PRESENTATION: Nature <> Happiness <> Well Being

SPEAKER: Mr. Elliott Lee

BIO: Graduate Student, Department of Psychology, UVic

PRESENTATION: How Being in Nature Affects Happiness and Well-being and how We can Encourage People to Treat the Earth Better.

Connecting with nature is an inherent human desire. But humans have increasingly moved away from nature in recent centuries. This has led to nature deficits and the loss of opportunities for improved well-being. The move away from nature has also led to a decrease in concern and care for the Earth. This talk explores the well-being benefits of getting out into nature and applies motivation theories to get people out into nature more often and willingly. Why is nature is good for us, how can we take advantage of that, and how can we prolong it? And how can psychology be used to encourage people to behave in a more environmentally friendly way?