At the TED

At the TED conference in Vancouver, Michael Murphy, co-founder and CEO of MASS Design Group, discussed architecture's transformative power. Drawing from his father's cancer journey, he highlighted how the built environment can impact community health and wellbeing. Murphy showcased humanitarian projects such as the Butaro Hospital in Rwanda and the GHESKIO Cholera Treatment Center in Haiti.

He posed a key question: "What more can architecture do?" This led his firm to consider how projects could create jobs, source regionally, and invest in community dignity. Murphy concluded by previewing MASS Design Group's collaboration with the Equal Justice Initiative on a national memorial to victims of lynching, asserting that "Great architecture can give us hope. Great architecture can heal."

Ocean plastic is a solvable issue requiring personal responsibility and practical solutions. The Seabin Project, a crowdfunded invention, exemplifies a promising reactive approach. These bins

Ocean plastic is a solvable issue requiring personal responsibility and practical solutions. The Seabin Project, a crowdfunded invention, exemplifies a promising reactive approach. These bins effectively collect floating plastics, oil, and micro-plastics down to 2mm in marinas.

While Seabins are effective, they are not the ultimate solution. The project's 50% for-profit, 50% not-for-profit model supports education, science, research, and community engagement, which are considered the real long-term answers. This topic was discussed at a TEDx event; learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Fast fashion and online shopping are major contributors to landfills. Sustainable fashion expert Kelly Drennan explains how our own closets hold the answer to slowing climate change. Your clothing

Fast fashion and online shopping are major contributors to landfills. Sustainable fashion expert Kelly Drennan explains how our own closets hold the answer to slowing climate change. Your clothing choices are more than just a fashion statement.

Kelly founded Fashion Takes Action to create a sustainable future. She convenes the Ontario Textile Diversion Collaborative (OTDC), increasing textile diversion and developing local reuse and recycling solutions. Kelly also chairs a task force for a Canadian circular fashion standard and produces the annual WEAR conference.

Recognized as a Canadian environmental leader with the 2017 Clean 50 Award, Kelly is a sought-after consultant. This talk was given at a TEDx event. Learn more at ted.com/tedx.

Rowan Byrne, a Marine Biologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, will discuss ocean plastics, explaining their impact on marine life and civilization. His extensive career includes

Rowan Byrne, a Marine Biologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, will discuss ocean plastics, explaining their impact on marine life and civilization. His extensive career includes shark research, sea turtle conservation, and pioneering satellite tracking of leatherback turtles from Dominica to Ireland.

As Marine Plastics Lead for Mott MacDonald, Rowan drives global research and solutions for marine plastic challenges. He champions collaboration with industry and governments to integrate environmental considerations. His work earned him the IEMA Sustainability Leader of the Year Award in 2020 and media recognition for installing Seabins at Howth Harbour.

This talk was given at a TEDx event. Learn more at ted.com/tedx.

Ishanvi Shetty, a 15-year-old 11th grader from GEMS Modern Academy in Dubai, presents a thought-provoking talk on combating the climate crisis through AI.

An avid public speaker, debater,

Ishanvi Shetty, a 15-year-old 11th grader from GEMS Modern Academy in Dubai, presents a thought-provoking talk on combating the climate crisis through AI.

An avid public speaker, debater, and philosophy enthusiast, Ishanvi is deeply committed to youth empowerment and environmental advocacy. She actively participates in sustainability initiatives, volunteering, and entrepreneurial ventures, focusing on the intersection of climate change and AI.

This talk was presented at an independently organized TEDx event. Learn more at ted.com/tedx.

In his TEDx talk, Karan Sood discussed AI and technology's transformative role in addressing climate change. He highlighted how AI-driven innovations enhance climate prediction, optimize energy,

In his TEDx talk, Karan Sood discussed AI and technology's transformative role in addressing climate change. He highlighted how AI-driven innovations enhance climate prediction, optimize energy, and develop sustainable solutions, emphasizing AI's potential to reduce carbon footprints and accelerate a resilient future.

Sood is CEO and co-founder of Fastor7, a global digital transformation company. An IIT Delhi graduate with six years of entrepreneurial experience, he's featured in Forbes and CNBC TV18. He also led the impactful CovidMealsForIndia.com initiative, connecting 5 lakh people to food during the pandemic, earning a Community Championships Award.

This talk was independently organized as a TEDx event. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Kahea Pacheco (Kanaka ʻŌiwi) is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights AND climate justice. She champions the

Kahea Pacheco (Kanaka ʻŌiwi) is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights AND climate justice. She champions the concept of aloha 'āina (love of the land), believing that effective solutions to the climate crisis are rooted in time-tested Indigenous knowledge.

As Co-Executive Director at Women's Earth Alliance—a 19-year-old global initiative that empowers women to protect the environment—Kahea works to ensure a just AND thriving world. She notes that in 'Ōlelo Hawai'i, the word <'āina (land) also means "that which feeds us" AND was used by her ancestors to mean "family," reinforcing the view that the natural world is a living, nurturing member of our community.

This talk was given at a TEDx event. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Achieving net-zero goals requires significant private sector support. This talk explores securing corporate buy-in for a broad carbon tax, ensuring workers have sufficient green skills, and

Achieving net-zero goals requires significant private sector support. This talk explores securing corporate buy-in for a broad carbon tax, ensuring workers have sufficient green skills, and addressing concerns that climate initiatives might undermine business competitiveness.

Jamus Lim, an associate professor of economics at ESSEC Asia Pacific and a Member of Singapore's 14th Parliament, leads this discussion. He brings extensive experience from senior economist roles at the World Bank and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and as chief economist for ThirdRock Group. His expertise spans international macro-finance, political economy, and development economics.

This talk was given at a TEDx event. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Not all green solutions are created equal. Many eco-friendly alternatives, from corn-based biofuels to biodegradable plastics, promise to save the planet—but do they truly deliver? In this

Not all green solutions are created equal. Many eco-friendly alternatives, from corn-based biofuels to biodegradable plastics, promise to save the planet—but do they truly deliver? In this engaging talk, sustainability researcher and Georgia Tech professor Patricia Stathatou shares a powerful 3-question framework to cut through the hype and assess the true environmental impact of emerging technologies. Drawing on surprising case studies, such as the unintended consequences of ethanol and the progress of electric vehicles, she reveals how to evaluate products and policies across their full lifecycle, from production to disposal.

As an assistant professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech, Patricia specializes in sustainable water and energy systems, working to redefine their design and assessment. Her research, featured in Forbes and WSB-TV, integrates life cycle and techno-economic assessments with real-world data to drive sustainability. With a doctorate from the National Technical University of Athens and postdoctoral research at MIT, she has also contributed to international standards, including marine fuel guidelines for the International Maritime Organization, accelerating the transition to cleaner technologies and more sustainable environmental solutions.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.

Ecological futurist Tariq Al-Olaimy highlights "spiritual infrastructure" as a key, often-overlooked resilient system. He's observed how faith networks—like church basements and mosque

Ecological futurist Tariq Al-Olaimy highlights "spiritual infrastructure" as a key, often-overlooked resilient system. He's observed how faith networks—like church basements and mosque yards—sustain disaster-stricken communities long before formal aid arrives.

Drawing on a decade with global faith coalitions, Al-Olaimy explores why spiritual traditions are uniquely equipped to navigate moments of collapse. He suggests aligning our inner values, economies, and ecosystems is essential for restoring life on a changing planet. (Recorded at TED Countdown Summit 2025 on June 18, 2025)