Caring for the environment and human health calls for the best of our science and ingenuity, along with a strong sense of compassion and moral compass. With science at its core, the Half-Earth Project is providing the foundation for a revolutionary movement culture of action, and leading significant scientific innovation regarding the most effective path forward for protection of endangered species and endangered ecosystems. Half-Earth Day will open with comments from E.O. Wilson regarding the importance of research and education as cornerstones for a new way of understanding the beautiful intricacy of our planet and how we can best steward its enduring stability.
Featuring:
Edward O. Wilson, Honorary Curator in Entomology and University Research Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, Chairman of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation Board of Advisors, and Chairman of the Half-Earth Council
Paula J. Ehrlich, President and CEO, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, and lead of the Half-Earth Project
“The foundation for a new way of understanding the beautiful intricacy of our planet, and how we can best steward its enduring stability, is science.”
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Putting Species on the Map(20 minutes)
The fate of species and their many benefits hinges on myriad decisions we make about places on land and sea. The science of Half-Earth sets out to quantify the species conservation relevance of areas worldwide for as many species groups and in as fine detail as possible. We will share with you the latest insights from this effort, including national reports and maps in support of biodiversity-informed regional decisions.
Featuring:
Walter Jetz, Yale University and Scientific Chair for the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
Craig Mills, CEO of Vizzuality
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Let Science Speak(5 minutes)
“Folks ask ‘why should I care about the ocean. I’m not anywhere near it. It doesn’t affect me.’ Science is showing us that most of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean… To me, the ocean is life.” “Deep Sea” Dawn Wright utilizes her extensive experience mapping the ocean floor – and the changing waters above – to bring the importance of the oceans to the surface.
Featuring:
Dawn Wright, Esri Chief Scientist and E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation Board Member
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Species Discovery in Gorongosa(8 minutes)
On-the-ground scientific research and scholarship, like that being done in Gorongosa National Park, is adding daily to our understanding of Earth’s biodiversity and informing conservation management. Half-Earth Chair Piotr Naskrecki takes us on a journey to the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory in Gorongosa National Park, showing us first-hand how this critical research is done, and introducing us to the Mozambiquan scholars that are carrying this work forward.
Featuring:
Piotr Naskrecki, Director of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory at Gorongosa, Half-Earth Chair and member of the Half-Earth Council
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Linking Evidence and Policy in Species Conservation(42 minutes)
Countries are stewards of their biodiversity and their institutions are at the frontline of daily conservation decisions. Next year will see the completion of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework that many hope will represent a ‘Paris moment’ for biodiversity – a set of ambitious goals by nations worldwide for safeguarding biodiversity. Our panel will discuss the opportunities for science to track international policy targets and to support regional conservation decisions, with a spotlight on the collaboration of scientists and agencies in California.
Featuring:
Hilary Allison, Head of the Ecosystem Assessment and Policy Support Programme at UNEP-WCMC
Jon Jarvis, Executive Director of the Institute for Parks, People and Biodiversity at the University of California, Berkeley, and former Director of the National Park Service
Jennifer Norris, Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity & Habitat, California Natural Resources Agency
Henrique Pereira, Co-Chair GEO Biodiversity Observation Network and Professor of Biodiversity Conservation, iDiv Germany
Dawn Wright, Esri Chief Scientist and E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation Board Member
“Transformative moments of discovery that guide our lives in new directions are rare and special moments. So to all the educators and Communities for a Half-Earth Future joining us today, thank you for renewing our sense of purpose during this critical time, and for inspiring and connecting people everywhere with the natural world.”
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Mobilizing Next-Generation Conservation StewardsWe all feel a sense of urgency in moving to save our planet’s precious biodiversity. The Half-Earth Project is engaging young people in the conservation action that we need today and to sustain progress into the future. Meet inspiring teachers, community members and students, learning and taking action in classrooms and in the broader community.
Featuring:
Dennis Liu, VP of Education for the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and head of the Half-Earth Project Educator Ambassador program
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Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants – Conservation in the Classroom(6 minutes)
Conservation efforts work, and students are inspired when they see it in action and can directly engage with diverse professionals. Exploring by the Seat of your Pants brings conservation scientists LIVE into classrooms around the world, elevating student curiosity and their understanding of the breadth of life in the world around them. Using two-way live-streaming satellite video technology, students experience the breadth of life on our planet, guided by the people doing the essential conservation work.
Featuring:
Joe Grabowski, Founder of Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants and National Geographic Emerging Explorer and Fellow
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Legacy: A Land Lab Story(10 minutes)
The Land Lab was created in 2013 as a project-based learning course by students of visionary environmental science teacher James Reding. Jim, his students, and the broader community have been revitalizing former corn fields adjacent to their school, creating a haven for biodiversity by planting native trees, restoring wetlands, and maintaining native prairie with controlled burning. Today, Granville, Ohio has a place where biodiversity can thrive, including more than 150 species of birds. Learn how Mr. Reding has been inspired by his students, and how his students – the next-generation naturalists – have been propelled by Mr. Reding and the Land Lab experience.
Featuring:
Jim Reding, AP Environmental Science and Ecology Teacher
Mason Clark, University of Cincinnati Student
Rodrigo Mayet-Valesco, Ohio State University Student
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Vermont Community for a Half-Earth Future(8 minutes)
People often ask: “How can I help reach the goal of Half-Earth?” Many times, the answer is: “You already are.” In Vermont, a group of individuals and organizations, inspired by Half-Earth, consolidated their varied efforts into a single alliance. What once seemed a set of small conservation accomplishments has become a broad achievement – and a proud local contribution to the goal of Half-Earth.
Featuring:
Sandra Fary, Middle School Science Teacher, Camels Hump Middle School, Richmond, Vermont
Walt Poleman, Senior Lecturer, Director of Ecological Planning Program, University of Vermont
Eric Hagen, Field Naturalist Masters Student Collaborator
Curt Lindberg, Vermont Community for a Half-Earth Future
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The Contribution of Cities to Half-Earth(8 minutes)
The Biophilic Cities Network focuses on the importance of living with nature and helping biodiversity to flourish in urban environments. Tim Beatley, founder of biophilic cities discusses how important it is for urban youth in particular to be able to experience nature where they live, to better understand and appreciate biodiversity, and to live healthier lives. Urban communities have an essential role in forging a Half-Earth Future.
Featuring:
Tim Beatley, Founder & Executive Director of Biophilic Cities; Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities, University of Virginia
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The Long Run(3 minutes)
Featured video: The Long Run is a network of nature-based tourism businesses committed to driving sustainability. The community is global in scope and growing with the aim of maintaining a healthy and productive planet for posterity. Collectively, Long Run members conserve over 23-million acres of biodiversity and improve the lives of 750,000 people.
Featuring:
Jochen Zeitz, Founder, The Long Run
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Chumbe Island Coral Park(3 minutes)
Featured video: Chumbe Island Coral Park is an award-winning private nature reserve near Zanzibar (Unguja), Tanzania. The overall aim of the private nature reserve is to create a model of financially and ecologically sustainable park management, where ecotourism supports conservation, research, and environmental education programs that benefit local schools and the broader community.
Featuring:
Sibylle Riedmiller, Founder, Chumbe Island Coral Park
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Naturalist – A Graphic Adaptation(18 minutes)
E.O. Wilson’s passion for nature, discovery, and ideas that make us rethink the world is unmatched. When first published more than 25 years ago, Dr. Wilson’s memoir, Naturalist, was called “one of the finest scientific memoirs ever written” by the Los Angeles Times. Naturalist is an inspiring account of Wilson’s growth as a scientist and the evolution of the fields he helped define. The graphic edition (publication date November 6, 2020), adapted by Jim Ottaviani and illustrated by C.M. Butzer, brings Wilson’s childhood and celebrated career to life through dynamic full-color illustrations and Wilson’s own lyrical writing, inspiring next generation naturalists everywhere. Learn about the creative process from Dr. Wilson and the graphic adaptation team and hear from teachers who are excited to bring this fresh version to inspire a new generation of naturalists.
Featuring:
Edward O. Wilson, Honorary Curator in Entomology and University Research Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, Chairman of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation Board of Advisors, and Chairman of the Half-Earth Council
Jim Ottaviani, Writer, Naturalist – A Graphic Adaptation
C.M. Butzer, Illustrator, Naturalist – A Graphic Adaptation
Rebecca Bright, Associate Editor and Subsidiary Rights Manager, Island Press
Tamara Jolly, High School Science Teacher, Baltimore City Public Schools
Lauren Genesky, English Teacher, North Carolina
With a special reading by Edward O. Wilson
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Making Education Lively – Engaging the Next Generation Inside and Out(8 minutes)
Students report being bored, day by day in their classrooms, and for the duration of their academic careers. Gain insights from four innovative Half-Earth Project Educator Ambassadors on how students can become more engaged and self-possessed in their learning, especially in connection with biodiversity and the natural world. We can open doors for students to learn and then apply that learning to conservation action both inside and outside the classroom.
Featuring:
Jim Reding, High School Environmental Science Teacher, Granville School District
Tamara Jolly, High School Science Teacher, Baltimore City Public Schools
Erika Mitkus, Biology and Science Ethics Teacher, Knowles Fellow, Director of KELP
Joe Grabowski, Founder of Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants and former middle school science teacher
“Our ambition today has been to have a talk about our place in the biosphere, and how we should live. Changing the world. Making it a better place.”
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Achieving the bold solution of Half-Earth will require mass engagement of people to act as agents of change at a scale never before imagined and beyond the scope of any particular organizational or geopolitical jurisdiction. In this panel discussion, thought leaders from diverse sectors – including conservation, philanthropy, politics, policy and youth activism – will address questions on how we can best convene and empower collaborative community conservation actions.
“We have not had all pistons firing together — markets, policy, philanthropy. We are getting much closer to ignition. Externalities need to be addressed by companies, policy makers need to provide an economic incentive to companies to do so, and philanthropy has to be invested in sustainable solutions.” – Jeff Ubben
Host and Moderator:
Award-winning actress and environmental advocate Glenn Close
Featuring:
Edward O. Wilson, Honorary Curator in Entomology and University Research Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, Chairman of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation Board of Advisors, and Chairman of the Half-Earth Council
Hansjörg Wyss, Founder and Chairman, The Wyss Foundation
Kris Tompkins, Cofounder and President of Tompkins Conservation and the UN Patron of Protected Areas
Reggie Love, VP and Head of External Affairs for HRS Management and co-founder of Apollo Global Management
Jacob Lebel, Biodynamic farmer, activist, and writer; Plaintiff in Juliana v U.S., a youth-led federal constitutional climate change lawsuit
Jaime Butler, Plaintiff in Juliana v U.S., a youth-led federal constitutional climate change lawsuit
Jeff Ubben, Founder & Managing Partner of Inclusive Capital Partners,
E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation Board Member
Special Tribute:
Legendary recording artist Paul Simon
We Invite You To View Highlights From Past Half-Earth Days:
