Nature Deficit Disorder

The National Trust has recently published a thorough review of literature on the disconnection between young people and nature entitled Natural childhood. This report summarises the key pieces of evidence and the national context that has created a growing phenomenon of Nature Deficit Disorder.

Moss, Stephen (2012) Natural Childhood, National Trust

In his groundbreaking book Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv states:, “Nature Deficit Disorder describes the human cost of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses.”

Louv, Richard (2005), Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, Algonquin Books

TV presenter and naturalist Nick Baker has also commented: “You’ll never forget your first badger – just as you’ll never remember your highest score on a computer game – no matter how important it seemed at the time.”