Jenna Wynes- The Hero's Journey: An Environmental Leadership Process

 This post is meant to provoke discussion, referencing ideas I will use for my final essay this semester. Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions!


Thesis: The global struggle against climate change mirrors the stages of the Hero’s Journey, as humanity moves from denial to awakening and transformation, guided by mentors like environmentalist Bill McKibben, who calls us to confront the climate crisis with courage, innovation, and collective responsibility.

The Ordinary World: Life as usual. People live their lives relying on fossil fuels, unaware or dismissive of environmental consequences.

Call to Adventure: Scientists, activists, and extreme weather events occur and begin warning about the effects of climate change.

Refusal of the Call: Denial sets in. Governments, corporations, and individuals resist change. It is inconvenient, expensive, or politically unpopular. Many choose to ignore or delay action.

Mentors: Visionary leaders, scientists, activists, and even nature itself, through disasters, push humanity toward awareness. Intellectual figures (like Greta Thunberg, Al Gore, and other countless researchers) serve as guides, offering knowledge, solutions, and motivation.

Threshold: The World is awakened to these issues. Climate strikes, global agreements, and technological innovations show a shift toward change. There's no turning back.

Challenges and Temptations: Misinformation, political arguments, and corporate resistance cause issues. 

Abyss/ Revelation: Crisis occurs. Humanity is forced to face the cost of inaction

Transformation: Breakthroughs arrive; clean energy, policies are passed, and public consciousness rises.

Atonement: Return to confront what remains. Transforming values and society as we know it.

Return: With the journey, knowledge, sustainability, and harmony are shared with the rest of society.


This is not meant to provoke despair, but is simply depicting the connection between societal actions and opinions towards environmental leadership and Joseph Campbell’s steps of the Hero’s Journey.


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