Half-Earth Day 2023
Half-Earth Day® 2023 will focus on how we can link information to action, fostering a conversation on how we can use the best available science to support communities in their understanding and stewardship of biodiversity, and empower stakeholders to ensure truly successful conservation outcomes.
Half-Earth Day brings together people from around the world and across disciplines to share their unique perspectives on how to achieve the goal of Half-Earth and ensure the health of the planet for future generations.
This year, Half-Earth Day is part of the annual GEO BON Global Conference, which is focused on the grand challenge of “Monitoring Biodiversity for Action.” We are excited to be returning together to Montreal, where governments from around the world convened last year at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP-15) to reach agreement on goals to guide global action to halt and reverse the loss of nature.
Program Highlights
In its seventh year, Half-Earth Day 2023 will feature distinguished scientists, conservationists, thinkers, educators, businesses and community activists and leaders working to conserve global biodiversity.
The event will feature presentations on the impacts of recent wildfires on biodiversity and people, a panel discussion on translating scientific advances into action benefiting biodiversity, a multidisciplinary conversation among members of the business, technology, policy and philanthropic communities about evidence-based decisions, and companion science and educator workshops. The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Distinguished Lectureship in Biodiversity will cap off the day with Wade Davis, Professor of Anthropology and the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk at the University of British Columbia, providing keynote remarks. A former Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society and named by the NGS as one of the Explorers for the Millennium, he has been described as “a rare combination of scientist, scholar, poet and passionate defender of all of life’s diversity.”
To register to attend Half-Earth Day 2023 in Montreal, please click here.
Agenda
1-2 p.m.
Half-Earth Day Lunch – Sponsored by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
2 p.m.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
• Paula J. Ehrlich, President & CEO, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, Co-Founder Half-Earth Project
• Jack Dangermond, Founder and President, Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri)
• Emcee: Louie Psihoyos, Academy Award-winning filmmaker and Executive Director of the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS)
2:15-2:50 p.m.
Wildfires, Biodiversity, and People
Experts from academic science and an indigenous community will reflect on the impact of recent fires in Australia and Canada on species and people, and how to prepare for things to come.
• Moderator: Jorgen Thomsen, Director, Climate Solutions, MacArthur Foundation
• Luke Kelly, Associate Professor in Quantitative Ecology, University of Melbourne
• Eliot McIntire, Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service
• Sam Hunter, Weenusk First Nation
3-3:45 p.m.
Safeguarding Species in a Changing World: The Role of Science
Researchers will present facets of recent science progress on invasive alien species, threats to species in a warming ocean, and effective area-based conservation in Canada and worldwide, followed by a conversation on key knowledge gaps and opportunities.
• Moderator: Walter Jetz, Scientific Chair, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation; Professor, Yale University
• Kelly Levin, Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change, Bezos Earth Fund
• Melodie McGeoch, Professor, LaTrobe University, Adjunct Professor, Monash University
• Derek Tittensor, Associate Professor and Jarislowsky Chair, Dalhousie University
• Laura Pollock, Assistant Professor, McGill University
• Alex Killion, Managing Director, Center for Biodiversity and Global Change, Yale University
4-4:45 p.m.
Safeguarding Species in a Changing World: From Knowledge to Action
Members of the business, technology, policy, and philanthropic community will reflect on how scientific advances support their decisions. What are the key knowledge needs unmet by current science and how could technologies and scientific partnerships help address them?
• Moderator: Walter Jetz, Scientific Chair, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation; Professor, Yale University
• Sean Breyer, Program Manager, Living Atlas of the World, Esri
• Alison Taylor, Chief Sustainability Officer, ADM
• James d’Ath, Data and Analytics Technical Lead, TNFD
• María Cecilia Londoño, Senior Researcher, Humboldt Institute
• Jorgen Thomsen, Director, Climate Solutions, MacArthur Foundation
• Kelly Levin, Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change, Bezos Earth Fund
4:45-5:05 p.m.
The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation Distinguished Lectureship in Biodiversity: “Linking Information to Action”
• Wade Davis, Professor of Anthropology and the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk at the University of British Columbia
5:05–5:25 p.m.
Musical Performance
Black Bear Singers, a drum group from the community of Manawan, of the Atikamekw nation in the province of Quebec, Canada, performing traditional First Nations music
5:25–5:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
• Paula J. Ehrlich, President & CEO, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, Co-Founder Half-Earth Project
Featured Speakers
Wade Davis
Wade Davis is Professor of Anthropology and the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk at the University of British Columbia. Between 2000 and 2013 he served as Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. Named by the NGS as one of the Explorers for the Millennium, he has been described as “a rare combination of scientist, scholar, poet and passionate defender of all of life’s diversity.” Read more.
Jack Dangermond, Founder and President, Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri)
A landscape architect by training, Jack Dangermond founded Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) in 1969 with a vision that computer mapping and analysis could help design a better future. Under Dangermond’s leadership, that vision has continued to guide Esri in creating cutting- edge GIS and Geodesign technologies used in every industry to make a difference worldwide. Read more.
Paula J. Ehrlich, President & CEO of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation
Paula J. Ehrlich, DVM, PhD, is President & CEO of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, whose mission is to reimagine the way we care for our planet through actionable scientific research that supports communities in their stewardship of biodiversity. Read more.
Richard Paton, Assistant Executive Director, Marine and Wildlife Stewardship, Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA)
Richard is the Assistant Executive Director, Marine and Wildlife Stewardship at QIA. Richard joined QIA in July of 2020. Richard is an accomplished communicator, leader and strategist. Previously he held Senior Management positions within several departments of the Government of Nunavut and Chief Operating Officer for Nunavut Tunngavik. He has been a strong advocate for Inuit employment and self-governance. His 20-years of work towards advancing Inuit employment has strengthened his resolve towards advancing Inuit governance in conservation in the Qikiqtani region. Read more.
Videos and key takeaways will also be available after the event to ensure that our partners, supporters and friends can experience the energy and hope we are sure Half-Earth Day 2023 will inspire.
Half-Earth Day Sponsors
We are grateful to the support of our generous sponsors for making Half-Earth Day 2023 possible.
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