If you want to change the trajectory of the world, you need to change your thinking to sustainability thinking. Our global challenges are the consequences of poor leadership and decision-making and they have one source: the human brain.

Although the newest IPCC report (March 2023) is stating the repetitive fact that we need to reduce our emissions – nothing to very little seems to happen in the groups of decision-makers and most polluting industries. Why is that?

There are different ways of thinking, acting and relating about sustainability. Yet, it depends on personal worldviews, beliefs, values and the societal norms someone grew up in. That’s a lot of influence that might not benefit the goal of sustainable development.

When the human brain (where all the decisions come from) is the cause of all trouble, why aren’t we addressing our most impressive organ more? Does it need a reset to make a sustainable future possible?

As Einstein has put it – with my help – translated into the current global context: We cannot solve our global challenges with the same mindset which created them in the first place.

Your brain is the place for all the solutions to create a future worth looking forward to. It simply needs refining ingredients to empower you to make decisions and take action leading to a thriving and prosperous future. 

That’s gonna happen with developing and implementing sustainability thinking in everything you do.

Sustainability thinking: The magic key to tackle our global crises?

Let’s imagine our world is ending. You know there is no tomorrow. What do you take with you? Any possession you have will vanish. There’s nothing physical you can take with you to the afterlife. 

The only thing left is the legacy you leave. Do you know which legacy you want to leave?

Sustainability thinking is a weird thing. Although it helps you to understand the world in a more holistic sense, it can be confusing. It seems like the solution landscape is fact and problem-oriented. However, we need solutions that do not simply tackle the symptom of a challenge. We need solutions that tackle problems at their root; plus making the whole process sustainable – of course.

Sustainability thinking is a way of thinking about how you organise your life and by extension, your work in the most sustainable way. Moreover, your sustainability thinking depends on the competencies you possess. See it as a mix of knowledge and skills that will help you to become future-ready.

Related: 

6 Key Competencies In Sustainability For The 21st Century

Here is a short list of key competencies in sustainability:

Let’s dive deeper into the world of sustainability thinking and evoke the opportunities ahead of you.

Your mindset is the frame for the way you think and act

Your decisions and actions are influenced by your mindset which frames the way you think and act.

Some interrelated concepts are sustainable development, education for sustainability, sustainability mindset and green thinking.

As already mentioned, you cannot solve our global challenges with the same mindset that created them in the first place. Therefore, you need to work on your mindset first, before you can take meaningful actions.

The amount of crises we are facing is overwhelming and depressing. For me, the worst is that people who contributed the least to the global mess are the most vulnerable and already experience the consequences. 

Yet, sustainable development cannot happen by simply changing your thinking. In addition, we need to create a vision for a prosperous and thriving future – together. The world as we know it is not sustainable. Therefore, reimagining visions to create a sustainable future is at the forefront of what needs to be done, paired with developing sustainability thinking.

Consequently, it’s about facilitating an evolution towards a sustainable future. You are at a point in human history where you have the choice to create a future worth looking forward to.

Your attitude matters more than you might realise at the moment. Sustainability thinking is a gateway to finding the right solutions and developing sustainable innovation.

Sustainability innovation is about thinking and sustaining ideas

Sustainability thinking is all about learning, understanding and applying sustainability competencies. Currently, global values are economic-driven. 

It’s all about growth and money. This way of thinking causes many issues which turn into the global crises we are experiencing now. One part of sustainability thinking is to understand the interconnectedness of the many crises we are facing. More information about our crises is summarised in this article: ‘The 10 Most Pressing Challenges Of The 21st Century’.

Due to the competitive nature of the business world and the development of individualistic societies, it seems like there is no way out. This is far from the truth. Humankind can do better. 

In the end, we do not have another option than clearing the mess of capitalism to make room for something – hopefully – better. That’s your responsibility. Your ideas matter to create a future worth looking forward to.

What is your part to fulfil?

Sustainability innovation is all about thinking and sustaining ideas. How to think sustainably?

You need to learn. You need to shift your mindset from a fixed to a growth mindset. Forget about groundbreaking technologies. Most of them are created with the same mindset that created our global challenges.

When was the last time you felt human? If you can remember (if not, it’s not a problem), how did it feel? What was important to you at this time?

Back to reality. Of course, the future is portrayed as the ultimate apocalypse. How bad would it be if we missed the chance to avoid it? 

Think evolution, not end.

Think social, not economic or technological. 

I like to say that we already have everything we need to change the trajectory of our world. There is one massive blockage: human greed. It’s about less and not more. It’s about feeling human again in a world that was not designed to allow humanness.

We do not have a climate crisis problem. We have a human greed problem. 

Let’s reframe decision-making with value-focussed thinking

Your brain causes trouble. Mine does too. Let us fix that!

Imagine what you can achieve when you train your brain to think in a sustainable manner. I prepared a Sustainability Mindset Guide for you to explore sustainability thinking – for free! Additionally, you will find an example on how to implement sustainability thinking in form a applying systems thinking. 

There is one catch: You need to subscribe to the Reimagine Sustainability Newsletter. This is not too bad, considering that you will get weekly content and inspiration to develop and implement a sustainability mindset. 

You are more than welcome to share your thoughts about this article in the comments. Moreover, I would be grateful if you send me any questions, feedback or whatever’s on your mind about sustainability mindsets.

I’m looking forward to changing the world with you – for good!