ustainability transition, needs, tensions, sustainable lifestyles, quality of life

Abstract: THANCS (Thriving for Awareness for Non-Conflicting Strategies) is a group process which allows the participants to deal with tensions that arise in trying to pursue a sustainable lifestyle. It is evident (in particular for this conference) that a transition towards sustainability is needed. We do currently not have a sustainable development which allows everybody to live a decent life with a certain quality of life. Pursuing a sustainable lifestyle could allow on the one hand to use less resources and on the other to feel well by meeting one’s own needs. In order to meet their needs, people behave in a certain way, they apply strategies. As these strategies neither necessarily realise all our needs nor concord with all our values, tensions occur. THANCS supports in particular reflecting about the tension(s), its origins and the connection to one’s lifestyles and needs fulfilment. This reflection can lead to understanding and by communicating the results of the reflection with others, solutions to overcome the tensions might emerge.

This media entry was a contribution to the special session "Realizing needs and a high quality of life in a degrowth society" at the 4th International Degrowth Conference in Leipzig in 2014.