From Fear to Care: How Confronting Biophobia Can Help Save Biodiversity

"We fear what we don’t understand” 

I live in the city and have witnessed several heartbreaking incidents where natural beings were harmed again and again, for no good reason. The phrase “We fear what we don’t understand” often comes to mind. In today’s fast-paced world, many of us spend less time in nature, leading to a growing disconnection from the natural world around us.

One day, as I walked through my neighborhood, I noticed a single bee lying lifeless on the ground. A few steps further, I saw several more. Eventually, I counted dozens, maybe thirty or more, scattered across the pavement. Looking around, I realized this was likely the result of someone spraying harmful chemicals into a hive built near their home. It was a horrible sight, and sadly, it’s not uncommon where I live.

Another memory that has stayed with me happened near a high-rise building. I spotted a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar lying beside a tiny patch of bushes, the only green space provided by the massive structure. As I got closer, I saw many more caterpillars on the ground, some still moving weakly, struggling to survive. The small patch of greenery, already too limited to support them, could not protect the lives it was meant to shelter. These creatures are harmless, yet their lives were cut short; victims of an environment that leaves little space for anything other than humans.

These experiences led me to ask a difficult question: Why are people so afraid of nature? And what happens when that fear spreads? As I searched for answers, I came across the term biophobia, which describes a fear or aversion to nature. I also discovered its counterpart, biophilia, which is the natural human tendency to seek connection with the living world around us. 

When we allow fear to guide us, we distance ourselves from nature; but when we choose connection, we protect it.

What Is Biophobia?

The term biophobia, an aversion to or fear of nature and natural organisms, often triggered by unfamiliarity or discomfort. This might sound like a minor, personal issue, but it has far-reaching consequences.

Studies show that excessive biophobia reduces people’s willingness to support environmental policies and conservation initiatives. According to research in Frontiers in Psychology, people who grow up with limited exposure to nature tend to express stronger biophobic reactions and are less likely to act in favor of biodiversity protection.

Why This Matters for Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, from the tiniest insects to entire ecosystems. It is the foundation of healthy, functioning environments. When we lose biodiversity, we lose pollinators, soil health, water quality, food security, and countless other natural services.

What I saw in my neighborhood — poisoned bees, dying caterpillars — isn’t just unfortunate. It reflects a deeper crisis. When people fear or misunderstand nature, they’re more likely to destroy it. And when that happens on a large scale, we face global biodiversity loss.

Though my examples come from an urban context, the pattern is universal: disconnection breeds fear, and fear leads to destruction.

Understanding Rational vs. Irrational Fear

It’s important to recognize that not all fear is harmful. There’s a difference between rational fear, like caution around venomous animals, and irrational fear, where even harmless creatures are treated as threats.

Take snakes, for instance. They are often feared, yet the vast majority of snakes in Southeast Asia are not venomous. They are not interested in human interaction and tend to keep their distance. Spending more time learning about them can shift our response from panic to respect.

Spending more time learning about them can shift our response from panic to respect.

My Own Journey

I grew up in the city. I’ve always loved nature, but with limited access to wild spaces, I realized I had unknowingly internalized certain fears. I’m now making a conscious effort to acknowledge and work with them, not by ignoring the fear, but by being curious about it.

That shift begins with exposure.

So, How Do We Work With Biophobia?

Start small. Spending time in nature is one of the most effective ways to reduce biophobia. And it’s never too late to begin. Whether you're a child, a teenager, or an adult, reconnecting with nature is always possible.

You don’t need to travel far into the wilderness to begin. A park bench, a garden, or a walk around your neighbourhood can be enough to start reconnecting with nature. Next time you encounter an insect or an animal you fear or dislike, pause. Feel the fear, then take a moment to ask: Is it rational? What can I learn?

Learn something new about that creature. Observe how it moves. Imagine how it fits into the ecosystem. Say thank you. This small change in mindset could lead to a larger change in the way we protect life around us.

Learn something new about that creature. Observe how it moves. Imagine how it fits into the ecosystem.

Imagine Being Part of the Diversity

You already are. Even an uncomfortable moment in nature can be a reminder of our connection to the whole.

During the rainy season in the forest, you might get bitten by a leech. It’s unpleasant, but also remarkable. Your blood nourishes that leech, which might be eaten by a bird, which then becomes part of another cycle. Eventually, everything returns to the soil. Your DNA becomes part of the ground, the forest, the system. That is awe-inspiring.

What We Gain When We Reconnect

Spending more time in nature doesn't just help the planet, it helps you. Research consistently shows that exposure to nature improves mental health, reduces stress, and enhances physical well-being.

That’s because biophilia is natural to us. Our minds and bodies evolved in close relationship with the natural world, and when we reconnect with it, even in small ways, we are coming home to something deeply familiar. It’s not just a preference; it’s a part of who we are.

A Final Thought

The tragedy of biophobia doesn’t have to continue. If we open our hearts to the natural world, and make the choice to spend more time with it, we’ll begin to see nature not as something to fear, but as something to protect.

And that shift, even when it begins with something as small as a moment of curiosity, can help save the world.