Éric Lambin, professor at the Université Catholique de Louvain, wins the Blue Planet Prize 2019
This year, UCLouvain professor Éric Lambin has been crowned with this particularly prestigious award for environmental science, more specifically for his research into global land use. He compared satellite readings of the earth with social-economic data to demonstrate the impact of globalisation on ecosystems and to evaluate the efficiency of environmental policy.
With research covering the African savannah, the Himalayas, the Amazon rainforest and all corners of the earth, Éric Lambin has attempted to figure out the causes of deforestation and soil degradation. He has also considered the conditions under which reforestation is realised and more sustainable practices are approved. His team have demonstrated that reforestation is connected with the transfer of timber extraction and agricultural production abroad. This finding emphasizes the importance of dealing with land management internationally, over the borders, and taking responsibility for the effect of globalisation on the exploitation of natural ecosystems. The UCLouvain study is currently evaluating the efficiency of new public and private forms of environmental management in agriculture and forestry.
The Blue Planet Prize is an annual award issued by the Japanese Asahi Glass Foundation to two scientists for their special efforts towards resolving environmental concerns.