Only one in five British children are said to be close to nature, amid growing concerns that new generations have little contact with wildlife. A mere 21% of children aged between eight and 12 in the UK have a connection to the natural world that could be considered as “realistic and achievable” for youngsters, an RSPB study suggests.
The research, the first of its kind, was carried out to address concerns that children having little contact with plants and flowers, animals, birds and the great outdoors is one of the biggest threats to wildlife.
It shows that there are significant differences between youngsters’ connection to nature across the UK, as well as between girls and boys and urban and rural homes.
Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, said:”This report is ground-breaking stuff.
..Millions of people are increasingly worried that today’s children have less contact with nature than ever before, but until now there has been no robust scientific attempt to measure and track connection to nature among children in the UK, which means the problem hasn’t been given the attention it deserves”.
“We can all take action to put nature back into childhood, to ensure young people have better lives and a better future.”
The report by TNS surveyed 1,088 members of the British public, aged between eight and 12, over a four-month period as part of its weekly face-to-face omnibus survey.
