“Steve Jobs of Ecology”
“Steve Jobs of Ecology”
“Steve Jobs of Ecology”
“Steve Jobs of Ecology”
- As described in The Guardian
A professor of global ecology and the founding chair of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. He is also the founder of Restor, a global platform that supports hundreds of thousands of community-led nature initiatives to access data and sustainable financing.
A professor of global ecology and the founding chair of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. He is also the founder of Restor, a global platform that supports hundreds of thousands of community-led nature initiatives to access data and sustainable financing.
Crowther's mission
Crowther's mission
To spark global regeneration, his mission is to move nature restoration from the margins of environmental debate to the centre of global decision-making. He was recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader for his work on global biodiversity protection.
To spark global regeneration, his mission is to move nature restoration from the margins of environmental debate to the centre of global decision-making. He was recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader for his work on global biodiversity protection.
To spark global regeneration, his mission is to move nature restoration from the margins of environmental debate to the centre of global decision-making. He was recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader for his work on global biodiversity protection.
Coming out in June 2026.
The science that ignites a movement
At the core of Crowther’s work is the fundamental science of environmental optimism. The ancient feedback loops that formed stars and shaped our universe can also be the ones to revive our planet if we only allow them to.
After years of chronic stress and emotional fatigue, Maya reached out during a low point. Through small, consistent steps, she rediscovered stability and reconnected with her creative energy.
Coming out in June 2026.
The science that ignites a movement
At the core of Crowther’s work is the fundamental science of environmental optimism. The ancient feedback loops that formed stars and shaped our universe can also be the ones to revive our planet if we only allow them to.
Through these self-reinforcing patterns, the tiniest actions can be steered towards planetary impacts if we nourish them with our attention and enthusiasm. That’s how movements start.
Coming out in June 2026.
The science that ignites a movement
At the core of Crowther’s work is the fundamental science of environmental optimism. The ancient feedback loops that formed stars and shaped our universe can also be the ones to revive our planet if we only allow them to.
Through these self-reinforcing patterns, the tiniest actions can be steered towards planetary impacts if we nourish them with our attention and enthusiasm. That’s how movements start.
The Edge (U2)
“This is the scientific basis for optimism, showing that true regeneration is indeed within our grasp.”
Where it started
The Trillion Trees study that helped spark a movement
The Study
In 2015, Tom Crowther led a global team to map the world’s forests. The goal was simple: understand how many trees exist, where they are, and what that means for restoration.
The Result
The analysis estimated around 3.04 trillion trees worldwide and revealed just how much forest could, in principle, return in the right places.
What Changed
The finding shifted restoration from a feel-good idea to a measurable global opportunity and put it on the political agenda.
What It Sparked
From there, the question became practical: how do we restore ecosystems in ways that strengthen biodiversity and support the people who depend on them?
About
Crowther
Thomas Crowther grew up in North Wales, where he developed an early fascination for biodiversity, and in particular, snakes. But his journey to science did not follow a simple path.
While dyslexia and ADHD made conventional learning difficult, they also led him down a more holistic and collaborative learning journey. This formed the foundation of his highly interdisciplinary research approach.
But this perspective deepened after a stroke in his twenties, which initiated a prolonged period of depression. This turned his attention towards feedback loops – the ancient forces that pull systems toward collapse or regeneration. He argues that his fascination with these universal patterns helped him to face his own depression, but also his relationship with global environmental change.
It is the single lesson – that feedback loops can be steered towards personal, societal and planetary regeneration if we can only stop fighting them – that guides his philosophy.
Where science becomes action
In 2020, Crowther founded Restor – the Google maps for restoration – to close the gap between ecological science and real-world impact. Today, the free online platform supports hundreds of thousands of community-led nature initiatives to access data and sustainable financing.
In 2021, Restor was named an Earthshot Prize finalist, and this work was highlighted in his TED talk on global biodiversity.
200,000
200,000
Nature sites
5,000+
5,000+
Organizations
10,000,000
10,000,000
Land under restoration & conservation
The Edge (U2)
“This is the scientific basis for optimism, showing that true regeneration is indeed within our grasp.”
“This is the scientific basis for optimism, showing that true regeneration is indeed within our grasp.”
The Trillion Trees study that helped spark a movement
Where it started
Where it started
What It Sparked
From there, the question became practical: how do we restore ecosystems in ways that strengthen biodiversity and support the people who depend on them?
The Result
The analysis estimated around 3.04 trillion trees worldwide and revealed just how much forest could, in principle, return in the right places.
What Changed
The finding shifted restoration from a feel-good idea to a measurable global opportunity and put it on the political agenda.
The Study
In 2015, Tom Crowther led a global team to map the world’s forests. The goal was simple: understand how many trees exist, where they are, and what that means for restoration.
In 2020, Crowther founded Restor – the Google maps for restoration – to close the gap between ecological science and real-world impact. Today, the free online platform supports hundreds of thousands of community-led nature initiatives to access data and sustainable financing.
In 2020, Crowther founded Restor – the Google maps for restoration – to close the gap between ecological science and real-world impact. Today, the free online platform supports hundreds of thousands of community-led nature initiatives to access data and sustainable financing.
In 2021, Restor was named an Earthshot Prize finalist, and this work was highlighted in his TED talk on global biodiversity.
In 2021, Restor was named an Earthshot Prize finalist, and this work was highlighted in his TED talk on global biodiversity.
200,000
200,000
Nature sites
5,000+
5,000+
Organizations
10,000,000
10,000,000
Land under restoration & conservation
200,000
200,000
Nature sites
5,000+
5,000+
Organizations
10,000,000
10,000,000
Land under restoration & conservation
200,000
200,000
Nature sites
10,000,000
10,000,000
Land under restoration & conservation
5,000+
5,000+
Organizations
At the TED Countdown Summit, Thomas Crowther lays out the science behind biodiversity restoration and why it matters at a planetary scale.
At the TED Countdown Summit, Thomas Crowther lays out the science behind biodiversity restoration and why it matters at a planetary scale.
About
Crowther
About
Crowther
But this perspective deepened after a stroke in his twenties, which initiated a prolonged period of depression. This turned his attention towards feedback loops – the ancient forces that pull systems toward collapse or regeneration. He argues that his fascination with these universal patterns helped him to face his own depression, but also his relationship with global environmental change.
It is the single lesson – that feedback loops can be steered towards personal, societal and planetary regeneration if we can only stop fighting them – that guides his philosophy.
But this perspective deepened after a stroke in his twenties, which initiated a prolonged period of depression. This turned his attention towards feedback loops – the ancient forces that pull systems toward collapse or regeneration. He argues that his fascination with these universal patterns helped him to face his own depression, but also his relationship with global environmental change.
It is the single lesson – that feedback loops can be steered towards personal, societal and planetary regeneration if we can only stop fighting them – that guides his philosophy.
Thomas Crowther grew up in North Wales, where he developed an early fascination for biodiversity, and in particular, snakes. But his journey to science did not follow a simple path.
While dyslexia and ADHD made conventional learning difficult, they also led him down a more holistic and collaborative learning journey. This formed the foundation of his highly interdisciplinary research approach.
