We aren’t surprised that a recent TEDx talk by Joe Romm, senior research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media, took off across social media. After all, he wrote this piece for us about Taylor Swift that broke the internet—at least in some climate circles.
In his talk, “The Surprising Truth About Solving Climate Change,” Joe leverages his physics background and vast knowledge of climate science to explain that we’ve waited too long to rely on new technologies to solve the climate crisis. He argues that we need to work together now to rapidly deploy existing successful technologies like solar power, wind power, batteries for storage, electric cars, and electric heat pumps. His overall message is uplifting, easy to digest, and full of tangible solutions—no wonder folks are watching.
Tell Congress: Commit to Climate Investments and Clean Air Progress
Inspired by Joe’s talk, and seeking further inspiration, I explored other climate and air pollution presentations on the TEDx YouTube channel. One of the first that came up was Greta Thunberg’s “The Disarming Case to Act Right Now on Climate Change” from 2018, when she was only 16. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend starting here to be awakened to the urgency of the climate crisis. Greta’s passionate plea for immediate action resonates even more strongly today, six years after her iconic talk.
I was excited to find that there are many more lesser-known, yet equally amazing TEDx Talks that offer unique perspectives and valuable insights. Here are four noteworthy ones that I discovered, all well worth watching:
1. The Climate Change Conspiracy … Conspiracy by Anjali Appadurai
Anjali Appadurai, a climate justice organizer and campaigner with the Climate Emergency Unit and the Padma Centre for Climate Justice, recounts a moment from a focus group when a busy young mom expressed her fear and anxiety about climate change. The mother felt guilty and powerless about her contributions to the problem and worried about the future for her kids.
Anjali highlights the injustice of this emotional burden, noting that oil and gas companies have known for decades about the harmful effects of fossil fuels on the climate. These companies have manipulated public perception, making us believe fossil fuels are indispensable despite the environmental consequences.
She urges TED watchers to choose hope in fighting this disinformation by advocating for solutions that benefit society as a whole. This includes investing in green jobs, opposing war and militarization, and restoring land rights to Indigenous knowledge keepers. Anjali emphasizes that society can deploy large-scale solutions, we all just need to challenge the status quo. Watch Anjali’s talk.
2. The Psychology of Climate Change by Shanlea Tabofunda
Sixteen-year-old Shanlea Tabofunda, speaking in 2020, when she was a junior at Cupertino High School in California, offers a compelling lesson on the psychology behind our actions (or lack thereof) in the fight against climate change, in an effort to better motivate collective action. She shares intriguing insights into why humans have been so slow to recognize and respond to the climate crisis.
Shanlea suggests solutions such as fostering communities where climate action is normalized, noting that we are more likely to work toward a goal when we’re part of a collective. Additionally, she recommends supporting policies that directly address the problem. This includes pushing Congress to regulate corporations, contacting our representatives, and signing petitions. Watch Shanlea’s talk.
3. A Creative Approach to Climate Change by Finnegan Harries
Finnegan Harries, an environmental designer and filmmaker who cofounded Earthrise Studio, recounts how, as a child, he stood with his mother in 2009 to advocate for climate action in the runup to the 15th UN Climate Conference. It wasn’t until six years later, during a college assignment on sea-level rise, that he personally felt the urgent need to do more. At that moment, he questioned whether his generation would spend their careers trying to remedy the climate disasters caused by humans.
This realization became the catalyst for Finnegan to explore what individuals could do to make a difference. In his talk he gives actionable tips, including educate ourselves and those around us, organize and unite under a common goal, and lead by example. He suggests attending local marches and rallies, using creativity to reframe complex problems, and using our voices to advocate for change. Watch Finnegan’s talk.
4. Does Pollution Infringe on Our Human Rights? by Naia Ormaza Zulueta
Naia Ormaza Zulueta, a PhD student at the University of Colorado Boulder who studies environmental human rights and climate change, discusses the fundamental human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. She defines this right as having access to clean air, clean water, a safe climate, healthy food, nontoxic living and working conditions, and biodiverse ecosystems.
Naia shares the startling statistic that more than 99% of the global population faces at least one violation of these rights, noting that the impact is unevenly distributed across countries. Greater exposure to these violations is linked to greater inequality. Gender disparities also exist, with more women dying prematurely from risks like indoor air pollution, likely due to traditional roles like cooking indoors.
She urges viewers to put this awareness into action through collective efforts. Working together, we’re more likely to drive systemic changes than by acting individually. Naia describes successes in protecting children’s health and the environment as a result of collective action, emphasizing the importance of interconnectedness in addressing environmental issues. Watch Naia’s talk.
I hope you’ll take a moment to dive into these presentations and glean inspiration to carry on as a climate advocate, like I did. The time to act is now, and as these powerful voices remind us, we have both the tools and the responsibility to make a difference.
Tell Congress: Commit to Climate Investments and Clean Air Progress