Richard Waite

Richard Waite

Senior Research Associate, Food Program,
World Resources Institute

rwaite@wri.org | (202) 729-7734

Rich is a Senior Research Associate in WRI's Food Program. He is an author of the World Resources Report: Creating a Sustainable Food Future, which focuses on solutions to feed 10 billion people by 2050, including boosting agricultural productivity, reducing food loss and waste, shifting toward plant-rich diets, and protecting and restoring forests and other natural ecosystems. He is currently working on several follow-on analyses at global, national, and company levels. Rich is also the Data Lead for Cool Food, an initiative that helps major food providers reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions in line with climate science. He led the development of Cool Food’s GHG calculation method, and leads annual data collection, GHG analysis, and engagement with scientific partners. He previously was a researcher for WRI's Coastal Capital project focused on supporting better management of coastal ecosystems by quantifying their economic value.

Prior to joining WRI in 2007, Rich lived in Cameroon for four years, where he served as an agroforestry extension agent with the U.S. Peace Corps and helped coordinate the U.S. Embassy’s international development programs.

Rich holds an M.A. in International Development Studies, with concentrations in Environment and Food Security, from The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, and a B.A. from Hamilton College.

Back to Our Team