GG PDP Content
Reconnect with Nature: Embrace Literacy to Save Our Planet Today
Guest Contributor
Spring has a funny way of reminding people that nature is alive, buzzing, and occasionally wandering into your kitchen. That’s exactly what happened to one of my friends when a large, stripy insect made an unexpected appearance. “It’s a murder hornet!” he cried. But no, it was just a humble wasp queen, fresh out of hibernation, hungry, and ready to start her summer of building, laying eggs, and hunting garden pests. Once I explained her role in the ecosystem, my friend was offering her honey and cheering her on like she was the underdog in a nature documentary. Moments like this reveal just how disconnected many of us have become from the natural world.
It’s not just my friend. Most people today lack the vocabulary and understanding to describe or engage with nature. This phenomenon, known as “nature illiteracy,” is becoming increasingly common. We’re living in an era where fewer than half of UK adults feel connected to nature, and many children can’t name common plants or animals like stinging nettles, bumblebees, or robins. This isn’t just a quaint trivia problem. It’s a serious issue that affects how we interact with and care for the environment.
Technology, while amazing, has played a part in this growing disconnect. Ecologists refer to it as the “extinction of experience.” We spend less time outdoors, less time observing the natural world, and more time with screens. This shift has led to a generation that doesn’t understand what natural history is, let alone why it matters. When bioscience students associate natural history with “old Victorian gentlemen” or “dinosaurs,” we know we’ve lost something important.
But it wasn’t always like this. Natural history is the oldest science we have. Early humans were expert naturalists because survival depended on it. Over time, nature inspired some of the most brilliant minds in history. Think Aristotle, Darwin, and even Einstein, who famously said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Isaac Newton considered himself a “natural philosopher.” These were people who noticed the world around them and asked questions. They were curious, observant, and inspired by the natural world.
That curiosity led to innovation. Nature has always been a source of ideas, from termite-inspired air-conditioning systems to Velcro, which mimics burrs. Even town planning has taken cues from ant colonies. But these breakthroughs only happen when people are paying attention. If we lose the ability to notice, name, and understand nature, we risk losing the next wave of innovation and discovery.
There’s also a direct link between nature literacy and environmental responsibility. People who know more about nature are more likely to make planet-friendly choices. That’s crucial as we face unprecedented environmental challenges. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse are not abstract problems. They’re real, and they require a population that understands and values the natural world.
So how do we fix this? How do we create a more nature-literate society? It starts with three simple steps: notice, name, and nurture.
First, we need to notice. Relearn how to be curious about the world around us. Let yourself be distracted by a bird’s song or the way a leaf moves in the wind. Rediscover that childlike sense of wonder that has driven science and art for centuries.
Second, we need to name. Learn the names of trees, insects, and birds. Knowing what something is builds a connection. It makes you care. Can you tell the difference between a bee-fly and a bumblebee? A beech tree and an oak? When you name something, it becomes part of your world.
Third, we need to nurture. Once we know and care, we take responsibility. We protect. We teach others. We ensure that future generations have the biodiversity they need for their own learning and inspiration.
Nature literacy isn’t just for ecologists. It’s for all of us. And thankfully, there’s progress. After over a decade of advocacy, the UK has approved a natural history GCSE. It’s a small but significant step toward embedding nature literacy into education. But we need more. We need nature-based knowledge to be valued across all sectors, from tech startups to government agencies. Green jobs are booming, but there’s a skills gap. Employers need people who understand biodiversity and ecosystems.
We must shift cultural norms so that knowing and caring about nature is seen as essential, not optional. Our future depends on it. Whether it’s a wasp queen in your kitchen or a caterpillar on a leaf, nature is all around us, waiting to be noticed, named, and nurtured.