Paul Stamets

Solutions from the Underground: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World

As we are now well-engaged in the Sixth Major Extinction on Earth, our biosphere is quickly changing, eroding the life support systems that have allowed humans to ascend. Unless we put into action policies and technologies that can cause a course correction in the very near future, species diversity will continue to plummet, with humans not only being the primary cause, but one of the victims. What can we do? Fungi, particularly mushrooms, offer some powerful, practical solutions which can be put into practice now. If it were not for the biological prejudice against mushrooms, science would be better prepared for facing these challenges. Paul will present six inventions which will help steer ecosystems and humanity to a healthier future.

Paul Stamets has written six mushroom-related books. Several are used as textbooks around the world by the gourmet and medicinal mushroom industries. He is the author of many scholarly papers in peer-reviewed journals. Paul received National Geographic Adventure magazine’s “Green-O-vator” award and the Argosy Foundation’s “E-chievement” award. In November of 2008, the Utne Reader recognized Paul as one of the 50 Visionaries of the Year.