As an organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, TED started as a four-day conference in California in 1984. TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives, including the infamous TED Conference that invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Another powerful platform is TEDx, a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Together, Hallie and Eric Kogelschatz founded TEDxCLE in 2009, to bring Cleveland innovation, development and positive change to the world.
In time for 2020, TED has launched Countdown. This new worldwide movement is made up of organizations such as YouTube, C40, Global Covenant of Mayors, Climate Reality Project, Climate Leadership Initiative, Project Drawdown and others. Its efforts aim to bring us towards a planet with net zero greenhouse emissions while also tackling the climate crisis by finding answers to five questions:
- POWER: How rapidly can we move to 100% clean energy?
- BUILT ENVIRONMENT: How can we re-engineer the stuff that surrounds us?
- TRANSPORT: How do we transform the ways we move?
- FOOD: How can we spark a worldwide shift to healthier food systems?
- NATURE: How extensively can we re-green the earth?
Mother earth needs our help. Take action and get involved.