Nature and Environmental Protection in Very Old Age

Abstract: Being exposed to or connected to nature has significant advantages for health, well-being, and daily life in old age ( Grave et al., 2023 ), yet little is known about the deeper meaning that nature holds in very old age (80+). We used a sequential two-component design to explore this. In the qualitative exploration, interview analysis ( N = 7, age 81–95) revealed seven themes in the narratives of very old adults regarding the meaning of nature, including well-being and meaning in life, appreciation of nature, philosophical and spiritual considerations of nature, nature as a source of inspiration, the role of nature in structuring daily life, reflections on nature’s influence across the lifespan, and the importance of environmental protection. In a follow-up extensive representative survey ( N = 1,863, age 80–102), nature connectedness was assessed with two pragmatic single-item indicators (perceived importance and frequency of nature-connectedness). The quantitative analysis confirmed the relationships between nature and the key themes identified in qualitative exploration, highlighting care for nature and the environment (eco-generativity) as the most important construct predicted by nature-connectedness. These findings indicate the enduring personal and societal relevance of nature in very old age, suggesting that fostering a connection to nature may support both individual and planetary well-being.