In the context of the climate crisis, individuals’ psychological resources, such as climate hope and a sense of connection with nature, are significant for adopting pro-environmental behaviors and at the same time also important for mental health. In this study, we present a model describing the relationships under investigation, concurrently considering sociodemographic variables (age, gender, and religiosity) to gain a more detailed understanding of the predictors of pro-environmental intentions. The study involved 620 participants aged between 18 and 74 (M = 31.95; SD = 13.55), who completed an online set of standardized questionnaires measuring climate hope, connection with nature, mental well-being, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and pro-climate behavioral intentions. The hypotheses were tested using correlation analyses and multiple linear regression. Climate hope (r = .38, p < .001) and connection with nature (r = .33, p < .001) showed positive correlations with pro-environmental behaviors. Both variables were also associated with higher psychological well-being. Hierarchical multiple regression revealed the significance of these variables and selected socio-demographic variables for pro-environmental behavior. Climate hope and a connection with nature are key factors in fostering care for the environment and one’s own mental wellbeing.

Achieving sustainability goals depends not only on knowledge about climate change but also on the psychological resources that sustain engagement in climate action and protect human well-being. This study examined whether climate hope and nature connectedness are associated with pro-environmental intentions and well-being. It also tested whether nature connectedness mediates these links. An online survey of Polish adults (n = 620; aged 18–74, M = 31.95, SD = 13.55) measured constructive climate hope, nature connectedness, mental health (MHC-SF) and pro-environmental intentions. Data were analyzed using correlations, hierarchical regression and bootstrapped mediation analysis. Climate hope and nature connectedness were positively related to intentions (r = 0.38 and 0.33) and mental health (r = 0.29 and 0.32). Beyond age and gender, they explained additional variance in intentions (ΔR² = 0.17) and well-being (ΔR² = 0.12). Climate hope was the strongest predictor of intentions (β = 0.30), whereas nature connectedness was the strongest predictor of well-being (β = 0.24). Nature connectedness partially mediated the effect of climate hope on both intentions and well-being (indirect effect = 0.06 in each case), although direct effects predominated. These findings suggest that climate hope and a connection with nature are resources that help foster care for the environment and one’s own well-being.