Ocean life is at risk because of overfishing and global warming, but there are still a few remote places that have been saved from human destruction. This lecture will bring stories from National Geographic Pristine Seas expeditions and share lessons learned about how to bring the ocean back to life.
About the speaker
Dr. Enric Sala is a former university professor who saw himself writing the obituary of ocean life, and quit academia in 2008 to become a full-time conservationist as National Geographic Explorer in Residence.
He founded and leads Pristine Seas, a global initiative that combines exploration, research, media, economics and policy – working with local communities, Indigenous Peoples and governments to protect vital places in the ocean. To date, Pristine Seas has helped to create 27 of the largest marine reserves on the planet, covering an area of over 6.5 million square km (the size of the Amazon region).
Enric has published over 250 research papers, 3 books, produced 30 documentary films, and received numerous awards, including 2008 World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader, 2013 Explorers Club Lowell Thomas Award, 2018 Heinz Award in Public Policy, 2021 Emmy Award for Nature Documentary, National Geographic Hubbard Medal, and Albert I Grand Medal.
He is an Officer of the Order of San Carlos of Colombia and a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Booking information
Monday night lectures are open to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership.
Attending in-person
- All Fellows and Members wanting to attend in person must pre-book a free ticket. You will receive an e-ticket with a QR code that will be scanned on arrival. Your ticket can be shown on a mobile phone or printed. If you do not have a smartphone, we can find your name on the door list instead.
- Doors open at 5.30pm. Please use the Society's entrance on Exhibition Road.
- Monday night lectures are held in person in the Ondaatje Theatre. The bar will be open in the Map Room before and after the lecture. Please be advised all payments are card only.
- The Ondaatje Theatre is fitted with a hearing loop. For the best quality sound we recommend sitting on the outside rows of the front seating section.
- There is step free access to the theatre. Wheelchair spaces can be booked in advance. If you have any questions about the venue, please contact events@rgs.org
Watch online
- You do not need to pre-book to watch the lecture online.
- All Monday night lectures are livestreamed via our website so you can watch them from wherever you are.
If you have any questions or require assistance with your booking, please email events@rgs.org
Venue information
This event will be held in the Ondaatje Lecture Theatre at Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR.
Doors open at 5.30pm. The lecture will begin at 6.30pm.
Plan your visit to the Society and find more information about our venue, including our address, accessibility and transport links.
About Monday night lectures
Our Monday night lectures are exclusive to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership. Members can book to attend the lectures in-person at the Society, or enjoy them live from the comfort of your own home.
These lectures are also recorded and uploaded to our website solely for members to catch up on whenever they like. If you would like to receive a weekly reminder email about the upcoming Monday night lecture, please sign up to our Updates about our Monday night lectures newsletter.
- Lecture
Warmth from below: where ice and ocean meet
As Arctic sea ice melts away, the ocean below is absorbing six times more solar radiation. This lecture will highlight the changing ocean processes melting ice and implications for our weather and climate.
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)Open to allMonday 24 February 2025 - Lecture
Exploring the relationship between environment and people
Changes in the environment are a global phenomenon. However, some people and communities experience the complexities of climate change more than others. This lecture will bring stories from the Global South of small resource-dependent communities facing interconnected social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)Open to allMonday 3 March 2025 - Cancelled
The changing rainforests
A journey through the Congo Basin, reflecting on the future of its iconic wildlife and trees and showing how the African forests are a key part of the climate change puzzle.
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)Open to allMonday 10 March 2025
