Feeding the world's 8 billion people requires a lot of Earth's resources -- so how can we do it more sustainably? From tackling systemic issues like food waste to learning how to cook delicious plant-based recipes at home, these shows and movies are all about the power of our plates.

8 mouthwatering TV shows and movies about the future of food and our planet

Every day, more than two billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide -- wow! Unsurprisingly, that staggering consumption comes with significant environmental and human costs. Learn what they are and four ways to drink more sustainably. 

Wonder about the impact of your daily cup of coffee on the planet? Here&#8217;s the bitter truth

In the past 15 years, clothing production has doubled, draining our natural resources and using up Earth's limited carbon budget. Here, sustainability researchers share four things that we can do to tackle the fast fashion problem. 

Want to make your wardrobe more sustainable? Cut your new clothing purchases by 75%

Sustainability

From powering the planet with untapped clean energy to making climate action go viral, these 10 transformative ideas from the intersection of tech and sustainability are driving positive change — and building a greener future for generations to come.

10 bold ideas driving a sustainable future

Explore captivating ideas from tech pioneers who are shaping a smarter, greener and more inclusive tomorrow. From redefining architecture's energy dynamics to forging the future of bionics, this is the intersection of sustainability and innovation.

Tech that's reshaping the future

In the scope of Countdown, TED's initiative to accelerate solutions to climate change, the TED team collaborated with scientists and the creative studio Giant Ant to prepare five short animations explaining concepts and answering important questions related to the climate. They are narrated by Kristen Bell. Learn more about Countdown at countdown.ted.com.

5 questions about climate change

Discover the beauty in minimizing material goods, repurposing your most well-loved things and intentionally (and sustainably) reducing your carbon footprint.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Editor's Picks

As a film and television director, Barry Sonnenfeld had millions of dollars riding on his ability to get his cast and crew to play along — and much of what he learned along the way applies to everyday life. Here, he shares nine bits of wisdom and whimsy gleaned from 40 years in entertainment. So the next time you encounter a screaming bully, you too will know what to do.

How to get people to do what you want

TED Stage Talk

In this urgent and hard-hitting talk, Nobel Laureate Al Gore thoroughly dismantles the fossil fuel industry’s narrative of "climate realism," contrasting their misleading claims with the remarkable advancements in renewable energy. Drawing on data showing clear signs of progress across the world, Gore makes a powerful case that we already have everything needed to solve the climate crisis — and reminds us of what the most valuable renewable resource actually is.

Why climate action is unstoppable — and "climate realism" is a myth

After a mysterious wave of tics and twitches swept through a small-town high school in New York, documentary podcaster Dan Taberski set out to investigate what was really happening. Drawing on extensive research and intimate interviews with the people involved, he explores the roots of mass hysteria — and what it reveals about the line between illness and belonging. What happens when the very thing that makes us sick ... is also what connects us?

The razor-thin line between contagion and connection

Artificial intelligence could cost many of us our careers — but that doesn’t mean we should stop its development, says journalist Megan J. McArdle. As she watches AI encroach on her own craft, she shares a fresh take on the 19th-century Luddites, who tried to destroy machines that would upend their trade. Looking back, McArdle reframes today’s fears with a poignant question: If we halt progress to protect the present, what might we be stealing from the future?

I'll probably lose my job to AI. Here's why that's OK

Accused of leaking state secrets, journalist Lei Cheng was imprisoned in China for more than three years, where she was detained in tight quarters and kept under constant supervision. “Freedom is wasted on the free,” she says, recounting how she and fellow inmates found joy in the smallest of moments: the smell of rain, a poem delivered in secrecy, kindness where it seemed undeserved. She distills the unexpected lessons that confinement taught her — and challenges us to rethink what freedom really means.

What I learned about freedom in a secret Chinese prison

Multilingual TED Talks, adapted by Panjaya AI

At some point in our lives, almost every one of us will have our heart broken. Imagine how different things would be if we paid more attention to this unique emotional pain. Psychologist Guy Winch reveals how recovering from heartbreak starts with a determination to fight our instincts to idealize and search for answers that aren't there -- and offers a toolkit on how to, eventually, move on. Our hearts might sometimes be broken, but we don't have to break with them.

How to fix a broken heart

There are about 7,000 languages spoken around the world -- and they all have different sounds, vocabularies and structures. But do they shape the way we think? Cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky shares examples of language -- from an Aboriginal community in Australia that uses cardinal directions instead of left and right to the multiple words for blue in Russian -- that suggest the answer is a resounding yes. "The beauty of linguistic diversity is that it reveals to us just how ingenious and how flexible the human mind is," Boroditsky says. "Human minds have invented not one cognitive universe, but 7,000."

How language shapes the way we think

What happens when a dream you've held since childhood ... doesn't come true? As Lisa Bu adjusted to a new life in the United States, she turned to books to expand her mind and create a new path for herself. She shares her unique approach to reading in this lovely, personal talk about the magic of books.

How books can open your mind

Angélica Dass's photography challenges how we think about skin color and ethnic identity. In this personal talk, hear about the inspiration behind her portrait project, Humanæ, and her pursuit to document humanity's true colors rather than the untrue white, red, black and yellow associated with race.

The beauty of human skin in every color

What can we make of a design that shows up over and over in disparate cultures throughout history? Theorist Terry Moore explores "Penrose tiling" -- two shapes that fit together in infinite combinations without ever repeating -- and ponders what it might mean.

A mysterious design that appears across millennia

What would happen to humanity if generosity went viral? Sharing transformative stories from around the world, head of TED Chris Anderson outlines why the time has come for the internet to realize its power to supercharge small acts of kindness, changing lives at a scale never experienced before. Learn how to cultivate a generous mindset — with or without giving money — and get inspired with tools to amplify your impact. "Be brave. Give what you can, and then be absolutely amazed at what happens next," Anderson says.

It's time for infectious generosity. Here's how

People around the world are demanding clean air -- and cities are starting to respond, says electrification advocate Monica Araya. She takes us on a world tour of urban areas that are working to fully electrify their transportation systems over the next decade, shifting to emission-free motorcycles, cars, buses, ferries and beyond. See what a future without the internal combustion engine could look like -- and what it will take to get there.

How cities are detoxing transportation

Do you sometimes have your most creative ideas while folding laundry, washing dishes or doing nothing in particular? It's because when your body goes on autopilot, your brain gets busy forming new neural connections that connect ideas and solve problems. Learn to love being bored as Manoush Zomorodi explains the connection between spacing out and creativity.

How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas

TED Countdown: Take action on climate

The impacts of climate change are growing, but so are the world's attempts to stop them. Hosted by Manoush Zomorodi of the TED Radio Hour, this special TED documentary examines the rapid technological revolution underway — and the real possibility of a better future for all. (Featuring urban planner Anika Goss, scientist and carbon expert Julio Friedmann, UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell, auto industry sustainability leader Cynthia Williams, and multi-generational farmers Jim and Jessica Whitaker, as well as interviews with architect of the Paris Accords Christiana Figueres, former UN Climate High Champion Nigel Topping and many more.)

TED Explores: A New Climate Vision

Original Content

Laprisha Berry Daniels' grandparents left the Southern United States and migrated north to Detroit in the 1950s — a move that could be considered a big "climate change." Now, as a public health social worker, Berry Daniels mines the survival strategies of her grandparents to think about how we can all learn from the past to better prepare for current and future environmental climate change.

Lessons from the past on adapting to climate change

"I think of my paintings as alarm clocks," says artist Isabella Kirkland. "They're reminders of what's at stake; the only problem is we keep pushing the snooze button." Investigating humanity's relationship to nature, she shares work that takes a creative stand against ecological despair — and quietly urges climate action through permanent images of vanishing wildlife.

The beauty of wildlife — and an artistic call to protect it

We can produce abundant, sustainable and cheap energy — for everyone, says physicist Julio Friedmann. He explores the infrastructure, innovation and investment needed to supply energy to 10 billion people, offering case studies from Chile's refurbished supply chain, built in partnership with Japan, to Namibia's budding clean hydrogen production, inviting us to envision a greener, more equitably powered world.

How to harness abundant, clean energy for 10 billion people

Tackling climate change costs a lot of money — and the financial sector is key to getting that money flowing. In a wide-ranging conversation, sustainable investment leaders Nili Gilbert and David Blood discuss where progress is being made on climate solutions, where capital still needs to move faster and why this is an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable growth.

A playbook for financing climate solutions

When it comes to climate, what are we doing right and where should we focus our efforts next? Systems innovator Ryan Panchadsaram and strategist Anjali Grover talk with TED science curator David Biello about the latest on the world's progress toward solving the climate crisis — and why there's more reason for optimism than you might think. Using strategic goal-setting tools that have transformed countless organizations, Panchadsaram and Grover explore the urgent actions needed to steer the planet toward a sustainable future and the pivotal roles of innovation, investment and policy. "The climate story isn't yet written," Grover says.

An updated action plan for solving the climate crisis — and a look at progress to date

Did you know the world's largest tropical forest is partly formed by seeds emerging from poop? Ecologist Ludmila Rattis reveals the surprisingly fruitful benefits of letting nature take care of its own business, sharing how the digestive habits of tapirs — pig-like creatures that roam Amazonia — spread seeds that help regenerate the forest and promote climate resilience worldwide. (Even nature's waste is put to good use!)

How poop turns into forests

The world relies on manufacturing, and manufacturing relies on heat — a massive contributor to global carbon emissions, responsible for a quarter of the world's fossil fuel use. Energy entrepreneur John O'Donnell has figured out a better, cleaner way to generate the heat we need to make the stuff we want. Learn how his team turned simple bricks and iron wire into a powerful, unconventional "heat battery" that could deliver industrial heat at scale without the emissions — and why he thinks electrified industrial heat is the next trillion-dollar industry.

Can a simple brick be the next great battery?

Rice is the world's largest food source — and it's also a massive emitter of methane gas, a key contributor to climate change. Fifth-generation rice farmer Jim Whitaker and his daughter, farmer and conservationist Jessica Whitaker Allen, are working to slash rice's environmental impacts with innovative, sustainable farming practices. They share how they're keeping their family farm in Arkansas profitable while also spreading green farming practices to their neighbors — and, eventually, the rest of the world. "If you take care of the planet, it will take care of you," says Whitaker Allen.

A cleaner world could start in a rice field

What are the realistic pathways off of fossil fuels and towards a world of abundant clean energy? TED Countdown gathered for its second Dilemma Series -- events designed to look at some of the tricky challenges of climate change, where diverging positions have stalled progress -- to answer this core question of the climate crisis. Through TED Talks and conversations with experts, activists and leading voices in the space, this film delves into the tension between the necessity to extricate ourselves from fossil fuels, which endanger our collective future, and the equally paramount necessity of a stable and secure supply of energy for everyone. (Featuring, in order of appearance: Catherine Abreu, Tessa Khan, Laurence Tubiana, Hisham Mundol, Hongqiao Liu, Rebekah Shirley, Vijaya Ramachandran, Zoë Knight, Mary Robinson, Lindsay Levin, David Biello, Adair Turner, Jérôme Schmitt, Ramez Naam, Tzeporah Berman, Luisa Neubauer, Emily Grubert and Jade Begay)

How do we get the world off fossil fuels quickly and fairly?

We're nearly halfway through the 2020s, dubbed the most decisive decade for action on climate change. Where exactly do things stand? Climate impact scholar Johan Rockström offers the most up-to-date scientific assessment of the state of the planet and explains what must be done to preserve Earth's resilience to human pressure.

The tipping points of climate change — and where we stand

TED-Ed animations: Feed your curiosity

Zombies have a distinct lineage— one that traces back to Equatorial and Central Africa. For three centuries, African people were enslaved and brought to the Caribbean Islands. There, a religion known as vodou developed, along with the belief that a person's soul can be captured and stored, becoming a body-less zombie. Christopher M. Moreman uncovers the true origins of the undead. [Directed by Kaspar Jancis, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].

The dark history of zombies

TED-Ed Original

You've been accused of a crime you did not commit. It's impossible to prove your innocence. If you insist that you're innocent anyway, you'll likely be found guilty and executed. But if you confess, apologize, and implicate others, you'll go free. This was the choice facing those accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in the 17th century. How did this happen? Brian A. Pavlac investigates. [Directed by Lucy Animation Studio, narrated by Susan Zimmerman, music by Stephen LaRosa].

What really happened during the Salem Witch Trials

Spindly trees, rusted gates, crumbling stone, a solitary mourner: these things come to mind when we think of cemeteries. But not long ago, many burial grounds were lively places, with gardens and crowds of people -- and for much of human history, we didn't bury our dead at all. How did cemeteries become what they are today? Keith Eggener delves into our ever-evolving rituals for honoring the dead. [TED-Ed Animation by Remus & Kiki].

The fascinating history of cemeteries 

Satan, the beast crunching sinners' bones. Lucifer, the fallen angel. Mephistopheles, the trickster striking deals. These three divergent devils are all based on Satan of the Old Testament. But unlike any of these literary devils, the Satan of the Bible was a relatively minor character. So how did he become the ultimate antagonist, with so many different forms? Brian A. Pavlac investigates. [Directed by Reza Riahi & Mehdi Shiri, narrated by Jack Cutmore-Scott, music by André Aires].

A brief history of the devil

Oiwa’s only hope for ending her marriage to the cruel and dishonorable samurai, Iemon, was her father. But after he tried to end the union, Iemon murdered him in cold blood. With plans to marry another, Iemon conspired to poison his wife and left her for dead. But unfortunately for Iemon, it wouldn’t be the last of Oiwa. Kit Brooks shares the chilling tale of Oiwa’s ghostly revenge. [Directed by Adriana Monteforte Lahera, narrated by Susan Zimmerman, music by Luis Solís].

Japan's scariest ghost story

Stories of werewolves have existed for thousands of years and continue to live on today. They're especially prominent in European literature and folklore, and often found in cultures where the wolf is the largest natural predator. Over the years its image has continuously evolved, often reflecting the fears and prejudices of that time. Craig Thomson traces the history of werewolves. [Directed by Avi Ofer, narrated by Addison Anderson, music by Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio].

The dark history of werewolves

In 1815, Lord Byron proposed a challenge to a few literary guests he had gathered in his house on Lake Geneva: Who could write the most chilling ghost story? This question sparked an idea in eighteen-year-old Mary Shelley who, over the next few months, crafted the story of “Frankenstein.” Iseult Gillespie shares everything you need to know to read Mary Shelley’s classic novel. [Directed by Silvia Prietov, narrated by Susan Zimmerman, music by Manuel José Gordillo].

Everything you need to know to read "Frankenstein"

Arcane books of forbidden lore, disturbing secrets in the family bloodline, and terrors so unspeakable the very thought of them might drive you mad. These have become standard elements in modern horror stories. But they were largely popularized by a single author: H.P. Lovecraft, whose name has become synonymous with the terror he inspired. Silvia Moreno-García dissects the "Lovecraftian" legacy. [Directed by Globizco Studios, narrated by Christina Greer, music by Manuel Borda].

Titan of terror: The dark imagination of H.P. Lovecraft

TED Talks on democracy

Conversation is a battlefield with only one winner. Or is it? Comedian and author Jordan Klepper believes we can get better at talking to each other (and perhaps save democracy) by learning how to lose.

A comedian's take on how to save democracy

"Democracy is more fun and inviting when you take it into your own hands," says creator and activist Sofia Ongele. Sharing how she's using coding and social media to defend democracy, Ongele invites us to identify our own creative superpowers — whether it's community organizing, making music or telling stories — and use them to cause a ruckus and bring movements to life.

Your creative superpowers can help protect democracy

Our brains are hardwired to crave community and belonging — a tribal instinct that drives politics in the United States, says political strategist Sarah Longwell. She shares what she learned trying to convince people to vote against their political party in a recent election and shows why telling a better story about democracy is key to bridging the ideological divide.

What makes someone vote against their political party?

US democracy needs repair —  and care is the answer, says author adrienne maree brown in conversation with writer and activist Baratunde Thurston. In a sweeping discussion on what it means to be an active citizen, they unpack how to design a future for democracy where we all belong.

How to imagine a better future for democracy

Could math help make American democracy more responsive to the people? From detecting gerrymandered districts to predicting the impact of alternative election methods like ranked-choice voting, neuroscientist Sam Wang outlines how computer simulations can help fix the bugs in US democracy — and put it on the path to repair.

Can math help repair democracy?

TED Salon Talk (partner)

We don't have to sacrifice our freedom for the sake of technological progress, says social technologist Divya Siddarth. She shares how a group of people helped retrain one of the world's most powerful AI models on a constitution they wrote — and offers a vision of technology that aligns with the principles of democracy, rather than conflicting with them.

How AI and democracy can fix each other

"A flourishing democracy next door is a scary thing for an autocrat," says Ukrainian historian Olesya Khromeychuk. Detailing the history of Ukraine's long struggle for sovereignty and freedom — against Russian tsars, communist dictators and now the Kremlin's army — she shares three lessons anybody can use to join the global fight for democracy.

What the world can learn from Ukraine's fight for democracy

Exploring the five senses with TEDx

One in five people struggle with tinnitus, the ringing in your ears with no known cure–yet. Scientists like tinnitus researcher Kristin Barry are making groundbreaking discoveries about the brain’s connection to auditory centers, and they’re developing new treatments that might finally provide relief from the condition.

New discoveries on the quest to cure tinnitus

TEDx Talk

When asked to picture a healthy meal, most people would probably picture a salad–but healthy food doesn’t have to be boring. Nutritionist Lauren Senior makes a case for delicious, diverse, and culturally specific health food that works for you.

Why eating healthy looks different for everyone

Smartwatches are powerful computers, but too imprecise for medical use; doctors still need to spend valuable time taking measurements with specialized equipment. Biomechnical engineer Nanshu Lu explains why rigid electronics just don’t work well with our soft, pliable skin–and how her flexible, tattoo-like sensors are changing the future of at-home healthcare.

E-skins and e-tattoos: Your cybernetic future

You may have heard of synesthesia, the condition that allows some people to see music or smell colors. This might seem like a strange superpower to most, but Imogen Malpas explains how everyone has a form of synesthesia: one that links time and space. She explores where these synesthetic traits come from–and what they reveal about our histories, our cultures, and our selves.

Can we see time? Exploring synesthesia

How strong is your sense of smell? You might be able to sniff out when your toast is ready, or maybe when it’s about to rain–but are you a “super smeller”? Nurse Joy Milne tells the incredible story of how she can detect the sense of Parkinson's disease and discusses how she's helping scientists revolutionize diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosing the scent of Parkinson's Disease

Is seeing really believing? Retinal neuroscientist Bryan William Jones isn’t so sure. He explains how vision and color shape how you understand the world–and how they're a little more subjective than you might think.

How your vision determines your reality

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The climate crisis can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Host Dan Kwartler unpacks the problems and solutions behind it all in bite-sized episodes, with ideas for action and a focus on hope.