Active hope is a concept introduced by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone in their book Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in Without Going Crazy. It refers to a mindset and practice that empowers individuals to respond to challenges, such as the climate crisis or social injustice, with courage, resilience, and purpose. Unlike passive hope—where one waits for external circumstances to improve—active hope is about actively participating in creating a better future.
Key Principles of Active Hope:
Focus on Vision
Active hope begins with imagining the world we want to see. It’s rooted in a vision of a sustainable, equitable, and thriving future.
Taking Responsibility
It recognizes that each person has a role to play. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of problems, active hope encourages taking meaningful steps, no matter how small.
Acknowledging Emotions
It allows for feelings like grief, fear, or anger about the state of the world, recognizing these emotions as valid and transformative when used as motivation for action.
Empowerment Through Action
Active hope grows by engaging in actions aligned with our values. These efforts—however incremental—build momentum and inspire others.
Trust in Collective Power
Active hope emphasizes working together, fostering community, and believing in humanity’s capacity to create positive change.
How to Practice Active Hope:
Gratitude
Start with gratitude for what we still have, cultivating resilience and a positive outlook.
See Clearly
Face current challenges honestly without denial, using this awareness as a call to action.
Take Steps
Focus on actionable solutions, whether personal, local, or systemic, rather than being paralyzed by the scale of problems.
Active hope is about empowerment, enabling people to take action from a place of possibility and strength, even in the face of uncertainty.
Read more
| Activehope This site offers resources and information about the concept of Active Hope, focusing on finding and offering our best response to global concerns. |
| Joanna Macy & Her Work Dedicated to the teachings and writings of Joanna Macy, this site delves into her contributions to deep ecology, systems thinking, and the development of the Active Hope framework. |
| Chris Johnstone’s Official Website As a co-author of “Active Hope,” Chris Johnstone’s site provides insights into resilience training, positive change initiatives, and resources to support personal and collective well-being. |
| The Dark Mountain Project An initiative that challenges the mainstream narrative of progress and explores the deep cultural roots of the ecological crisis. It offers essays, stories, and art that delve into themes of collapse, resilience, and reimagining our relationship with the natural world. |
| Resilience.org A program of the Post Carbon Institute, this site provides resources and articles on building community resilience in the face of environmental, economic, and social challenges. It emphasizes local solutions and adaptive strategies. |
| The Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) CPA explores the psychological dimensions of the climate crisis, offering insights into how individuals and communities can process grief, anxiety, and other emotions related to environmental degradation. |
| The Work That Reconnects Network This platform offers resources and support for individuals and groups engaged in “The Work That Reconnects,” a framework developed by Joanna Macy to foster resilience and active engagement in addressing global challenges. |