One Planet thinking arises from the urgent need to address humanity’s ecological overshoot—using more natural resources and ecosystem services than the Earth can sustain. The WWF’s Living Planet Report highlights that our lifestyles exceed the planet’s carrying capacity by 50%, and at the current pace, we would need three planets to meet humanity’s needs in the coming decades. This overuse of natural systems is already driving global challenges such as poverty, hunger, political instability, and environmental degradation.
The path forward requires a fundamental shift in how we think, learn, and act—advancing a One Planet worldview that integrates sustainability into every facet of human activity. This involves seeing our economic, social, and ecological systems as interconnected and fostering collaboration across organizations, networks, institutions, and communities to address challenges no single entity can solve alone.
OPEN exists to accelerate this transition by reimagining education and leadership development. Through innovative approaches and partnerships, we work to transform sustainability education, equipping individuals and organizations to rethink their roles and embrace collaboration, responsibility, and long-term impact. By fostering holistic, interdisciplinary, and learning-oriented approaches, OPEN aims to close the gap between aspiration and action, inspiring a collective shift toward a thriving future on One Planet.
One Planet Education Networks 