On August 6, 2024, Elizabeth Cook, assistant professor in environmental science, co-published research alongside lead author Olivia Visnic ’20, in the journal People & Nature. The article, titled “Shifting More-than-Human Relationships Amidst Social-Ecological Disturbance,” dives into how the COVID-19 pandemic affected our appreciation of nature. This work stems from Visnic’s senior thesis as an Environment and Sustainability major.
To complete this study, the researchers interviewed college students from across the country about whether the pandemic had influenced how connected (or not) they felt to nature. Many students reported feeling a stronger connection to nature during the pandemic and indicated that natural settings provided comfort during the lockdown. These findings were not universal, however, as many factors affected the student’s ability to interact with nature, including unequal access to green spaces.
A stronger connection with nature developed during the pandemic could have lasting effects. Some students said they anticipated that their future lifestyle choices could be impacted, while others believed that this feeling of greater connection to nature would only be temporary. The researchers found that a long-term connection and commitment to being within nature was necessary to ensure the longevity and equity of these connections. As the climate crisis continues, efforts must be made to understand and value the relationship between us and nature, and ways to overcome inequities in access to green spaces.