Critical Zone (CZ) science has fundamentally changed how we think of the Earth’s living skin, how we share data and collaborate, and how we train the next generation of scientists and inform policymakers across the globe. However, CZ science also faces challenges, with many open questions that need to be addressed. Are we responding flexibly and quickly enough to rapid environmental change and human activities, and to social justice issues as understood through the lens of the CZ? What novel tools, approaches, data, and collaborations need to be developed or strengthened? How can CZ science become accessible and relevant to all identities and how do we move towards just, equitable, and diverse communities of researchers, teachers and learners? We invite contributions that address some of these questions with a variety of perspectives including “lessons learned” and transformative approaches for the future of CZ science.