Computer modeling has confirmed that without radical changes—large-scale urban greening and engaging children with nature from an early age—we risk losing this connection for good. Why is this important? Because nature is not just a source of resources. It is the foundation of our mental health, our culture, and our well-being.