This book, the first volume of Creating Tomorrow: Character Strengths and Positive Psychology in the Anthropocene, examines how human strengths can support reflection, connection, and responsible action in times of profound ecological and social disruption. Focusing on the virtues of wisdom, knowledge, and courage, it brings together international perspectives that reinterpret the 24 character strengths of positive psychology for the conditions of the Anthropocene. The chapters explore how creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, and perspective help individuals and communities navigate the complexity of today’s global polycrisis. The discussion of courage highlights bravery, perseverance, honesty, and zest as capacities that underpin ethical resilience and constructive engagement with environmental and societal challenges.

Combining conceptual reflection with applied insight, the contributions show how strengths evolve within educational, cultural, and ecological contexts. Character strengths are presented not as fixed traits but as dynamic, context-sensitive orientations that shape human agency and collective responses to interconnected crises. As such, this book addresses scholars, educators, and practitioners in psychology, education, sustainability studies, ethics, and cultural research. It offers conceptual clarity, practical relevance, and an interdisciplinary lens on character, virtue, and transformation in the Anthropocene.

Elisabeth Vanderheiden is an adult educator, mediator, and researcher. She serves as CEO of the Global Institute for Transcultural Research and of the NeuroTech Centre for Advanced Research. She is President of Catholic Adult Education and Managing Director of a Catholic adult education organisation in Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. Her research focuses on shame, conflict, love, and transformative andragogy. Her publications have received several international awards, including the William B. Gudykunst Award and the 2024 Nautilus Award.