Sometimes the bravest thing we can do while facing an existential crisis is to imagine life on the other side.
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. She is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and is the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College. She authored the forthcoming book What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, co-edited the bestselling climate anthology All We Can Save, co-founded The All We Can Save Project, and co-created and co-hosted the Spotify/Gimlet climate solutions podcast How to Save a Planet.
Recently, she co-authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. Previously, as executive director of the Waitt Institute, she co-founded the Blue Halo Initiative and led the Caribbean’s first successful island-wide ocean zoning effort. She also developed U.S. federal ocean policy at the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Ayana earned a BA from Harvard University in environmental science and public policy, and a Ph.D. from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in marine biology. She serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, on the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project, and on the steering committee for the Ocean Justice Forum. Recent recognitions include, the Schneider Award for climate communication and the Time 100 Next List.
She is the proud daughter of a teacher/farmer and an architect/potter. Above all: Ayana is in love with climate solutions.
Marine biologist, policy advisor and writer Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and co-creator of the podcast “How to Save a Planet.” Her new book, What if We Get It Right?, asks: What would the future look like if we forged ahead with all the solutions to actually address the climate crisis? Her answer is a collection of provocative and joyous maps to an inspiring landscape of possible climate futures.
Dr. Charles Rolsky is the Executive Director of the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill, Maine. Charlie received his master's and PhD from Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, where he researched plastic pollution in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. As a postdoctoral research scholar in the Biodesign’s Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing, he focused on green chemistry and sustainable materials science. Charlie and his research have been featured on ABC News and PBS, and in the pages of the New York Times, Newsweek, Washington Post, Forbes, Smithsonian Magazine and many other prestigious media outlets. Currently, he focuses on researching links between environmental contamination and human health, which includes plastic pollution, PFAS chemicals, and other contaminants of concern. Charlie is extremely passionate about citizen science and public outreach, with groups ranging from kids to lifelong learners. A teacher for over eight years, he continues his mentorship through a range of internship and educational opportunities at the Shaw Institute.
Through clear-eyed essays and vibrant conversations, infused with data, poetry, and art, Johnson explores solutions and possibilities at the nexus of science, policy, culture, and justice. Visionary farmers and financiers, architects and advocates help conjure a flourishing future, one worth the effort it will take—from every one of us, with whatever we have to offer—to create.
Dr. Charles Rolsky is the Executive Director of the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill, Maine. Charlie received his master's and PhD from Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, where he researched plastic pollution in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. As a postdoctoral research scholar in the Biodesign’s Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing, he focused on green chemistry and sustainable materials science. Charlie and his research have been featured on ABC News and PBS, and in the pages of the New York Times, Newsweek, Washington Post, Forbes, Smithsonian Magazine and many other prestigious media outlets. Currently, he focuses on researching links between environmental contamination and human health, which includes plastic pollution, PFAS chemicals, and other contaminants of concern. Charlie is extremely passionate about citizen science and public outreach, with groups ranging from kids to lifelong learners. A teacher for over eight years, he continues his mentorship through a range of internship and educational opportunities at the Shaw Institute.
Johnson will speak with Shaw Institute executive director Charles Rolsky about how the first step to making a transformed and replenished world is to see ourselves, our loved ones, and our community living in it.
Free event