Future Earth (2012; Paris; ~50 staff; futureearth.org)

A global research platform providing knowledge and support to accelerate transformations to a sustainable world. The organization is rooted in the work of 20 Global Research Projects. These networks have a long history, in some cases stretching back decades, of generating research at the forefront of sustainability science. They played a critical role in forming the field of Earth system science – which considers how all of the parts of the planet, including human societies, connect to and shape each other. Our Global Research Projects also led in defining the Anthropocene, a new epoch in the geologic history of Earth marked by the influence of humans on the planet.

The Future Earth Secretariat is currently based in five global hubs and in three regional centers and Offices. The Global Hubs coordinate the international efforts of Future Earth and are located in Montreal, Paris, Tokyo, Stockholm, and Colorado.

Future Earth acts as an umbrella program that combines the efforts of four global environmental change programs, DIVERSITAS, the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP), the International Human Dimensions Programme (IHDP) and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). Some further projects arose out of the Earth System Science Partnership (ESSP).

Initiatives & Networks:

• Featured Initiatives
• Funding Initiatives
• Knowledge-Action Networks
• Earth Commission
• Science-Based Pathways

Global Research Projects:

Publications:

• Newsletters, Issue Briefs, Explainers, Science Insights, Annual Reports, Blog
• A library of  60+ strategic reports and other planning documents, conference reports, synthesis documents etc.
• Future Earth Media Lab – An online incubator for communications, research and more. Nurtures projects at the cutting edge of the digital revolution – the internet of things, big data, new media, visualization, virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
• Anthropocene magazine – A print, digital and live magazine that focuses specifically on the Anthropocene.
• HIGHLIGHTS:
  • The Exponential Climate Action Roadmap (2018, 108p.) – Charts essential steps to 2030 to catalyze action at the speed and scale now required to combat climate change. It underpins the declarations to be announced at the Global Climate Action Summit, particularly the Step Up Declaration from climate leaders in business, and the Entrepreneurs Call to Action.
  • Global Fires –  This issue brief examines the cause and sustainability implications of global fires.

Leadership: Amy Luers (Executive Director), Johan Rockström (Co-Chair), Leena Srivastava (Co-Chair)
Budget: ~€4.8m (2020)