2026 Sustaining Our World lecture: Hope on a Changing Planet: Science, Democracy, Nature and Us

Lecture Synopsis: In the past, it was enough of a challenge being a global change scientist trying to learn what we humans are doing to the planet’s climate and natural systems, and how we might use such information to support nature and better manage ecosystems for multiple purposes we humans care about. In my talk I will share that much of our hope in this realm involves finding and supporting the synergies between biodiversity, climate mitigation, social justice and economic vitality. In forests, grasslands, croplands and the waters that surround them. But now, we somehow must do all this while defending and promoting science, and working to save democracy. Do I know how we can do that? No. But try we must. And perhaps we can learn from the lessons of ecology and evolution about the broader challenges facing society today? Mimicking natural ecosystems, complex systems science suggests that the amplification of social diversity—such as the expansion of free speech, viewpoint diversity, and dissenting opinions— should enhance a system's capacity to adapt to new challenges. This could occur because ameliorating suppression increases the information available for decision-making (akin to an increase of functional diversity) and creates more flexible structures (analogous to an increase of structural diversity), jointly enhancing a system’s ability to handle unexpected shocks. Perhaps one could even interpret this as suggesting that ‘good’ will always win in the end? This strand of my work is at step 1 of a 1,000 mile journey - come join me as I convey my sorrow, share what is known about our interactions with nature, offer hope, and redirect my own scientific journey by tacking more firmly against the headwinds of the day.