Laudato Si: Environmental Ethics and Sustainability

Jeffrey D. Sachs stands as one of the world's most influential economists and sustainable development experts, currently serving as University Professor at Columbia University and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development. His academic journey began at Harvard University, where he earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees, and later served as the Galen L. Stone Professor of International Trade for over twenty years. Throughout his career, Sachs has shaped global policy as Special Advisor to three UN Secretaries-General, advising on both the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals. His expertise spans economic development, global macroeconomics, and poverty alleviation, having worked in more than 125 countries. As Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and President of SDG USA, he continues to drive sustainable development initiatives worldwide. His influential works include bestsellers such as "The End of Poverty," "Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet," and "The Age of Sustainable Development." His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2015 Blue Planet Prize and the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development, while Time Magazine has twice named him among the world's 100 most influential leaders. Beyond his academic work, he serves as a Commissioner of the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Development and maintains active engagement with the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences on sustainable development issues.

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson serves as Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences, marking a distinguished career that began with his historic appointment as the first Ghanaian cardinal in 2003. After completing his doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, he has held numerous influential positions including Archbishop of Cape Coast, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and inaugural prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development. His work uniquely combines religious leadership with environmental advocacy and social justice, particularly through his contributions to Pope Francis's encyclical "Laudato Si'" on environmental stewardship. As a prominent voice in both religious and scientific circles, he continues to advance dialogue between faith and science while serving on multiple Vatican dicasteries and undertaking peace missions to conflict regions. His leadership extends beyond traditional religious roles to address contemporary global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development, and social inequality, making him a pivotal figure in the Catholic Church's engagement with modern social and environmental issues.

Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo served as Chancellor of both the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences from 1998 to 2022, marking a transformative quarter-century of leadership in Vatican academic institutions. His academic career includes serving as Lecturer and Full Professor in the History of Philosophy at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he also served as Dean of the Faculty. As Chancellor, he played a pivotal role in advancing dialogue between science and faith, particularly through his contributions to Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si', where he taught the theological and philosophical foundations of environmental stewardship. His leadership helped transform the Pontifical Academies into influential platforms for addressing global challenges like climate change, sustainable development, and social justice. Through his work with the SDG Academy and other initiatives, he has helped disseminate Catholic social teaching on environmental protection and sustainable development to a global audience, bridging religious wisdom with contemporary scientific understanding.

Dr. Anthony Annett currently serves as a Gabelli Fellow at Fordham University and Senior Advisor at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, following a distinguished 16-year career at the International Monetary Fund. After earning his Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University, he served in various roles at the IMF, including as speechwriter to Managing Directors Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Christine Lagarde. His expertise spans economics, Catholic social teaching, and sustainable development, particularly through his work as Climate Change and Sustainable Development Advisor at Columbia University's Earth Institute. He has made significant contributions to religious-environmental dialogue, including consulting for the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and co-authoring remarks for the launch of Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato Si'. As an educator and author of "Cathonomics: How Catholic Tradition Can Create a More Just Economy," he continues to bridge the gap between economic policy, ethical principles, and environmental stewardship through his teaching and advisory roles at multiple institutions.

Dr. William F. Vendley has dedicated his career to fostering interfaith dialogue and peace-building as Secretary General of Religions for Peace International from 1994 to 2019, where he coordinated activities across 90 national and 5 regional councils. His academic journey includes a BS from Purdue University, MA from Maryknoll School of Theology, and Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Fordham University, complemented by studies in Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Zen meditation practice in Japan. Under his leadership, he pioneered numerous peace initiatives, including establishing the Inter-religious Council of Bosnia-Herzegovina after the civil war and the Hope for African Children Initiative, which raised over $50 million to support communities affected by HIV/AIDS. His expertise spans theological education, where he served as Dean at Catholic Major Seminary and professor at Maryknoll School of Theology, to international diplomacy, serving as advisor to President Obama's Faith-Based Council and the US State Department. Currently serving as Senior Advisor at the Fetzer Institute and Secretary General Emeritus of Religions for Peace, he continues to advance personal and social transformation through interfaith cooperation. His work has been marked by concrete achievements in conflict resolution, from Sierra Leone to Iraq, while fostering multi-religious collaboration to address global challenges including poverty, climate change, and social justice.