The Heart of Sustainability () von Andres Edwards

The search for meaning, embodied by such values as mindfulness, creativity, compassion and empathy, is driving global transformation. The Heart of Sustainability explores the ways visionaries are driving this paradigm shift that is shaping our collective future.

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION:
Looking Within to Seed an Enduring Vision for the Future

CHAPTER 1: A New Story
Anatomy of a Story | Our Role in the Hero's Journey | Living Between Stories | Themes of the New Story | Visions of the New Story

CHAPTER 2: Changing the Old Story
From Separate to Aligned with Nature | From Scarcity to Abundance | From Fear to Assurance | Reframing the Ecological Crisis

CHAPTER 3: Purpose, Meaning, and Happiness
Quality of Life | Nature and Well-being | Social Ecotones | Gathering in Public Places | Personal and Global Happiness

CHAPTER 4: Reconnecting to Ourselves and to Nature
Ecology | Economy | Equity | Education | The External Es and Internal Cs | Consciousness | Creativity | Compassion | Connection

CHAPTER 5: Leading from the Heart
Leadership Styles | Being of Service | Supporting Positive Qualities Through Conversations | Leading from Within

CHAPTER 6: Activism with Heart
Types of Activists | Mental Models and What Motivates Us | Spiritual Activism | Sacred Activism and Networks of Grace | Giftivism | Activism and Faith Communities

CHAPTER 7: Finding and Connecting the Dots
System Shifts | Places to Intervene in a System | The Lisbon Principles | Holistic Education | Conservation Psychology | Ecological Intelligence and Related Quotients | Empathy and Nature

CHAPTER 8: Envisioning a Compelling Future
The Future We Want | The Sharing Economy | Future Paths | The COURAGE Framework | Looking Within

Resources
Endnotes
Index
About the Author

A thriving life and livable future for our planet starts with you.

Amidst the doom and gloom that dominates the headlines, a different kind of story about an alternative and sustainable future is unfolding. The players are social activists, visionaries, revolutionaries, and cultural innovators, the backdrop is this Anthropocene: the tipping point of our global and environmental challenges, and the narrative is the molding of a new paradigm to shape our collective future, and make environmental change.

The Heart of Sustainability delves into the human dimension of this burgeoning international movement with an aim to become climate activists and build a better world. Author Andrés Edwards frames the conversation about consciousness, activism, innovation, and sustainability by:

• Explaining how self-development is a key driver for environmental 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, during this Anthropocene.

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 social activists around the world, it shows us how to reconnect with ourselves, each other, and nature in order to tackle the climate change challenges we face as a global community.

Andrés R. Edwards is the author of the award-winning Thriving Beyond Sustainability and The Sustainability Revolution . He is also the founder and president of EduTracks, a firm specializing education programs and consulting services on sustainable practices for museums, zoos, aquariums, culture and history centers.