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Paul Ehrlich in 2010. Paul R. Ehrlich/Wikipedia, CC BY
Paul Ehrlich, a pioneering scientist, influential public voice on environmental issues and a longtime supporter of SEJ, died March 13, 2026. SEJ mourns his loss.
Ehrlich, a Stanford University conservation biologist, was one of the most visible scientists of the past half-century, widely known for his work on population, biodiversity and the ecological consequences of human activity. He was also an early and enthusiastic supporter of SEJ.
“Paul was a great friend to SEJ.”
— Jay Letto, retired SEJ conference director
He and his wife, Anne, were among SEJ’s first academic members and remained donors for many years. In 2010, Ehrlich helped elevate the organization’s profile by nominating SEJ for the Gulbenkian Award, which the group went on to win for its work in helping journalists better understand biodiversity and ecological systems. This was the kind of behind-the-scenes boost that defined his relationship with the organization. “Paul was a great friend to SEJ,” said Jay Letto, retired SEJ conference director.
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| Paul Ehrlich in 1974. Paul R. Ehrlich/Wikipedia, CC BY |
A frequent and memorable presence at SEJ conferences, Ehrlich spoke at multiple meetings and played a central role in shaping key conversations. For example, he spoke during the organization’s “Doomsayers v. Naysayers” plenary session in 1996, a pivotal moment that helped shift environmental journalism away from debating the existence of climate change and toward the more nuanced work of covering its complexities and impacts.
At a 2007 SEJ conference plenary at Stanford, Ehrlich intervened during a panel discussion to refocus the conversation on future energy solutions, underscoring his commitment to substantive, forward-looking dialogue — a moment colleagues still point to as classic Ehrlich: impatient with detours, focused on what comes next.
Colleagues remember Ehrlich not only for his scientific contributions, but also for his willingness to engage publicly and challenge misinformation. He was a leading advocate for the idea that scientists have a responsibility to speak out on urgent environmental issues.
Ehrlich’s legacy endures in the generations of scientists, journalists and advocates he influenced, and in the broader understanding of humanity’s impact on the natural world that he helped bring to the forefront.
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