In this conversation with with Woods Institute Director Chris Field, Stanford population ecologist and environmental activist Paul R. Ehrlich discussed his life and work following the publication of Ehrlich’s autobiography, Life: A Journey Through Science and Politics (Yale University Press, 2023).
Related: Read the recap and watch the recording from this event
In a career spanning more than 60 years, Ehrlich, the Bing Professor of Population Studies, Emeritus, in the School of Humanities and Sciences and Senior Fellow, Emeritus, at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment has authored or co-authored more than 40 books and 1,200 papers on topics as diverse as co-evolution in butterflies and flowering plants, jaw size in humans, and overpopulation.
Ehrlich, now 90, founded the Center for Conservation Biology, co-founded the Human Biology Program, and with Richard Holm established Jasper Ridge as a research reserve. He has used his platform as a respected scientist and bestselling author to call attention to environmental issues, including overpopulation, the importance of biodiversity, and the degradation of the planet’s natural resources and ecosystems. He has advocated for gender and racial equality in numerous forums and has guest-starred in more than 1,000 news and television segments, including more than 20 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Read more about Ehrlich in a recent Q&A.
