TEDxBoulder - Andrew Currie - Protecting Endangered Species for Future Generations

Andrew Currie discusses the importance of the preservation of wildlife now, and in the future.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world; and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

[Hhenryarero]

Those tasked with Responsibilities of representing Wildlife should do so with a priority and with Greater attention

[CordeliatheChorkie]

Hi Andrew-Due to the current state of events in the US, my wildlife conservationist-side has ramped up a bit.I watched your Tedx several times and have some feedback for you to consider.Key talking points:->Universal Responsibility: Humans to Other forms of life->You are passionate about Wildlife Conservation->Root cause of Species loss is human population pressure->Population Pressure:  negative effects on resources and Species loss ->Wildlife "GONE":  not normal to not have Wildlife running around in our Country->What can we do? 1)empathy 2)fewer children 3) education in developing countries 4)donationOur objective in Wildlife Conservation is to take action in 1) protecting animals and their habitat and 2) encouraging or educating others to do the same.  While I appreciate your message and passion, I question the approach and key points.  You opened with a great quote, and spoke about your experiences, but your key objective was lost in the introduction.  The root cause of Species loss is clear.  But why is it so important to conserve wildlife and prevent species loss?  Your focus was Population pressure heavy, and that topic is a whole new mountain.  To gain support of communities and develop an audience that is not immediate in adopting wildlife conservation beliefs and practices,   is challenging.  We need to provide the "WHY"s.  Why should they care?  Why should they take action?  Your ideas and solutions are great, but are they measurable, implementable, or consistent?  Can more than 1 of these solutions resonate with a new-to-conservation audience?  There has to be more to it.  Education in developing countries also impacts economic growth, win-win.  But why can't we scale the education solution across all communities?   I would like to become more involved in Wildlife Conservation, but I want to solve for two factors 1) Compelling "why"s that have a broad target reach and 2) Compelling solutions that are feasible to said audience.Overall, we need more people out there, speaking to this critical topic.  Thank you!

[Nihilanth]

the 1 child policy MUST be applied in africa and asia where most endangered species are

[osmankara]

Now, we're in 2020 and we're going worse.

[redassassingaming]

I’m so sad but today I stoped people from cutting down good trees and helped a hurt butterfly at recess

[Dmanfp]

Yepp. I was just thinking about it with my fav river (with unique, nearly irreplaceable fauna and features), in a state where our springs / water resources are our greatest natural asset- Florida. The water districts mean well, but don't want to budget pumping. Right, nobody wants to admit the uncomfortable only solution to the tragedy of the commons is to see the world as limited instead of one abounding almost inexhaustible resources (or at least one to exploit and "if it runs out/ gets overly trashed, oh well"). Because those that rise to exploit are the ones to rise to power, it is a systemic issue. Nowhere is safe, since even relatively uninhabited places can become inhabited and exploited after other places are.

And the worshipping of currency over natural habitats/ phenomena- that have Much more depth and lessons that whatever can be bought on the market, not to mention much more intrinsic and Literal value. It's worthy of being sad, mad, everything and anything and feels as if there's next to nothing to do about it. But I know numbing and self pity isn't the answer, for some reason. Maybe I've had enough voids and losses in other parts of life, I've just about had it.

If you want to get closer to saving the planet, going vegan helps... but going "organic", driving an electric car, recycling-- isn't gonna cut it. Having less or no kids helps way more. But always everywhere somebody is gonna have loads of kids lol. Just saying, I'm pretty sure nowadays is the good ol days compared to the coming decades, so enjoy it, keep strength and resilience if you want to keep going until the passing of old age-- if at all possible nowadays for anyone relatively young xD