Future Earth has named 12 leading sustainability innovators to its recently-formed Advisory Committee, which will guide the next phase of Future Earth’s research and engagement. The new members of this committee come from the worlds of research, business and politics; they include a former member of Mongolia’s parliament, as well as a technology CEO named one of Time magazine’s most influential people. This group of inspiring innovators join co-Chairs Johan Rockström and Leena Srivastava, who were appointed to the Committee late last year.
“Future Earth is thrilled to welcome these 12 talented people to our Advisory Committee,” said Jakob Rhyner and Gordon McBean, co-chairs of the Future Earth Governing Council. “They are truly remarkable individuals who have pioneered new ways of thinking about and advancing solutions for the state of our planet, and the role that humans play in it.”
The Future Earth Advisory Committee will provide guidance to the organisation on crafting sustainability research that is of the highest quality. The Committee will also aid Future Earth in forming the links between science and society that are critical for transforming research into action.
The incoming members were selected after a global search and with nominations and selections made by the Governing Council. They represent diverse backgrounds, hailing from nations from China to Brazil to Gambia, and have spearheaded research on biodiversity conservation, public health, poverty alleviation, energy, technology and more. Showcasing Future Earth’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between the research community and policy, business and civil society, the new committee also includes prominent innovators from outside academia.
“Future Earth has entered into an exciting new period in our evolution,” said Amy Luers, Executive Director of Future Earth. “We are striving to take our foundational principles – bringing together research disciplines and innovators from across society and borders – and scale them up to create real change that improves the lives of people everywhere. These creative individuals will play a critical role in leading us into that future.”
The Advisory Committee succeeds the Future Earth Science and Engagement Committees, which helped to shape the organisation during its initial start-up phase between 2014 and 2017. The Governing Council expressed their gratitude to all the members for their commitment and tremendous support for Future Earth.