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We are pleased to announce that Rattan Lal, Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University and Director of the CFAES Rattan Lal Center for Carbon Management and Sequestration (C-MASC), has been elected an Academician of WAAC in recognition of his systematic contributions to soil carbon sequestration and sustainable agricultural practices.
Over many years, Professor Lal has advanced a “soil-centered” pathway for reducing emissions and increasing yields, building an end-to-end evidence chain that connects scientific mechanisms with engineering and policy. In Science (2004), he published a seminal paper quantifying the global potential of croplands and degraded lands as carbon sinks, establishing an integrated framework that links soil carbon, food security, and climate mitigation. He subsequently detailed actionable routes to enhance carbon sequestration—such as conservation tillage and cover crops—in Geoderma (2004) and other literature. At OSU, he leads C-MASC (the Rattan Lal Center), promoting international collaboration and on-the-ground validation for carbon farming and soil health. For his outstanding contributions, he received the 2020 World Food Prize and the 2024 Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, underscoring the foundational role of his research in global food security and climate governance.
- Global Collaboration and Academic Ecosystem
Academicians of the World Academy for Artificial Consciousness hail from institutions such as Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Cambridge, the University of California, the French Academy of Sciences, the University of Padua, the University of Queensland, Columbia University, and the University of Exeter. Honorary Academicians come from a wide range of countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Spain, and China. In addition, leading scientists from prominent research institutes and technology companies—such as Google, the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and ZEEKR—also participate.
- About WAAC
The World Academy for Artificial Consciousness (https://www.waac.ac/) is a global academic institution established in Paris in 2025. Its mission is to advance frontier research and international collaboration in artificial consciousness through the integration of science, technology, and philosophy. The Academy publishes open research, policy recommendations, evaluation standards, and more. The current President is Academician Yucong Duan, and the Secretary-General is Dr. Yingbo Li. The Honorary Academician List: On May 3, 2025, WAAC released its first batch of Top 100 Honorary Academicians, recognizing scholars who have made foundational or leading contributions to the theory of artificial consciousness.