Earth Day 2025 celebrates science diplomacy and next-generation leadership with hope!
We – all 8 billion of us – live on the third planet from the Sun in areas that fall within and beyond national jurisdictions. Nearly 70% of the Earth’s surface (as well as Outer Space) is international space, representing the common interests of humanity in Antarctica, across the High Seas and in the Deep Sea. The other 30% of the Earth’s surface falls within the boundaries of nations, representing the histories of civilizations, cultures and peoples that are interconnected globally today.
Considering 100% of our home planet – science diplomacy has emerged as a process to balance national interests and common interests for the benefit of all on Earth across generations. This transdisciplinary process involves the natural sciences, social sciences and Indigenous knowledge with society at local-to-global levels, addressing the reality that nations will always look after national interests first and foremost.
The inspiration of science diplomacy is peace, promoting cooperation and preventing conflict short-to-long term, requiring active and influential inspiration of next-generation science diplomats continuously. Peace is a “forever” challenge on Earth, as heralded by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty “with the interests of science and the progress of all mankind”, considering the risks of nationalism and the global lessons of the 20th century.
With hope and inspiration across the 21st century – as an application with Earth system science – planetary acceleration with science diplomacy is reflected by the first GLOBAL MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE ON SCIENCE DIPLOMACY at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in March 2025.
Across human history – the arc of science is with inclusion (who, what, when, where, why and how) as the essence of knowledge discovery, unbowed by the tyranny of self-interested national leaders who operate with exclusion. Countering short-sighted national actions, our shared journey on Earth will increasingly operate across the spectrum of subnational-national-international jurisdictions to balance national interests and common interests forever.
