Blair Nelsen

Blair Nelsen is a prominent figure in the realm of environmental advocacy and spirituality, currently serving as the NGO Representative to the United Nations for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. She has held this position since September 2019, where she also acts as the Executive Director of Waterspirit, a nonprofit organization based in New Jersey that focuses on ecospirituality and environmental justice.13

Nelsen has a strong academic background, having earned her Master of Arts in Religion from Yale Divinity School in 2019. Her work emphasizes the intersection of faith and climate action, advocating for international cooperation to address climate change and calling for accountability from global leaders regarding sustainable development goals (SDGs) and environmental policies.24

In her role at the UN, Nelsen has been vocal about the challenges faced by civil society organizations in influencing policy and has highlighted the importance of grassroots movements in driving change. She believes that faith-based organizations can play a crucial role in bridging the gap between grassroots efforts and institutional power, particularly within the context of climate advocacy.15

Blair Nelsen's work reflects a commitment to integrating spiritual values with ecological responsibility, aiming to inspire collective action towards a sustainable future.