Bio
Jane Lubchenco, University Distinguished Professor at Oregon State University, is a marine ecologist with expertise in the ocean, climate change, and interactions between the environment and human well-being. She served as the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and an inaugural member of President Barack Obama’s Science Team from 2009-2013. From 2014-2016, she was the first U.S. State Department Science Envoy for the Ocean, serving as a science diplomat to China, Indonesia, South Africa, Mauritius and the Seychelles.
Dr. Lubchenco is one of the “most highly cited” ecologists in the world with eight publications as “Science Citation Classics.” She believes in using science and engaging society to craft solutions to society’s biggest challenges. She has a distinguished history of collaborations with industry, communities, civil society, academia, and faith-based organizations to address climate change, reform fisheries, restore coastal habitats and promote resilient communities. She believes we can harness science and creativity and work with nature to achieve healthy and resilient oceans, productive landscapes, vibrant communities and people.
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In recognition of her scientific contributions, she is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, The American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The American Philosophical Society, the Royal Society, The World Academy of Science, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and other distinguished academies. She has received numerous awards including 23 honorary doctorates, a MacArthur (‘genius’) Fellowship, and the highest honors given by the National Academy of Sciences (the Public Welfare Medal), the National Science Foundation (the Vannevar Bush Award), and the Department of Commerce (Gold Medal Award), and the highest honor given to a civilian by the U. S. Coast Guard (Distinguished Public Service Award).
She co-founded three organizations that train scientists to be better communicators and engage more effectively with the public, policy makers, media and industry (COMPASS, the Leopold Leadership Program (now the Earth Leadership Program), and Climate Central). She co-founded an integrated research/monitoring/outreach program (PISCO, the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans), the National Ocean Protection Coalition, and the MPA Project which seeks to advance smart use of effective Marine Protected Areas. |
She has served as the President of numerous professional scientific societies including the Ecological Society of America, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the International Council for Science (ICSU). She has served on multiple national commissions including the Pew Oceans Commission, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, and the Aspen Institute Arctic Commission. She has led or contributed to multiple regional, national, and international scientific assessments on climate change, biodiversity, Marine Protected Areas, the ocean, and the intersection of science and society. Most recently, she co-chaired the Expert Group for the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, a pioneering partnership across 14 serving heads of state or government to harness science and action to protect the ocean effectively, produce from it sustainably, and prosper equitably.
Dr. Lubchenco received a B.A. in biology from Colorado College, a M.S. in zoology from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in ecology from Harvard University. Her academic career as a professor began at Harvard University (1975-1977) and continued at Oregon State University (1977-2009) until her appointment as NOAA Administrator. Following her resignation from NOAA, she was the 2013 Haas Distinguished Visitor in Public Service at Stanford University, then Oregon State University’s University Distinguished Professor.
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Quotes
Quotes about the ocean
“For much too long, the ocean has been out of sight, out of mind and out of luck.” - Lubchenco et. al. 2020 Nature.
“Yet despite the undeniable challenges, hints of a new ocean mindset are emerging. Many powerful solutions already exist and could be scaled up. Opportunities abound to develop new solutions that are based on knowledge, efficiency, smarter incentives, technology, biotechnology, and regenerative and holistic approaches.” – Lubchenco and Gaines, 2019 Science.
“In healing the ocean, we can heal ourselves.” – Lubchenco and Gaines, 2019 Science.
“Now is the moment for more scientists to pivot from simply documenting the tragedy underway to also creating scalable solutions.” – Lubchenco and Gaines, 2019 Science.
“The ocean connects and sustains us. It is our past, and our future. When we pay attention to the ocean, people win, the economy wins, nature wins.” – Lubchenco Oct 20, 2020, Press Conference for U.S. House of Representatives introduction of the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Bill.
“The ocean is not too big to fail, nor is it too big to fix. But it is so central to our health, prosperity and well-being that it is too big to ignore.” – Lubchenco June 9, 2020, Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
“The ocean provides a path to a smarter, wiser, and more sustainable future.” – Lubchenco 2020. Remarks to Tektite 2020: Celebration of Women of Sea and Space.
“We need exploration to survive, to thrive and to inspire. With exploration comes heightened awareness and stewardship.” – Lubchenco 2020. Remarks to Tektite 2020: Celebration of Women of Sea and Space.
“We need a healthy ocean to refresh our bodies, renew our souls and touch our hearts.” – Lubchenco June 9, 2020, Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
“For much too long, the ocean has been out of sight, out of mind and out of luck.” - Lubchenco et. al. 2020 Nature.
“Yet despite the undeniable challenges, hints of a new ocean mindset are emerging. Many powerful solutions already exist and could be scaled up. Opportunities abound to develop new solutions that are based on knowledge, efficiency, smarter incentives, technology, biotechnology, and regenerative and holistic approaches.” – Lubchenco and Gaines, 2019 Science.
“In healing the ocean, we can heal ourselves.” – Lubchenco and Gaines, 2019 Science.
“Now is the moment for more scientists to pivot from simply documenting the tragedy underway to also creating scalable solutions.” – Lubchenco and Gaines, 2019 Science.
“The ocean connects and sustains us. It is our past, and our future. When we pay attention to the ocean, people win, the economy wins, nature wins.” – Lubchenco Oct 20, 2020, Press Conference for U.S. House of Representatives introduction of the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Bill.
“The ocean is not too big to fail, nor is it too big to fix. But it is so central to our health, prosperity and well-being that it is too big to ignore.” – Lubchenco June 9, 2020, Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
“The ocean provides a path to a smarter, wiser, and more sustainable future.” – Lubchenco 2020. Remarks to Tektite 2020: Celebration of Women of Sea and Space.
“We need exploration to survive, to thrive and to inspire. With exploration comes heightened awareness and stewardship.” – Lubchenco 2020. Remarks to Tektite 2020: Celebration of Women of Sea and Space.
“We need a healthy ocean to refresh our bodies, renew our souls and touch our hearts.” – Lubchenco June 9, 2020, Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
Quotes about Climate Change
“Around the world, climate change is wreaking havoc on weather patterns, producing more powerful hurricanes, floods and storm surges. Warmer waters are eating away at the bases of Antarctic glaciers and killing coral reefs.” –Lubchenco et al. 2020 Nature.
“Around the world, climate change is wreaking havoc on weather patterns, producing more powerful hurricanes, floods and storm surges. Warmer waters are eating away at the bases of Antarctic glaciers and killing coral reefs.” –Lubchenco et al. 2020 Nature.
“Now, as a scientist, I know that the ocean is often seen as a victim of climate change, but, in truth, it is also a powerful source of solutions.” – Lubchenco Oct 20, 2020, Press Conference for U.S. House of Representatives introduction of the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Bill.
Most climate “mitigation options focus on the land — clean wind and solar energy, for example, or increasing the efficiency of transportation, buildings and appliances. More consideration needs to be given to the ocean.” The Ocean Panel’s “reports suggest that ocean-based options might deliver as much as one-fifth of the total emissions reductions needed to limit warming to the Paris goal of 1.5°C by 2050 (11.8 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalents (GtCO2e) annually).” – Lubchenco et al. 2020 Nature. |
Quotes about Ocean Biodiversity
“The diversity of plants, animals and microbes that inhabit ocean ecosystems, from the deep sea to estuaries and from the tropics to the poles, is the main reason the ocean delivers so many benefits.” – Lubchenco et al. 2020 Nature. |
Quotes about Scientific Integrity and the Role of Science in Government
“Scientific Integrity policies are the bedrock of a healthy, thriving scientific enterprise within the federal government” – Lubchenco, 2020, Scientific American.
“I believe that a major reason Americans across the political spectrum reacted negatively to SharpieGate was that they understood how important it is to have accurate lifesaving information, free from political interference. They appreciate the fact that hurricane forecasts are based on science, and they want to know what the experts think is likely to happen.” – Lubchenco, 2020, Scientific American.
“A vibrant democracy requires informed citizens.” – Lubchenco, 2020, Scientific American
“Scientific Integrity policies are the bedrock of a healthy, thriving scientific enterprise within the federal government” – Lubchenco, 2020, Scientific American.
“I believe that a major reason Americans across the political spectrum reacted negatively to SharpieGate was that they understood how important it is to have accurate lifesaving information, free from political interference. They appreciate the fact that hurricane forecasts are based on science, and they want to know what the experts think is likely to happen.” – Lubchenco, 2020, Scientific American.
“A vibrant democracy requires informed citizens.” – Lubchenco, 2020, Scientific American
Quotes about the future
"I take heart in knowing that social change can happen very rapidly once a tipping point is reached, that young people are bringing new passion and creativity to the issue, and that climate change is being seen increasingly as the moral issue it is."
– Lubchenco, New York Times Interview, September 22, 2014 |
Quotes about the post-truth world
“[Scientists] must rise to the occasion with the boldness, energy, and creativity that the post-truth world demands. We must engage more vigorously with society to address the intertwined environmental and social problems that many have ignored, to find solutions, and to help create a better world. We must truly listen to and address the reasons why a post-truth world has emerged. But we cannot do so from lofty perches above society; we must be more integrated into society. Humility, transparency, and respect must characterize our interactions. Now is the time for a quantum leap into relevance.” -Lubchenco, 2017, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. Quotes about Scientists’ Social Contract
“Scientists today are privileged to be able to indulge their passions for science and simultaneously to provide something useful to society. With these privileges, comes serious responsibility.” –Lubchenco, 1998, Science. |