Latest news with #MilesRichardson
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Human connection to nature has declined 60% in 200 years, study finds
People's connection to nature has declined by more than 60% since 1800, almost exactly mirroring the disappearance of nature words such as river, moss and blossom from books, according to a study. Computer modelling predicts that levels of nature connectedness will continue to decline unless there are far-reaching policy and societal changes – with introducing children to nature at a young age and radically greening urban environments the most effective interventions. The study by Miles Richardson, a professor of nature connectedness at the University of Derby, accurately tracks the loss of nature from people's lives over 220 years by using data on urbanisation, the loss of wildlife in neighbourhoods and, crucially, parents no longer passing on engagement with nature to their children. In the research published in the journal Earth, Richardson also identified the disappearance of natural words from books between 1800 and 2020, which peaked at a 60.6% decline in 1990. The modelling predicts an ongoing 'extinction of experience' with future generations continuing to lose an awareness of nature because it is not present in increasingly built-up neighbourhoods, while parents no longer pass on an 'orientation' towards the natural world. Other studies have found parental nature connectedness is the strongest predictor of whether a child will become close to nature. 'Nature connectedness is now accepted as a key root cause of the environmental crisis,' said Richardson. 'It's vitally important for our own mental health as well. It unites people and nature's wellbeing. There's a need for transformational change if we're going to change society's relationship with nature.' Richardson said when he tested different policy and urban environmental changes in the model he was surprised at the scale of the changes required to reverse the loss of connection to nature. Increasing the availability of biodiverse green spaces in a city by 30% may look like radical positive progress for wildlife and people but Richardson said his study suggested a city may need to be 10 times greener to reverse declines in nature connection. The study found that measures to increase popular engagement with the natural world were not effective at reversing long-term declines in nature connectedness. Richardson said such schemes by charities – for instance, the Wildlife Trusts' #30DaysWild – were still important for boosting mental health but the modelling suggested they don't halt the intergenerational loss of nature connection. More effective, according to the study, are measures instilling awareness and engagement with nature in young children and families, such as forest school nurseries. A further obstacle to restoring nature connectedness is that the modelling shows policies to transform early education and urban areas need to be in place over the next 25 years to reverse the decline. But if done, increases in nature connectedness would become self-sustaining. Richardson said the scale of societal changes required to re-establish nature connection may not be as daunting as they appeared because the baselines were now so low. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion A study found that people in Sheffield on average spent just four minutes and 36 seconds in natural spaces each day. 'Increase that by [a factor of] 10, and people are spending 40 minutes outside every day – that may be enough,' said Richardson. 'Working with families and parents to engage children with nature with a real focus on that intergenerational transmission is key. There's already a lot of focus on connecting children with nature but I prefer to say – don't disconnect them. A newborn child is much the same as a child born in 1800. Children are fascinated by the natural world. It's maintaining that through their childhood and schooling that's essential, alongside urban greening. There's policies starting to do that but we've got to think in transformational terms – not 30% but 1,000%.' Intriguingly, there may be hope of a cultural shift. Richardson was surprised to find that nature words in books are actually on the increase again – with the decline having fallen from 60.6% between 1800 and 1990 to 52.4% today. 'Is it a genuine eco-awareness? Is it the British trend for nature writing? Is it 'real' or is it an artefact of the data? I don't know,' said Richardson. 'There has also been an increasing interest in spirituality in recent decades so that might reflect people getting back in touch with nature.'
News18
3 days ago
- News18
World News Live Updates: Libya's Political Division Forces National Soccer Final To Be Held In Italy
Live now From geopolitics to climate, tech to social change, News18 World live blog delivers real-time updates on what is the latest from around the globe News18 Stay informed with our World News Live Blog — your real-time window into global events. From major geopolitical developments and scientific breakthroughs to royal family updates and cultural milestones, we bring you fast, factual, and curated updates as they happen. Whether it's unfolding conflicts, diplomatic shifts, climate alerts, or key moments in international politics, our live blog keeps you ahead of the news curve. Designed for readers who want both speed and substance, this is your go-to source for staying connected with the world — minute by minute, headline by headline. Aug 09, 2025 14:45 IST Libya's Political Division Forces National Soccer Final To Be Held In Italy For the second consecutive year, Libya is holding its national soccer championship final in Italy due to the country's deep political divisions and persistent security issues, according to a report in The New York Times. The decision reflects the profound political stalemate between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli and the rival eastern-based administration, which has fragmented state institutions, including sports federations. Ongoing instability, security risks, and inadequate infrastructure make it impossible to host the major sporting event domestically, highlighting the nation's struggle with sovereignty and projecting an image of fragility that may deter international investment and engagement. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Study Reveals 60% Decline in Human Connection to Nature Over 200 Years Human connection to the natural world has decreased by more than 60% since 1800, a decline that closely mirrors the disappearance of nature-related words from literature over the same period, as per a report in The Guardian. The study, highlighted by Miles Richardson, warns of a potential 'extinction of experience,' where a lack of direct contact with nature diminishes public support for environmental and conservation policies. Computer modeling suggests this trend will persist unless there are far-reaching societal and policy shifts. The most effective interventions identified are introducing children to nature at a young age and implementing radical urban greening projects, which carry significant implications for public health systems, environmental policy, and the urban development sector. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST North Korea Reportedly Removing Propaganda Loudspeakers From Border With South Korea South Korea's military reported on Saturday that it has detected North Korea removing some of its propaganda loudspeakers from the inter-Korean border in a move aimed at easing tensions, according to a report in AP. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff noted the action but did not specify where the removals were occurring or confirm if all the speakers would be taken down. This development follows a recent escalation cycle that began in mid-2024, where North Korea sent trash-filled balloons into the South, prompting Seoul to resume its own anti-Pyongyang broadcasts, which in turn led the North to reinstall its loudspeakers. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Torrential Rain Triggers Floods and Mudslides in Southern Japan Torrential rain has battered Japan's southern island of Kyushu, leading to significant flooding and landslides and prompting authorities to issue the highest-level warnings in the region, AP says in a report. In Kagoshima prefecture's Aira city, a mudslide struck a house, leading to the rescue of two individuals. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency has issued evacuation advisories for more than 360,000 residents across Kagoshima and adjacent prefectures. The severe weather threatens to disrupt critical infrastructure and impact the local economy, particularly agriculture, in the key farming region of Kyushu. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Ugandan Court Denies Bail To Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye In Treason Case A court in Uganda has denied bail to prominent opposition leader and four-time presidential candidate Kizza Besigye, who is facing charges of treason, Al Jazeera says in a report. This development, occurring ahead of the national election scheduled for early next year, has amplified concerns among government critics and human rights organizations about a potential crackdown on political dissent. The case is seen by many in the opposition as a politically motivated attempt to sideline a key challenger to incumbent President Yoweri Museveni. The continued detention of Besigye could significantly impact the opposition's campaign, undermine the perceived fairness of the upcoming election, and potentially draw criticism from international bodies. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST New Zealand And Australia To Deepen Military Cooperation The leaders of New Zealand and Australia have agreed to pursue closer military cooperation following a recent Chinese live-fire naval exercise near their shores, as per a report in AP. During their annual bilateral meeting in Queenstown, New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon hosted his Australian counterpart and emphasized the desire for a stronger defense relationship, describing Australia as New Zealand's 'only ally.' This development occurs as both nations are expanding their military capabilities and is viewed as a response to China's growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific, aligning with broader regional security efforts like the AUKUS pact. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Beitar Jerusalem Fans Disrupt Match In Latvia With Pyrotechnics Fans of Israeli football club Beitar Jerusalem set off flares and hurled pyrotechnics, causing chaos during a match against Riga FC in the Latvian capital, Al Jazeera says in a report. The incident, attributed to the club's 'La Familia' ultra group known for its far-right nationalism, is expected to result in significant disciplinary action from UEFA. Given the club's extensive history of sanctions for similar fan misconduct, including racism and violence, the potential penalties could involve substantial fines and a ban from future European competitions, impacting the club's finances and international standing. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Climate Change Reshapes Global Travel, Boosting Autumn and 'Coolcation' Tourism Climate change and recent record-breaking heatwaves in traditional Mediterranean destinations are reshaping global tourism, with a notable shift in booking patterns away from the peak summer months of July and August, as per a report in the Financial Times. Travelers are increasingly opting for holidays during the cooler 'shoulder seasons' of September and October, seeking more comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. This trend is also fueling the rise of 'coolcations,' where tourists choose destinations in Northern Europe, such as Scandinavia, to avoid extreme heat altogether. The travel industry is adapting by promoting off-peak packages, which has economic implications for both traditional sun-and-sea resorts facing a shorter peak season and for cooler regions experiencing a surge in summer visitors. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Nagasaki Cathedral Bells To Ring Together For First Time Since 1945 Atomic Bombing On the anniversary of the US atomic bombing, the bells of Nagasaki's Immaculate Conception Cathedral will ring together for the first time since the event on August 9, 1945, Al Jazeera says in a report. The original cathedral, which was the largest in Asia at the time of the bombing, was almost completely destroyed in the blast and subsequently rebuilt in 1959. This commemorative act serves as a powerful global symbol of peace and a call for nuclear disarmament, particularly resonant amid current international tensions. For the local community, it represents a poignant moment of remembrance, healing, and a testament to the city's resilience. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST German Voters Want More Pressure On Israel, Worry About US Tariffs, Poll Shows A recent Deutschlandtrend poll indicates a shift in German public opinion, with voters expressing a desire for Berlin to apply more pressure on Israel and voicing concerns over the potential impact of US tariffs on the German economy, according to a report in Deutsche Welle. The monthly survey also revealed low personal voter confidence in Friedrich Merz, who is the leader of the main opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), not the current Chancellor. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST CEO Urges US To Ease Tourist Entry Ahead Of World Cup And Olympics Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel has urged the US to simplify its entry processes for international tourists, citing concerns over long airport queues ahead of the FIFA World Cup and LA Olympics, according to a report in the Financial Times. Fogel described the long waits at customs and border protection as 'very aggravating' for visitors, highlighting a significant hurdle as the US prepares to host major global sporting events. His comments come as the US tourism industry's recovery from the pandemic lags behind other destinations, a situation often linked to significant visa processing backlogs and the perception of a difficult entry process. The travel industry is concerned that without improvements, the US risks diminished economic benefits and reputational damage from the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Sarawak Indigenous Groups Use Mapping To Defend Rainforests And Land Rights Indigenous communities in the Malaysian state of Sarawak are increasingly using community mapping to protect threatened rainforests and assert their land rights, according to a report in Al Jazeera. This participatory process, often aided by NGOs and technology like GPS, allows communities to create authoritative maps of their traditional territories, which serve as vital evidence to support claims for Native Customary Rights (NCR) in legal and administrative challenges against encroaching industries. These efforts are occurring amidst ongoing tensions with the Sarawak government's economic development plans, such as the Post-COVID Development Plan 2030, which prioritizes resource-based industries. The success of these mapping initiatives is seen as crucial for both securing indigenous land tenure and conserving critical biodiversity and carbon sinks within the region's rainforests. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST US Threatens to Revoke Kenya's Ally Status Over China Praise The United States is reviewing Kenya's status as a Major Non-Nato Ally (MNNA) after President William Ruto's recent state visit to Beijing. The potential revocation of the status, which provides significant military and economic benefits, follows Ruto's praise for China's role in a 'new world order' and the signing of landmark infrastructure and trade deals with Beijing. This action from Washington underscores the escalating geopolitical competition with China for influence in Africa and places Kenya in a difficult diplomatic position, forcing it to balance its relationships with the two global powers. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST China's Military Sets US As Benchmark For Mid-Century Goal An official commentary in the Communist Party's newspaper, People's Daily, has explicitly defined the United States military as the benchmark for China's goal of building a 'world-class' People's Liberation Army (PLA) by the middle of the century, according to a report in South China Morning Post. The policy article, one of the clearest explanations of President Xi Jinping's strategic vision, states the PLA must measure itself against the world's strongest military to achieve its target by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. This directive is seen as a formal acknowledgment of the intensifying strategic competition with Washington and has implications for the global military balance and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST China Opens Full-Service Humanoid Robot Store In Beijing China has opened what is described as the world's first full-service store for humanoid robots in Beijing to showcase domestically manufactured products, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The Robot Mall, launched during the 2025 World Robot Conference, is modeled after the 4S system used in car dealerships, integrating sales, service, spare parts, and surveys. The store features over 50 products from more than 40 brands, highlighting China's push to advance its home-grown robotics industry and consumer market. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Chad Prosecutor Seeks 25-Year Prison Term For Opposition Leader Succès Masra Chad's prosecutor general requested a 25-year prison sentence on Friday for former prime minister and opposition leader Succès Masra, who stands accused of inciting racial violence and other charges, as per a report in AP. The case against Masra and dozens of co-defendants, mostly from the same Ngambaye ethnic group, is linked to clashes between herders and farmers in May that left 35 people dead in the country's southwest. Masra has consistently denied the charges brought against him. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST US President Donald Trump to Meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 US President Donald Trump has announced he will hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, AP says in a report. The announcement, originating from Washington, confirms the upcoming high-level summit between the two leaders but does not yet provide additional details regarding the specific agenda or objectives of the talks. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Science Explains Why Hiroshima And Nagasaki Are Safe From 1945 Radiation The Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are safe for habitation today because the radiation from the 1945 atomic bombings has decayed to levels indistinguishable from natural background radiation, according to a report in BBC. The scientific explanation hinges on two key factors: the bombs were detonated high in the atmosphere, which minimized long-term ground contamination, and the radiation produced was from short-lived isotopes that decayed rapidly. This contrasts sharply with nuclear reactor accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, which released large quantities of long-lived radionuclides, causing prolonged and widespread contamination. The confirmed safety of Hiroshima and Nagasaki underpins their robust urban development and tourism, while the history of the bombings continues to influence contemporary international policy discussions on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Singapore And China Discuss Deepening Security Cooperation Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security, K Shanmugam, met with China's envoy to the city-state, Cao Zhongming, to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation on security and law enforcement, as per a report in South China Morning Post. According to the Chinese envoy, the meeting involved 'in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations' and is part of ongoing high-level engagements as the two nations prepare to mark the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2025. The discussions align with Singapore's balanced foreign policy and a broader regional focus on combating transnational crime through enhanced international collaboration. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST UK Aid Cuts Threaten Global Wildlife Conservation Programmes Wildlife charities are warning that significant UK government cuts to overseas aid are jeopardizing crucial global conservation programmes and will cause 'untold damage' to biodiversity, according to a report in The Independent. The concerns follow the UK's decision, first made in 2020, to reduce its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget from 0.7% to 0.5% of Gross National Income. This has reportedly led to severe funding reductions for key initiatives like the Darwin Initiative and the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, which support biodiversity and combat wildlife crime. Charities fear the cuts will reverse conservation progress, harm local communities dependent on these projects, and undermine the UK's international standing on environmental issues. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST Mexico Finds No Proof Of US Claims Linking Maduro To Sinaloa Cartel Mexico's President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly stated that Mexico possesses no proof and has no active investigation into US allegations that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is tied to the Sinaloa Cartel, as per a report in Al Jazeera. This declaration, made during her presidential transition period, signals a continuation of Mexico's non-interventionist foreign policy and could create a point of divergence with the US on regional security and intelligence sharing. The stance potentially complicates future joint anti-drug efforts and provides diplomatic support for the Maduro administration against international pressure. Historically, prominent US allegations against Maduro, such as the 2020 Department of Justice indictments, have primarily focused on connections to the FARC and the 'Cartel of the Suns' within Venezuela. Aug 09, 2025 14:42 IST US Grants Visas To Venezuelan Little League Teams After Reversing Ban The Trump administration has granted visas to Venezuelan teams, allowing them to compete in the upcoming Little League World Series, The Independent says in a report. This decision marks a reversal of a June travel ban affecting Venezuelan nationals. The reversal reportedly occurred after intervention from lawmakers, including US Senator Marco Rubio, who advocated for an exception for the young athletes. The initial ban was part of broader US policy regarding the political situation in Venezuela.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Human connection to nature has declined 60% in 200 years, study finds
People's connection to nature has declined by more than 60% since 1800, almost exactly mirroring the disappearance of nature words such as river, moss and blossom from books, according to a study. Computer modelling predicts that levels of nature connectedness will continue to decline unless there are far-reaching policy and societal changes – with introducing children to nature at a young age and radically greening urban environments the most effective interventions. The study by Miles Richardson, a professor of nature connectedness at the University of Derby, accurately tracks the loss of nature from people's lives over 220 years by using data on urbanisation, the loss of wildlife in neighbourhoods and, crucially, parents no longer passing on engagement with nature to their children. In the research published in the journal Earth, Richardson also identified the disappearance of natural words from books between 1800 and 2020, which peaked at a 60.6% decline in 1990. The modelling predicts an ongoing 'extinction of experience' with future generations continuing to lose an awareness of nature because it is not present in increasingly built-up neighbourhoods, while parents no longer pass on an 'orientation' towards the natural world. Other studies have found parental nature connectedness is the strongest predictor of whether a child will become close to nature. 'Nature connectedness is now accepted as a key root cause of the environmental crisis,' said Richardson. 'It's vitally important for our own mental health as well. It unites people and nature's wellbeing. There's a need for transformational change if we're going to change society's relationship with nature.' Richardson said when he tested different policy and urban environmental changes in the model he was surprised at the scale of the changes required to reverse the loss of connection to nature. Increasing the availability of biodiverse green spaces in a city by 30% may look like radical positive progress for wildlife and people but Richardson said his study suggested a city may need to be 10 times greener to reverse declines in nature connection. The study found that measures to increase popular engagement with the natural world were not effective at reversing long-term declines in nature connectedness. Richardson said such schemes by charities – for instance, the Wildlife Trusts' #30DaysWild – were still important for boosting mental health but the modelling suggested they don't halt the intergenerational loss of nature connection. More effective, according to the study, are measures instilling awareness and engagement with nature in young children and families, such as forest school nurseries. A further obstacle to restoring nature connectedness is that the modelling shows policies to transform early education and urban areas need to be in place over the next 25 years to reverse the decline. But if done, increases in nature connectedness would become self-sustaining. Richardson said the scale of societal changes required to re-establish nature connection may not be as daunting as they appeared because the baselines were now so low. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion A study found that people in Sheffield on average spent just four minutes and 36 seconds in natural spaces each day. 'Increase that by [a factor of] 10, and people are spending 40 minutes outside every day – that may be enough,' said Richardson. 'Working with families and parents to engage children with nature with a real focus on that intergenerational transmission is key. There's already a lot of focus on connecting children with nature but I prefer to say – don't disconnect them. A newborn child is much the same as a child born in 1800. Children are fascinated by the natural world. It's maintaining that through their childhood and schooling that's essential, alongside urban greening. There's policies starting to do that but we've got to think in transformational terms – not 30% but 1,000%.' Intriguingly, there may be hope of a cultural shift. Richardson was surprised to find that nature words in books are actually on the increase again – with the decline having fallen from 60.6% between 1800 and 1990 to 52.4% today. 'Is it a genuine eco-awareness? Is it the British trend for nature writing? Is it 'real' or is it an artefact of the data? I don't know,' said Richardson. 'There has also been an increasing interest in spirituality in recent decades so that might reflect people getting back in touch with nature.'
CBC
01-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Documentary about Haida Gwaii blockade sheds new light on agreement
Haida Nation member Christopher Auchter went through hundreds of hours of footage to make The Stand, a film about the 1985 anti-logging blockade on Haida Gwaii that led to over 70 arrests. Four decades later, Haida leader Miles Richardson — who is prominently featured in the film — spoke alongside Auchter about the blockade's significance after the federal government signed a historic agreement recognizing the Haida Nation's title over the archipelago.
