Mathis is president at the Global Footprint Network, the company that coined the "EARTH OVERSHOOT DAY"

About Mathis:

I operate from a particular perspective, one that is biologically rooted. I see our species deeply embedded in, and inextricably dependent on, the biosphere. I recognize the biological constraints of our planet. 

This biological approach is much-underrepresented in the more mechanical and industrial world of sustainability and economic policy. Yet it is a necessary standpoint that makes discussions more realistic, holistic, and therefore resolvable. Accepting our one Earth as our context makes any of our bets more winnable. It also reveals the significance of a healthy web of life, and emphasizes that energy and food systems will only be able to deliver if compatible with the regenerative capabilities of our planet.

This biological perspective clarifies that sustainability is non-negotiable for long-term economic success for each and every entity. It is no longer a “noble cause” but a necessary one. The biological embeddedness helps us see beyond the “tragedy of the commons.” The biological dependence of any economy reveals the massive self-interest for countries, cities and companies to respond to the ecological crisis. This view turns the tables: don’t wait for collective agreements; act now, as it enhances your ability to succeed in the long-run.

My specialties: 

* Developing and applying metric

* Designing and implementing campaigns and engagements

* Addressing overshoot and ecological limits

* Relentlessly pursuing important objectives