Extinction of experience: the loss of human–nature interactions

Increasingly, people are becoming less likely to have direct contact with nature (natural environments and their associated wildlife) in their everyday lives. Over 20 years ago, Robert M Pyle termed this ongoing alienation the “extinction of experience”, but the phenomenon has continued to receive surprisingly limited attention. Here, we present current understanding of the extinction of experience, with particular emphasis on its causes and consequences, and suggest future research directions. Our review illustrates that the loss of interaction with nature not only diminishes a wide range of benefits relating to health and well‐being, but also discourages positive emotions, attitudes, and behavior with regard…

• MD
  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• SR
  Sight Research UK

  Awards: NE/J015237/1, NE/J015067/1
• NE
  Natural Environment Research Council

  Awards: NE/J015237/1, NE/J015067/1, NE/J015237/1
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

  Award: 15J04422