Care Literacy for Culture, Nature, and Future

Area of Science:

• Environmental social science
• Sustainability science
• Conservation psychology

Background:

• The global sustainability agenda necessitates a fundamental shift in human-nature relationships.
• Existing frameworks often overlook the intrinsic and relational values of nature.
• Transformative change requires re-orienting societal values towards nature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept of relational values, specifically 'Nature as Culture/One with Nature'.
• To propose 'care for nature literacy' as a framework for fostering individual and community engagement with nature.
• To facilitate deeper connections and stewardship for environmental well-being.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing literature on environmental values and sustainability.
• Development of the 'care for nature literacy' concept.
• Exploration of implications for policy and practice in conservation and sustainability.

Main Results:

• Relational values, particularly 'Nature as Culture/One with Nature', are crucial for transformative change.
• 'Care for nature literacy' offers a pathway to enhance individual and collective capacity for environmental stewardship.
• Understanding and cultivating these values can bridge the gap between human actions and ecological health.

Conclusions:

• Re-orienting values towards relational understandings of nature is essential for achieving sustainability goals.
• 'Care for nature literacy' provides a practical approach to empower individuals and communities in caring for nature.
• Integrating these concepts can foster a more profound and effective engagement with the natural world.