Half-Earth Day brings together people from around the world and across disciplines to share their unique perspectives and thought leadership on how we can successfully ensure the health of our planet for future generations.
Inspired by renowned biologist and naturalist E.O. Wilson, Half-Earth is a call to conserve half the Earth’s land and sea in order to provide sufficient habitat to safeguard the bulk of biodiversity, including ourselves.
Half-Earth Day is an annual celebration and opportunity for scientists, conservationists, community representatives, decision-makers, and educators to share their progress toward biodiversity conservation and inspire fresh energy and engagement.
The focus of Half-Earth Day 2018 is the role that indigenous peoples and local communities can play in biodiversity conservation. The event will explore how indigenous peoples and local communities’ visions and ongoing initiatives can inform conservation, and how collaboration with these communities is key to the success of conservation efforts such as Half-Earth.
The evening event will feature a conversation with E.O. Wilson and legendary recording artist Paul Simon about Half-Earth and efforts to save the natural world, moderated by The New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman in the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation Distinguished Lectureship in Biodiversity.
Join us for an exciting day of programming at the American Museum of Natural History.
Learning from Local Stewards
The Half-Earth Day afternoon session, “Half-Earth: Learning from Local Stewards,” will include two panel conversations, featuring in-country indigenous and local community leaders and representatives from global conservation organizations discussing how they are leading the way in nature stewardship that informs the Half-Earth vision. Welcoming remarks will be made by Ana Porzecanski, followed by a brief introduction to Half-Earth by Paula J. Ehrlich.
Watch: Introduction by Ana Porzecanski and Paula J. Ehrlich
Watch: Learning from Local Stewards, Panel 1
How are indigenous peoples and local communities leading the way in nature stewardship? This panel will feature representatives from indigenous groups and communities who are leading local conservation efforts.
Panelists:
- Valérie Courtois, Indigenous Leadership Initiative, Canada
- Chen Jin, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, China
- Tom Lalampaa, Northern Rangelands Trust, Kenya
- Laura Macamo, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory, Gorongosa Restoration Project, Mozambique
- Neovitus Sianga, African People and Wildlife, Tanzania
- Moderated by Enric Sala, Pristine Seas, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence
Watch: Enric Sala, Pristine Seas, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence
Watch: Tom Lalampaa, Northern Rangelands Trust, Kenya
Watch: Laura Macamo, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory, Gorongosa Restoration Project, Mozambique
Watch: Learning from Local Stewards, Panel 2
How can these initiatives inform the Half-Earth vision? This panel will feature leaders from global conservation and multilateral organizations addressing how locally-driven conservation initiatives can inform the aspirations of the global conservation community.
Panelists:
- Christopher Filardi, Nia Tero
- Martín von Hildebrand, Gaia Amazonas Foundation, Colombia
- Walter Jetz, Yale University, Scientific Chair, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
- Laly Lichtenfeld, African People and Wildlife, Tanzania
- Mirian Masaquiza, Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch, DESA, United Nations Headquarters, New York
- Moderated by Eleanor Sterling, American Museum of Natural History
Watch: Christopher Filardi, Nia Tero
Watch: Walter Jetz, Yale University, Scientific Chair, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
Watch: Laly Lichtenfeld, African People and Wildlife, Tanzania
Watch: Burt’s Bees
How to Save the Natural World
Opening remarks will be made by Ellen Futter, followed by Paula J. Ehrlich, who will briefly showcase the work of the Half-Earth Project and introduce the speakers for the evening.
To conclude Half-Earth Day, biologist and naturalist Edward O. Wilson and legendary recording artist Paul Simon will hold a lively discussion about Half-Earth and efforts to save the natural world, moderated by The New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman in the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation Distinguished Lectureship in Biodiversity. Join us for an illuminating conversation, with a Q&A to follow.
Watch: Paula J. Ehrlich Opening to the Evening Session
Watch: How to Save the Natural World
Watch: Edward O. Wilson, Biologist and Naturalist
Half-Earth Day is Co-hosted by
Sponsors
Support for Half-Earth Day provided by E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation partner Burt’s Bees.
Additional Support Provided by
The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation
