Refocusing on nature: the role of nature reintegration in environmental, mental, and societal wellbeing

Royce Willis; Eric Brymer; Vinathe Sharma-Brymer; Matthew J Leach

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1351759

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Refocusing on nature: the role of nature reintegration in environmental, mental, and societal wellbeing

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Refocusing on nature: the role of nature reintegration in environmental, mental, and societal wellbeing

Royce Willis, Eric Brymer, Vinathe Sharma-Brymer and Matthew J Leach

Frontiers in Psychology, Vol.15, pp.1-6

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1351759

PMCID: PMC10927748

PMID: 38476382

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Abstract

Human impacts of climate change and human adaptation

Mitigation of climate change

climate chnage

environmental education

environmental policy

green space

mental health

human-nature connection

nature-based interventions

pro-environmental behaviour

This perspective paper investigates the dynamic interplay between wealth, materialism, environmental degradation, and mental health amid escalating challenges of climate change. The paper critically examines how affluence, often a buffer against climate impacts, paradoxically leads to higher consumption and carbon footprints, exacerbating environmental problems. A societal emphasis on materialism contributes to an estrangement from nature, with significant implications for mental health and environmental sustainability. The paper proposes a fundamental shift in addressing these intertwined challenges through reintegration with nature. The paper recommends integrating urban planning, education, mental health, and community engagement strategies to build a sustainable, mentally resilient society more integrated with nature. This approach, supported by future research directions, aims to create a more balanced, environmentally conscious, and mentally healthy world.

Details

Title: Refocusing on nature: the role of nature reintegration in environmental, mental, and societal wellbeing
Authors: Royce Willis (Corresponding Author) - Southern Cross University
Eric Brymer (Author) - Southern Cross University
Vinathe Sharma-Brymer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
Matthew J Leach (Author) - Southern Cross University
Publication details: Frontiers in Psychology, Vol.15, pp.1-6
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1351759
ISSN: 1664-1078
PMID: 38476382; PMC10927748
Copyright note: © 2024 Willis, Brymer, Sharma-Brymer and Leach. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Data Availability: The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Law and Society
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991001397702621
Output Type: Journal article