Exploring the Humor–Cradle–Spirituality (HCS) Model as a conceptual framework for advancing environmental sustainability

This article presents an integrative conceptual synthesis and advances the Humor–Cradle–Spirituality (HCS) Model as an intervention-oriented framework for strengthening environmental engagement and pro-environmental behavioural change, especially through early-life sustainability socialization. The paper starts from the premise that prevailing responses to ecological degradation often rely heavily on technical and regulatory instruments while under-addressing the cognitive, affective, and ethical foundations of long-term behaviour changes of human being. In response, the HCS Model brings together three complementary levers: early environmental education (Cradle), humour-based communication (Humor), and spirituality or eco-ethical anchoring (Spirituality). Drawing on a structured search and conceptual synthesis of literature across environmental education, communication, sustainability psychology, and spiritual ecology, the article identifies implementation gaps between knowledge transmission and durable behavioural adoption. It then develops a triadic pathway showing how developmental grounding, affective openness, and moral commitment may jointly support environmental stewardship. The paper further specifies boundary conditions, derives practice-oriented implications for programme design and evaluation, and proposes testable propositions for future research. Overall, the HCS Model is presented as a modular, culturally adaptable framework for policy, education, and advocacy aimed at nurturing ethically grounded and resilient sustainability action.