Rethinking the geography of sustainability transitions by considering human-nature connections in rural areas

Abstract

Despite recent studies which emphasize the importance of human-nature connections (HNCs) in sustainability transitions, the literature on the geography of sustainability transitions focuses mainly on urban areas and transnational aspects, ignoring the role of HNCs. In this paper, we study HNCs in rural areas through a case study of the French mountains. Based on 31 interviews with local actors, the results show that individuals’ proximity to nature in the French mountains enables them to reconnect with nature and that this generates knowledge and leads to strong HNCs. The results also call for investigation of the roles that tourism and revised local governance could play in fostering sustainability transitions. Overall, this paper demonstrates the need for studies on the geography of sustainability transitions to consider HNCs and rural areas.