Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

The session is titled, “Knowing and protecting life on earth starts with Natural History and science innovation.” Natural History encompasses the summed human observations of the natural world both traditional understanding and modern innovation. As the UNGA negotiates the policies and processes to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, this session will highlight how Natural History can be leveraged to help make the global trajectory more sustainable.

The beginning of all science is the observation of the natural world. Natural History is shared across all cultures and societies through food and agriculture, health and safety, art and appreciation of beauty. The new and old tools, perspectives, and technologies of naturalists and observers offer opportunities to explore and protect biodiversity across continents and waters while recognizing the universal power of wonder, curiosity, and appreciation to celebrate our shared connection to the world around us.

What tools does Natural History offer the world as it reaches toward sustainability goals? How are technologies, when paired with observational practices, giving rise to altogether new approaches? In this session, we have gathered expert panelists from multiple perspectives to examine the power of Natural History. They will share innovations originating from new and old ways of knowing the natural world that add layers of data to the understanding and restoration of life on earth.