From Campus to Cosmos: Rethinking Sustainability and Investment with Mitch Thomashow

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, Georges Dyer speaks with Mitch Thomashow—author, educator, and former Unity College president—about the evolving landscape of environmental learning and sustainability in higher education. Drawing from his books Ecological Identity, Bringing the Biosphere Home, To Know the World, and The Nine Elements of a Sustainable Campus, Mitch explores how institutions can leverage their social, intellectual, natural, and financial capital to become hubs of sustainability innovation. The conversation spans from the personal—how ecological identity shapes values and career paths—to the systemic—how endowments, campus operations, and curricula can align with sustainability goals. Mitch shares insights on systems thinking, the intersection of ecology with equity and democracy, the role of activism in shaping institutional change, and the power of “invisible resistance” through community-based initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of place-based learning, fostering skills for change-making, and reimagining investment strategies to prioritize community well-being and long-term resilience.

Keep up with Mitch: https://www.mitchellthomashow.com/

Books mentioned:

• Ecological Identity, Bringing the Biosphere Home https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262700993/bringing-the-biosphere-home/
• To Know the World https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262539821/to-know-the-world/
• The Nine Elements of a Sustainable Campus https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262529006/the-nine-elements-of-a-sustainable-campus/
• The Light Eaters https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/MEgaIBq6_d8x81JVs4OwXw
• An Immense World https://edyong.me/an-immense-world
• Braiding Sweetgrass https://milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrass
• The Earth Transformed https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/635264/the-earth-transformed-by-peter-frankopan/
• Hope Dies Last https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624630/hope-dies-last-by-alan-weisman/
• The Book of Records https://bookendsandbeginnings.com/book/9781324078654
• Habitats of the World https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691197562/habitats-of-the-world?srsltid=AfmBOooxhY9gQKcabwhv1kDDAGOCJuXtvHx7bCfnezS60g4-aPMJClHK

Keywords: Environmental learning, ecological identity, sustainable investing, systems thinking, higher education sustainability, campus operations, four capitals framework, place-based learning, activism in education, community resilience