WHAT WOULD IT TAKE … to shape a planet on which people, other living things and the systems that support us can sustainably co-exist?

For this special issue, Momentum magazine invited experts from around the world to share their thoughts on how we might craft solutions to some of the Earth's toughest challenges. Read the interviews or click on the images below.

What would it take … to create sustainable ocean fisheries?
photos/slideshow_1cousteau.jpg
High-level coordination is key to sustaining ocean fisheries, says National Geographic Emerging Explorer ALEXANDRA COUSTEAU.
What would it take … to make a city carbon neutral?
photos/slideshow_2steffen.jpg
Worldchanging.com co-founder and editor ALEX STEFFEN shares his thoughts on building more sustainable cities.
What would it take … for social entrepreneurship to make inroads into poverty?
photos/slideshow_3prakash.jpg
Social entrepreneur SOLOMON PRAKASH offers his take on how good business can transform lives.
What would it take … to solve climate change?
photos/slideshow_4socolow.jpg
Physicist ROBERT SOCOLOW offers new thoughts on moving from our current climate-changing economy to a more stable future.
What would it take … to create a thriving green economy?
photos/slideshow_5eliislamkins.jpg
Green economy advocate PHAEDRA ELLIS-LAMKINS says appropriate incentives can help put people back to work and sustain the planet.
What would it take … for scientists to become better communicators?
photos/slideshow_6malow.jpg
Good communication is important – and can be fun, too, says science comedian BRIAN MALOW.
What would it take … to stem the loss of biodiversity?
photos/slideshow_7sanjayan.jpg
Global biodiversity has declined 30 percent since 1970. M. SANJAYAN offers thoughts on how we can protect our remaining biological wealth.
What would it take … to protect Earth’s systems from catastrophic failure?
photos/slideshow_8rockstrom.jpg
Earth’s life support systems can only take so much. Resilience strategist JOHAN ROCKSTRÖM talks about what it will take to avoid irreversible harm.
What would it take … to save the world’s large carnivores?
photos/slideshow_9joubert.jpg
Drawing on 25 years of experience working in Africa, filmmakers BEVERLY & DERECK JOUBERT offer a one-word solution to saving top predators.
What would it take … to protect nature while meeting human needs?
photos/slideshow_10daily.jpg
The well-being of human and natural systems does not have to be an either-or proposition, says Natural Capital Project co-founder GRETCHEN DAILY.
What would it take … to halt deforestation in the tropics?
photos/slideshow_11laurance.jpg
Smithsonian Tropical Forest Institute ecologist WILLIAM LAURANCE has studied all of the world’s major rainforests. How can we slow their destruction?
What would it take … to grow enough food while reducing environmental impacts?
photos/slideshow_12clay.jpg
With a growing population, we’ll need to produce as much food in the next 40 years as we have in the last 8,000. World Wildlife Fund senior VP JASON CLAY offers his thoughts on how we can make that happen.
What would it take … to supply global energy needs with renewables?
photos/slideshow_13liu.jpg
Utility-scale energy storage, intermittent energy on the grid, and innovation are key to ramping up renewables, says energy expert PEGGY LIU.
What would it take … to provide all people with access to clean water?
photos/slideshow_14gleick_new.jpg
A billion people worldwide lack safe drinking water. Pacific Institute president PETER GLEICK says the solution lies in government commitment and will.

Special Feature: What Would It Take?

Experts from around the world share their thoughts on how we might craft solutions to some of Earth’s toughest environmental challenges.

Director's Note:
A Tale of Two Worlds

We are at an inflection point in human history. What will we do with it?

In Focus

Photojournalist Paul Nicklen reflects on the impact of climate change on polar habitats.
Video: "Tales of Ice-bound Wonderlands"

Noteworthy

See the latest news from the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota.

Snapshot:
ROBO Boat

Robotics and environmental protection: The perfect match.
Video: "Robotic System for Monitoring Carp in Lakes"

Connections:
Peas on Earth

PepsiCo aims to boost its hummus supply chain while reducing hunger in Ethiopia.

Viewpoints:
Tenzin Priyadarshi

How can we find hope in these trying times?

Scientist's Soapbox:
Planet and People

To protect vulnerable habitats, we need an integrated approach to sustainable development.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in Momentum are those of the authors and not necessarily of the Institute on the Environment or the University of Minnesota.