Andrés Ruzo-Callejas
Geologist
Boiling bonds: nature, modernity, and humanity
Andrés Ruzo-Callejas is a geothermal scientist, conservationist, educator, NatGeo Explorer, and a TED speaker. He holds degrees in geology and finance, and is currently working on his PhD. He is best known for his work on Peru’s Boiling River of the Amazon, where he became the first geoscientist to receive the shamanic blessing to study this sacred Amazonian site. Much of Andrés’ work focuses on bridging gaps and finding harmony between traditional Indigenous and modern Western science.
Historically, the strength of our communities and our capacity for consistent collaboration appears to be the secret to human success. The greatest impact of my work at Peru’s Boiling River, and beyond, has been a steadfast belief in the power of accelerated collaboration. With over 50 collaborators from dozens of disciplines, countries and institutions, our field teams are a mix of academic and business people, artists, shamans, teachers, students and parents. Our multi-disciplinary, diverse, and intergenerational teams have yielded exceptional results, with more to come. We have worked together to put the Boiling River on the map in the most responsible way possible. We help local people to obtain their lands and collaborate with the Shipibo school, women and artisan groups to advocate for responsible ecotourism and greener oilfield activity.
“We are an inseparable part of nature’s great continuum. Our species evolved in this world, shaped it, and was shaped by it.”
During my entire life, nature has been a constant muse, passion and endless source of awe. In all sincerity, I didn’t think there was that much more room for these feelings to grow, having dedicated my life to exploring our world and working to understand, protect and share nature’s magic with others. However, rediscovering the world through my young son Silvano’s eyes has deepened my awe of our natural world through his kinetic, electric, unbridled way of taking it all in. We are an inseparable part of nature’s great continuum. Our species evolved in this world, shaped it, and was shaped by it. This realization has changed the way I work, particularly the way that I incorporate the human factor into ecological solutions.