There is a quiet but profound psychological phenomenon influencing how we perceive the natural world, and it’s one that could spell disaster if we don’t begin to truly understand it. It’s called shifting baseline syndrome, and although the name may sound clinical or academic, its implications affect each and every one of us—often without us even realising it. At its core, shifting baseline syndrome describes how each new generation perceives the environment they grow up in as “normal,” no matter how degraded it might be compared to previous generations. Over time, this leads to a gradual acceptance of environmental damage, loss of biodiversity, and climate change impacts, because our reference points for what’s natural and healthy continue to decline without notice.
Imagine a grandparent who remembers fields teeming with butterflies, dense woodlands full of songbirds, and seas glittering with fish. Compare this to a child today who might view a few sparrows in a garden or a city park as wildlife abundance. That child’s sense of what’s natural has already been diminished—and will continue to be passed down, incrementally erasing the richness and balance of ecosystems that once were. This isn’t a nostalgic yearning for the past, but a scientifically observed and measurable trend. The syndrome affects conservation efforts, urban planning, biodiversity protection, and even policy-making because we keep moving the goalposts of what a “healthy” environment looks like.
Why this matters now more than ever is because we are living in a time of rapid ecological breakdown. If we’re constantly resetting our expectations based on a depleted present, how can we ever fight to restore what’s been lost? Our forests are shrinking, species are vanishing, soils are being exhausted, and oceans are warming—but if we accept today’s damaged reality as normal, we lose our ability to see the full picture of what needs protecting. Shifting baseline syndrome dulls our urgency. It normalises destruction. It means we may believe things are improving simply because we’re comparing them to the worst years on record, not to the flourishing systems that existed before significant human interference.
Understanding this syndrome is essential not just for environmentalists or scientists, but for every individual who wants a livable, thriving planet for themselves and future generations. It calls on us to question what we think of as ‘normal’ and to reconnect with historical knowledge—oral histories, ancestral wisdom, and older scientific records that tell us how the Earth once was. It demands that we actively resist the idea that decline is inevitable or acceptable. When we fail to understand shifting baseline syndrome, we become passive participants in the unravelling of nature. But when we recognise it, we reclaim our power to restore, to heal, and to demand more of ourselves and our leaders.
But we are not powerless in the face of this syndrome. To change our perception and improve the health of Mother Earth, we must start by educating ourselves and others about the true state of the planet—using long-term data, historical records, and indigenous knowledge to reframe what “normal” should look like. Encouraging intergenerational dialogue can help preserve memories of more abundant ecosystems, reconnecting us with what’s been lost. Supporting rewilding projects, planting native species, protecting endangered habitats, and advocating for stronger environmental policies are all ways to actively restore ecological integrity. On a personal level, spending time in nature, observing seasonal changes, and engaging with citizen science can help reawaken a deeper connection with the living world. When we challenge the status quo and embrace environmental restoration as a communal responsibility, we begin to lift the veil of shifting baselines and set our sights on a future where ecosystems thrive—not just survive.
Nature has the incredible capacity to rebound when given the chance, but we must give it that chance with eyes wide open. By acknowledging how our perceptions have shifted, we can consciously choose to raise the bar—to not accept the bare minimum as enough, and to stop settling for damaged ecosystems as the best we can hope for. Protecting the Earth means remembering what it was, imagining what it could be, and refusing to let the losses become invisible.
Love Life x
References:
- Pauly, D. (1995). “Anecdotes and the shifting baseline syndrome of fisheries.” Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 10(10), 430.
- Soga, M., & Gaston, K. J. (2018). “Shifting baseline syndrome: causes, consequences, and implications.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 16(4), 222–230.
- Papworth, S. K., Rist, J., Coad, L., & Milner-Gulland, E. J. (2009). “Evidence for shifting baseline syndrome in conservation.” Conservation Letters, 2(2), 93–100.
- Lotze, H. K., & Worm, B. (2009). “Historical baselines for large marine animals.” Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 24(5), 254–262.
- Fernández-Llamazares, Á., et al. (2021). “Reframing the loss of biocultural diversity: A panarchy perspective.” People and Nature, 3(3), 558–572.
- https://nomadify.co.uk/breaking-free-from-plastic-a-healthier-home-and-planet/
- https://nomadify.co.uk/a-global-crusade-for-our-planets-future/