Global Environmental Psychology

Winter-Human-Nature Interactions: A Scoping Review for a Neglected Season

Kristen Jakstis — 2024-02-09

Nature interactions are associated with numerous positive physical, social, and mental health benefits. However, most human-nature interaction research is conducted in spring and summer, with little insight into autumn or winter-human-nature interactions. We therefore conducted a concise scoping review to explore the current state of winter-human-nature interaction research by examining common emergent themes and types of winter-human-nature interaction. Few studies (N = 28) met the inclusion criteria of our review (i.e., primary studies that examined explicit human-nature interactions in winter that reported outcomes for participants). Three main winter-human-nature interaction research topics emerged in the course of this review: winter recreation and tourism, winter and health, and winter and culture. Regarding typology, most studies considered more immediate, conscious, and intentional winter-human-nature interactions. Additionally, few studies considered the outcomes of interactions for both people and nature. More broadly, the general lack of studies involving winter-human-nature interactions is concerning given the depth of research in other seasons connecting humans and nature. Winter-nature interactions are even more important to understand given the ongoing changes in the characteristics of winter due to climate change that are likely to affect people’s relationships with nature in the winter and the potential nature-derived benefits of winter-human-nature interaction.

“Na Neitou Qele Ga Qo” (“This Is Our Only Land”): Adaptation to the Effects of Climate Change in Rural Indigenous Fijians

Amy D. Lykins — 2024-02-09

It has long been recognized that the Pacific Small Island Developing States are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, emphasizing the urgency with which adaptation planning and efforts need to be realized. History supports the resiliency of Pacific peoples, though a number of challenges to adaptive capacity have been noted in the previous literature, which has largely focused on low-lying atoll nations. To provide a different perspective, we interviewed 71 Indigenous and other traditional Fijians living in rural villages across a range of geographical locations to collect information on observed environmental changes, and adaptation efforts and challenges. Following an inductive thematic analysis, results identified changing patterns of consumption and production related to unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, with impacts on both overall food security and the financial viability of these communities. A number of physical adaptations to the villages themselves had been effected, which were costly and met with equivocal success. Consideration of migration to different geographical locations was minimal and undesirable. We provide recommendations for the culturally responsive, co-production of knowledge, resilience building, and adaptation planning with Indigenous and other traditional communities that meaningfully integrates scientific knowledge and respect for the wishes of these communities.

Wasting the Restorative Potential: Influences of Plastic and Biowaste on Psychological Restoration After Real, Virtual, and Imagined Walks

Claudia Menzel — 2024-02-09

Nature experiences benefit human wellbeing by, for example, increasing subjective restoration and positive affect while reducing negative affect. However, natural environments are threatened by several crises, including pollution. In three preregistered studies, one correlational and two experimental, we investigated the relationship between (plastic) litter and restoration after a walk. In Study 1, participants did a self-selected restorative walk and afterwards reported observed litter. In two experimental studies, we manipulated the presence of plastic waste, biowaste (which served as an active control condition with human-sourced but degradable litter), and no waste in a virtual (i.e., video; Study 2) and an imagined (Study 3) forest walk. In all studies, we assessed subjective restoration, current affect and connectedness to nature, attractiveness and preference of scenery, as well as plastic-related problem awareness, intentions, and policy support. Results showed that litter, especially from plastic, is associated with harmful changes in subjective restoration, affect, and the perception of the scenery. Connectedness to nature, as well as plastic-related problem awareness, intentions, and policy support were not affected by the presence of plastic. Thus, plastic pollution influences human wellbeing negatively, but did not affect factors important to reduce consumption. Therefore, more research on tackling the plastic crisis is needed.