Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Brainstormer, Concerned citizen, Consultant, Environmentalist, Performer, Scientist, World traveler

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher working to help create the best possible climate future. She is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and is the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College. Ayana authored The New York Times bestseller What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, work that is carried on with her newsletter and podcast of the same name. Previously, she co-edited the bestselling anthology All We Can Save, co-created and co-­hosted the Spotify/Gimlet podcast How to Save a Planet, and co-­authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. Ayana earned a BA in environmental science and public policy from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, on the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project, and is recipient of Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Communication and the TIME Earth Award. Above all: Ayana is in love with climate solutions.

Climate solutions – from restoring coastal ecosystems, to regenerative farmming, culture change, and offshore renewable energy – and helping people see how they can be a part of these solutions.

climate solutions, environmental policy, ocean conservation, science communication

singing jazz, always having snacks in my bag