{"id":23135,"date":"2025-01-20T15:23:55","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T15:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/compasseducation.org\/?page_id=23135"},"modified":"2026-03-03T13:19:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T13:19:51","slug":"sustainable-habits-of-mind","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/compasseducation.org\/es\/sustainable-habits-of-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"H\u00e1bitos mentales sostenibles"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SUSTAINABLE HABITS OF MIND<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Maximizing Impact to Transform Your School for Sustainability<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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What Does Sustainability Look Like in Schools?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Recycling programs. Climate science lessons. Ethical consumer campaigns. Outdoor learning. Youth activism.<\/p>

All of these\u2014and many more\u2014can be powerful expressions of sustainability.<\/p>

At Compass Education, we help schools embrace a systems approach to sustainability<\/strong>, connecting environmental health, social wellbeing, and economic thriving. When students understand how human and natural systems interact, sustainability shows up everywhere\u2014from math and art to service learning and athletics.<\/p>

That\u2019s why we focus on developing H\u00e1bitos mentales sostenibles<\/strong>\u2014essential ways of thinking and acting that empower learners to navigate complexity, see connections, and shape a more sustainable future.<\/p>

Our approach centers on building H\u00e1bitos mentales sostenibles<\/strong>, inspired by systems thinker Donella Meadows. Through systems thinking practice, students develop the skills to understand complexity, make informed decisions, and take meaningful action for a sustainable future.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What do you picture when you think about students thinking and acting for sustainability?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Setting up recycling bins?
Studying the science of climate change?
Designing ethical consumer campaigns?
Spending time outdoors?
Engaging in a climate protest?<\/p>

At Compass Education, we know that there is a plethora of ways people define \u2018sustainability,\u2019 let alone what it looks like to engage students and schools with this multi-faceted concept.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

One of our organizational goals is to help educators and schools embrace a systemic perspective on sustainability \u2013 it\u2019s not just about the traditional \u2018green team\u2019 nature topics and projects but also the human systems that promote sustainable socioeconomic thriving that enable all individuals\u2019 wellbeing. Earth\u2019s systems will recover without us, but we won\u2019t survive without them, so we must set up our human systems to interact with nature\u2019s sustainability to ensure our future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

When we think about sustainability this way, the list of ways students can think and act for sustainability vastly increases. Now, it\u2019s not just about climate change and environmental conservation, but all the topics outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and more!\u00a0 This means that projects focused on poverty reduction, social innovation, materials development, gender equity, physical health, etc.\u2026 could all arguably be students educating and acting for sustainability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

So that begs the question, what makes something \u2018sustainability education\u2019? There is a famous quote from David Orr: \u2018All education is environmental education.\u2019 The same can be said for \u2018sustainability education.\u2019 Everything that we teach and guide our students to do can be used to teach about sustainability. Whether in a math lesson, an art class, a community service project, or a football practice, sustainability isn\u2019t just about understanding specific topics (although there are many important ones!). It\u2019s about a worldview and skillset that, when applied, encourages sustainable thinking and action.<\/span><\/p>

This is one reason our Compass Education team has identified\u00a0 the \u2018Sustainable Habits of Mind.\u2019\u00a0 <\/span>Inspired by the article <\/span>Dancing with Systems<\/span><\/i><\/a> written by renowned environmental activist and system thinker Donella Meadows, we put together a list of skills that we think, when developed, <\/span>prepare us to contribute to building a more sustainable world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

These ten habits of thought and behavior can be nurtured and cultivated through systems thinking practice to help us thrive in and contribute to a more sustainable world.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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H\u00e1bitos mentales sostenibles<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Don\u2019t Stress the Mess<\/h3>

\u2022 Acknowledge the messy complexity of the world.
\n\u2022 Embrace the web of messy interrelationships in any given system as part of what makes life and our world what it is.
\n\u2022 Practice periodically zooming out to see the \u201cbig picture\u201d to consider the dynamics between interconnected elements.
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Focus on Learning, not Knowing<\/h3>

\u2022 Accept that the world around you is constantly changing.
\n\u2022 Gather evidence through observation, talking to others, learning about history, and other methods to understand the dynamic world around you.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Imagine the Possibilities<\/h3>

\u2022 Go beyond problem-solving to dream about the many possibilities of a more sustainable world!
\n\u2022 Innovate, create, and act to cultivate abundance.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Look for Loops<\/h3>

\u2022 Recognize that cause and effect is nonlinear.
\n\u2022 Practice identifying the drivers of continuity and change in your environment.
\n\u2022 Harness leverage points to cultivate. positive change in the systems of which you are a part.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Learn from Nature<\/h3>

\u2022 Reflect on the natural processes of our world that sustain and thrive over time.
\n\u2022 Seek ways to mimic natural cycles and learn from natural materials.
\n\u2022 Cultivate a sense of connection to the natural world.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Get Perspective<\/h3>

\u2022 Seek perspectives from those who may challenge your assumptions and have different worldviews.
\n\u2022 Acknowledge and respect that other people have valuable skills, knowledge, and ideas that can help you and the world grow and change the world.
\n\u2022 Explore the different ways of knowing that inform people\u2019s understanding of the world.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Change Your Mind<\/h3>

\u2022 Form new opinions when presented with new evidence.
\n\u2022 Allow yourself and others to change their opinions over time.
\n\u2022 Design projects and structures that promote accountability and reflection to improve, grow, and learn continually.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Think Beyond the Here and Now<\/h3>

\u2022 Recognize that any one event is just a \u2018snapshot\u2019 moment in a broader trend over time.
\n\u2022 Learn about the trends and events of the past that have shaped the modern world and systems in which we reside.
\n\u2022 Consider the far-reaching impacts of your actions on the near and distant future.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"compass<\/figure>

Value the Unseen<\/h3>

\u2022 Consider facts and quantifiable evidence of a situation alongside the intangible elements of people\u2019s thoughts, actions, relationships, and beliefs.
\n\u2022 Practice appreciating the intangible elements that shape life, such as happiness, beauty, and joy.
\n\u2022 Consider the impacts of your actions and words on other people\u2019s feelings and experiences.\n\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Cultivate Connection<\/h3>

\u2022 Demonstrate care and compassion for other living things through your world and actions.
\n\u2022 Care for yourself and foster your inner relationships to develop a strong sense of being.
\n\u2022 Connect with others to collaborate for positive impacts on our community and the broader world.\n<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Throughout 2024, members of our Global Facilitator Team has been writing articles about these Sustainable Habits of Mind and what they look like in practice in Education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSustainable Habits of Mind: Learn from Nature\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tReflect on the natural processes of our world that sustain and thrive over time. Seek ways to mimic natural cycles and learn from natural materials. ...\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSustainable Habits of Mind: Think Beyond the Here and Now\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tRecognize that any one event is just a \u2018snapshot\u2019 moment in a broader trend over time. Learn about the trends and events of the past ...\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGet Perspective: Fostering Sustainable Practices One Action at a Time\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tAt the start of each school year, I introduce my students to the Global Goals and the Sustainability Compass to kickstart their thoughts on the ...\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSustainable Habits of Mind: Don’t Stress the Mess\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tAcknowledge the messy complexity of the world. Embrace the web of messy interrelationships in any given system as part of what makes life and our ...\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSustainable Habits of Mind: Focus on Learning, Not Knowing\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\tAccept that the world around you is constantly changing. To understand the dynamic world around you, gather evidence through observation, talking to others, learning about ...\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t
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