Can nature help in social polarisation?

Nature gets people together. This may be of great help in dismantling polarisation – one of the great challenges of the modern world. Shall we meet in the forest?

Teksti: Adela Pajunen

Connecting with nature means linking with the ecological network where multi-level co-operation is a prerequisite of life. It also tunes human beings to the frequency of connections.

According to studies, spending time in nature increases social cohesion, altruism, helpfulness and trust.1 At the same time, nature makes you feel less lonely and reduces negative feelings. Based on these impacts, it can be presumed that in nature (as opposed to a built environment) it is easier to tolerate different kinds of viewpoints and understand them better.

Meeting with a person with whom you have differences of opinion? Try to have a walk in the forest, pop into a park or take a stroll along a shore together!

A particularly good choice for a place to meet is a location that arouses the experience of awe (or sublime), such as the bank of a torrent rapids or a high point with an impressive view. The impacts of the awe include decreased self focus and paying more attention to one’s place as part of a community.2

Polarisation breeds conflict, togetherness breeds peace

Polarisation means social division characterised by destructive differences of opinion. It diminishes social cohesion and, as history has shown, at worst, leads to wars. We also cannot seriously tackle environmental problems until we truly pull in one direction.

The situation of polarisation resembles a conflict, but it has less defined boundaries: nothing necessarily happens and it is not strictly defined who belongs where. Still, conflict is simmering under the surface.3 During polarisation, for example, at family get-togethers topics of conversation become more restricted. You rather talk about “safe subjects”, such as holiday plans, even if there is something big ongoing, filling the headlines.

Dutch philosopher Bart Brandsma has studied the mechanisms of polarisation. According to him, there is a “silent majority” between those with extreme views at the opposite sides, representing about 40 per cent of people. This group does not make a strong statement one way or another, and mainly just monitors the situation. The silent majority may gain the role of bridge builder when increased polarisation is dismantled.

In nature, a multi-species ecosystem has many “voices”, which makes it strong. In the same way, a certain amount of polarisation is beneficial. Different views generate a spark for development if they are brought into the dialogue. This includes discussion, reasoning and genuine listening.

Loneliness feeds polarisation

Loneliness has become an epidemic with serious and extensive consequences.4 Loneliness fosters insecurity and distrust which, in turn, feed the feeling of “us and them”. 

A green living environment predicts a lower level of perceived loneliness.5 In line with this, the study concerning Health Forest activities also discovered an increased feeling of closeness not only to nature, but also to other people. 

A person who is connected to himself/herself, loved ones, neighbours, the community and the surrounding nature is like a tree that has strong roots. Someone like that is not quite as susceptible to the incitement of polarisation, and they are more likely to be a bridge-builder.

A bridge-builder is aware that a person is much more than their opinions alone.

Connection to nature is extended sociability

The need to belong and feel a connection are basic psychological needs. When these needs are met, they protect mental health. The phenomenon has a strong biological basis: we will not survive long without a community. This also applies to nature around us.

We cannot always help that the feeling of connection is shaken. However, we can be aware of the situation and place more weights on the other side of the scale: when we foster the connection with nature, we feed all kinds of connections. When we first become aware of the connection with living creatures, it is easier to extend it to the people you meet.

Even if we didn’t know them, we can be certain that there are more things that unite us than divide us. This even applies to the fearless-looking robin along the path, seemingly inviting us deeper into the woods. 

Literature

  1. Weinstein, N., Przybylski, A.K., Ryan, R.M. (2009). Can nature make us more caring? Effect of immersion in nature on intrinsic aspirations and generosity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 35(10): 1315-1329.
  2. Piff, P. K. et al. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 108: 883–899.
  3. https://www.sitra.fi/en/articles/successful-dialogue-dismantles-polarisation/
  4. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html
  5. Astell-Burt,T., et al. (2022). More green, less lonely? A longitudinal cohort study. International Journal of Epidemiology 51(1): 99–110.

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