Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Toufiq A. Siddiqi
Dr. Toufiq A. Siddiqi (1937–2023), the founder of GEE-21, was a trailblazing environmental scientist and policy expert whose work bridged energy, climate change, and sustainability. A respected voice on the global stage, Dr. Siddiqi was a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, whose collective contributions to climate science were recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
Dr Siddiqi grew up in India and Pakistan. He completed his studies at Trinity College, Cambridge, UK with an MA in Mathematics. He received his PHD in nuclear physics from the University of Frankfurt, Germany in 1966. After completing a physics contract with Indiana University, he focused his efforts on the emerging need for environmental studies. He collaborated with academics to develop environmental classes for all levels of education. In 1972, he was instrumental in the founding of Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA).
Dr Siddiqi started at the East-West Center in 1977, where he built the first environmental research projects between China and the USA. He established long lasting relationships and friendships with international partners that led to productive engagement with GEE-21. He pioneered a groundbreaking program in 1979 on “The Environmental Dimensions of Energy Policies,” one of the first in Asia and the Pacific to explore the critical intersections between energy and environmental concerns.
Dr Siddiqi served as the Regional Advisor on Energy for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Bangkok. He provided guidance and assistance to ESCAP members as they developed programs and policies to combat climate change. He was a preferred consultant for numerous United Nations agencies, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, research institutes, and government agencies.
As a trusted leader and mentor, Dr. Siddiqi inspired countless lives through initiatives he spearheaded to advance environmental stewardship. His pioneering spirit and dedication to a sustainable future will be remembered and celebrated for generations.
The Bumpy Path to Climate Change: Pioneering for a Sustainable World
A posthumous memoir by Toufiq A. Siddiqi
The book traces his four-decade career as a climate scientist, documenting the evolution of global climate change from early scientific concern in the 1970s to a central issue of international urgency. Drawing on work across Asia, the Pacific, the United States, and Europe, Siddiqi reflects on his contributions to building environmental awareness and advancing collaboration, while offering a candid account of the progress made and the challenges that continue to shape the pursuit of a sustainable future.