TED Talks Daily Humanity's planet-shaping powers -- and what they mean for the future | Achim Steiner
Jan 16, 2021
Achim Steiner, a prominent sustainability champion and UNDP Administrator, discusses humanity's immense power to shape the Earth and the urgent need for responsible action. He highlights how current choices can either lead to ecological disaster or a path to repair. Steiner calls for systemic change, emphasizing the vital role of trees in enhancing air quality and critiquing our economic models. Inspiringly, he shares how collective action can empower individuals to address climate change and inequality, fostering harmony between humanity and the environment.
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A New Kind of War
- Humanity faces a new kind of war in the 21st century, where the biggest threat to our survival is ourselves.
- We've achieved remarkable progress, yet our actions jeopardize our future.
The Anthropocene Era
- Humans might be entering the Anthropocene, a new geological era defined by our power to shape the planet.
- We possess the capacity to alter the atmosphere and biosphere, capable of both destruction and repair.
Irrational Actions
- Despite human achievements, our actions are irrational and unfair, leading to widespread hunger and inequality.
- We're harming the environment, exemplified by air pollution deaths and deforestation.