Since the very first TED Talks were posted online in 2006, the media company has generated serious, enlightening, and charming discussions on topics ranging from bail reform to memory to fidelity.
Hugh Evans, the CEO and co-founder of Global Citizen, has even shared his story on the TED stage.
Now, the organization is bringing attention to the climate crisis.
TED and the nonprofit Future Stewards are hosting the Countdown Global Launch, a free six-hour conference on Saturday, Oct. 10, featuring more than 50 speakers and performers across five dedicated sessions. The event will air on TED’s YouTube page from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
The Global Launch kicks off TED's and Future Stewards' multi-year project "Countdown," which is bringing together leaders in climate science, engineering, policy-making, and beyond to think of ways to get global greenhouse gas emissions to zero and achieve truly sustainable economies.
The event will begin with a session called "Urgency" that will include policy and climate heavyweights, alongside renowned artists: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres; Christiana Figueres, the former UN lead on the Paris climate agreement; Chris Anderson, the head of TED; and actors and activists Mark Ruffalo and Don Cheadle, among others.
The "Leadership" session will feature actor and artist Jaden Smith, former Vice President of the United States Al Gore, multimedia artist Olafur Eliasson, songwriter Yemi Alade, and comedian Aparna Nancherla.
In the "Transformation" session, actress and activist Jane Fonda will be joined by youth activist Xiye Bastida, clean energy advocate Varun Sivaram, and others.
Prince William will headline the session entitled "Breakthroughs," which will also feature climate and gender activist Ernestine Leikeki Sevidzem and social and climate justice advocate Rahwa Ghirmatzion.
The event will conclude with a session called "Action" that will bring together actor and Global Citizen Ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas; Pope Francis; director Ava DuVernay; and actor and performer Cynthia Erivo.
Throughout the day, many people will focus on the intersection between the environment and poverty, including Johan Rockström, a climate impact scholar; Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission; Carlos Moreno, the scientific director of Panthéon Sorbonne University-IAE Paris; and Rose M. Mutiso, an energy researcher focusing on expanding access to electricity.
You can find out more by following #JoinTheCountdown, visiting countdown.ted.com, and heading to Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook this Saturday.