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Cited by 249Sustainability and Climate Change GovernancePro-Environmental Behavior and AttitudesLand Use and Ecosystem Services

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 95 of the 97 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

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

Open access
Woiwode, Christoph, Schäpke, Niko, Bina, Olivia, Veciana, Stella, Kunze, Iris, Parodi, Oliver, Schweizer-Ries, Petra, Wamsler, Christine·2021·Sustainability Science
DOI 10.1007/s11625-020-00882-y
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Abstract

Abstract 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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Show all 97 references

Research works printed but not linked: 11

  1. Combs A (1996) The radiance of being. Paragon House, St. Paul, Minn
  2. Dev A (2018) Into great depth of your being. A guided exploration into eight parts of your inner being. AuroPublications, Pondicherry
  3. Dhiman S, Marques J (eds) (2016) Spirituality and sustainability: new horizons and exemplary approaches. Springer International, Switzerland
  4. Feuerstein G, Feuerstein B (2007) Green Yoga. Traditional Yoga Studies, Eastend
  5. Kothari A, Salleh A, Escobar A, Demaria F, Acosta A (eds) (2019) Pluriverse. A post-development dictionary. Tulika Books, New Delhi
  6. Kunze I (2012) Social innovations for communal and ecological living. Lessons from sustainability research and observations in intentional communities. Communal Soc 32(1):50–67
  7. Leal Filho W, Consorte McCrea A (eds) (2019) Sustainability and the Humanities. Springer Nature, Cham
  8. Lockhart H (2011) Spirituality and Nature in the Transformation to a More Sustainable World: Perspectives of South African Change Agents. Dissertation at the Stellenbosch University: South Africa
  9. O’Brien K, Sygna L (2013) Responding to Climate Change: The Three Spheres of Transformation. Proceedings of the Conference Transformation in a Changing Climate, ed. University of Oslo, pp. 16–23
  10. Ott HE, Sachs W (2016) Letzte Zuflucht Glauben: Der Beitrag der Spiritualität zur Erhaltung einer lebenswerten Welt. In Religion und Spiritualität: Ressourcen für die Grosse Transformation? [Religion and Spirituality: Resources for a Great Transformation?]. Politische Ökologie 147:17–24
  11. Waddell S (2016) Change for the audacious: a Doer’s guide to large systems change for flourishing futures. Networking Action Publishing, Boston

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Metadata

Authors
Woiwode, C., Schäpke, N., Bina, O., Veciana, S., Kunze, I., Parodi, O., Schweizer-Ries, P., & Wamsler, C.
Affiliations
  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IN)
  • University of Freiburg (DE)
  • Leuphana University of Lüneburg (DE)
  • BOKU University (AT)
  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE)
  • Ruhr University Bochum (DE)
Corresponding author
Woiwode, Christoph
ORCID
Venue
Sustainability Science
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2021-01-19
Volume
16
Issue
3
Pages
841-858
ISSN
  • 1862-4057 (ISSN-L)
  • 1862-4065
DOI
10.1007/s11625-020-00882-y
OpenAlex
W3122614873
Cited by
249
References
97
Citations by year
2026: 32 · 2025: 60 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 10
FWCI
16.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Sustainability Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Multilingual Matters (Channel View Publications) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Repository KITopen (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Informationszentrum Lebenswissenschaften (ZB MED) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion)
  • RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Chalmers Research (Chalmers University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • KITopen (cc-by)
Funders
  • Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research
  • Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik
  • Vetenskapsrådet (2019-00390, 2019-01969)
  • RWTH Aachen
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Pro-Environmental Behavior and Attitudes
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Land Use and Ecosystem Services
Keywords
personal transformation, sustainability transformation, leverage points, system change, reflection, consciousness, mindset, values, worldview, spirituality, nature connection

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