How can global differences in nature connection inform new relationships with nature?

The deteriorating human–nature relationship is increasingly recognized as a root cause of climate change and biodiversity loss. Understanding similarity and differences at scale is critical when considering policy and this study investigates global differences in nature connectedness between the “Global North” and “Global South”, using data from 61 countries and a range of socio-economic and cultural indicators. Results show that nature connectedness is significantly higher in the Global South. While economic development has often been linked to environmental degradation, our findings suggest that cultural and spiritual values play a more substantial role in shaping the human–nature relationship. Specifically, indicators related to spirituality and the balance between science and faith were strongly associated with nature connectedness, whereas objective environmental and economic factors explained less variance. These results have implications for environmental policy as they highlight the importance of cultural worldviews in fostering nature connectedness and suggest that efforts to repair the human–nature relationship, particularly in the Global North, may benefit from integrating spiritual and relational perspectives. The study concludes that nature connectedness is embedded more deeply in cultural and value-driven contexts than in economic or environmental conditions. Recognising and learning from the cultural strengths of the Global South may inform transformative approaches to sustainability and resilience, including policy shifts that embrace nature-based spirituality and relational worldviews.