A typology of elementary forms of human-nature relations: a contribution to the valuation debate

Abstract

This article aims to contribute to the debate about the role of relational values in environmental decision making, by putting forward a typology of human-nature relational models . We argue that human-nature relational models, which stress the notion of cognitive frameworks, can be useful to understand core drivers of individual and social behavior that underlie environmental change and socio-environmental conflicts. A relational models approach calls for taking into consideration the diversity of cognitive frameworks conditioning our interaction with nature, with the ultimate goal of avoiding, mitigating, transforming and resolving socio-environmental conflicts and achieving a wiser relationship with the natural environment. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.