How People Make Nature Better: Measuring Progress Toward a World Where People and Nature Thrive Together using the Nature Relationship Index (NRI)

The Lipitz Lecture

Erle Ellis, PhD.
Professor, Department of Geography & Environmental Systems, UMBC

The endless drumbeat of planetary doom isn’t working – it’s even getting in the way. We can indeed make a better future for all life on this planet, but only by more effectively engaging our growing capabilities to shape and sustain nature for the better, from nature kinship to environmental protection, nature conservation, clean energy, and so much more. Erle Ellis will present his work contributing to the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report for 2026 that is building an aspirational approach to motivate progress towards a world where people and nature thrive together through a new measure of progress that includes nature – the Nature Relationship Index (NRI).

Cosponsored by the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.    

CS3 sponsored events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.