An expert in ecosystem science and sustainability, Dr. Foley is steering the Academy through an exciting chapter in its 160-year history, leading its efforts to explore and explain the natural world while addressing critical sustainability challenges. Read his full bio.
The California Academy of Sciences has just launched a bold, new multimedia magazine—bioGraphic—to share the wonders of the natural world, and celebrate the scientists and practitioners who work to sustain it.
We’re only as good as the stories we tell.
That’s why I worry about the current media landscape. Day after day, we hear countless stories of disaster, mayhem, and despair. That’s what sells. And while there are many things to be concerned about in the world today, I am convinced we are only hearing half of the story. The truth is, there are many good things happening in the world today, and I want to hear more about them. In fact, I want to help shout those stories from the rooftop!
Why aren’t we hearing more about the amazing wonders of the natural world? Or more about the scientists who are exploring the hidden jewels of our planet, making incredible discoveries every day? Or about the environmental leaders who are working diligently, making important differences in the world, helping ensure our long-term sustainability?
And what about good science reporting? Sadly, that’s in short supply too. In fact, the number of U.S. daily newspapers with dedicated science sections dropped from 95 in 1989 to just 19 today. Sadly, as good science reporting is in steep decline, we need it more than ever. Amazingly, Americans are still confused about the basic science behind evolution, climate change, and other crucial topics. We need to do better.
But rather than complain about the world’s media landscape, we at the California Academy of Sciences have decided to act and change it.
I am pleased to announce that, today, we have launched bioGraphic, a bold, new multimedia magazine devoted to the wonders and sustainability of the natural world. You can visit it at biographic.com, and follow on Twitter (@biographic) and Facebook (facebook.com/biographic.magazine) to check out new stories and immersive content every week.
bioGraphic will showcase strange and beautiful creatures, celebrate our planet’s awesome biodiversity and ecosystems, highlight extraordinary scientific discoveries, and share mind-blowing innovations and ideas for sustaining life on Earth. We take special care to tell stories that illustrate the rich connections among organisms, ecosystems, and human societies—and the need to sustain them all. Our approach will draw in audiences with both incredible visuals and thought-provoking narratives, offering new perspectives on the natural world.
This new multimedia magazine is also a thing of eye-popping beauty. Going beyond what web-based magazines have ever done before, bioGraphic has an innovative mix of in-depth reporting, vivid storytelling, stunning photography, and immersive multimedia—including interactive story-maps, infographics and data visualizations, and 3D images. We will use this wide variety of tools and techniques to tell stories about some of the world’s most spectacular places, most interesting people, strangest and most beautiful creatures, most pressing environmental issues, and most promising sustainability solutions. Our goal is to bring stories from across the globe to life in engaging and unexpected ways.
I urge you to visit bioGraphic today, and to help us spread the word by sharing your favorite pieces with friends and colleagues, whether through word of mouth, email, or social media. You can help us connect to broader audiences and accelerate the growth of this innovative platform. We need you!
Together, we will change the stories we tell about this world, which will give us a fighting chance to sustain it.
In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments—you can find me on Twitter (@GlobalEcoGuy) or on Facebook.
Best Wishes,
Jon
Dr. Jonathan Foley
