OnePointFive (opf.degree)’s Post

September always gets me thinking about what’s next—maybe it’s the back-to-school vibe or the change of seasons. As I reflect, I’m focused on advancing my work in conservation psychology, sustainability, environmental advocacy, social justice, and our deep-rooted connection to nature (biophilia). Balancing hope and fear is part of considering new possibilities, but I’m driven by the belief that meaningful change is always within reach. I’ve spent years leading teams and developing strategies that inspire action rooted in love. While I never imagined it was possible, I wrote a 94-page capstone thesis as part of my master’s degree. Applying the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) to cultivate a culture of conservation within an organization was a true labor of love and proof of my ability to drive lasting, meaningful change. But more importantly, I want you to know that I never thought I could finish graduate school, let alone complete a project of this scope. While the technical work is important and has given me a strong foundation to practically apply what I’ve learned, what fills my heart is the collective effervescence that comes from working with people who understand the work we do is bigger than ourselves. That shared passion and energy is what makes this journey so rewarding. So, if you're reading this, I want you to know that whatever you think is impossible isn't. If you're feeling stuck, you probably just haven't found your people. And you are smarter, stronger, and more resilient than you know. What's next is up to you.

This time of year, Posse Scholars are interning and traveling, having what we call a "meaningful summer experience." One example is Pomona College Scholar Derek Basil-Porter, who spent last summer in Brazil conducting community based research. Read about Derek and other Posse Scholars and alum at the link below. #ScholarsInAction #Posse

Calling all #sportchangemakers! Are you or is someone in your network fostering youth agency? Elevating intergenerational collaboration? Connecting youth to their inner purpose? Ashoka's Together Towards Tomorrow Challenge is accepting applications for innovative solutions that are bringing together people of all ages to blend the wisdom of the past with the vitality of the present, for young people to forge new paths as lifelong agents of change. This includes innovations that are: 👉 Enabling youth leadership for social impact  👉 Promoting equitable intergenerational collaboration  👉 Fostering agency in young people Check it out, apply, and share with your network using the link here: #socialinnovation #youthleadership #sportchangemakers

|Apply now| Only 4 days left to apply for our #Futuring for #Sustainability summer school! From 8 to 12 July, we focus on the cultural politics of sustainability concerns, zooming in on the conflicts that futuring for sustainability brings. How can we navigate these inevitable political and social conflicts? And how do we make sense of the backlash against environmental policies? If you're wondering about how to approach your research on sustainability questions, want to learn more about futuring, or search for the rightful place of expertise and how to navigate political backlash and cultural anxiety, this summer school is made for you! Speakers: Edgar Pieterse, Flor Avelino, Maarten A. Hajer, Josie Chambers, Jeroen Oomen, Timothy Stacey, and others. #futuring #futures #toekomst #duurzaamheid #transitie #sustainability #sustainabilitytransitions #justtransitions #democracy #TechniquesOfFuturing #FuturingForDemocracy #FuturingForSustainability Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University

Have YOU thought about what your definition of sustainable development is? In Professor Robert Strand's Berkeley Changemaker Course on Sustainable Capitalism in the Nordics? , this is one of the first questions we are told to ask ourselves. When asked the question “ What is sustainable development?” Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Norwegian Prime Minister, answered  “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  This phrase is one of the few pieces we are told to memorize for this class. The rest of our Monday classes are typically filled with colorful discussions anywhere from different types of capitalistic structures to individual leadership styles. We center the Nordic region as a compelling case study and benchmark for sustainability while remaining aware that no country or region is perfect. Sitting between people from across the world, I get to hear from 50 students coming from countries such as Canada, Sweden, France, as well as the United States. When researching courses to take during my final semester at the University of California, Berkeley, this one stood out as the perfect culmination of experiences I’ve had during my time in university. I often draw reflections from my time abroad as an exchange student at Utrecht University in the Netherlands during the Spring of 2023. Although it’s not part of the Nordic Region, it was an experience that undeniably broadened my perspective on what a society could look like as we orient ourselves toward a sustainably-minded world. This course also has become relevant at my current internship at 1% for the Planet where I often reference it in discussions of what societies can and should look like as we make transitions to a more sustainable future. As a global organization, 1% for the Planet brings together organizations and companies from around the world under its motto “all together for the planet” and my time here thus far has proved this to be more than true! In this final semester of my bachelor's education, everything is coming together as my studies come to a close. Living internationally, asking questions about different societies, and being back at my home university, this curiosity has not left me. I feel more than ever, that my conversations revolve in international contexts. Facilitating dialogue around culture is more relevant than ever as we grow into an increasingly globalized world. With graduation on the horizon in May, I continue to grow my curiosity as a learner and understand that there is so much to learn from every person and every place. 

"In a world craving innovation and sustainability, one Rushford graduate is leading the conversation." Meet Anh Viet Pham, whose recent publication in Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam, titled “Nature is the Mother; Technology is the Father of Sustainable Development,” is sparking a vital discourse on the future of our planet. 🌍 Bridging Nature and Technology: Anh’s groundbreaking article delves into how harmonizing natural ecosystems with technological advancements is not just an option but a necessity for sustainable development. His insights are a testament to the forward-thinking education at Rushford Business School, where students are encouraged to explore solutions that benefit both the earth and its inhabitants. 🎓 Rushford’s Role: As a Rushford alumnus, Anh attributes his ability to think critically and innovatively to the comprehensive education and support he received. His journey from a curious student to a thought leader in sustainability is a source of pride for our community. 💡 A Call to Action: Anh’s work challenges us to rethink our approach to sustainable development. It’s a call to blend the nurturing aspects of nature with the transformative power of technology to create a balanced, sustainable future. 📚 Join the Conversation: Anh’s article is more than just a read; it’s a movement towards understanding the synergistic relationship between our environment and the technology we create. We invite you to explore his insights and join this crucial conversation on sustainability. Rushford Business School is proud to spotlight alumni like Anh VietPham, whose innovative thinking and impactful work continue to inspire. #RushfordAlumniWatch celebrates the achievements of our graduates who are making significant contributions to their fields and the world. #Sustainability #Innovation #RushfordPride #AlumniAchievement #NatureAndTechnology

TODAY! Learn about various #careers in #sustainability!

"Research has shown that, as we age, we actually care less about being environmentally-friendly....environmental concern increases from the age of 18, peaks at 43, and then tails off. " Ooof..... this generational divide needs addressing. This is why, at beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship, we work not only with emerging youth innovators, but also with established professionals who exchange with and mentor youth - and get inspired to drive pro-planet action in their own spheres of influence. Change is needed across every generation, and the talent to make it happen lies everywhere. https://lnkd.in/e6ff_KQJ

The members of the 2025 cohort of Fellows of the Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies (https://lnkd.in/e2R3tJMp) has recently been announced. I am looking forward with excitement and pleasure to spending January through June 2025 with this cohort and sharing what and how we learn from the range of projects we are pursuing. My project is "Narratives and knowledges for emergent cultures of sustainability: shaping credibility, legitimacy, and implementation of shared decisions." The profound challenge of ensuring the long-term well-being and perhaps even the survival of human society within societal and bio-geo-physical planetary boundaries hinges critically on transforming collective behaviors and embedding and maintaining the changes in cultures of sustainability. For this we need to deepen and constantly update our knowledge of the complex landscapes and dynamics of diverse cultures and distinct contexts within which the common quest for sustainability is pursued differently. I propose studying the influence of narratives and diverse sources of knowledge on decision-making processes regarding sustainability and the perceptions of credibility and legitimacy of such decisions in African communities. My aim is to understand how and under what conditions decisions are made that enable or hinder the rise of local cultures of sustainability. Key to this are narratives that function – as they always have – as purposeful communication for forming and maintaining cultures in communities. Narrative expressions in verbal, visual, danced, or musical forms are sources of insights into social identities, visions, and motivations of community members. Such insights are essential measures of the social landscape and dynamics in which adaptive cultures of sustainability may arise in the myriad contexts, conditions, and cultures of the world.

Making the paradigm shift to understanding circular, symbiotic and thus regenerative and ultimately restorative design is the most important learning we can do in our design careers today.