Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Launched in 2007, the Senator George J. Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability serves as an extraordinary forum in which the university community, the general public, and many others can learn from and interact with some of the world’s leading thinkers about the challenges and opportunities involved in accelerating the transition to a sustainable world. Sharing the stage with these extraordinary thought leaders, Senator Mitchell offers his compelling insights about the importance of sustainable development, a subject he first addressed in his 1991 book, World on Fire: Saving an Endangered Earth.
2019 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
An Optimistic Vision for a Sustainable, Wild, and Socially Just World
E.J. Milner-Gulland, University of Oxford, U.K.
With remarks by Senator George J. Mitchell
A video recording of the lecture is available
2018 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Healing Our Democracy
Senator George J. Mitchell
Click here to view a recording of the lecture
2017 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Facts Versus Values. How can we make better decisions?
Thomas Dietz, Michigan State University
A video of this lecture is available on Vimeo
2016 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Between Optimism and Pessimism: Our Unending Pursuit to Feed Civilization
Ruth DeFries, Columbia University
A video of this lecture in available online
2015 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
When Science Meets Politics: Symphony or Slugfest?
Roger Pielke Jr., Center for Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Colorado
A video of this lecture is available online
2014 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Mobilizing Knowledge to Shape a Sustainable Future
William Clark, Harvard University
A video of this lecture is available online
2013 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Science Serving Society: Achieving Real-World Solutions
Jane Lubchenco
A video of this lecture is available online
2012 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
A Call to Arms for a Transition to Sustainability
Pamela Matson, Stanford University
A video of this lecture is available online
2011 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Helping Science Speak for Itself: Improving Communication Between Scientists and Citizens
Baruch Fischhoff, Carnegie Mellon University
A video of this lecture is available online
2010 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Unconventional Wisdom: Sustaining Our Natural Resources in a Rapidly Changing World
Elinor Ostrom, Indiana University, Bloomington
2009 Mitchell Lecture on Sustainability
Data-driven policy: The role of universities in creating a sustainable Maine
The Honorable Angus King
2008 Mitchell Lecture on the Environment
The Environmental Crisis as a Moral and Spiritual Challenge
Mary Evelyn Tucker, Yale University
2007 Mitchell Lecture on the Environment
James “Gus” Speth, Yale University