Nature contact in childhood is associated with pro-environmental behaviours (PEB) later in life. While previous literature focused on nature contact in general, the current work specifically explored childhood blue space exposure (coasts, rivers, lakes etc.) and potential mechanisms underlying any relationship with PEBs in adulthood. Cross-sectional data from an Austrian sample representative on age, gender, and region (N = 2,370) were used to test a serial-parallel mediation model linking recalled childhood blue space exposure to self-reported adult PEBs via, first, nature connectedness and, second, recent visits to green and blue spaces. Results supported significant serial mediation, with recalled childhood blue space exposure linked to nature connectedness in adulthood, which was in turn associated with more frequent recent visits to green and blue spaces, which in turn predicted PEB. Significant direct and indirect effects were observed, while controlling for known individual- and area-level covariates. Findings highlight the potential importance of childhood blue space exposure as well as life-long nature contact for improving nature connectedness and PEB and add to calls for protecting and maintaining natural water bodies and to improve their safety, as spending time around them in childhood may play a role in fostering PEB and ultimately improving planetary health.

童年时期的自然接触与以后生活中的亲环境行为（PEB）有关。虽然以前的文献一般关注自然接触，但当前的工作专门探讨了童年时期的蓝色空间暴露（海岸、河流、湖泊等）以及成年期与 PEB 的任何关系的潜在机制。来自奥地利样本代表的年龄、性别和地区（N = 2,370）的横截面数据被用来测试串行并行中介模型，该模型通过首先自然连通性和自我报告的成人 PEB 将回忆的童年蓝色空间暴露与成人 PEB 联系起来。第二，最近对绿色和蓝色空间的访问。结果支持显着的序列中介作用，回忆起的童年蓝色空间暴露与成年后的自然联系有关，这反过来又与最近更频繁地访问绿色和蓝色空间有关，这反过来又预测了 PEB。在控制已知的个体和区域水平协变量的同时，观察到显着的直接和间接影响。研究结果强调了童年时期接触蓝色空间以及终生接触自然对于改善自然联系和 PEB 的潜在重要性，并呼吁保护和维护自然水体并提高其安全性，因为童年在水体周围度过的时间可能会发挥作用在促进 PEB 并最终改善地球健康方面发挥作用。