Renowned environmental scientist and adventurer, with pragmatic solutions to global challenges
Tim Jarvis is a highly acclaimed environmental scientist and adventurer, who has dedicated over three decades to addressing critical environmental challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing expeditions, films, books, and public speaking engagement, he seeks to create pragmatic solutions and foster deeper understandings. Tim currently provides strategic and practical sustainability advice to government and a range of corporate organisations and advocacy groups.
With a passion for the outdoors, Tim seamlessly blends his expertise in environmental science with his adventurous spirit. His extensive experience in leading expeditions to some of the world’s most remote locations has provided him with invaluable insights into team dynamics and high-performance leadership, that he shares with audiences worldwide. His pragmatic optimism is noticeably present in both his expeditions and sustainability endeavours. Recognising the task at hand, Tim champions outcome focused goal-setting, adaptability, resilience, and effective teamwork as the building blocks for success.
Renowned for his historically authentic recreations of the Antarctic survival journeys undertaken by legendary explorers Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton, Tim’s contributions extend far beyond exploration. He’s the founder of The Forktree Project, a native revegetation initiative on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, demonstrating his commitment to tangible environmental responsibility.
Tim founded the 25zero Project to highlight glacier retreat on equatorial mountains, which expanded into a 2016 documentary, focusing on glaciers and affected communities. Additionally, his expeditions, documented in acclaimed films like ‘Mawson – Life and Death in Antarctica’, have won numerous awards for their environmental advocacy. Tim is also the author of ‘The Unforgiving Minute’ (2004), which recounts his expeditions to the North and South Poles, and several Australian deserts. As well as his book, ‘Chasing Shackleton: Recreating the World's Greatest Journey of Survival’, released in 2013 in the UK, Australia, and the following year in the USA.
Tim’s influence resonates globally through his roles as Global Ambassador and Governor of environmental NGO WWF, Southern Ocean Ambassador to Save Our Marine Life, and Vice President of Flora and Fauna International. His strategic and practical sustainability advice shapes policies for governments, corporations, and advocacy groups.
In recognition of his tireless efforts, Tim was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010 for his outstanding contributions to the environment, community, and exploration. His accolades include being named Conservationist of the Year by the Australian Geographic Society in 2016, being made a ‘Bragg Fellow’ by the Royal Institution of Australia (2017), and receiving the prestigious South Australia’s Australian of the Year award for 2024.