IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jchals/v16y2025i2p24-d1655029.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Earthrise Community: Transforming Planetary Consciousness for a Flourishing Future

Author

Listed:
  • Susan L. Prescott

    (Medical School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
    Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA)

  • Aterah Nusrat

    (Osher Center for Integrative Health, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Richard Scott

    (Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA)

  • David Nelson

    (Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA)

  • Heidi Honegger Rogers

    (College of Nursing, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA)

  • Mona S. El-Sherbini

    (Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt)

  • Knellee Bisram

    (AHAM Education, Tamarac, FL 33321, USA)

  • Yvonne Vizina

    (Faculty of Education, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2R6, Canada)

  • Sara L. Warber

    (Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • David Webb

    (Business School, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, WA 6009, Australia)

Abstract

In the face of the growing challenges of the Anthropocene—marked by climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing rates of disease and despair—this paper explores the need for holistic solutions that integrate cultural and spiritual transformation as essential dimensions of change. Recognizing that the interconnected challenges to planetary health stem from destructive socio-political agendas and unhealthy economic structures, we underscore the importance of worldviews and value systems as root causes of social and ecological injustices. Solutions require an understanding of the complex interdependence of systems, fostering mutualistic mindsets, and healing the ‘relationship crisis’ between humans and the natural world by cultivating a deeper level of consciousness. In response to these urgent needs, we describe Earthrise—a community of engaged contemplative practice led by the Nova Institute for Health in collaboration with the Planetary Health Alliance—dedicated to spiritual and cultural transformation in the face of today’s complex crises. Through intentional spiritual relationships—with ourselves, each other, and the natural world—our community emphasizes the power of narrative co-creation in building social cohesion and collective action for environmental stewardship. Our work is not solely contemplative, but also relational and integrative—embodying values through lived practice, community, and ecological engagement. Our activities focus on developing cultural capacities and self-awareness as essential foundations for fair and sustainable social transformation. By integrating diverse perspectives, including ancestral wisdom and Indigenous knowledge systems, we enrich worldviews and deepen our connection to the planet. The Earthrise community seeks to cultivate a sense of belonging, nurturing the meaningful relationships that foster compassion and care. Central to our approach is the use of creative emergence, leveraging the arts to inspire change and catalyze new paradigms. Through this exploration of interconnected themes, we contend that spiritual and cultural transformation is vital to advancing a thriving future, where human flourishing and planetary health are understood as inseparable and interconnected goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan L. Prescott & Aterah Nusrat & Richard Scott & David Nelson & Heidi Honegger Rogers & Mona S. El-Sherbini & Knellee Bisram & Yvonne Vizina & Sara L. Warber & David Webb, 2025. "The Earthrise Community: Transforming Planetary Consciousness for a Flourishing Future," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-18, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:16:y:2025:i:2:p:24-:d:1655029
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/16/2/24/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/16/2/24/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jochen Hinkel & Diana Mangalagiu & Alexander Bisaro & J. David Tàbara, 2020. "Transformative narratives for climate action," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 160(4), pages 495-506, June.
    2. Susan L. Prescott & Ganesa Wegienka & Remco Kort & David H. Nelson & Sabine Gabrysch & Trevor Hancock & Anita Kozyrskyj & Christopher A. Lowry & Nicole Redvers & Blake Poland & Jake Robinson & Jean-Cl, 2021. "Project Earthrise: Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Conference of in VIVO Planetary Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-101, October.
    3. Mona Said El-Sherbini & Yusuf Amuda Tajudeen & Habeebullah Jayeola Oladipo & Iyiola Olatunji Oladunjoye & Aminat Olaitan Adebayo & Jemilah Mahmood, 2023. "Planetary Health and Anthropocene Discourse: The Role of Muslim Religious Leaders," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Nicole Redvers & Michael Yellow Bird & Diana Quinn & Tyson Yunkaporta & Kerry Arabena, 2020. "Molecular Decolonization: An Indigenous Microcosm Perspective of Planetary Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-13, June.
    5. Jochen Hinkel & Diana Mangalagiu & Alexander Bisaro & J. David Tàbara, 2020. "Correction to: Transformative narratives for climate action," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 160(4), pages 507-507, June.
    6. Alan C. Logan & Susan H. Berman & Brian M. Berman & Susan L. Prescott, 2020. "Project Earthrise: Inspiring Creativity, Kindness and Imagination in Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-23, September.
    7. Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan, 2019. "Narrative Medicine Meets Planetary Health: Mindsets Matter in the Anthropocene," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-26, February.
    8. Alan C. Logan & Susan H. Berman & Richard B. Scott & Brian M. Berman & Susan L. Prescott, 2021. "Wise Ancestors, Good Ancestors: Why Mindfulness Matters in the Promotion of Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-14, October.
    9. Norimasa Takayama & Takeshi Morikawa & Kazuko Koga & Yoichi Miyazaki & Kenichi Harada & Keiko Fukumoto & Yuji Tsujiki, 2022. "Exploring the Physiological and Psychological Effects of Digital Shinrin-Yoku and Its Characteristics as a Restorative Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Dhandra, Tavleen Kaur, 2019. "Achieving triple dividend through mindfulness: More sustainable consumption, less unsustainable consumption and more life satisfaction," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 83-90.
    11. Alan C. Logan & Christopher R. D’Adamo & Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "The Founder: Dispositional Greed, Showbiz, and the Commercial Determinants of Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-20, April.
    12. Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan, 2018. "Larger Than Life: Injecting Hope into the Planetary Health Paradigm," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-27, March.
    13. John Zelenski & Sara Warber & Jake M. Robinson & Alan C. Logan & Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "Nature Connection: Providing a Pathway from Personal to Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, March.
    14. Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan & Glenn Albrecht & Dianne E. Campbell & Julian Crane & Ashlee Cunsolo & John W. Holloway & Anita L. Kozyrskyj & Christopher A. Lowry & John Penders & Nicole Redvers &, 2018. "The Canmore Declaration: Statement of Principles for Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-18, July.
    15. Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "Lost Connections: Why the Growing Crisis of Loneliness Matters for Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-7, July.
    16. Nicole Redvers & Anne Poelina & Clinton Schultz & Daniel M. Kobei & Cicilia Githaiga & Marlikka Perdrisat & Donald Prince & Be’sha Blondin, 2020. "Indigenous Natural and First Law in Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, October.
    17. Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan, 2018. "From Authoritarianism to Advocacy: Lifestyle-Driven, Socially-Transmitted Conditions Require a Transformation in Medical Training and Practice," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-29, March.
    18. Karin Braunsberger & Richard O. Flamm & Brian Buckler, 2021. "The Relationship between Social Dominance Orientation and Dietary/Lifestyle Choices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-12, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. John Zelenski & Sara Warber & Jake M. Robinson & Alan C. Logan & Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "Nature Connection: Providing a Pathway from Personal to Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "Planetary Health Requires Tapestry Thinking—Overcoming Silo Mentality," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-6, February.
    3. Susan L. Prescott & Jeffrey M. Greeson & Mona S. El-Sherbini & The Planetary Health Community Convened by the Nova Institute for Health, 2022. "No Health without Mental Health: Taking Action to Heal a World in Distress—With People, Places, and Planet ‘in Mind’," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan & David L. Katz, 2019. "Preventive Medicine for Person, Place, and Planet: Revisiting the Concept of High-Level Wellness in the Planetary Health Paradigm," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Susan L. Prescott & Jeffrey S. Bland, 2020. "Spaceship Earth Revisited: The Co-Benefits of Overcoming Biological Extinction of Experience at the Level of Person, Place and Planet," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan, 2019. "Narrative Medicine Meets Planetary Health: Mindsets Matter in the Anthropocene," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-26, February.
    7. Michelle McLean & Georgia Behrens & Hannah Chase & Omnia El Omrani & Finola Hackett & Karly Hampshire & Nuzhat Islam & Sarah Hsu & Natasha Sood, 2022. "The Medical Education Planetary Health Journey: Advancing the Agenda in the Health Professions Requires Eco-Ethical Leadership and Inclusive Collaboration," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, December.
    8. Alan C. Logan & Susan H. Berman & Brian M. Berman & Susan L. Prescott, 2021. "Healing Anthropocene Syndrome: Planetary Health Requires Remediation of the Toxic Post-Truth Environment," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, January.
    9. Colin D Butler, 2019. "Philanthrocapitalism: Promoting Global Health but Failing Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-20, March.
    10. Alan C. Logan & Brian M. Berman & Susan L. Prescott, 2021. "Earth Dreams: Reimagining ARPA for Health of People, Places and Planet," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-15, December.
    11. Susan L. Prescott & Christopher R. D’Adamo & Kathleen F. Holton & Selena Ortiz & Nina Overby & Alan C. Logan, 2023. "Beyond Plants: The Ultra-Processing of Global Diets Is Harming the Health of People, Places, and Planet," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-21, July.
    12. Susan L. Prescott & Ganesa Wegienka & Remco Kort & David H. Nelson & Sabine Gabrysch & Trevor Hancock & Anita Kozyrskyj & Christopher A. Lowry & Nicole Redvers & Blake Poland & Jake Robinson & Jean-Cl, 2021. "Project Earthrise: Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Conference of in VIVO Planetary Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-101, October.
    13. Iain Brown & Pam Berry, 2022. "National Climate Change Risk Assessments to inform adaptation policy priorities and environmental sustainability outcomes: a knowledge systems perspective," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 1-24, December.
    14. Monica Gagliano, 2018. "Planetary Health: Are We Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-5, September.
    15. Remco Kort & Jeremy Pivor & Josep M. Antó & Annemarie Bergsma & Peter J. Blankestijn & Olette Bollen & Egid van Bree & Joyce L. Browne & Judith de Bruin & Jasper Buikx & Chiara Cadeddu & Jennifer Cole, 2023. "Outcomes from the First European Planetary Health Hub Convening at ARTIS in Amsterdam," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-19, July.
    16. C. E. Richards & R. C. Lupton & J. M. Allwood, 2021. "Re-framing the threat of global warming: an empirical causal loop diagram of climate change, food insecurity and societal collapse," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 1-19, February.
    17. Susan L. Prescott & Alan C. Logan & Glenn Albrecht & Dianne E. Campbell & Julian Crane & Ashlee Cunsolo & John W. Holloway & Anita L. Kozyrskyj & Christopher A. Lowry & John Penders & Nicole Redvers &, 2018. "The Canmore Declaration: Statement of Principles for Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-18, July.
    18. Alan C. Logan & Susan H. Berman & Brian M. Berman & Susan L. Prescott, 2020. "Project Earthrise: Inspiring Creativity, Kindness and Imagination in Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-23, September.
    19. Heidi Toivonen, 2022. "Themes of climate change agency: a qualitative study on how people construct agency in relation to climate change," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    20. Robert Newell & Colin Dring & Leslie King & Melissa Hemphill, 2025. "Food System Scenarios in Uncertain Futures: A Case Study on Long-Term Local Food System Planning in Revelstoke, Canada," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:16:y:2025:i:2:p:24-:d:1655029. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.