Top 9 TED Talks To Better Understand Climate Change

Imagine being able to listen to some of the amazing people from around the globe sharing their ideas.

This is what TED talks are best known for. TED provides you with the opportunity to listen to inspiring ideas from the leading minds from around the globe.

TED talks stand true to their tagline that is “Ideas worth spreading” and expose you to some of the amazing ideas.

Climate Change TED Talks

Here we have curated a list of Top 9 Climate Change TED talks to help you better your understanding of climate change.

#1. A Vision For Sustainable Energy In Africa By Chibeze Ezekiel

Chibeze Ezekiel, is a climate inclusive activist from Ghana, who led the successful campaign against the building of a coal-fired power plant in Ghana. He is a vigorous advocate for involving local communities and youth in finding climate solutions.

In this TED talk, Chibeze shares his vision for developing sustainable energy sources for Africa. He puts forward the case for why Africa should invest in alternative energy sources to meet its rising energy needs. Instead of cheap but polluting non-renewable energy sources like coal.

He also shares his story about how he worked along with local communities in Ghana to stop the construction of the country’s first coal power plant. Created awareness among locals and encouraged the government with help of locals to invest in renewable energy sources.

Quote from Chibeze “Development and Clean, breathable air should not be mutually exclusive.”

#2. A Bold Plan To Protect 30 Percent Of The Earth’s Surface And Ocean Floor By Enric Sala

Enric Sala, a Marine Ecologist, quit academia to become a conservationist after observing the dying marine life. This former university professor is now a full-time conservationist with National Geographic.

 In this TED talk, Eric shares his plan to protect the Earth’s surface and ocean floor. He presents his 30X30 initiative, which aims at protecting 30 percent of Earth’s Surface and Ocean Floor by 2030.

He shares his story from the 1970s about how he observed a lush ocean scape being reduced to an underwater desert. But later, by marine preservation activities around the globe, he observed the oceans rejuvenate themselves when left on their own. This observation led to the birth of the 30X30 initiative to protect 30 percent of Earth’s surface and ocean floor by 2030.

#3. The Powerful Women On The Front Lines Of Climate Action By Farwiza Farhan

Farwiza Farhan is a Marine biologist and forest conservationist working tirelessly to help protect and rejuvenate the forest and Leusar Ecosystem in Sumatra Island of Indonesia. 

In this TED talk, Farwiza shares her ideas and experiences for her efforts to protect the Lesur Ecosystem in Sumatra Island of Indonesia. These forests are the last place left on earth where Sumatran Rhino, Tiger, Elephant, and Orangutan still roam freely in the wild.

Farwiza Farhan, 2021 TED fellow, also explains the challenges faced by women working on frontlines of climate action and forest conservation. And how women have the resilient and word-changing power to help fight climate change.

#4. The Mighty Power And Flavor Of Plants By Derek Sarno

Derek Sarno is a Vegan Chef and co-founder of Wicked Kitchen. We know him for bringing delicious vegan foods to the market using innovative recipes and techniques. He designed vegan recipes to help you enjoy the wide world of plants. He is also the head chef of the TED countdown summit and working relentlessly on unleashing the mighty power of plant-based food.

In this TED talk, Derek Shares some of the creative cooking inspirations for cooking plant-based food. He shares his personal journey, which led him to create some amazing vegan foods that completely avoid animal suffering. From this TED video, you will learn about creating tasty, nutritious food from mushrooms and vegetables that are full of texture and flavor.

#5. How Small Countries Can Make A Big Impact On Climate Change By Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon is the first woman to become the first minister (Head of Government) of Scotland. She is one of the most important progressive and feminist voices in the government of the United Kingdom.

In her TED talk, she shares her ideas about how small nations can make a big impact on climate change. She shares examples of many small nations like Bhutan, Fiji, and her own Scotland who are working against climate change. You will get an idea about how the leaderships of these small nations are impacting climate action worldwide.

#6. How To Make Radical Climate Action The New Normal By Al Gore

Al Gore, a Nobel Laureate and former Vice President of the USA, is working tirelessly to get the world’s attention on the global climate crisis. He is also the founder and chairman of a non-profit the Climate Reality Project aimed at solving the climate crisis.

In this TED talk, he puts forward his ideas about making it normal to take radical climate action. He stresses the fact that a net-zero future is possible if we whole heartily try to stop the climate crisis. He shares some examples of extreme climate events and man-made systems that are stopping us from taking climate actions. He invites all of us to come forward and join the movement for climate justice.

#8. The 55 Gigaton Challenge By Countdown

This TED video is presented by Elise Hu, TED Podcast Host, and Written by David Biello, TED’s Science Curator, and Author.

This TED video aims to create awareness about the challenges we face to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This animated video explains why we need to go from putting 55 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases into the air to zero. By End of this video, you will understand why this needs to happen latest by 2050 and how we all got so close to the breakup point.

#9. A New Perspective On The Journey To Net-Zero By Amina J. Mohammed

Amina J. Mohammed is a UN deputy Secretary-General and chairs the UN sustainable development group. She has also served as a minister in the Nigerian Government.

In this TED video, she shares her ideas about how climate action can act as a medium to deliver dignity, opportunity, and equality to all. She puts forward ideas to reimagine the journey to net-zero emission to look like investing in climate efforts while giving importance to sustainable development. Sustainable development goals are a blueprint for interlinked global goals to help protect humanity and our planet. 

Conclusion

These 9 TED talks can help you get started with climate awareness and become a part of climate action. These talks could be your starting point for understanding climate change.

There are many other sources available online to help you better the environment and climate issues. Here are a few resources available on our website.

Books On Environment And Climate Change

Environment Documentaries to Binge-watch

Free Online Environment Courses

Eco-Friendly Products