Hong Kong Children Spend Less Than 5 Hours a Year Learning in Nature, Charity Finds

A Hong Kong charity warns that children in the city suffer from a severe "nature deficit," with schools and parents often prioritizing academic success over outdoor exploration. The problem is quantified in a recent study. It found that primary and secondary students in Hong Kong spend an average of only 4.43 hours each school year learning in natural areas. The 2023-24 research by Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong also revealed that nearly 30 percent of schools did not arrange any outdoor nature education. In response, local charity Gaia Education Limited is working to bridge this gap. Through initiatives like "Operation Santa Claus," it creates opportunities for children to climb, jump, and explore the natural world. The charity argues that direct experience in nature is crucial for healthy childhood development, an opportunity many Hong Kong children are currently missing.