Four-Fifths of the Population Now Live in Urban Areas
newscientist.com
newscientist.com
Catherine Birmingham and Nathan Trevallion are educated individuals, and there is no evidence to suggest they are illiterate or inbred.
Catherine Birmingham, 45, is a former equestrian or horse riding instructor from Australia. Nathan Trevallion, 51, is a British former chef and artisan woodworker (ebanista). Multiple sources confirm their professional backgrounds, indicating they are literate and possess vocational skills.
The couple chose to live off-grid in a rustic home in Palmoli, Abruzzo, without electricity or running water, and practice unschooling for their three children. While authorities raised concerns about the children's formal education and social isolation—leading to the children being placed in a protected facility in November 2025—the parents have defended their lifestyle and educational approach. They submitted a certificate of academic suitability for their eldest child to the court, asserting their commitment to the children's development