Anika Molesworth

Molesworth was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She studied a Bachelor of Science specialising in Agribusiness at Charles Sturt University (2007–2010),[4] a Masters of Sustainable Agriculture at Charles Sturt University (graduating with Distinction) (2012–2015),[4] and a PhD in Agroecosystems at Deakin University (2016–2020).[5]

Molesworth is an Australian agroecology scientist, farmer and public commentator on climate change, farming and food systems.[6]

In 2014, Molesworth established Climate Wise Agriculture,[7] which is a platform that shares knowledge on the topic of climate change as it relates to agriculture. She is a Founding Director[1] of Farmers for Climate Action,[8] a farmer-led organisation that advocates for climate solutions which support rural communities. She was appointed Deputy Chair of the organisation in 2020.[9]

Molesworth has worked in international agricultural development since 2014, including several projects with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.[10] Her research has focused on improving the environmental conditions and livelihoods of subsistence farmers.[10][11] She was appointed to the NSW committee of the Crawford Fund in 2018,[2] which supports research and development in agriculture. Molesworth joined The Climate Reality Project in 2016, and under the guidance of its Founder and Chair Al Gore, became a Climate Reality Mentor in 2019.[12] Later that year, she travelled to Antarctica with the largest ever expedition of women in STEM.[13][14] Her involvement with Homeward Bound[15] has positioned her as an advocate for gender equity, rural youth and climate change leadership.[16][17][18]

As a prominent science communicator[19] and frequent media commentator, Molesworth has had her work reported in The New York Times,[20] The Guardian,[11][21][22] The Conversation,[23] ABC,[24][25] SBS,[26][27] and other media outlets.[28][29][30][31] She has contributed to reports with the Climate Council[32] and the Commission of the Human Future.[33] In 2017, Molesworth presented a TEDxSydney Youth talk “Farmers are key to a better future.”[34] Her first book is due to be published in 2021 by Pan Macmillan Publishers.[35]

• 2020 Emily Hensley Award, Melbourne Girls Grammar[36]
• 2019 Woman of Influence Award, Australian Financial Review[37][38]
• 2019 Future Shapers Award, Women of Style and Audi[39]
• 2019 Homeward Bound ambassador[13][14][16][17]
• 2018 Young Sustainability Champion Award, Green Globe Awards[40]
• 2018 Heroes of a Low-Carbon Economy Youth Champion, 350.org[41]
• 2018 NSW/ACT Regional Achievement and Community Award for Agricultural Innovation[42]
• 2017 Young Australian of the Year, NSW Finalist[5]
• 2017 NSW/ACT Young Achiever Award for Environment and Sustainability[43]
• 2017 TEDxSydney Youth presenter[34]
• 2016 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, NSW Department of Primary Industries[44]
• 2015 Australian National Young Farmer of the Year, ABC Rural and Kondinin Group[45][46]
• 2015 Crawford Fund Young Scholar[47]
• 2015 Delegate at United Nations Conference on Climate Change, Paris[48]
• 2014 Young Farming Champion, Art4Agriculture[49][50][51]
• 2014 Top 100 Women in Australian Agribusiness (Emerald Grain and Fairfax Agricultural Media)[52]