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People in Nature

Exploring the natural world's psychological effects on human beings

Health
Back to School

Richard Louv on August 27, 2020

The nation has no plan to save the lives of students, families, and teachers.

The nation has no plan to save the lives of students, families, and teachers.

Loneliness
Noah’s New Ark

Richard Louv on March 13, 2020

What will it take to move our species to act on climate disruption, biodiversity collapse and the threat of mass extinctions? A reliance on facts and logic is clearly not enough.

What will it take to move our species to act on climate disruption, biodiversity collapse and the threat of mass extinctions? A reliance on facts and logic is clearly not enough.

Anger
Why “I Can’t Breathe” Will Be the Meme of the Decade

Richard Louv on December 5, 2014

Eric Garner’s cry “I can’t breathe!” taps the zeitgeist of our age: a sense of suffocating helplessness in the face of injustice and unrelenting intrusion, not only by the police.

Eric Garner’s cry “I can’t breathe!” taps the zeitgeist of our age: a sense of suffocating helplessness in the face of injustice and unrelenting intrusion, not only by the police.

Environment
The Revival and Rejuvenation of Conservationists

Richard Louv on November 8, 2013

One evening, wildlife biologist Bob Peart told a story about a friend and fellow conservationist, overwhelmed in part by a relentless sense of loss, took his own life.

One evening, wildlife biologist Bob Peart told a story about a friend and fellow conservationist, overwhelmed in part by a relentless sense of loss, took his own life.

Environment
Restoring Peace

Richard Louv on August 22, 2013

The natural world does have the power to heal human hearts and prevent violence. That statement isn’t based on modern Romanticism, but on a growing body of scientific evidence.

The natural world does have the power to heal human hearts and prevent violence. That statement isn’t based on modern Romanticism, but on a growing body of scientific evidence.

Stress
Do Early Outdoor Experiences Help Build Healthier Brains?

Richard Louv on February 6, 2013

A growing body of evidence suggests that early childhood experiences in nature can soften the blow of toxic stress and stimulate learning. The impact of more natural environments could be a neglected key to developing healthy brain architecture in young children — and adults, too.

A growing body of evidence suggests that early childhood experiences in nature can soften the blow of toxic stress and stimulate learning. The impact of more natural environments could be a neglected key to developing healthy brain architecture in young children — and adults, too.

ADHD
Smart Pills vs. Nature Smart

Richard Louv on October 18, 2012

For many children with ADHD symptoms – but not all children -- research suggests that more experiences in nature can help. Unfortunately, our society seems to look everywhere but more natural environments for the enhancement of intelligence.

For many children with ADHD symptoms – but not all children -- research suggests that more experiences in nature can help. Unfortunately, our society seems to look everywhere but more natural environments for the enhancement of intelligence.

Attention
Going on a Tech Fast

Richard Louv on October 5, 2012

My wife and I committed to four days away from beeping gadgets, ringing phones, sawing neighbors, the on-demand life.

My wife and I committed to four days away from beeping gadgets, ringing phones, sawing neighbors, the on-demand life.

Environment
The Lady Across the Lake

Richard Louv on August 1, 2012

Creativity comes through personal ecstatic experience, play, and a kind of osmosis: “Research conducted at the University of Kansas concludes that people from all walks of life show startling cognitive improvement — for instance, a 50 percent boost in creativity — after living for a few days steeped in nature.”

Creativity comes through personal ecstatic experience, play, and a kind of osmosis: “Research conducted at the University of Kansas concludes that people from all walks of life show startling cognitive improvement — for instance, a 50 percent boost in creativity — after living for a few days steeped in nature.”

Environment
Facebook Wants Your Kids

Richard Louv on June 22, 2012

A fast train is coming, and it’s headed for this generation of children, and the next. Multi-billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, the young founder of Facebook, wants to launch an under-13 social networking service. Here's one way to resist — not by trashing technology, but by offering a balance to it; not by just saying no, but by saying yes to...

A fast train is coming, and it’s headed for this generation of children, and the next. Multi-billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, the young founder of Facebook, wants to launch an under-13 social networking service. Here's one way to resist — not by trashing technology, but by offering a balance to it; not by just saying no, but by saying yes to...

Relationships
Advice from the Late Great Ray Bradbury: Be an "Optimalist"

Richard Louv on June 6, 2012

So you don't like to be thought of as a science-fiction writer, said the reporter to the great writer. "No," said Ray Bradbury, who called back after the fax had rolled in. The fax machine is one of his only concessions to post-modern technology. "Have you noticed that we have all these machines but no one calls anymore?" he added.

So you don't like to be thought of as a science-fiction writer, said the reporter to the great writer. "No," said Ray Bradbury, who called back after the fax had rolled in. The fax machine is one of his only concessions to post-modern technology. "Have you noticed that we have all these machines but no one calls anymore?" he added.

Education
If You Liked No Child Left Behind, You'll Love What's Coming Next—Without National Debate

Richard Louv on May 29, 2012

Thanks to artificial intelligence, according to Monthly's reporters, the need for standardized testing will fade away, replaced by what proponents call "stealth assessment"—nonstop electronic monitoring of students, employing systems similar to ones grocery chain stores now use to track inventory.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, according to Monthly's reporters, the need for standardized testing will fade away, replaced by what proponents call "stealth assessment"—nonstop electronic monitoring of students, employing systems similar to ones grocery chain stores now use to track inventory.

Environment
20 Ways to Create a Naturally Restorative Home and Garden

Richard Louv on May 22, 2012

Want to improve your family's mental and physical health, and increase their creativity and learning abilities? Research suggests that a more natural environment can help.

Want to improve your family's mental and physical health, and increase their creativity and learning abilities? Research suggests that a more natural environment can help.

Environment
It's Time to Redefine Green Jobs

Richard Louv on May 18, 2012

A new world of potential businesses, careers and roles: psychologists, educators, architects and health professionals who employ nature-based programs and biophilic design to increase health, learning and productivity; urban designers and others who transform cities into engines of biodiversity and human health...

A new world of potential businesses, careers and roles: psychologists, educators, architects and health professionals who employ nature-based programs and biophilic design to increase health, learning and productivity; urban designers and others who transform cities into engines of biodiversity and human health...

Environment
Every Child Needs Nature: 12 Questions About Equity and Capacity

Richard Louv on May 9, 2012

Psychologically, physically, spiritually, human beings, particularly children in poor communities, suffer from the absence of nature’s intrinsic benefits. "Natural cultural capacity" is a key to providing families with what they need. Every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature.

Psychologically, physically, spiritually, human beings, particularly children in poor communities, suffer from the absence of nature’s intrinsic benefits. "Natural cultural capacity" is a key to providing families with what they need. Every child needs nature. Not just the ones with parents who appreciate nature.

Adolescence
Stuck Inside Apocalypse with Dystopic Blues Again

Richard Louv on April 23, 2012

Despair is fashionable but ultimately boring. We’re in a post-apocalyptic rut, and it’s becoming tiresome and possibly self-fulfilling. It's time to escape from dystopia.“

Despair is fashionable but ultimately boring. We’re in a post-apocalyptic rut, and it’s becoming tiresome and possibly self-fulfilling. It's time to escape from dystopia.“

Environment
The Sirens of Technology

Richard Louv on April 20, 2012

I recognize the benefits of technology, otherwise I wouldn’t be using the Internet or refrigerating my food. But consider a few recent findings about how gadgets can affect our mental health, reported here in the Twitter tradition of 140 characters, more or less...

I recognize the benefits of technology, otherwise I wouldn’t be using the Internet or refrigerating my food. But consider a few recent findings about how gadgets can affect our mental health, reported here in the Twitter tradition of 140 characters, more or less...

Health
A New Breed of Green Careers in Health

Richard Louv on April 19, 2012

On Monday, April 16, the first-ever White House Summit on Environmental Education was held in Washington. This summit came at a precarious moment for environmental education and an economy that depends more than ever on environmental literacy—and, I would add, ecopsychological health.

On Monday, April 16, the first-ever White House Summit on Environmental Education was held in Washington. This summit came at a precarious moment for environmental education and an economy that depends more than ever on environmental literacy—and, I would add, ecopsychological health.