Educated at Harvard, Oxford, and at Snowdonia of Wales and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Lovins is one of the most important people on the planet. He has published and consulted widely, and is active in energy affairs in some 15 countries, as synthesist and lobbyist.

In 1979 he married L. Hunter Sheldon, a lawyer, forester, and social scientist. Hunter received her undergraduate degree in sociology and political studies from Pitzer College, and her J.D. from Loyola University's School of Law.

In 1982, along with Hunter, Amory Lovins founded the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), based in Snowmass, Colorado. Together with a group of colleagues, the Lovinses foster efficient resource use and policy development. RMI is an organization with a staff of around 50. ( )