Pathways to Sustainable Land Systems: Highlights from GLP’s 5th Open Science Meeting

Global scholars and leading scientists unite to explore just land-use pathways.

The Global Land Programme (GLP), an international research network advancing studies of rapid changes to Earth’s environment and headquartered at the University of Maryland, hosted its 5th Open Science Meeting (OSM) in Oaxaca, Mexico from Nov. 4 to 8, 2024. GLP OSM5 brought together over 600 scientists from more than 52 countries to explore pathways to sustainable and just land systems.

GLP also supported the attendance of 34 Global Scholars, participants from low- or middle-income countries as well as minority serving institutions. Leading up to the OSM, GLP hosted several pre-meetings, including NASA’s Land Cover and Land Use Change (LCLUC) program’s Latin America Regional Meeting, GLP Working Group meetings, and the launch of GLP’s Early Career Network.

The meeting offered a dynamic program with over 90 sessions, featuring over 550 presentations across traditional research presentations and innovative, immersive formats, as well as an evening poster session in the exhibition hall. Attendees had a wide array of choices as they navigated each packed day of activities. Daily plenary sessions from the field’s foremost scientists addressed key themes such as land-use change, transformative solutions, and Indigenous perspectives. NASA’s LCLUC network played a significant role, contributing to two dedicated sessions and providing keynote addresses from Chris Justice and Meha Jain.

NASA LCLUC scientist Krishna Vadrevu [left] and Distinguished University Professor Chris Justice. Courtesy of the GLP.

Beyond the scientific program, highlights included a festive Oaxacan welcome featuring traditional parades, rich local cuisine, and many colorful cultural celebrations.

The OSM was organized by the OSM5 Scientific and Organizing Committees in collaboration with GLP’s Scientific Steering Committee, with essential support from GLP’s International Programme Office, housed in the Department of Geographical Sciences at UMD since 2023.

This article was written by the GLP.