We are nature

Three words that could change the world.

Photographs: Pexels

Text: Natalia E.L. Madsen

For the longest part of our existence, humans (Homo sapiens) have lived in close proximity and connection with nature. Throughout the world, anthropologists have uncovered ancient cultures that worshipped gods related to the Earth, displaying a sense of reverence for all life, not just that of humans. Somewhere along the way, however, we lost this sense of connection and forgot our purpose as keepers and caretakers of the life around us.

The journey of separation

According to the book Regenerative Leadership, by Giles Hutchins and Laura Storm, a radical shift in society occurred around 10.000 years ago, where our sense of self-identity changed: We went from seeing ourselves as part of nature to seeing ourselves as separate from nature. We started farming, building homes and settling into permanent communities. Many cultural developments and innovations occurred over the thousands of years that followed, but a deep respect for nature and its wisdom remained - until around 500 years ago.

Some scientists argue that this is when modern society emerged, along with colonial domination by European powers over much of the world. During that process, Indigenous peoples were labelled “primitive” - likely because of their connectedness to nature - and subjected to widespread genocide in the name of civilisation and progress.

With modernity rising and Indigenous cultures declining in the last 500 years, the negative impact of human society on ecosystems has culminated in multiple environmental crises. Scientists refer to this new global historical epoch as the ‘Anthropocene’: a period in which human activity is the dominant influence on the global ecosystem.

Custodians of nature

To this date, there are still cultures around the world that maintain their close connection to nature, and make no mistake: these are not limited to small tribes in remote, secluded places. The Shinto in Japan, as well as the Mapuche people in Chile and Argentina, place great importance on the relationship between humans and the natural world. They predominantly follow plant-based diets and reaffirm their connection with nature (and their responsibility to protect it) through rituals and traditions.

In recent decades, powerful Indigenous movements have emerged worldwide, such as the ‘Defenders of the Land’ in Canada. In fact, numerous Indigenous communities around today’s world - from Kenya to New Zealand to Bolivia - play a critical role in the conservation of natural land and its wildlife.

"Imagine a world where people cared for the environment with the same interest and willingness as they care for their homes."

Reconnecting with nature for a more sustainable future

To be clear, I am not saying that we all become Wiccans, build an altar and start worshipping the elements - quite the opposite.

Think about it: we safeguard the places we belong to, like our communities. We defend what we love and feel responsible for, like our family. We protect what we see as our home. In short, we take care of the things and people that we feel connected to.

Rebuilding our bond with nature is not about activism, spirituality or camping in the wilderness - it’s about understanding that we aren’t but a piece of a very large puzzle. It’s about recovering a sense of connectedness to the world that surrounds us.

Unfortunately, there is little connection in a society as individualised as ours. We go about our days on autopilot - shopping, scrolling, delivering on our KPIs - without ever stopping to look beyond the tip of our noses. Behind every pair of 200-DKK jeans, there is likely a long story of exploitation, inequality and environmental damage, but as the saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind”.

If we are to stand a chance of creating a better future, we must start thinking in systems and understand the ripples of our individual choices. We must learn to see ourselves as the proverbial butterfly fluttering its wings here while potentially triggering a tornado elsewhere.

We are nature

Imagine a world where people cared for the environment with the same interest and willingness as they care for their homes. Where we saw other people as our brothers and sisters, regardless of where they live in the world.

Embracing the idea that we are all nature could help build that future.

And for that, we don’t all need to be outdoorsy people who love hiking, camping and dancing under the stars. I, for one, am the opposite of outdoorsy.

We can take responsibility from indoors. We can proactively enhance biodiversity in our gardens while still having insect screens on most of our windows. We can understand our role in the system and aim to make the right choices, whether it's Fjällräven gear or a pair of stilettos.

Acknowledging that we are part of nature is about awareness, accountability, and a sense of purpose: to act for the benefit of something bigger than ourselves. Borrowing from Regenerative Leadership to conclude:

“We must move forward with a different consciousness than what created the problems in the first place”.