PHOEBE BARNARD

‘I slung my two  baby daughters on my back as I did my global change science work in  southern Africa. I've had a fire in my belly for humanity to take charge  of our destiny on this planet, and not give in to destruction,  denialism, despair or nihilism. Since our 2019-2021 papers on the theme  "World Scientists' Warning of a Climate Emergency" in BioScience and Scientific American,  I'm working to implement urgent solutions in most of the six areas we  recommended to humanity (energy, nature, pollutants, food systems,  population stabilization and economic reform).  Living lightly on this  planet, having small and well-supported families, and working hard for  systemic change can turn us from a predatory, parasitic species into a  wise one.  But we should all ask: what kind of leadership got us to this  terrible state?  and what kind of leadership will bring us into a  wiser, healthier, happier future?’