Connell: Disconnect from Nature a 21st-Century Problem for 200 Years

John Connell's latest book argues that severing our connection to nature is a major problem of 21st-century living, leading to environmental catastrophe and community breakdown. He believes our relationship with the earth became dysfunctional during the industrial revolution as people moved to cities, severing ties with food production. "We haven’t lived within the limits of nature for 200 years, so going back is not an overnight journey, but it is a necessary one if we are to survive this epoch," Connell writes.

Connell, describing himself as a "messenger from the quieter road of life," examines why joy eludes us despite advancements and freedom. He references Yuval Noah Harari's 2011 book Sapiens, and examines China’s “lying flat” movement.

Connell highlights high suicide rates among farmers and cites the World Economic Forum's statistic that overcrowding in cities increases loneliness by 38 per cent. "The path we are on in this Anthropocene age is not working," he states.

Connell advocates for sustainable, regenerative, or organic farming. He offers practical advice on reconnecting with nature and community to live more fulfilled lives, tackling hunger and poverty without destroying the planet.