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The nature buffer: the missing link in climate change and mental health research

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  • Naseem Dillman-Hasso

    (Carleton College)

Abstract

The connections between climate change and mental health are well known (Berry et al., Int J Publ Health 55(2):123–132, 2010; Clayton and Manning 2018; Kim et al., J Environ Sci Health C 32(3):299–318, 2014). Research also points to the positive impacts of nature on mental health, well-being, and attention (Capaldi et al., Int J Wellbeing 5(4):1–16, 2015; Kaplan and Kaplan 1989; Tillmann et al., J Epidemiol Community Health 72(10):958–966, 2018). However, no empirical research has examined how degradation of nature as a result of climate change can impact the mental health benefits that nature provides. This paper first reviews the existing research on the negative mental health consequences of climate change and the benefits of nature exposure for stress, mental health, and well-being. The connection between these two lines of research is examined in order to fully understand the impacts of climate change on mental health. Suggestions for future research are included.

Suggested Citation

  • Naseem Dillman-Hasso, 2021. "The nature buffer: the missing link in climate change and mental health research," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(4), pages 696-701, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:11:y:2021:i:4:d:10.1007_s13412-021-00669-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-021-00669-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jennifer Jacquet & Kristin Hagel & Christoph Hauert & Jochem Marotzke & Torsten Röhl & Manfred Milinski, 2013. "Intra- and intergenerational discounting in the climate game," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 3(12), pages 1025-1028, December.
    2. van den Berg, Agnes E. & Maas, Jolanda & Verheij, Robert A. & Groenewegen, Peter P., 2010. "Green space as a buffer between stressful life events and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(8), pages 1203-1210, April.
    3. Richard L. Wallace & Jess Greenburg & Susan G. Clark, 2020. "Confronting anxiety and despair in environmental studies and sciences: an analysis and guide for students and faculty," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 10(2), pages 148-155, June.
    4. Helen Berry & Kathryn Bowen & Tord Kjellstrom, 2010. "Climate change and mental health: a causal pathways framework," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(2), pages 123-132, April.
    5. Ashlee Cunsolo & Neville R. Ellis, 2018. "Ecological grief as a mental health response to climate change-related loss," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 275-281, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Megan Butler, 2022. "Interdisciplinary experiential learning during COVID-19: lessons learned and reflections for the future," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 12(2), pages 369-377, June.
    2. Ross Westoby & Rachel Clissold & Karen E. McNamara, 2022. "Turning to Nature to Process the Emotional Toll of Nature’s Destruction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-8, June.

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