Abstract Type: Presentation as part of an organized session
Abstract TitleSense of place, connections to nature, and nature-based solutions: Three pillars of resilience in a climate-challenged world
Presented in session:
Time: ,
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Abstract
Climate change is increasingly stressing the world’s social-ecological systems (SES). Communities are therefore faced with complex choices in mitigating risk and building capacity for resilience. In addition to the increased risk of exposure to natural hazards, research has also exhibited a growing division between humans and nature in industrialized societies, which has led to less awareness of behavioral implications and acceptance of deleterious environmental conditions. Such a development is problematic, considering that an emerging literature illustrates that those sharing close associations with nature are more likely to act in ways protective of the environment, spurring calls for the reconnection of humans with nature and the biosphere. Recent research has also provided evidence that nature-based solutions – the making of natural ecosystems an integral part of sustainable development – are an effective avenue for building resilience to the risks of climate change in vulnerable communities. One of the pathways to build resilience in SES is by helping to close the distance between humans and nature. There is mounting evidence illustrating that nature experiences in an array of landscapes – urban, rural, and wild - facilitate, guide, and nudge connections to nature. These connections have also been positively associated with an array of human wellbeing indicators, including happiness, physical health, psychological need satisfaction, and a sense of place. The positive connections to places humans derive from their experiences in place, has been particularly instrumental for communities wishing to mobilize residents’ ties to their homes, neighborhoods, and broader communities to develop solutions and resilience capacities. We therefore show that the building resilient communities faced with increasing climate instability rests on the reciprocal associations between the maintenance and development of nature, humans’ connections to nature, and their sense of place
Related Conference Topic Area
place-making and senses of place
Manager Session?
Presenter Information
First Name Gerard |
Last Name Kyle |
Affiliation Texas A&M University |
Author(s) Information
Author | First Name | Last Name | Affiliation |
1 | Gerard | Kyle | Texas A&M University |
2 | Lotte | van den Heuvel | Uppsala University |
3 | Daniel | Pilgreen | Texas A&M University |
4 | Fie | Broker-Bulling | Uppsala University |