Harrison Ford, as the Vice Chair of Conservation International, has been involved with the non-profit organization for around four decades. He found his calling in joining them during the peak of his fame from the Star Wars franchise. Ford, along with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, led a discussion on how to address pervasive problems, emphasizing the importance of valuing nature and working together to protect the planet. Bezos highlighted the need to move forward with innovation and abundance while also prioritizing nature conservation.
Bezos Earth Fund’s recent initiative, Greening America’s Cities, was discussed by Sánchez as a $400 million commitment to improving green spaces in underserved urban areas. The goal is to foster community and provide more opportunities for children to access parks and playgrounds, encouraging them to prioritize nature and environmental protection. Shailene Woodley, an environmental activist and Conservation International Board member, praised the organization for taking a proactive stance in over 130 countries, emphasizing the importance of being on the offensive rather than the defensive.
Conservation International has labeled the current time as the “decisive decade,” emphasizing the urgent need to reverse course on climate change and protect the planet. Actor Idris Elba, another high-profile Board member, stressed the importance of transforming industries to adopt more sustainable practices, starting with farming and fashion. Conservation International Chair Peter Seligmann announced ambitious targets for the next five years, aiming to improve conservation areas by 50 million hectares, equivalent to four times the size of New York State.
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Dame Jacinda Arden, joined CI’s CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan for a discussion on the power of optimism in driving change. Dame Arden stressed the importance of maintaining expectations for positive outcomes, as losing hope can hinder progress. She called on young people to expect better and highlighted the proactive nature of optimism in driving meaningful change. The event concluded with a message of hope and determination, urging individuals to remain optimistic and proactive in their efforts to protect nature and combat climate change.
