Ellen Gustafson: Obesity + Hunger = 1 global food issue - Ellen Gustafson (2010)

Co-creator of the philanthropic FEED bags, Ellen Gustafson says hunger and obesity are two sides of the same coin. At TEDxEast, she launches The 30 Project — a way to change how we farm and eat in the next 30 years, and solve the global food inequalities behind both epidemics.

Filed under: TED, sci & tech

Nalini Nadkarni: Life science in prison - Nalini Nadkarni (2010)

Nalini Nadkarni challenges our perspective on trees and prisons — she says both can be more dynamic than we think. Through a partnership with the state of Washington, she brings science classes and conservation programs to inmates, with unexpected results.

Filed under: TED, sci & tech

Hans Rosling on global population growth - Hans Rosling (2010)

The world’s population will grow to 9 billion over the next 50 years — and only by raising the living standards of the poorest can we check population growth. This is the paradoxical answer that Hans Rosling unveils at TED@Cannes using colorful new data display technology (you’ll see).

Filed under: TED, sci & tech

Carl Safina: The oil spill’s unseen culprits, victims - Carl Safina (2010)

The Gulf oil spill dwarfs comprehension, but we know this much: it’s bad. Carl Safina scrapes out the facts in this blood-boiling cross-examination, arguing that the consequences will stretch far beyond the Gulf — and many so-called solutions are making the situation worse.

Filed under: TED, sci & tech

Clay Shirky: How cognitive surplus will change the world - Clay Shirky (2010)

Clay Shirky looks at “cognitive surplus” — the shared, online work we do with our spare brain cycles. While we’re busy editing Wikipedia, posting to Ushahidi (and yes, making LOLcats), we’re building a better, more cooperative world.

Filed under: TED, sci & tech