Princeton to Host Discussion on Climate Change and Food Systems Featuring Author Michael Grunwald and Scholar Tim Searchinger

Princeton, NJ – Bestselling author and journalist Michael Grunwald is set to appear at Princeton University on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 4:30 PM EDT, for a public discussion centered on his new book, "We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate." The event, announced by Grunwald on social media, will feature him alongside Princeton's own Senior Research Scholar Tim Searchinger, whom Grunwald referred to as "the hero of WE ARE EATING THE EARTH."

The discussion will delve into the critical intersection of food production, land use, and climate change, themes central to Grunwald's latest work. His book argues that humanity's current food system, which has cleared vast land areas for agriculture and contributes significantly to carbon emissions, is unsustainable. The event aims to explore how to feed an anticipated global population of nearly 10 billion by 2050 without further environmental degradation.

Tim Searchinger, a distinguished environmental attorney and research scholar at Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs, is a prominent figure in the book. Grunwald's narrative highlights Searchinger's extensive research and "uphill battles against bad science and bad politics" in the agricultural sector. Searchinger’s work focuses on the ecological and economic implications of food systems, particularly regarding land use change and greenhouse gas emissions.

The conversation will address the urgent need for policy, technological, and behavioral changes to mitigate the climate impact of food production. Grunwald's book, and by extension the Princeton event, advocates for a "new land ethic" that recognizes the intrinsic value of every acre of land. Attendees can expect insights into real solutions being pursued by scientists and entrepreneurs to address these complex challenges.

The event, open to the public, underscores Princeton University's commitment to fostering dialogue on pressing global issues like climate change and sustainability. It provides a platform for experts and the community to engage with the critical findings presented in "We Are Eating the Earth" and discuss actionable strategies for a more sustainable future.