The United Nations is setting out to measure humanity's relationship with the natural world, but it’s no easy task. Environmentalism has long been a battle of us vs. nature, leading scientists to propose new metrics to assess our coexistence.

At an Oxford meeting, experts grappled with defining what it means for nature to thrive and be accessible to people. They also debated whether care should simply mean sustainable harvesting or extend to a full circular economy. The key questions boil down to three: is nature thriving, being used carefully, and safeguarded?

The proposed Nature Relationship Index (NRI) aims to shift how countries view their environmental programs, moving away from the idea that humans are inherently destructive to seeing us as potential guardians of nature.

While some see this as a step towards a greener future, others have doubts. Can numbers truly capture the complex interplay between humanity and the environment? As the NRI takes shape, only time will tell if it can inspire meaningful change or just another tool for ranking nations.