Lesley Hughes is a globally recognised expert on the impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems, but she’s also notable for her role in the Australian Climate Council. This is an independent non-profit organisation formed by former members of the Climate Commission, which had been a government organisation, after it was abolished following the election of Tony Abbott. The startup funding for this new Council was raised through crowdfunding, and Hughes is one of six expert Councillors at the organisation. Hughes therefore not only plays a key role in our recognition of how biodiversity loss intersects with global warming, but is also on the forefront of battles between scientists and sceptic politicians.

Barbara Buchner
How will we pay for action on climate change?

Sharan Burrow
Leading the workers’ fight on climate

Winnie Byanyima
Oxfam’s leader bringing expertise on gender and climate change

Heidi Cullen
Climatologist leading us through Years of Living Dangerously

Judith Curry
Blogger and scientist favoured by sceptics

Christiana Figueres
Most powerful woman in climate? Heads the UNFCCC

Tamsin Edwards
Scientist making a name for herself as a fearless communicator

Joanna Haigh
Solar expert, rare female Fellow of the Royal Society

Katherine Hayhoe
Evangelical Christian climate scientist and communicator

Connie Hedegaard
Danish politician, been leading EU work on climate

Lesley Hughes
Scientist standing up to politicians’ scepticism in Australia

Naomi Klein
Writer inviting us to consider ideological sides of climate debate

Annie Leonard
New head of Greenpeace USA, community organiser

Corinne Le Quéré
Scientist highly respected in communications and policy

Gina McCarthy
Head of the EPA, face of Obama’s recent climate push

Naomi Oreskes
Historian of science pointing out the ‘merchants of doubt’

Mary Robinson
First female President of Ireland, UN Special Envoy for Climate Change

Julia Slingo
Helping us understand climate and weather

Koko Warner
World authority on climate change and migration

Ailun Yang
Helping unpick low-carbon development in China and elsewhere
Founded in 1931, the International Council for Science (ICSU) is a non-governmental organization representing a global membership that includes both national scientific bodies (121 National Members representing 141 countries) and International Scientific Unions (30 Members).
Road to Paris is where science, policy and economics meet on our way to the 2015 climate conference in Paris.
Road to Paris is where science, policy and economics meet on our way to the 2015 climate conference in Paris.