Dr. Rita Colwell, Chairman of the H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment (The Heinz Center) and Teresa Heinz, Chairman of the Heinz Endowments and Vice Chairman of the Heinz Center, announced that Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, President of The Heinz Center, is the first recipient of the newly created Heinz Center Biodiversity Chair.
Dr. Lovejoy is a world renowned scientist who was one of the earliest champions of protecting the earth’s biological diversity.
In announcing the creation of the Heinz Biodiversity Chair, Teresa Heinz said, "We are facing the greatest environmental challenges in our history and we all need to work together to find solutions. The time is now and there is no one better suited than Tom Lovejoy to ensure that generations to come will be able to inhabit the Earth with the hope of a brighter future."
Dr. Colwell noted that Lovejoy has been a leading voice "in protecting fragile ecosystems around the world and ensuring a future for our blue planet." She added, "We are fortunate to have Tom’s wisdom and experience as we move forward in our mission to apply the best thinking to address the difficult environmental problems facing the world’s populations today."
Lovejoy’s appreciation for wildlife and nature began at an early age. He has devoted his career to the environment, from studying biodiversity to creating the concept of debt-for-nature swaps and founding the PBS show Nature.
Before joining the Heinz Center in 2002, Dr. Lovejoy served as the Chief Biodiversity Advisor to the World Bank and Lead Specialist for Environment for Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Senior Advisor to the President of the United Nations Foundation. In addition, Dr. Lovejoy has been Assistant Secretary and Counselor to the Secretary at the Smithsonian Institution, Science Advisor to the Secretary of the Interior, and Executive Vice President of the World Wildlife Fund—U.S.
"My personal passion and career have been devoted to the environment. Now more than ever we need to do everything possible to leave a healthy planet for generations to come," said Lovejoy. "The chance to serve as the first Biodiversity Chair at the Heinz Center will provide me a splendid opportunity to develop new solutions for our rapidly changing world.
It is the chance of a lifetime to make a positive difference on matters of critical importance," he added. In 2001 Lovejoy was awarded the prestigious Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. He served on science and environmental councils or committees under the Reagan, Bush, and Clinton Administrations.
A national search is underway for a new Heinz Center President to allow Dr. Lovejoy to devote his fulltime attention to the biodiversity activities of the Center.
The Heinz Center, established in 1995 in memory of Senator John Heinz, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution dedicated to improving the scientific and economic basis for environmental policy and to developing innovative solutions to environmental problems.
Source: The H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment
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Heinz Center Names Lovejoy to Biodiversity Chair
