The Sustainability Challenge A discussion by Professor Sir Ian Boyd and Dr Jesse Ausubel

The world stands at an important crossroads. From the way we consume energy and food to how we manage waste and resources, the choices we make today will determine the quality of life for generations to come. But the challenge involves more than just personal environmental responsibility. It's also about balancing economic development, policy and ecological protection in ways that allow us to tackle the climate emergency and support a just transition.

Join Professor Sir Ian Boyd, Bishop Wardlaw Professor of Biology at the University of St Andrews and President of the Royal Society of Biology, and Dr Jesse Ausubel, Director and Senior Research Associate of the Program for the Human Environment of The Rockefeller University, as they jointly explore the complexities of the sustainability challenge, and examine how we, as individuals and institutions, can contribute to a more sustainable future.

Following opening remarks from Professor Boyd and Dr Ausubel, there will be an opportunity to ask questions during a question and answer session chaired by Professor Ineke De Moortel, Master of the United College.

Topics covered will include:

• Transforming the food system
• Co-benefits from biodiversity conservation
• Geopolitical trends – global competition and its consequences
• Waste to resource productivity (the circular economy)
• Helping people to make better decisions

This event opens the inaugural St Andrews Sustainability Week, a series of events celebrating and raising awareness of environmental sustainability within St Andrews and beyond.

Find out about all the events taking place during Sustainability Week.