Earth Stewardship: Shaping a Sustainable Future for a Deteriorating Planet
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Online
Free
Open to the Public
A more sustainable future, societal benefits from nature, human well-being: how can we actualize sustainability individually and collectively?
Earth Stewardship: Shaping a Sustainable Future for a Deteriorating Planet
Speaker: Dr. Terry Chapin, Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Thursday, September 11, 2025
6:00pm to 7:30pm Pacific Time
Online via Zoom (details below)
About the Topic
This talk will describe a general strategy for shaping a more sustainable future for people and nature by sustaining ecosystem properties, the benefits that society receives from nature, and the foundations of human well-being. This transformation requires efforts by individuals, society collectively, and effective governance. I will describe a strategy to transform toward sustainability by taking actions at each of these levels.
About the Speaker
Terry Chapin’s research addresses the effects of changes in climate and wildfire on Alaskan ecology and rural communities. He explores ways that communities and agencies can increase sustainability of ecosystems and human communities over the long term despite rapid climatic and social changes. In this way, society can proactively shape changes toward a more sustainable future. He pursues this internationally through the Resilience Alliance, nationally through the Ecological Society of America, and in Alaska through partnerships with rural indigenous communities.
Recommended Reading
Chapin, F.S., III. 2020. Grassroots Stewardship: Sustainability within Our Reach. Oxford University Press, New York.
Chapin, F.S. III 2024. Transformative Earth Stewardship: Principles for shaping a sustainable future for nature and society. Earth Stewardship DOI: 10.1002/eas2.12023.
Folke, C. et al. 2021. Our future in the Anthropocene biosphere. Ambio 50:834-869.
Zoom Details
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Questions
Contact Rachel Christopherson at the Center for the Blue Economy at cbe@miis.edu or (831) 647-4183.
Gratitude to Our Sponsors
We thank the Loker Hicks Foundation and the Nancy Eccles and Homer M. Hayward Family Foundation our sponsors.
About the Host
The Center for the Blue Economy is a research center at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, that provides economic and policy analysis to support the development of a robust and equitable blue economy for the 21st century. The Center uses the World Bank’s definition of the Blue Economy: the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. We must maintain ocean health to maintain human health, economic health, and the health of the planet. Climate change is linked, inextricably, to a healthy ocean. We are co-leading a movement for Ocean Climate Action Now. We’ve launched a website in collaboration with our research partners, Monterey Bay White Sharks. Consider joining our Center for the Blue Economy Newsletter List (3-4x per year by email).