The environmental movement has often carried a negative perception towards humanity, focusing on the damaging impact we’ve had on ecosystems. However, recent developments in conservation highlight a shift towards recognizing the potential of humans as positive contributors to nature. For example, foresters are adopting Indigenous burning techniques to mitigate wildfires, and biologists are advocating for the management of flower-rich meadows, once vital food-producing landscapes. Additionally, the resurgence of the peregrine falcon, now thriving due to urban nesting sites and plentiful prey, exemplifies how human environments can support wildlife.
Historically, conservation efforts have emphasized exclusion, often illustrating humans as adversaries to nature. Yet, a more nuanced perspective is emerging—one that sees the importance of integrating human activity with natural ecosystems. During a recent gathering in Oxford, UK, a diverse group of scientists, authors, and philosophers collaborated to develop metrics that better reflect the relationship between humans and the natural world. Although existing measures often focus on environmental degradation—such as carbon levels and extinction rates—these metrics tend to invoke fear rather than inspire hope. The goal was to create assessments that encompass human engagement with nature, sustainability in resource use, and the overall health of natural systems.
The team ultimately identified three core questions to guide their evaluation: Is nature thriving and accessible to people? Are resources being utilized responsibly? And is nature being effectively protected? The answers to these questions could yield a comprehensive score indicating the quality of human-nature interactions. Their findings were published in *Nature*, and a collaborative effort led by the United Nations Human Development Office is set to introduce the Nature Relationship Index (NRI) later this year. This index aims to reshape how nations perceive and implement their environmental policies, challenging the narrative that humans are inherently destructive. Instead of dwelling on failures, the NRI seeks to foster aspirations for a sustainable, vibrant world, where progress is recognized and celebrated.
Source: The quest to measure our relationship with nature via MIT Technology Review