{{Short description|Marine biologist, policy expert (born 1980)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox scientist |name = Ayana Johnson |image = AEJ.jpg |birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|43|2024|5|18}} |birth_place = |death_date = |death_place = |education = [[Harvard University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of California, San Diego]] ([[Master of Science|MS]], [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]]) |thesis_title = Fish, Fishing, Diving and the Management of Coral Reefs |thesis_url = https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8cz488jh |thesis_year = 2011 | organization = Urban Ocean Lab<ref name="UrbanOceanLab" /> | boards = [[Patagonia, Inc.|Patagonia]]<ref name="PatagoniaOwnership">{{cite web |title=Yvon Chouinard Donates Patagonia to Fight Climate Crisis |url=https://www.patagonia.com/ownership/ |website=www.patagonia.com |access-date=20 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=January 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121210425/https://www.patagonia.com/ownership/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br> Greenwave <ref>{{cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.greenwave.org/story#bod |website=GreenWave |access-date=20 January 2024 |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120044546/https://www.greenwave.org/story#bod |url-status=live }}</ref> | awards = [[Time100]] NEXT 2021 <ref>{{cite magazine |title=2021 TIME100 Next: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson |url=https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2021/5937679/ayana-elizabeth-johnson/ |magazine=Time |language=en |date=17 February 2021 |access-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219002621/https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2021/5937679/ayana-elizabeth-johnson/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|doctoral_advisor = [[Jeremy Jackson (scientist)|Jeremy Jackson]] |known_for = [[Marine biology]]<br>[[Marine conservation]]<br>[[Climate communication]]<br>[[Climate policy]] |website = {{URL|ayanaelizabeth.com|Official website}} }} {{external media | width = 210px | headerimage= | video1 = [https://www.ted.com/talks/ayana_elizabeth_johnson_how_to_find_joy_in_climate_action?language=en How to find joy in climate action], TED2022<br> [https://www.ted.com/talks/ayana_elizabeth_johnson_a_coral_reef_love_story A Coral Reef Love Story], TED2019}}
'''Ayana Elizabeth Johnson''' (born {{birth based on age as of date|43|2024|5|18|noage=1}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marchese |first1=David |title=This Scientist Has an Antidote to Our Climate Delusions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/18/magazine/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-interview.html |access-date=18 August 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=18 May 2024 |archive-date=August 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818055106/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/18/magazine/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-interview.html |url-status=live }}</ref>) is a [[marine biologist]], policy expert, and [[Nature conservation|conservation]] strategist. She is the [[co-founder]] of '''Urban Ocean Lab''', a [[think tank]] for ocean-climate policy in coastal cities,<ref name="UrbanOceanLab">{{Cite web|title=Urban Ocean Lab|url=https://urbanoceanlab.org/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Urban Ocean Lab|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629175727/https://urbanoceanlab.org/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Gelles">{{cite news |last1=Gelles |first1=David |title=A Different Approach to Climate Action What if we actually succeed in addressing the crisis? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/24/briefing/climate-action.html |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=Nov 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129023108/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/24/briefing/climate-action.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Roux Distinguished Scholar at [[Bowdoin College]].<ref name="bowdoin.edu">{{Cite web |title=Climate Expert Ayana Elizabeth Johnson Appointed Roux Distinguished Scholar |url=https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2022/10/climate-expert-ayana-elizabeth-johnson-appointed-as-roux-distinguished-scholar.html |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=News |language=en |archive-date=October 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015023204/https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2022/10/climate-expert-ayana-elizabeth-johnson-appointed-as-roux-distinguished-scholar.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She is the author of ''What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures'' (2024). She also co-edited All We Can Save and co-authored the Blue New Deal. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Ayana Elizabeth Johnson |url=https://www.bowdoin.edu/profiles/faculty/a.johnson/index.html |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=Faculty and Staff Profiles |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226173009/https://www.bowdoin.edu/profiles/faculty/a.johnson/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
She was an adjunct professor at [[New York University]] in the Department of Environmental Studies and previously worked for the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]], [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA).
== Early life and education == Johnson grew up in [[Brooklyn|Brooklyn, New York]],<ref name="UrbanOceanLab" /> as the daughter of a teacher/farmer and an architect/potter.<ref name="ayanaelizabeth.com">{{Cite web |title=Bio |url=https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/bio |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Ayana Elizabeth Johnson |language=en-US |archive-date=February 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212183412/https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/bio |url-status=live }}</ref> In high school, she served in the [[Student Conservation Association]], working on the [[Continental Divide Trail]] in the [[San Juan Mountains]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Women in Science Spotlight: Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson {{!}} Connecticut Science Center |url=https://ctsciencecenter.org/blog/women-in-science-spotlight-dr-ayana-elizabeth-johnson/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706101703/https://ctsciencecenter.org/blog/women-in-science-spotlight-dr-ayana-elizabeth-johnson/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://onbeing.org/programs/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-what-if-we-get-this-right/ |title=[Unedited] Ayana Elizabeth Johnson with Krista Tippett |website=The On Being Project |publisher= |host=Krista Tippett |date=June 9, 2022 |time=61:45 |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617212451/https://onbeing.org/programs/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-what-if-we-get-this-right/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Johnson earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in [[environmental science]] and public policy at [[Harvard University]] in 2002, where she was a friend of actress [[Tatyana Ali]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Fresh Prince Star Performs {{!}} News {{!}} The Harvard Crimson |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1999/2/5/former-fresh-prince-star-performs-plast/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=www.thecrimson.com |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503074152/https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1999/2/5/former-fresh-prince-star-performs-plast/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, Johnson earned a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] in marine biology from [[Scripps Institution of Oceanography]] at the [[University of California, San Diego]].<ref name="Scripps">{{cite web |last1=Hook |first1=Brittany |title=Around the Pier: Fighting for the Ocean {{!}} Scripps Institution of Oceanography |url=https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/around-pier-fighting-ocean |website=scripps.ucsd.edu |access-date=20 January 2024 |language=en |date=22 October 2018 |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120043046/https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/around-pier-fighting-ocean |url-status=live }}</ref> Her PhD research focused on understanding multi-disciplinary [[sustainable management]] approaches for [[coral reef]] resources, and her dissertation was entitled ''Fish, Fishing, Diving and the Management of Coral Reefs''.<ref>{{Cite thesis|last=Johnson|first=Ayana Elizabeth|title=Fish, Fishing, Diving and the Management of Coral Reefs|date=2011|publisher=UC San Diego|url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8cz488jh|degree=PhD|archive-date=June 10, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610210110/https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8cz488jh|url-status=live}}</ref>
For her research, Johnson was awarded a [[National Science Foundation]] (NSF) [[NSF-GRFP|Graduate Research Fellowship]], an NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) Fellowship, a Switzer Environmental Fellowship, and was a 2010–11 [[American Association of University Women]] fellow.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=American Fellows Through History|url=https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/american/american-fellows-through-history/|access-date=2020-06-18|website=American Association for University Women|archive-date=June 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610181011/https://www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/american/american-fellows-through-history/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> In 2012, the fish trap she invented to reduce [[bycatch]] won the first Rare/[[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] Solutions Search contest.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WCS's Marine Program Wins Grand Prize for Work in Curacao and Kenya > Newsroom|url=https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6248/WCSs-Marine-Program-Wins-Grand-Prize-for-Work-in-Curacao-and-Kenya.aspx|access-date=2020-06-10|website=newsroom.wcs.org|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709104251/https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6248/WCSs-Marine-Program-Wins-Grand-Prize-for-Work-in-Curacao-and-Kenya.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Career == Johnson's research interests focus on urban [[Ocean Conservation|ocean conservation]], [[sustainable fishing]], [[ocean zoning]], [[climate change]], and [[social justice]]. Johnson has conducted research on the bycatch impacts in Caribbean coral reef trap fisheries<ref>{{cite journal |author=Johnson AE |date=2010 |title=Reducing bycatch in coral reef trap fisheries: escape gaps as a step towards sustainability |journal=Mar Ecol Prog Ser 415:201-209 |doi=10.3354/meps08762}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709110603/http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v415/p201-209// |date=July 9, 2020 }}</ref> and has also collaborated on research related to international collaboration for reducing the impacts of climate change on small island states.<ref>Hind EJ, Alexander SM, Green SJ, Kritzer JP, Sweet MJ, Johnson AE, Amargós FP, Smith NS and Peterson AM. 2015. Fostering effective international collaboration for marine science in small island states. Frontiers in Marine Science, 2: 86.</ref>
Prior to graduate school, Johnson worked for the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]]. After completing her PhD, Johnson worked for the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] and then went on to work as the Director of Science and Solutions at the [[Waitt Institute|Waitt Foundation]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], to fund ocean conservation projects.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Navigating Ocean Conservation as a Woman of Color|work=AAUW: Empowering Women Since 1881|url=https://www.aauw.org/2016/03/25/bias-in-marine-biology/|url-status=dead|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929015333/http://www.aauw.org/2016/03/25/bias-in-marine-biology/|archive-date=2017-09-29}}</ref> In 2013, she became executive director of the [[Waitt Institute]] and co-founded the Blue Halo Initiative to partner with governments and local communities in [[Barbuda]], [[Montserrat]], and [[Curaçao]] to enact more sustainable plans for ocean use and conservation. With the Blue Halo Initiative, Johnson led the Caribbean's first successful ocean zoning project, providing maps, communications, policy support, and scientific assistance to the island Barbuda as it began to regulate and protect its coastal waters.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson {{!}} Ayana Elizabeth Consulting LLC|url=https://www.heartsonfire.org/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-ayana-elizabeth-consulting-llc/|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205143455/https://www.heartsonfire.org/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-ayana-elizabeth-consulting-llc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Waitt Institute|date=October 9, 2013|title=Barbuda Blue Halo - Live Radio Interview (October 2013)|url=https://vimeo.com/77161738|access-date=2018-02-22|website=Vimeo|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709110548/https://vimeo.com/77161738/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bluehalo">{{cite web |title=From the Field: Bringing a Blue Halo to Barbuda |last=Koll |first=Chad |date=5 Jun 2015 |website=Scripps Institution of Oceanography |url=https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/%E2%80%8B-field-bringing-blue-halo-barbuda |access-date=2020-06-18 |archive-date=2020-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621085844/https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/-field-bringing-blue-halo-barbuda |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Currently, Johnson works as a consultant for ocean conservation and climate policy issues and leads Urban Ocean Lab, an ocean policy think tank that she co-founded with Jean Flemma and Marquise Stillwell.<ref name="UrbanOceanLab"/> Until 2021 she was the founder and president of Ocean Collectiv,<ref name="OceanCollectivArchive">{{cite web |title=Ocean Collectiv |url=https://www.oceancollectiv.co/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211011110/https://www.oceancollectiv.co/ |archive-date=11 February 2021 |language=EN |date=11 February 2021 |url-status=usurped}} {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170613093130/https://www.oceancollectiv.co/ Alt URL]}}</ref> a consulting firm that helped find ocean "conservation solutions grounded in social justice".<ref name="OceanCollectivArchive" /> She is also a former adjunct professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at [[New York University]].<ref name="Scripps" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Ghedin Lab: Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson|url=https://wp.nyu.edu/ghedinlab/dr-ayana-elizabeth-johnson/|access-date=2018-02-22|website=New York University|archive-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205143449/https://wp.nyu.edu/ghedinlab/dr-ayana-elizabeth-johnson/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Johnson was a national co-director of partnerships for the inaugural [[March for Science|March For Science]] in 2017.<ref name=":MarchForScience">{{Cite web|title=Ayana Elizabeth Johnson|url=https://as.nyu.edu/content/nyu-as/as/faculty/ayana-johnson.html|access-date=2018-02-23|website=New York University|archive-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205143448/https://as.nyu.edu/content/nyu-as/as/faculty/ayana-johnson.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5" />
In August 2020, Johnson launched the How to Save a Planet podcast<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2021-02-15|title=How to Save A Planet Podcast|url=https://gimletmedia.com/shows/howtosaveaplanet|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822130057/https://gimletmedia.com/shows/howtosaveaplanet |archive-date=August 22, 2020 |access-date=|website=}}</ref> with co-creator and co-host [[Alex Blumberg]]. In September 2020 One World/[[Penguin Random House]] published Johnson's first book, ''[[All We Can Save]]'', which is an anthology of writing by women climate leaders edited by Johnson and [[Katharine Wilkinson]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kaplan|first=Sarah|title=They edited a book about the climate crisis. Here's what they learned about hope.|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/08/31/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-katharine-wilkinson-climate/|access-date=2020-09-13|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916070853/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2020/08/31/ayana-elizabeth-johnson-katharine-wilkinson-climate/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Martinko|first=Katherine|date=2020-11-17|title='All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis' (Book Review)|url=https://www.treehugger.com/all-we-can-save-book-review-5088019|access-date=2020-12-11|website=Treehugger|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128233929/https://www.treehugger.com/all-we-can-save-book-review-5088019|url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2021, Johnson organized a joint statement signed by over 100 notable figures demanding that [[Edelman (firm)|Edelman]] end its work with fossil fuel companies, such as [[Exxon]]. She also promoted the hashtag #EdelmanDropExxon on social media.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/edelman-pr-firm-fossil-fuels|title=Designers and Creators Call Out PR Giant Edelman for Its Continued Work With Fossil Fuel Companies|last=Specter|first=Emma|date=10 November 2021|work=Vogue|archive-date=November 11, 2021|access-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111183423/https://www.vogue.com/article/edelman-pr-firm-fossil-fuels|url-status=live}}</ref>
She was the editor for [[The Best American Science and Nature Writing]] 2022 – a collection of science and nature articles published in 2021.
In July 2023, Johnson began a three-year tenure as the Roux Distinguished Scholar at [[Bowdoin College]].<ref name="bowdoin.edu"/>
In September 2024, Johnson published the [[New York Times]] Bestselling<ref name="n007">{{cite web | title=Hardcover Nonfiction Books | website=The New York Times | date=2024-10-06 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2024/10/06/hardcover-nonfiction/ | access-date=2025-09-10 | archive-date=October 19, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251019212939/https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2024/10/06/hardcover-nonfiction/ | url-status=live }}</ref> book ''What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures'' published by One World/[[Penguin Random House]]. It received a starred review in ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'', which called it "a much-needed antidote to 'climate grief.{{Single+double}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 3, 2024 |title=What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780593229361 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=August 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818054659/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780593229361 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2025, the book won the Phi Beta Kappa Award for Science.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pbk.org/awards/bookawards/winners-2025 |title=2025 Winners |work=Phi Beta Kappa |access-date=2026-02-13}}</ref>
== Honors and recognition == In 2014, Johnson was named a Mack Lipkin Man and Nature Series Fellow.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 Mack Lipkin Man and Nature Series Panel Discussion |url=https://www.amnh.org/research/center-for-biodiversity-conservation/convening-and-connecting/lipkin/2014 |access-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831144055/https://www.amnh.org/research/center-for-biodiversity-conservation/convening-and-connecting/lipkin/2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> She was selected as an inaugural [[TED (conference)|TED]] resident in Spring 2016 and was a 2016 Aspen Institute Fellow.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=2016-04-25|title=Meet our first class of TED Residents|work=TED Blog|url=https://blog.ted.com/meet-our-first-class-of-ted-residents/|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=September 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904103616/http://blog.ted.com/meet-our-first-class-of-ted-residents/|url-status=live}}</ref> She was named a [[University of California, San Diego|University of California San Diego]] "40 Under 40" outstanding alumni.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UC San Diego 40 Under 40: All Honorees|url=https://www.alumni.ucsd.edu/s/1170/bp17/interior.aspx?sid=1170&gid=1&pgid=8244|access-date=2020-06-10|website=www.alumni.ucsd.edu|archive-date=February 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223173410/https://www.alumni.ucsd.edu/s/1170/bp17/interior.aspx?sid=1170&gid=1&pgid=8244|url-status=dead}}</ref> She serves on the board of directors for [[Patagonia, Inc.|Patagonia]], [[GreenWave|Greenwave]],<ref name="ayanaelizabeth.com"/> and [[World Surf League]]'s PURE campaign<ref>{{Cite web|title=Billion Oyster Project {{!}} BOARD|url=https://www.billionoysterproject.org/board|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Billion Oyster Project|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619183517/https://www.billionoysterproject.org/board|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WSL PURE - Our commitment to ocean health|url=https://www.worldsurfleague.com/pure|access-date=2020-06-10|website=World Surf League|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627232537/https://www.worldsurfleague.com/pure|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as on the advisory board for the Environmental Voter Project.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-09-05|title=Leadership|url=https://www.environmentalvoter.org/leadership|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Environmental Voter Project|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529224830/https://www.environmentalvoter.org/leadership|url-status=live}}</ref>
She was formerly on the advisory boards for the [[Simons Foundation]]'s Science Sandbox,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Advisory|url=https://www.simonsfoundation.org/outreach/science-sandbox/about/staff/?type=advisor|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Simons Foundation|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623153618/https://www.simonsfoundation.org/outreach/science-sandbox/about/staff/?type=advisor|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Scientific American]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scientific American: Board of Advisers|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/pressroom/board-of-advisers/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Pressroom|archive-date=November 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108221819/https://www.scientificamerican.com/pressroom/board-of-advisers/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Oceanic Global.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Who We Are|url=https://oceanic.global/who-we-are/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Oceanic Global|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616171722/https://oceanic.global/who-we-are/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2016, Johnson delivered a [[TED (conference)|TED]] talk in New York City, "How to Use the Ocean Without Using it Up".<ref>{{Citation|last=TED Residency|title=Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: How to use the ocean without using it up|date=2016-11-21|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNa2nKOBzxc|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618013628/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNa2nKOBzxc|url-status=live}}</ref> She delivered a second [[TED (conference)|TED]] talk in Vancouver, "A Love Story for the Coral Reef Crisis".<ref>{{Citation|last=Johnson|first=Ayana Elizabeth|title=A love story for the coral reef crisis|date=October 18, 2019|url=https://www.ted.com/talks/ayana_elizabeth_johnson_a_coral_reef_love_story|access-date=2020-09-13|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120041549/https://www.ted.com/talks/ayana_elizabeth_johnson_a_coral_reef_love_story|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, she was a keynote speaker at the [[Smithsonian Institution]] "[[Earth Optimism]]" conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://earthoptimism.si.edu/calendar/2017/speakers/ayana-johnson|title=Ayana Elizabeth Johnson {{!}} Earth Optimism Summit|last=|first=|website=Smithsonian Conservation Commons|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=April 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430133649/https://earthoptimism.si.edu/calendar/2017/speakers/ayana-johnson|url-status=dead}}</ref> She advised and moderated the inaugural World Ocean Festival in 2017.<ref name="fest">{{cite web |title=World Ocean Festival and National Geographic Host Ocean Experts on Governors Island on June 4 |website=Business Wire |date=24 May 2017 |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170524006066/en/World-Ocean-Festival-National-Geographic-Host-Ocean |access-date=2020-06-18 |archive-date=June 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619042744/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170524006066/en/World-Ocean-Festival-National-Geographic-Host-Ocean |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2018, she took part in the [[YouTube]] series "Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants".<ref>{{Citation|last=Exploring By The Seat Of Your Pants|title=Dr. Ayana Johnson {{!}} Marine Biologist and Conservation Strategist|date=2018-02-21|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOPoj_es4tY|access-date=2018-02-23|archive-date=July 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709104241/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOPoj_es4tY|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2021, she was named a [[Time 100|''Time''100 Next]], nominated by [[Gina McCarthy]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=2021 Time100 Next: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson|url=https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2021/5937679/ayana-elizabeth-johnson/|access-date=2021-02-18|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|archive-date=February 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219002621/https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2021/5937679/ayana-elizabeth-johnson/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In June 2022, Johnson was appointed a member of the [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State]], [[Antony Blinken]]'s [[Foreign Affairs Policy Board]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secretary Blinken Selects Members of the Foreign Affairs Policy Board |url=https://www.state.gov/secretary-blinken-selects-members-of-the-foreign-affairs-policy-board/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=United States Department of State |language=en}}</ref>
== Media coverage == Johnson's work has been covered by ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Revkin|first=Andrew C.|title=A Small Island Takes a Big Step on Ocean Conservation|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 22, 2014|department=Dot Earth Blog|url=https://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/22/a-small-island-takes-a-big-step-on-ocean-conservation/|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051321/https://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/22/a-small-island-takes-a-big-step-on-ocean-conservation/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'' journal,<ref>{{Cite web|title=From despair to repair: Empowering communities to restore their oceans: Soapbox Science|url=http://blogs.nature.com/soapboxscience/2015/02/27/empowering-communities-to-restore-their-oceans|access-date=2018-02-22|website=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]|publisher=Nature Publishing Group|archive-date=February 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216014511/http://blogs.nature.com/soapboxscience/2015/02/27/empowering-communities-to-restore-their-oceans|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Scientific American]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|vauthors=Mulrennan M, Johnson AE|title=7 Award-Winning Apps Launch a Mobile Age for the Ocean Economy|work=Scientific American Blog Network|url=https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/7-award-winning-apps-launch-a-mobile-age-for-the-ocean-economy/|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051715/https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/7-award-winning-apps-launch-a-mobile-age-for-the-ocean-economy/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[The Atlantic]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Narula|first=Svati Kirsten|title=How the Famous Marshmallow Study Explains Environmental Conservation|work=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/03/how-the-famous-marshmallow-study-explains-environmental-conservation/284190/|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051237/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/03/how-the-famous-marshmallow-study-explains-environmental-conservation/284190/|url-status=live}}</ref> Her conservation and policy work is frequently profiled in popular media, including ''[[observer.com|The Observer]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-04-21|title=Meet the Brooklyn-Born Marine Biologist Co-Leading the 'March for Science'|url=https://observer.com/2017/04/brooklyn-marine-biologist-march-science-trump/|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Observer|archive-date=September 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928184010/https://observer.com/2017/04/brooklyn-marine-biologist-march-science-trump/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Atlas of the Future'',<ref>{{Cite web|last=Goldapple|first=Lisa|date=2019-09-25|title=Fighting for ocean justice: Ayana Elizabeth Johnson|url=https://atlasofthefuture.org/fighting-for-ocean-justice-ayana-elizabeth-johnson/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Atlas of the Future|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418135441/https://atlasofthefuture.org/fighting-for-ocean-justice-ayana-elizabeth-johnson/ |archive-date=April 18, 2020 }}</ref> ''[[Outside (magazine)|Outside]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Granada|first=Stephanie|date=2017-08-29|title=Meet the Most Influential Marine Biologist of Our Time|work=Outside Online|url=https://www.outsideonline.com/2235771/meet-most-influential-marine-biologist-our-time|access-date=2018-02-22|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051440/https://www.outsideonline.com/2235771/meet-most-influential-marine-biologist-our-time|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]'', which named her as one of the "27 Women Leading the Charge to Protect Our Environment".<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Hyl|first1=Véronique|last2=Rougeau|first2=Naomi|last3=Vadnal|first3=Julie|date=2019-06-06|title=These 27 Women Are Leading the Charge to Protect Our Environment|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/a27733802/women-in-conservation-list/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Elle|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512182843/https://www.elle.com/culture/a27733802/women-in-conservation-list/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Johnson's writing about the intersections of climate change, ocean conservation, and [[environmental justice]] has been published in numerous outlets, including ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Ayana Elizabeth|date=2019-05-27|title=Opinion {{!}} The Concrete Jungle Has 578 Miles of Shoreline at Risk (Published 2019)|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/27/opinion/ocean-climate-new-york.html|access-date=2021-02-25|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804015211/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/27/opinion/ocean-climate-new-york.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Ayana Elizabeth|title=Perspective {{!}} I'm a black climate expert. Racism derails our efforts to save the planet.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/06/03/im-black-climate-scientist-racism-derails-our-efforts-save-planet/|access-date=2021-02-25|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913055624/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/06/03/im-black-climate-scientist-racism-derails-our-efforts-save-planet/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Ayana Elizabeth|title=Opinion {{!}} Our oceans brim with climate solutions. We need a Blue New Deal.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/10/green-new-deal-has-big-blue-gap-we-need-protect-our-oceans/|access-date=2021-02-25|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Johnson|first=Ayana Elizabeth|title=We Can't Solve the Climate Crisis Unless Black Lives Matter|url=https://time.com/5864705/climate-change-black-lives-matter/|access-date=2021-02-25|magazine=Time|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922050754/https://time.com/5864705/climate-change-black-lives-matter/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Scientific American''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Ayana Elizabeth|title=To Save the Climate, Look to the Oceans|url=https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/to-save-the-climate-look-to-the-oceans/|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Scientific American|archive-date=September 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930035916/https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/to-save-the-climate-look-to-the-oceans/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Ayana Elizabeth|title=5 Things That Went Right for Climate Action in 2019|url=https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/5-things-that-went-right-for-climate-action-in-2019/|access-date=2021-02-25|website=Scientific American Blog Network}}</ref> She was interviewed by the [[NPR]] podcast, ''Short Wave'', in 2020 following her ''Washington Post'' op-ed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=The Inseparable Link Between Climate Change And Racial Justice|newspaper=NPR.org|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/06/16/878941532/the-inseparable-link-between-climate-change-and-racial-justice|access-date=|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214125951/https://www.npr.org/2020/06/16/878941532/the-inseparable-link-between-climate-change-and-racial-justice|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2013, she has contributed to the [[National Geographic Society]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ayana Elizabeth Johnson|url=https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/author/ajohnson/|access-date=2018-02-22|website=National Geographic Blog|archive-date=February 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051821/https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/author/ajohnson/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[HuffPost]]'' blogs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson|url=https://www.huffpost.com/author/dr-ayana-elizabeth-johnson|access-date=2020-06-10|website=[[HuffPost]]|archive-date=September 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922213239/https://www.huffpost.com/author/dr-ayana-elizabeth-johnson|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{wikiquote}} * [https://www.waittinstitute.org/initiatives Waitt Institute Initiatives] * [https://urbanoceanlab.org/ Urban Ocean Lab] * How to Save a Planet [https://open.spotify.com/episode/78Nkbxjsc4r71jLcNJ4S1d?si=1hkwgRoiTjOE8tWyzvJ2bA podcast] * [https://www.allwecansave.earth/ All We Can Save]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Ayana Elizabeth}} [[Category:20th-century African-American people]] [[Category:20th-century African-American women]] [[Category:21st-century African-American scientists]] [[Category:21st-century African-American women]] [[Category:21st-century American biologists]] [[Category:1980 births]] [[Category:American marine biologists]] [[Category:Climate communication]] [[Category:Harvard University alumni]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:New York University faculty]] [[Category:Scientists from New York City]] [[Category:Scripps Institution of Oceanography alumni]] [[Category:Women marine biologists]] [[Category:Scientific American people]] [[Category:Biologists from New York (state)]] [[Category:African-American biologists]] [[Category:21st-century American women academics]] [[Category:21st-century American academics]] [[Category:21st-century American women biologists]]