Star-Studded Global Book Launch Held at the Explorers Club for 'Hope for Life on Our Planet'

Global Book Launch at The Explorers Club

On October 1, 2025, The Explorers Club held a spectacular global book launch event titled Hope for Life on Our Planet: Inspiration for Seven Generations. This event coincided with the 80th United Nations General Assembly and the 16th annual Climate Week, attracting an impressive array of attendees from various sectors, including global leaders in government, business, culture, science, and academia.

A Star-Studded Lineup

The event was marked by inspirational talks and surprise appearances. Among the notable speakers were Michael Douglas, famous actor and UN Messenger of Peace, and Dame Jane Goodall, the renowned ethologist and conservationist, both of whom delivered significant messages about hope and leadership.

Explorers Club President Emeritus Ted Janulis and Trustee Leonard Levie opened the evening, setting a tone of urgency and inspiration. They highlighted the collaborative nature of the book, which features contributions from over 60 influential personalities spanning various disciplines.

A Unifying Message of Hope

The editor of the book, Dr. Osvald Bjelland, who is also the Founder and Chairman of the Origination Foundation, shared insights into the book's creation and its mission. Remarkably, he recounted his efforts alongside Berit Reiss-Andersen, the former Chair of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, to secure a poignant essay from Iranian Nobel Peace Laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was in solitary confinement at the time. The event took an emotionally charged turn when Dr. Bjelland revealed a live video link to Mohammadi, allowing her to address the audience directly from Tehran.

Notable Tributes and Perspectives

Dame Jane Goodall emphasized the critical need for hope during challenging times, stating: "This is an important book because we are going through dark times, and it is more important than ever that we have hope. The book could not come at a better time."

Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon, shared his views on leadership, asserting that a leader must embody hope and empower others to feel the same. He mentioned, “Hope can energize us to do difficult and valuable work – and to believe we can change the world through hard work – and smart work.”

Narges Mohammadi, despite being imprisoned, delivered a powerful message: “No wall can imprison hope, and no power can destroy our belief in freedom and justice.” Her statement resonated deeply, reinforcing the book's theme of resilience and optimism.

Collaboration Across Fields

The collective expertise of the book's contributors includes three Nobel laureates and leaders from various sectors, including religious figures, business executives, and pioneers in science and conservation. Contributors also included respected figures such as World Bank President Ajay Banga and Tata Sons' Natarajan Chandrasekaran, as well as scientific stalwarts like Robert Swan and others. Their essays offer unique insights into the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration to combat the crises facing our planet.

Conclusion

The book launch at The Explorers Club was not just an elucidation of ideas but a rallying cry for interconnected efforts toward global well-being and ecological sustainability. This initiative seeks to inspire a new generation to take actionable steps toward preserving our planet for future generations. Through the maintained spirit of hope, as evidenced by the contributions and sentiments shared, the event marked a critical juncture in the ongoing dialogue around climate action and social justice.

The book, Hope for Life on Our Planet, is now available on major platforms including Amazon, encouraging engagement and action from all readers eager to contribute to a hopeful future.