Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and policy expert, discusses her book 'What If We Get It Right?' and the urgent need for climate action. She highlights impactful strategies, the dark side of consumerism, and the critical role oceans play in carbon absorption. Dr. Johnson emphasizes the importance of collaboration and individual contribution to environmental solutions, urging listeners to focus on actionable steps in a polarized political landscape. Her personal journey reflects a deep commitment to innovative approaches in fighting climate change.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and co-founder of a think tank focused on coastal cities, shares her insights on climate change and its emotional landscape. She emphasizes overcoming 'soft' climate denial and fostering hope instead of fear. The conversation navigates the necessity of collective action and innovative solutions amidst political divisions. Johnson advocates for nurturing love for future generations as a motivator for sustainable practices, pushing for a shift in mindset to tackle climate issues effectively.

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and climate policy expert, discusses how to inspire change through awe and wonder while tackling climate issues. She shares insights on the ethical concerns of shrimp consumption and promotes sustainable seafood choices. Johnson emphasizes the importance of individual action and joy in climate engagement, encouraging listeners to find their unique strengths. She also explores the role of language in climate discourse, advocating for community-driven solutions that foster connection and positive environmental impact.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and author of "What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures," brings her informed optimism about climate change to the conversation. She discusses how doomerism can paralyze action, emphasizing the importance of envisioning a better climate future. Johnson shares insights on local political engagement, sustainable building practices, and the urgency of investing in renewable energy. She also highlights the critical role of individual action and activism in fostering hope and driving meaningful change.

Marine biologists and oceanographer discuss saving the oceans by conservation efforts, sustainable practices, challenges in ocean biodiversity, impact of human activities on whale populations, and the urgent need for protecting marine ecosystems for the future.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and author of 'What If We Get It Right?', shares her vision for a hopeful future concerning climate solutions. She and the host discuss the importance of creatively imagining transformative changes and finding your unique role in climate activism. They emphasize the need for positive narratives that encourage community action, while also exploring how humor can be a powerful tool in navigating climate emotions. The conversation inspires listeners to embrace collective responsibility and work towards revitalizing rural areas and supporting new farmers.

Amidst all of the perspectives and arguments around our ecological future, this much is true: we are not in the natural world — we are part of it. The next-generation marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson would let that reality of belonging show us the way forward. She loves the ocean. She loves human beings. And she’s animated by questions emerging from those loves — and from the science she does — which we scarcely know how to take seriously amidst so much demoralizing bad ecological news. This hour, Krista draws out her creative and pragmatic inquiry: Could we let ourselves be led by what we already know how to do, and by what we have it in us to save? What, she asks, if we get this right? This conversation was recorded at the 2022 TED Conference. You can hear all of the talks coming out of the conference by following the TED Talks Daily podcast, wherever podcasts are found.Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for coastal cities. She’s one of the creators of the podcast, “How to Save a Planet,” and she co-edited the wonderful anthology All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis. She’s also the co-founder of the All We Can Save Project.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

Amidst all of the perspectives and arguments around our ecological future, this much is true: we are not in the natural world — we are part of it. The next-generation marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson would let that reality of belonging show us the way forward. She loves the ocean. She loves human beings. And she’s animated by questions emerging from those loves — and from the science she does — which we scarcely know how to take seriously amidst so much demoralizing bad ecological news. This hour, Krista draws out her creative and pragmatic inquiry: Could we let ourselves be led by what we already know how to do, and by what we have it in us to save? What, she asks, if we get this right? This conversation was recorded at the 2022 TED Conference. You can hear all of the talks coming out of the conference by following the TED Talks Daily podcast, wherever podcasts are found.Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for coastal cities. She’s one of the creators of the podcast, “How to Save a Planet,” and she co-edited the wonderful anthology All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis. She’s also the co-founder of the All We Can Save Project.This interview is edited and produced with music and other features in the On Being episode "Ayana Elizabeth Johnson — What If We Get This Right?" Find the transcript for that show at onbeing.org.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, discusses climate change through a hopeful lens. She emphasizes the dangers of climate anxiety and advocates for a future we want to inhabit. Johnson shares her journey from nature lover to environmental advocate and highlights existing barriers to climate action, including political influence and financial pressures. With a focus on community and lifestyle changes, she inspires listeners to envision a sustainable future and take meaningful action against climate change.

From Krista: I have been texting this exquisite poem from our archives to my beloveds. Perhaps it will touch you — hold you — as it is touching and holding me.ON ANOTHER PANEL ABOUT CLIMATE, THEY ASK ME TO SELL THE FUTURE AND ALL I'VE GOT IS A LOVE POEMTo call the young Pakistani-American poet, Ayisha Siddiqa, a "climate activist" feels too simple. She describes herself as a storyteller and human rights and land defender. She is a climate advisor to the U.N. Secretary General, and was a 2023 TIME Woman of the Year. The poem is read by the also extraordinary young marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, from her On Being conversation with Krista, What If We Get This Right?