City parks do more than lower our stress. A new study suggests they may also nudge us toward sustainable shopping—and that shift can ripple far beyond city limits.
This research followed 1,500 residents in Singapore, a
city known for its green spaces and high imports. The big idea is simple: when
people learn in urban nature, their values shift—and so do their choices as
consumers.
The chain reaction, in plain English
The study used a well-known framework in psychology
called the value–belief–norm pathway. Think of it as a domino effect:
1. Learn in urban nature →
2. Stronger “biospheric” values (you care
about the living world) and personal norms (you feel a personal duty) →
3. More support for sustainable products
(like certified timber and organic goods) and boycotts of non-sustainable
products.
It also found that relational values—the sense of
connection and responsibility we feel toward nature—reinforce this effect.
In short: time spent learning in nature can move people
from “I like parks” to “my choices should protect forests and farms.”
Why this matters beyond your city
The authors call this a “transboundary urban ecosystem
service.”
That’s a mouthful, but the meaning is clear: what happens in your local park
can reduce environmental harm somewhere else.
When city residents prefer certified timber or organic
food, they send a signal down global supply chains. That can shrink the
ecological footprint in producing regions—less pressure on forests, fewer
pollutants, better soil and water. Urban nature becomes a quiet lever for
global sustainability.
What counts as “learning in urban nature”?
It’s broader than a school field trip. The study looked
at visits to parks and reserves and outdoor education—guided
walks, citizen science, plant ID days, nature classes. The common thread is hands-on,
place-based learning.
What cities and schools can do now
· Make learning visible in parks. Signs
that teach, staff-led walks, weekend “meet the ranger” booths, and seasonal
nature stations.
· Partner with schools and communities.
Bring lessons outside; support urban nature clubs; co-host citizen science
events.
· Connect the dots at the point of purchase.
In museums, visitor centers, and park cafés, show how certified or organic
choices protect the very species and habitats visitors just learned about.
· Lift up relational values. Invite stories of family traditions in parks, neighborhood tree care, and local restoration—these ties make norms stick.
The takeaway
If we want greener supply chains, we don’t only need new
labels and laws. We also need more learning moments among trees and trails.
Urban nature can shape our values—and our shopping lists—in ways that cross
borders and protect places we may never see, but still depend on.
Original article: Jaung, W., Carrasco, L. R.,
Richards, D. R., Shaikh, S. F. E. B., & Tan, P. Y. (2022). The role of
urban nature experiences in sustainable consumption: a transboundary urban
ecosystem service. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-021-02071-y