Transformative Earth Stewardship: Navigating cycles of inner and outer change

As social‐ecological crises deepen, Earth Stewardship strategies that focus solely on external, material aspects of sustainability are proving insufficient. This paper introduces Transformative Earth Stewardship (TES) as a relational practice that integrates inner and outer transformations across individual, collective, and system levels. Inner transformation involves shifts in values, beliefs, or mindsets for transformation, along with the cognitive, emotional, and relational capacities that accompany them. Outer transformations refer to changes in structures, technologies, and behavior. Drawing on recent literature and interviews with members of the Transformations Community, we explore how TES unfolds through an adaptive cycle that links personal growth with systemic change. This cycle highlights the reciprocal, iterative nature of transformation—where inner shifts catalyze outer actions and vice versa. The adaptive cycle model offers a more holistic approach to sustainability, integrating transformative learning, systems thinking, and relational practices. Our aim is to broaden Earth Stewardship research and practice, offering a foundation for future work that supports transformations toward more resilient, adaptive systems.