Amidst the doom and gloom that dominates the headlines, a different kind of story is unfolding. The players are activists, visionaries and cultural innovators, the backdrop is the tipping point of our global and environmental challenges, and the narrative is the molding of a new paradigm to shape our collective future.
The Heart of Sustainability delves into the human dimension of this burgeoning international movement to build a better world. Author Andres Edwards frames the conversation about consciousness and sustainability by:
Explaining how self-development is a key driver for planetary change. Describing how the confluence of the consciousness and technological revolutions provide unique opportunities for balance and fulfillment Exploring how we can move forward individually and collectively to create a thriving, livable future from the inside out.
This landmark work illustrates the integration of the four Es: ecology, economy, equity, and education— the bedrock of the current sustainability framework—with the four Cs: conscious, creative, compassionate and connected. Focusing on specific examples and concrete initiatives from around the world, it shows us how to reconnect with ourselves, each other, and nature in order to tackle the challenges we face as a global community.
Andres R. Edwards is author of the award-winning Thriving Beyond Sustainability and The Sustainability Revolution. He is founder and president of Edu Tracks, a firm specializing in designing and developing exhibits, print, and education programs, and offering consulting services on sustainable practices for green building and business initiatives.
Table of Content
Introduction• Disconnect between ecological crisis and personal well-being. Cannot dismiss the
emotional component for solving the ecological crisis
• Biophilia as bridge between humans and nature
• Changing the world from the inside out…. solutions are already here…
• Confluence of two (R)evolutions: consciousness and ecological…
From three Es plus 1to three 3 Cs plus one (conscious, creative, compassionate, plus 1:
connected).
• New perspectives: parts to whole; scarcity to abundance
1. Creating New Stories
• Creating A New Story
• Stories as ways of envisioning the future
• Creation stories: aboriginal songlines; stories of global unity: miners in Chile
• Barbara Marx Hubbard: New Birth 2012
• Changing the perception: Wade Frazier (abundance)
2. From Three Es to Three C’s
• Shift from outer 3 Es (Ecology, Economy, Equity) to inner 3 Cs (Conscious, Creative,
Compassionate)
Conscious: aware, mindful, recognize of the power of intention
• a shift from a mental model of scarcity to one of abundance, prosperity and
possibility…
Examples: Kogi tribe: we are an integral part of Nature not separate from it. Business: Conscious capitalism and mission-based organizations
Creative
• Originality of thought and expression
• Create a new level of thinking and interacting to solve the global problems: climate change, loss of biodiversity and population…
• Compassionate: Self compassion and deep sympathy, desire to alleviate the suffering or misfortune of others. Creating a larger context bigger than ourselves. Examples: Compassionate Action Network International: Compassionate Charter and
Compassionate Cities Campaign: Insight Prison Project
• Connected: An association, relationship with others. Connecting with: self, spirit, each other. Conditions for Connections
3. Finding Meaning and Happiness
• Social Ecotones: Our community/cultural: connecting to our fellow beings
Identifying our “tribe”? like-minded people… what connects us?
Examples: Miners rescue in Chile… story of hope and triumph
• Mental models of meaning: efficiency vs. beauty; scarcity vs. abundance
• Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness index, and Happy Planet Index: developing new tools to recalibrate the objective and measure of economic progress. Also, GPI genuine Progress Indicator as a sustainability measure.
• UN Happiness Project
4. Busting the Myths
• Three Levels: (1) personal, (2) institutional and (3) society’s myths.
• Personal belief systems: what can I do? The stories we tell ourselves; positivity ratio of
3:1 (Barbara Fredrickson’s Positivity)
• Institutional: corporate culture; best places to work, character, ambiance, ethic,
mission/vision of organization
• Society’s: It’s “game over, ” humans are doomed; “Affluenza has won the day…” Sustainability is a fad… How to combat these stories; Frances Moore Lappe’s “Thought Traps.”
5. Leading from the Heart
• Comparison of traditional leadership and servant leadership
• Leadership as “living networks” and “communities of practice.”
• Learning leadership strategies from nature (living systems and self-organization) (Capra)
• Role of conservation psychology at bedrock of new leadership style
6. Activism with Soul
• Sacred activism (Andrew Harvey)
• Compassion-in-action in activists
• Facilitation of technology in activism
• Examples: Kickstart (Bhutan movie); Free Money Day; Occupy, Berkana Collaborative; Code for America; Better Block; 350.org; Institute for Sacred Activism, World Café, Pachamama Alliance; Twitter: Osseo Nice things
7. Connecting the Dots
• The major challenges and biophilic approach
• Role of technology: Kickstart, Indiegogo, crowd science, “KONY 2012” effect,
• Climate change and human behavior
• Holistic Education. Examples: Schumacher College, CIIS, The Small School
• Emotional and Ecological Intelligence (Goldman: Ecoliterate)
• Contests and Prizes. Examples; Lemelson-MIT Program
8. Envisioning a Compelling Future
• Future Scenarios: Herman Daly, David Holmgren, Tellus Inst., Barbara Marx
Hubbard…
• Qualities of transition to new paradigm
• Old systems decay, transition activators, and new system builders
• Creating new economic and social systems
• Scenario planning
Sidebar Profiles
The sidebar profiles highlight the perspectives of well-known and lesser known leaders in the sustainability field. The sidebars will include brief responses to questions such as: What gives you hope? What is humanity’s greatest asset? What are global problems that are most urgent and why? Are you optimistic about our capacity to solve complex global problems? Why? People profiled include:
Sidebar Profiles
Joanna Macy
Janine Benyus
Brother David Steindl-Rast
Jurriaan Kamp Sister Gervaise David Suzuki Fritjof Capra Annie Leonard Brian Dunbar Kenny Ausubel Jane Goodall
Elizabeth Thompson
Mark Samolis
Resources
The resources section will include relevant organizations and online publications, newsletters, list servers and blogs.
Annotated Bibliography
Annotated bibliography of relevant books.
Notes
References to cited sources.
Index
About the author
Andres R. Edwards is the author of the award-winning Thriving Beyond Sustainability and The Sustainability Revolution. He is a sought-after speaker for radio and television, conferences, universities and business and community organizations throughout North America and abroad. He is also the founder and president of Edu Tracks, a firm specializing in designing and developing exhibits, print, media, education programs and consulting services on sustainable practices for museums, zoos, aquariums, culture and history centers, businesses and non-profits. www.andresedwards.comMore ebooks from the same author(s) / Editor
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