Dear colleagues and friends of the Emergy community,
As I conclude my term as the 10th President of ISAER, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve and collaborate with such an engaged and thoughtful community. This period has been both a personal honor and a collective milestone, marked by meaningful initiatives that reflect the vitality and continuity of the Emergy Society.
My presidency coincided with the centennial of H.T. Odum’s birth, a moment of celebration, remembrance, and renewed commitment. Events organized in China and Brazil — along with the preparation of a special issue in Ecological Modelling — reflected the international reach of our Society and the continued relevance of Odum’s work.
One of the central initiatives of this period was a Society-wide consultation on the future of ISAER. We invited contributions from colleagues around the world, and from this rich exchange emerged a shared vision document that outlines five key priorities for the Society:
- Enhancing communication and member engagement, especially through regular newsletters, webinars, and mentoring initiatives, with a focus on including younger researchers and students in Society activities.
- Expanding international collaboration, encouraging partnerships with other scientific organizations and policy networks, to integrate emergy into broader sustainability dialogues and research programs.
- Strengthening education and research infrastructure, by supporting the creation of academic courses, certified training, and mentoring between senior and early-career scholars.
- Integrating emergy with other sustainability tools and frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), life cycle assessment, and circular economy initiatives — reinforcing emergy as a foundational systems approach.
- Increasing visibility and outreach, through digital platforms, social media, open-access resources, and multimedia content to share knowledge and attract new audiences.
These points reflect not only the aspirations of our members, but also a practical agenda for ISAER’s ongoing evolution.
This period also witnessed the realization of Emergy Synthesis 12 at the University of Florida in January 2025 — a landmark conference that reaffirmed our commitment to scholarly exchange. In addition, the long-anticipated launch of the updated UEVs database marked a significant methodological achievement, built upon years of dedicated work by our community. I am also pleased to note that ISAER welcomed many new members during this time, a sign of renewed interest and intergenerational continuity.
These accomplishments are not mine alone, but the result of shared efforts, institutional memory, and the generous engagement of our members and Executive Council. I am grateful to all who contributed time, ideas, and energy.
As I return to my role as an active member, I remain confident in the strength and creativity of the Emergy Society. I trust that this collective vision will continue to guide and inspire our future steps, and I look forward to supporting the next generation of initiatives and leadership.
With appreciation and optimism,
Biagio F. Giannetti
President of ISAER (2023–2025)