Shifts in approach include a shift from top-down to bottom-up approaches, a transition from the pursuit of sustaining resources to one of sustaining systems, and shift in the knowledge systems from one of expert-knowledge to one of decentralized and distributed knowledge production. As for what is needed to accelerate this transition, she highlighted the need for socio-economic systems information, partnerships across sectors and a transformation of our institutions in order to encourage cross-disciplinary collaborations.
More about Dr. Luers
Prior to her role as Executive Director of Future Earth, Dr. Luers was the Director of Climate at the Skoll Global Threats Fund (SGTF) and Assistant Director for Climate Resilience and Information at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Dr. Luers spent a number of years at Google as the Senior Environment Program Manager. Prior to Google she led the climate program at the Union of Concerned Sciences CA office. Luers started her career in Latin America, as co-founder and the first executive director of Agua Para La Vida working to enhance access to potable water.Â
She has published broadly in both academic and the popular media on vulnerability to global change, sustainability, and climate policy. A respected scientist and data innovator, Luers has been recognized as PopTech fellow, Switzer Environmental Fellow and has advised the CA state government, the White House, and the United Nations. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has served on committees of the National Academies of Sciences, and the International Council of Science. Luers holds a Ph.D. in environmental science and an M.A. in international policy studies from Stanford University; and a B.S. and M.S. in environmental systems engineering from Humboldt State University; and a B.A. in philosophy from Middlebury College.
