Adam David Sacks

Adam David Sacks, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Biodiversity for a Livable Climate (bio4climate.org) until his retirement in 2023, passed away on February 1st, 2026, at the age of 80.

Adam spent over twenty-five years working tirelessly as a climate activist - studying, writing, speaking, making films and leading the development and organization of the first 12 climate change conferences hosted by Bio4Climate. He foresaw the growing extent of severe environmental damage well before most activists did, and he persevered in the face of sustained criticism which abated sharply as his predictions became reality.

A true Renaissance man, Adam held a Bachelor's degree from Goddard College in Modern Dance, a Doctorate from UMass Amherst in Counseling, and a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. He was also an accomplished pianist, published photographer, visual artist in several mediums, and proficient bike mechanic. He was always eager to plunge into new areas of study. In modern dance, his grace and openness in performances at Goddard made audiences feel like he was embracing all of them together. Adam would practice classical pieces on the piano for hours, playing for friends and family only when he was satisfied with the flow. Adam's photography was notable for its attention to architectural angles in light and shadow, revealing new and expansive ways to view them. As a bike mechanic, Adam was constantly looking for ways to make the gear shifting smoother.

Growing up in Manhattan, Adam was also keenly aware of inequities and injustice. For five years he directed a non-profit that worked with communities invoking basic democratic and constitutional principles to oppose corporate activities that put community and planetary health at risk.

Adam's pursuit in naturopathic medicine signaled a growing interest in nature's solutions, foreshadowing his co-founding Biodiversity for a Livable Climate in 2013, which fosters the critical importance of nature based solutions for a healthy environment. The organization gave expression to his dedication to developing a new ethics toward the living world. Its many conferences and workshops brought together ecosystem restorers from around the planet. Devoting his searing intelligence and passions to advancing the cause of cooling the planet through natural processes was a fitting last major project for Adam. He has inspired many others to pursue and promulgate this knowledge to the wider public.

Adam's passing is met with significant grief from daughter Ceilidh & daughter-in-law Christina, his three grandchildren, Finn, Salome & Little Finn, his long-time companion, Paula, his best friend, Jed, and so many other people and communities who have been touched by his playfulness, passions, intellect, dark humor, and endless puns. (Adam once shared with Jed that he was delighted about the way a female cardinal tapped on the window if Adam and Paula were late in bringing out the bird seed -- a cardinal event, he exclaimed.)

Adam maintained his deep curiosity and unique humor until the end - sharing with his daughter a calm excitement about what he viewed as the great adventure of dying, while also insisting that the most important question she'd neglected to ask his hospice team was: could he still eat chocolate while under their care?

A Celebration of Life will take place on March 14th, 2026, 2pm.

Friends Meetinghouse at Cambridge

5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA | (617) 876-6883

In keeping with Adam's values, the family requests that you please don't send bouquets. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Bio4Climate or just buy yourself a fancy chocolate bar, and enjoy it in his honor.