Inner transformation to sustainability as a deep leverage point: fostering new avenues for change through dialogue and reflection

This article provides a rationale for inner transformation as a key and hitherto underresearched dimension of sustainability transformations. Inner transformation relates to various aspects of human existence and interactions such as consciousness, mindsets, values, worldviews, beliefs, spirituality...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability science Vol. 16; no. 3; pp. 841 - 858
Main Authors: Woiwode, Christoph, Schäpke, Niko, Bina, Olivia, Veciana, Stella, Kunze, Iris, Parodi, Oliver, Schweizer-Ries, Petra, Wamsler, Christine
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.05.2021
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Annan naturvetenskap
Climate Change Management and Policy
Consciousness
Deep leverage points
Earth and Environmental Science
Environment
Environmental Economics
Environmental Management
Human development
Human Geography
humans
Inner capacities
Inner transformation
Interiority
Kulturgeografi
Landscape Ecology
Literature reviews
Meadows
Mindsets
Natural Sciences
Naturvetenskap
Other Natural Sciences
Paradigm shift
Personal spheres of transformation
Personal sustainability
Public Health
Samhällsvetenskap
Social and Economic Geography
Social och ekonomisk geografi
Social Sciences
Special Feature: Leverage Points for Sustainability Transformations
Special Feature: Original Article
Sustainability
sustainability science and engineering
Sustainable Development
Transformations
Values
Worldviews
Inner capacities
Deep leverage points
Worldviews
Personal spheres of transformation
Inner transformation
Consciousness
Paradigm shift
Mindsets
Personal sustainability
Values
Human development
Interiority
ISSN:1862-4065, 1862-4057, 1862-4057
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This article provides a rationale for inner transformation as a key and hitherto underresearched dimension of sustainability transformations. Inner transformation relates to various aspects of human existence and interactions such as consciousness, mindsets, values, worldviews, beliefs, spirituality and human–nature connectedness. The article draws on Meadows’ leverage points approach, as places to intervene in a system, to reveal the relevance of inner transformation for system change towards sustainability. Based on insights from a series of dialogue and reflection workshops and a literature review, this article provides three important contributions to sustainability transformations research: first, it increases our conceptual understanding of inner transformation and its relevance for sustainability; second, it outlines concrete elements of the inner transformation-sustainability nexus in relation to leverage points; and third, it presents practical examples illustrating how to work with leverage points for supporting inner transformation. In sum, the paper develops a systematized and structured approach to understanding inner transformation, including the identification of deep, i.e., highly influential, leverage points. In addition, it critically discusses the often contentious and divergent perspectives on inner transformation and shows related practical challenges. Finally, current developments in inner transformation research as well as further research needs are identified.
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ISSN:1862-4065
1862-4057
1862-4057
DOI:10.1007/s11625-020-00882-y