43. George Monbiot
The Conscience of the Environment
Few figures in British public life embody the spirit of conscience and conviction as powerfully as George Monbiot. Born in 1963 in London, Monbiot studied zoology at Oxford before embarking on a career as a writer and activist. From the outset, his passion was clear: to protect the natural world and to hold power to account in the face of environmental destruction.
Monbiot first gained attention as an investigative journalist, travelling to some of the world’s most fragile ecosystems and dangerous conflict zones. His reporting from the Amazon, Africa, and beyond revealed the devastating consequences of exploitation and corruption. These early adventures were chronicled in works such as Poisoned Arrows and Amazon Watershed, which blended gripping narrative with an urgent call for action.
In Britain, Monbiot became best known as a columnist for The Guardian, where his clear, uncompromising prose has inspired readers for decades. He writes with passion but also with precision, combining moral force with rigorous research. His subjects are wide-ranging — climate breakdown, rewilding, inequality, and the failures of political systems — yet his message is consistent: change is possible, but it requires courage.
Among his most influential contributions is his advocacy for rewilding, the restoration of ecosystems to their natural state. His book Feral (2013) helped to spark a movement in Britain and beyond, challenging conventional thinking about conservation. Later works, including Regenesis (2022), explored sustainable food systems and offered bold visions for how humanity might thrive without destroying the planet.
Monbiot’s personal dedication is as inspiring as his writing. He has been arrested at protests, confronted corporations, and never shied away from speaking uncomfortable truths. Yet he is no doom-monger: his voice is hopeful, practical, and deeply humane.
In George Monbiot, Britain has a public intellectual who is both fearless and visionary. His life’s work reminds us that protecting the Earth is not only an environmental duty but also a moral one. As climate change continues to define our era, his voice will remain vital — a conscience for the planet, urging us towards a greener, fairer future.

