Human-nature Relationship Research Articles

Investigation of Communities Adaptation and the Role of Landscape Functions in Urban Informal Settlements, Indonesia.

Socio-ecological connectivity highlights the significance of landscape functions as they support communities' resilience in disaster-prone areas. The study aimed to investigate community adaptive capacities in disaster-risk conditions and adopt strategies to reduce vulnerability with the help of landscape functions. Additionally, it intends to examine human-nature relationships by analyzing the perceived importance and performance of each function. Data was collected through questionnaires to obtain residents' perceptions in three sub-districts in Kupang, Indonesia. In addition, two hundred and ninety-four residents were selected as research participants. The results indicate that the overall vulnerability score in three regions is classified as almost vulnerable. Manutapen has high scores in adaptive capacity aspects; however, Airmata has a low score for soil conservation due to the high density of buildings. Respondents in Mantasi and Airmata rely on the provisioning function for daily needs. In Mantasi and Manupaten, the landslide control function is a very high priority. Meanwhile, in Airmata, the main priority should be given to the functions of supporting and regulating. Understanding socio-ecological relationships with attention to the performance of landscape functions is invaluable to supporting sustainable landscape management. It can also ease the pressure of climate change that communities have to contend with.

Ghostly Thinking and Fictional Dwelling: Heidegger’s Philosophy of Nature and Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the connections between ghost fantasy and the meditation on dwelling in Salman Rushdie’s 1988 novel The Satanic Verses, which explores migration and human intimacy with the natural environment. I argue that the novel helps clarify and develop Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of nature, which associates thinking and dwelling with the ghostly. As a communicative device, fictionality plays an important role in both writers’ exploration of the rootless condition of modern society, influencing their understanding of essence, truth, and value. I contend that a conversation between Heidegger and Rushdie discloses how contemporary literary fiction can contribute to a dynamic interpretation of the human-nature relationship, which embraces mystery and challenges mechanistic theoretical frameworks.

Ecotherapy through a discursive lens: nature-based activities, mental health, and local constructions of human-nature relationship

ABSTRACT Contemporary studies on nature-based activities have evidenced mental health benefits of being in/with nature. Previous quantitative studies generally verified the effectiveness of ecotherapy, and qualitative studies identified the healing mechanisms. However, existing studies on ecotherapy have not considered local contextualities in understanding the psychology of nature-based activities, as if nature is experienced in a relatively universal way across cultures. Drawing upon insights from discursive psychology, this article explores the ways local socio-cultural-ideological discourses constitute one’s understanding about and relationship with nature, and how it might enable/limit mental health benefits. Based on the authors’ reflections during the development of an ecotherapy project in Indonesia, this article argues that ecotherapy does not operate in a discursive vacuum, but instead, mental health benefits of nature-based activities were constituted through various cultural, spiritual, gender, ableist, ethnic, and class-related discourses. The implications are discussed in relation to how ecotherapy can be more contextual, inclusive, and diverse.

Ethical reflections on environmental crisis: Insights from 'the world without us’

Background: This research delves into the book "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman, exploring the intersection of environmental ethics and the environmental crises arising from human exploitation of nature. Method: The study employs a qualitative literature review methodology, drawing insights from primary and secondary sources to shed light on the ethical dimensions of environmental degradation. Findings: The findings underscore the critical role of environmental ethics in guiding sustainable development practices, emphasizing the need for responsible stewardship of natural resources and the preservation of biodiversity. Conclusion: The article advocates for an ethical framework that integrates environmental considerations into decision-making processes, fostering a sense of responsibility and promoting sustainable development practices that prioritize environmental health, social equity, and long-term well-being. Novelty/Originality in this Study: By imagining a world without human presence, this study not only explores the impact of human exploitation of nature but also formulates an innovative, ethical framework for sustainable development, challenging how we view human-nature relationships.

Between remembrance and forgetfulness: heart perception, oneness and the human-landscape relationship in a Bashkir Sufi circle

ABSTRACT wIn this article, I explore human-landscape and human-nature relationships from the perspective of Sufi ontologies by examining how Sufi Muslims revive the sacred landscape in Bashkortostan. I foreground an alternative mode of knowing, the heart perception, to analyze how they experience the landscape’s aliveness. I argue that this mode of experiencing the natural environment goes further than the idea of the sentience and agency of non-humans in the post-humanist turn and the literature on sentient landscapes. Indeed, Sufi ontologies foreground the presence of the Divine in human-landscape and human-nature relationships, shedding light on how my interlocutors differentiate between humans with an ‘open’ or a ‘closed heart’ to warn of the dangers of forgetting their ancestors’ knowledge and care for nature. By foregrounding the heart perception, I explore this diversity of human beings and ways of relating to the landscape between remembrance and forgetfulness.

Ecocritical Study: Dwelling Aspect Portrayed in Richard Powers the Overstory

This study aims to explore the human-nature relationship and its environmental impact in Richard Powers’s The Overstory through Greg Garrad’s ecocritical framework, with a particular focus on the concept of Dwelling. Garrad’s theory distinguishes between Georgic, which represents a damaging interaction with nature, and Ecological Indian, which embodies a nurturing approach. This research examines how the novel portrays these contrasting relationships, illustrating how the characters’ connections with nature either contribute to environmental harm or foster preservation. By analyzing the novel through Garrad’s theoretical lens, the study reveals how Powers’s characters confront and mitigate the adverse effects of individuals and corporations on the environment, showcasing the intricate dynamics of human-nature interactions in the context of environmental stewardship. The analysis highlights how the novel’s narrative strategies and character arcs emphasize the critical role of empathy and ecological consciousness in addressing environmental challenges. Furthermore, it underscores the potential for literature to inspire real-world environmental action by reflecting on the complexities of human engagement with the natural world. Through this exploration, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of how literary works can shape and influence environmental attitudes and behaviors.

Desirable futures: Human-nature relationships in urban planning and design

This article explores conceptualizations of future relationships between humans and nature in urban planning, introducing the special issue33https://www.sciencedirect.com/special-issue/10ZCL2J6GTV. It initiates by examining how the future of human-nature relationships can be seen as a consequence of resilience, or lack thereof, to global challenges. The special issue explores distinct visions of what nature may mean in desirable futures, and its relations to humans. Preferable futures portray harmonious interactions between nature and humans, recognizing nature's intrinsic and relational values, as well as acknowledging its agency in the context of urban planning. Additionally, the evolving role of technology in shaping these desirable futures is a growing area of exploration, potentially challenging established definitions of nature and paving the way for the construction of new natures in prospective scenarios. Another facet of exploration is the spatial dimension of human-nature relationships. Articles investigate various contexts where these relationships may unfold, spanning from within cities to envisioning revised approaches at the urban-rural interface for a radical transformation of our connection to the natural world, including the consideration of distinct entities, such as mountains or non-urban territories, as potential focal points for evolving human-nature relationships. The special issue helps deepen our understanding of the intricate interplay between humans and nature in urban planning, exploring diverse visions of the future and the spatial dynamics where these relationships may manifest. By integrating these elements, the aim is to contribute to a more comprehensive and forward-thinking approach in urban planning that embraces sustainable and harmonious futures for both humans and the natural world.

Mapping for connection, a life beyond mapping for control: lessons from ‘mapping-as-performance’ with Empatheatre in South Africa

This paper critically examines the intersections of Science, colonialism, and cartography in shaping perceptions of the ocean and its human-nature relationships. Drawing on Postcolonial Science and Technology Studies (PCSTS) and Decolonial Theory, it scrutinizes historical mapping practices, revealing how they perpetuated ontological hierarchies and controlled narratives of the ocean. Through archival research spanning from the Revolution to colonial exploration, the paper exposes how maps framed the ocean as a controllable entity, obscuring socio-cultural dimensions of biodiversity. Focusing on a case study in Northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, the authors explore an Empatheatre mapping process, that challenges Western ontologies and promotes counter-hegemonic cartographic practices. Situating this within critical cartography and PCSTS literature, the paper reveals how colonial projects molded perceptions of oceanic space and influenced environmental governance. In the South African context, the ocean is haunted by a violent history of racial exclusion and ecological exploitation. Initiatives like Operation Phakisa’s Blue Economy plan underscore the tension between economic growth and ecological sustainability, leading to rapid coastal developments. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) emerges as a tool to reconcile these interests, yet its implementation raises questions about inclusivity and community participation. Introducing the Empatheatre method, characterized by a ‘Call and Response’ approach, the paper invites local communities to co-create maps reflecting their concerns and relationships with the ocean. Through attentive listening and collaborative storytelling, Empatheatre challenges traditional consultation methods, prioritizing meaningful engagement and collective meaning-making. Mapping in this context is not merely a static representation but a dynamic process of collective thinking and relationality. By foregrounding the social, cultural, and ecological context, Empatheatre’s approach redefines the mapmaker-map relationship and empowers communities as active agents in shaping their narratives. The transformative potential of Empatheatre lies in its ability to shift power dynamics and foster empathy between diverse stakeholders. Through performative storytelling and visual representations, Empatheatre creates space for marginalized voices and alternative modes of knowledge transmission. In conclusion, this paper advocates for a decolonial approach to oceanic cartographies that acknowledges diverse ontologies and fosters inclusive governance structures.

Moving beyond stewardship to partnership with nature: how Swiss alpine farmers’ relationships to nature and relational values are co-constituted

ABSTRACT Ecologically considerate use of nature (including agriculture) has often been associated with ‘stewardship’ as a human-nature relationship which involves human care, responsibility and accountability and is thus more sustainable than the alternative human-nature relationship of manager of nature. We show that the consideration of nature in agriculture can go further than stewardship by presenting data from qualitative interviews with Swiss Alpine farmers indicating that many of them view their relationship with nature as a form of partnership. Drawing on literature of human-nature partnership, we characterize this relationship by 1) bidirectionality – a give and take between nature and humans–, 2) the understanding of nature as a subject rather than an object and 3) interaction with nature that consists of collaboration rather than giving commands. The mountain farmers expressed all of these features in their farming practices and descriptions of their role in nature. A few farmers even saw their role as subordinates to nature, for which we introduced the new human-nature relationship category of “apprenticeship”. We further suggest that the partnership relation between humans and nature in many respects shares key features with relational values, for instance in its non-centric nature and in its emphasis of the combination of benefits for people with care for nature. In that sense, we aim at combining different accounts of inclusive, non-dichotomous and context-sensitive dealings with nature and we suggest that this combination is applicable also to contexts beyond agriculture.

Freedom that is not Absolute: Ecological Ethics and Human-Nature Relationship in the Qur'an

This article presents an analysis of ecological ethics in the holy scripture of Islam through the intellectual interpretations of Muslim scholars. The primary focus is on discussing the limitations of human rights in utilizing ecology and the obligation to preserve it according to the perspective of the Qur'an. This discussion is particularly relevant for Indonesia, a country with a majority Muslim population, which is experiencing increasing ecological degradation. The article urges Muslims in Indonesia to refer back to the ecological principles within Islam, avoiding capitalist ideologies that contradict Islamic teachings. The research methodology used is literature analysis, drawing from the texts of the Qur'an and its exegesis, analyzed through thematic and descriptive-analytical interpretative approaches. Two main themes discussed are the limitations of human creativity towards ecology and the relationship between humans and nature. Research findings indicate that the Qur'an explicitly prohibits human behavior that can harm environmental sustainability. Although nature was created to meet human needs, humans are still forbidden to treat the environment carelessly. The Qur'an emphasizes the importance of maintaining ecological balance, forbids isrāf (wastefulness), and warns of punishment in the afterlife for those who damage the environment.

Short communication: Five ways UK European Capitals and cities of culture have connected cultural activities with nature and their impacts on health and wellbeing, wider determinants of health and inequality

ObjectiveTo rapidly synthesise evidence for local practice on what initiatives UK European Capitals and Cities of Culture (UKEUCoCs) have implemented connecting cultural activities with green, blue, or outdoor space (culture-nature initiatives) and their impacts on planetary health outcomes: personal health and wellbeing, wider determinants of health particularly the environment, and existing inequality. Study designRapid evidence review. MethodsA rapid review of published articles and evaluation reports. Published articles were identified through database searches (Proquest, OVID, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE) in January–February 2024. Data was extracted directly into a table and findings synthesised narratively by theme. ResultsPublished evidence about UKEUCoC culture-nature initiatives was limited but five initiative types were identified: 1) growing-focused activities; 2) activities exploring human-nature relationships; 3) targeted nature-based wellbeing activities; 4) activities connecting cultural engagement with environmental activism; and 5) use of outdoor spaces for artworks, performances and festivals. UKEUCoC culture-nature initiatives may contribute to short-term improvements in mental health and wellbeing (confidence, self-esteem, subjective wellbeing), community health (community relations, civic pride), cultural participation, and local environmental quality and use, but risk widening existing inequalities. Co-creating initiatives at hyper-local levels with marginalised groups and trusted Community Champions, active involvement, and creating equitable access to livelihood opportunities may mitigate inequality risks. ConclusionsEvidence is limited but suggests UKEUCoC culture-nature initiatives could positively support planetary health outcomes in the short-term. Equity in these outcomes appears to rely however, on action to ensure the involvement of and sustainable livelihood creation for marginalised groups. It is unclear how outcomes are generated across the initiative types identified, including through interactions between them, where they are implemented. The five initiative types identified in this work could be targeted for further investigation in research and practice on culture-nature initiatives for health more generally, using a complex systems approach to evaluation.

The place for people in rewilding

AbstractRewilding, although controversial, is increasingly presented as humanity's best hope of addressing the global biodiversity crisis, but it remains unclear how restoring nonhuman autonomy affects people's relationships with nature. We conceptualized 3 human–nature relationships (HNRs) that could occur when restoring nonhuman autonomy: human–nature dichotomy, human–nature compromise, and human–nature mutualism. Through 51 interviews, we then empirically tested the occurrence of these HNRs across diverse actors living and working in 2 longstanding British rewilding initiatives to better understand the place for people in rewilding. Actors’ HNRs aligned with the 3 conceptual framings, but these relationships were complex. Individuals often demonstrated multiple perspectives that transcended conventional actor categorization. The tripartite framing also revealed conflicting values across and within individuals, resulting in pluralistic HNRs. Our work adds to the theory and practice surrounding the place for people in rewilding by cautioning against a single preferred HNR when restoring nonhuman autonomy and advocating that a diversity of human interactions with nature should be integrated into the global rewilding movement.

Introduction

Nature and culture have hundreds of aspects and manifestations in modern societies. Volume 7 of the Yearbook of the Balkan and Baltic Studies aims to highlight some of the trends emerging and results achieved in the field of cultural studies, demonstrating how culture and nature interrelate and complement each other. The volume contains a series of articles on religion, human-nature relations, linguistic phenomena, crises, specific spheres of folklore, activities of the Tartu-Moscow School, and the mindscape of a notable individual.

A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW OF NATURALIST ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, 1937–2023

The significance of naturalist environmental education (NEE) which primarily focuses on human-nature relationships lies in its ability to mitigate detrimental influences on environmental quality and foster environmental awareness, thereby averting adverse ecological consequences. Through a bibliometric examination of the literature using Scopus, this research attempted to chart and evaluate the intellectual production associated with NEE. The findings are based on a statistical analysis of 1553 documents using the VOSviewer software. Results indicate there has been a significant increase in global scholarly focus on NEE and the pattern of publications trend follows a four-stage progression. "Social Sciences" has the greatest number of relevant articles. Keywords including education literacy and sustainable development are of utmost importance. There is clear evidence of global scientific collaboration among developed countries. It's crucial for scholars to prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration within NEE, and enhance adult environmental literacy on developing countries.

Wandering under the Oil Palm Canopy

Abstract During the past two decades, Indonesia has transformed a third of its rainforest into oil palm plantations. Although attention has been paid to the environmental consequences, the connection between oil palm cultivation and the evolving use of alcohol within local communities has received little attention. Studies conducted within rural communities have demonstrated that significant environmental changes frequently result in increased drug and alcohol consumption. Through an ethnographic study of an Indonesian village, this article reveals how the changing living and working environments have not only altered people’s ‘place-world’ but also their sense of identity and position in the world, leaving many disoriented and lost in the homogenous expanse of oil palm plantations. This has seemingly led to increased alcohol use among the village community. This finding offers a fresh and updated way to understand and interrogate the challenges with regard to present-day human-nature relations in agricultural interventions in Indonesia and beyond.

Nature is resource, playground, and gift: What artificial intelligence reveals about human-Nature relationships.

This paper demonstrates how artificial-intelligence language analysis can inform understanding of human-nature relationships and other social phenomena. We demonstrate three techniques by investigating relationships within the popular word2vec word embedding, which is trained on a sample from over 50,000 worldwide news sources. Our first technique investigates what theory-generated analogies are most similar to nature:people. The resource:user analogy is most similar, followed by the playground:child and gift:receiver analogies. Our second technique explores whether nature-related words are affiliated with words that denote race, class, or gender. Nature words tend slightly toward associations with femininity and wealth. Our third technique demonstrates how the relationship between nature and wellbeing compares to other concepts' relationships to wellbeing-e.g., spirituality-wellbeing, social relations-wellbeing. Nature is more semantically connected to wellbeing than money, social relations, and multiple other wellbeing correlates. Findings are consistent with previous social science and humanities research on human-nature relationships, but do not duplicate them exactly; our results thus offer insight into dominant trends and prevalence of associations. Our analysis also offers a model for using word embeddings to investigate a wide variety of topics.

Integrating relational values in social acceptance of photovoltaic energy storage systems: A consumers' perspective assessment using structural equation modeling

Photovoltaic (PV) energy sources are considered potential sources of renewable energy for combating climate change. However, consumer acceptance of PV-based energy storage systems must be studied comprehensively and psychologically beyond mere awareness and affordability. This study explores consumer acceptance of PV energy storage systems, along with an added relational value context that demonstrates the conducive human-nature relationship among energy consumers. An online survey of 370 respondents was used to examine consumers’ willingness to prefer PV energy storage systems over non-renewable grid-connected energy storage systems. Results of the study were analyzed using a comprehensive structural equation model to estimate and test hypotheses. The findings indicate the favorable influence of several elements on PV energy system social acceptability, including PV energy system awareness, PV energy system beliefs, environmental knowledge, self-effective perception, and relational values. Conversely, the cost of PV energy systems has a negative effect. This study suggests that relational values may offset the negative impacts of energy costs. The inherent link between relational values and the prioritization of sustainable energy storage options serves as a source of information for energy policymakers and stakeholders to regulate energy consumption by influencing consumers to express their love for nature.

Representation of the views of nature and human-nature relationships in chemistry textbooks: a comparative analysis

ABSTRACT Science textbooks play a crucial role in shaping students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours towards nature, impacting the effectiveness of environmental education. This study provides a comparative analysis concerning the views of nature and the human-nature relationships represented in Chinese and U.S. chemistry textbooks (grades 10–12), aiming to inform environmental education in the field of science education. Content analysis was applied to examine and compare the representation patterns of the views of nature with four sub-dimensions (i.e. metaphors of nature, environmental emotions, types of nature, values of nature) and of the human-nature relationships. A five-volume Chinese textbook and one U.S. textbook were targeted. Proportionality calculation, Chi-squared tests along with Cramer’s V were conducted to identify similarities and differences in their representation patterns. Comparative analysis results demonstrated more commonalities than divergences in the representation patterns of Chinese and U.S. chemistry textbooks. Specifically, there were no statistically significant differences in the representation patterns of metaphors of nature, environmental emotions, types of nature, and humans-nature relationships. However, a significant difference was found in the representation patterns of values of nature. The major findings of this study are discussed and several implications for future research and practice are provided.

The Representation of the Anthropocene in Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction

Contemporary Chinese science fiction (SF) is preoccupied with the representation of the Anthropocene. Wu Ming-yi’s The Man with the Compound Eyes (2011) and Hui Hu’s The Azure Tragedy (2018) are stand-out examples. In light of the framework of ecocriticism, it is found that both writers challenge long-seated anthropocentric thinking and practices in their catastrophic narration of human-induced plastic pollution in the marine environment, increased extinction of species by human overharvesting, and the human-induced general destruction of nature. Both connect natural disasters to human causes and reflect on human supremacy. The futuristic imaginations enabled by the SF genre effectively unfold the slow violence humanity commits and remains oblivious to. However, the criticism offered by the two authors is compromised to some extent. Hui Hu is optimistic about the new technology in dealing with anthropogenic eco-problems, while this technological triumph appears to sidestep the possibility of finding a more sustainable and once-and-for-all solution. Wu Ming-yi implies a new ethical perspective that rejects human centrality and reestablishes the human-nature relationship. On the other hand, he overlooks intra-human inequality in causing and forcing people to experience the eco-catastrophes. This article contributes to a new understanding of contemporary Chinese Anthropocene SF from an ecocritical perspective.

Navigating urban futures: Exploring NbS upscaling discourses, practices, and relations in reimagining human-nature relationships

Recent discussions within urban planning support nature as a potent ally to facing climate change in cities. Among all, nature-based solutions (NbS) and their upscaling have been proposed to address climate change challenges in the urban environment. Different visions on how NbS uscapling is advanced in the urban context, by whom, and for what purpose have generated conflicting imaginaries by which the city of the future could look like. Yet, this plurality has generated confusion and controversies on the ‘right way’ to perform NbS upscaling. Stemming from urban sustainability transition and governance research, the paper proposes a working definition of upscaling NbS based on three analytical dimensions: discourses, practices, and relations. The combination of the three dimensions suggests a new understanding of the complex phenomenon of NbS upscaling that implies the effort of different actors to frame a winning picture of NbS to be normalised as an implementable solution in the pursuit of a selected nature-based future imaginary. The paper argues for an alternative perspective on human–nature relationship that puts at the centre nature and considers tradition and locality for NbS upscaling for a greener and more just future in cities.