George

George Thompson, Ph.D.

George Thompson, a dedicated environmental scientist with a passion for sustainable development, merged his 15 years of fieldwork in ecology with ten subsequent years as an advocate for green policies to establish himself as a prominent figure in the sustainability movement. Leveraging his unique expertise in both environmental science and policy-making, George has authored five influential books and contributed over 100 articles promoting sustainable practices in urban planning.

After graduating summa cum laude from Harvard University, where he was also the president of the Environmental Club, George pursued further education at MIT, earning his doctoral degree in Environmental Science. He then embarked on a journey that took him across North America, conducting research on ecosystems and climate change impacts. After two decades of fieldwork, George decided to pivot towards education, enrolling in a Master’s program in Public Policy at Stanford University. Thereafter, he served as a consultant for city governments, helping them implement eco-friendly initiatives for a decade.

Based in Portland, Oregon, George is now affiliated with the School of Environmental Studies at Portland State University and frequently travels around the globe to deliver talks, lead workshops, and provide consultancy on sustainable urban development. His insights have been featured in various media outlets including The New York Times, BBC World Service, CNN Go Green, NPR Radio, and Wired Magazine. He writes regular columns for Urban Land Magazine, Planetizen, and The Huffington Post. Recognized for his contributions, George was honored by the United Nations Environment Programme as a "Champion of the Earth."

Website: www.GreenFutureTalk.com

Twitter: @georgethompson

Books and Weblinks

Sustainable Cities of Tomorrow: Strategies for Implementing Eco-Friendly Urban Planning, Revised Edition

Eco-Innovations: Transforming Urban Spaces into Sustainable Habitats by George Thompson and Jane Doe, Ph.D.

The Blueprint for a Green Revolution: A Guide to Sustainable Living in Modern Cities. George Thompson, December 2023. Island Press: Washington, D.C.

Urban Sustainability: Principles and Practices for Policymakers. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2019).

Greening Our Cities: Practical Approaches to Reducing Carbon Footprints, Sourcebooks: 2017

Building Resilient Communities: Strategies for Adapting to Climate Change. Foreword by Al Gore. Routledge: 2016.

Designing for Life: Creating Livable Urban Environments through Sustainable Architecture, Island Press August 2014.

Eco-Policy Strategies for Urban Planners, Wiley 2012

From Fieldwork to Policy: Insights from an Environmental Scientist/Urban Planner, Island Press 2010.

Inspiring Urban Change: Creative Solutions for a Sustainable Future. Island Press, 2018.

Expert blogs

Planetizen’s 'Thought Leader on Sustainability' and Staff Blogger

Urban Land Magazine's Staff Expert and Columnist