We are at a turning point in human history, and why there are grounds for environmental optimism, Erik Solheim

Erik Solheim is a well known global leader on environment and development as well as an experienced peace negotiator. He served as Norwegian minister of Environment and International Development from 2005-12. During that period he initiated the global program for conservation of rainforests and brought through game changing National legislation - among them the Biodiversity Act and legislation to protect Oslo city forests. He brought Norwegian development assistance to 1%, the highest in the world.

Erik has been chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (the main body of world donors) as well as Executive Director of UN Environment. He  led the peace efforts in Sri Lanka as the main negotiator of the peace process and played a vital role in peace efforts in Nepal , Myanmar and Sudan.

Currently he is senior adviser at World Resource Institute and Convener of the Global Coalition for Green Belt and Road and serves as the CEO of the Plastic REVolution Foundation. The latter is a newly founded initiative that aims to eliminate plastic waste and pollution, beginning in Accra, Ghana. Erik is also adviser to Singapore based April/RGE and cochair of Treelion a Singapore green blockchain company.

People may contact him via erik.solheim@plasticrevolution.earth