Exploring the human-environment connection: Rurality, ecology and social well-being

Abstract

Exploring the complex relationship between humans and their natural environment is of increasing importance. To commence understand- ing this relationship, our special edition offers Rural Society readers a diversity of research approaches illu- minating insights from a range of disciplinary and methodological perspectives. Not only are new solu- tions offered, but new relationships between people and nature are identified and developed. The quality of connections between people and the landscapes in which they live have important consequences for the health of people, communities and for the natu- ral environment. In this special edition, the human- environment connection is explored largely through connections to land and place.Research suggests human emotion plays a role in shaping beliefs and behaviours which may explain dif- ferences in responses to global environmental changes (Brugger, Dunbar, Jurt, & Orlove, 2013) that affect practical, long lasting positive changes between people and the environment (Crowley, 2013) and may hold insights for protecting nature, such as through moti- vating emotions developed through the restoration of ecological systems (DiEnno & Thompson, 2013). Engagement with nature, through sensory exposure, is indicated as engendering a sense of connectedness with positive effects on psychological health (Kamitsis & Francis, 2013) and strong empirical evidence of measurable benefits to people resulting from interac- tions with nature (Keniger, Gaston, Irvine, & Fuller, 2013). Interactions with nature are explored through environmental monitoring activities (Lawrence, 2006) extending beyond the traditional dichotomies defined through ecological-technological divides reflecting instrumental and transformative emotional engagement (Lawrence, 2006). Clear relationships between nature-relatedness, greater happiness and ecologically sustainable behaviour are demonstrated to counter the disconnection existing between humans and the natural world (Nisbet & Zelenski, 2013; Nisbet, Zelenski, & Murphy, 2009).Relationships with nature are identified as com- plex, with influences resulting from urban and rural places, gender and educational background (Pointon, 2014). Empathy for the environment, derived through emotional experiences with the natural world, is identified as a predictor for conservation behaviour (Tam, 2013). Humans relate to their natu- ral environment in diverse ways. For example, some may anthropomorphise nature, and thus engender conservation behaviour (Tam, Lee, & Chao, 2013). Thus, planning that acknowledges associations between natural characteristics of landscapes and the socio-cultural characteristics of the social landscape may improve connectedness with nature (Pinto- Correia & Kristensen, 2013). Likewise, integrating agrarian designs in urban planning may also engen- der a connectedness with nature (Wise, 2013).The articles in this special edition explore these manifestations of human-environment interactions through various, yet related, concepts. A useful means of developing how we may understand the human- nature relationship is outlined by Turner and Hope (2014, pp. 175-187), who discuss how, through engagement in a food system that actively connects people to the communities, land and environment 'which yields their food' fosters human-nature con- nectivity. This active connection is identified as a way of promoting more ethical ecological understanding and practice (Turner & Hope, 2014, pp. 175-187) by connecting farmers' markets visitors with food sources. Other meaningful lessons to be learned from the human-nature relationship are offered by Madsen and O'Mullan (2014, pp. 151-160), who reveal even when nature asserts itself strongly, through flood- ing and cyclones, it offers humans opportunities. In this instance, nature afforded individuals in Central Queensland opportunities for self-development, leadership programme participation and the building of social capital and community resilience. …