Simon Lewis

Simon Lewis is a Professor of Global Change Science, at both University College London and the University of Leeds. HIs main research interests are to understand how humans are changing the Earth system, with a focus on the topics and the global carbon cycle. He is interested in net zero plans, negative emissions, and greenwash by governments and companies. His team’s scientific discoveries include the globally significant carbon sink in intact tropical forests, the evolution of the carbon sink; and the world’s largest tropical peatland complex in central Congo. He co-founded and co-manages the African Tropical Rainforest Observatory (www.afritron.net). In 2018, he published, with Mark Maslin, The Human Planet: How We Created the Anthropocene (Penguin), and exploration of the science, history and politics of the Anthropocene, an Observer book of the year and shortlisted for the Azimov Prize.