When it comes to sustainability, we often take our built infrastructure for granted. In this talk, we'll explore the interconnectedness of transportation infrastructure in nature and in our

When it comes to sustainability, we often take our built infrastructure for granted. In this talk, we'll explore the interconnectedness of transportation infrastructure in nature and in our communities. How do roads affect our ecosystems and economies? How big is our infrastructure footprint? What would it look like if roads were more environmentally-friendly and human-centered? Is that even possible? Let's reimagine the role that our roads can play in building a greener future. Jeralee Anderson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Greenroads International, a globally recognized nonprofit organization focused on sustainability education and certification for transportation projects. As CEO, she currently manages the daily operations and oversees all programs for Greenroads. She received her doctorate in sustainability and civil engineering from the University of Washington. Jeralee worked in a variety of structural, geotechnical and construction engineering positions in California after receiving her undergraduate degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She is a licensed professional engineer in Washington State and California and was recognized in 2013 by the Obama White House as a Transportation Champion of Change for the 21st Century. In 2018, Jeralee was elected to the Redmond City Council and in 2019 was appointed to serve on the Washington State Public Works Board by Governor Jay Inslee. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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Join host Jeff Corwin for a celebration of the Endangered Species Act by connecting with a few of the amazing species that have benefitted from the landmark legislation. To learn more about the

Join host Jeff Corwin for a celebration of the Endangered Species Act by connecting with a few of the amazing species that have benefitted from the landmark legislation. To learn more about the wildlife featured in the episode, visit www.defenders.org/wildlifenation Video Transcript: Jeff Corwin: The United States is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes and diverse wildlife on earth, and there's no better example than an iconic bird that's loved and admired from sea to shining sea.   Now that my friends is a powerful stare. For me, the bald eagle is not only a powerful symbol of the United States, but it is an incredible example of environmental stewardship, conservation, and the importance of the Endangered Species Act. Amazingly, not so long ago, this mighty bird species was pushed to the brink of extinction. But today, it is recovered and it is thriving because we all came together and we protected this amazing symbol of the United States. Jeff Corwin: The modern American environmental movement began in 1973 with the passage of landmark legislation called the Endangered Species Act. This crucial bipartisan law empowered our government to protect and manage vulnerable plants and animals, as well as the ecosystems upon which they depend. The Endangered Species Act has saved dozens of other threatened species from the brink of extinction, including one of my favorites, sea turtles. Today, we're exploring the beautiful beaches of Boca Raton, Florida, where several different sea turtle species make their nests. Jeff Corwin: This is Elizabeth Fleming, she works with Defenders of Wildlife. Her backyard is Florida. Her mission is Florida. This is David Anderson, and you're the sea turtle coordinator for Gumbo Limbo. David Anderson: Yes, I am the conservation coordinator for our five miles of beach in Boca Raton. Jeff Corwin: Awesome. Elizabeth, why are beaches like this critical to the survival of sea turtles? Elizabeth Fleming: Well, Florida is globally important for sea turtles. We have the largest nesting aggregations for loggerhead turtles in the entire world. Jeff Corwin: That's kind of amazing. Elizabeth Fleming: It's kind of amazing. Jeff Corwin: David, I think what's so special about Boca Raton is that a few decades ago, people had a sense of foresight. David Anderson: They had foresight to establish parks - beachfront parks in about half of all of Boca Raton's shoreline. Jeff Corwin: We've got a sea turtle nest right here. What species do you think? David Anderson: This is a loggerhead nest. This nest hatched three days ago, so now we are ready to excavate it and inventory its contents. Jeff Corwin: Awesome. Shall we start? David Anderson: Yes, we can start. Basically just start digging straight down, separate all the hatched shells. Elizabeth, can you help me sort. Elizabeth Fleming: I can. Jeff Corwin: Typically, how many stragglers would you find? David Anderson: I would say about half of the time we excavate nests, we find a live hatchling or two or sometimes three or four. Elizabeth Fleming: So they lay a lot of eggs and numbers are on their side to help them survive. Jeff Corwin: What's really promising is we're seeing a lot of empty shells. David Anderson: Right. Jeff Corwin: Which means, a lot of them got out alive. David Anderson: That's right. Elizabeth Fleming: One in 10,000 actually survive to become an adult and breed. The thing is if we just protect their habitat, they will do the rest. Jeff Corwin: They're indicator species. Elizabeth Fleming: Absolutely. Jeff Corwin: They're keystone species. Elizabeth Fleming: They are. Jeff Corwin: They're critical to the environment. They're a part of human culture. Elizabeth Fleming: They are. Jeff Corwin: It would be a sad world without them. Elizabeth Fleming: It sure would. Jeff Corwin: Oh, and it would be a sad world- Elizabeth Fleming: Did you find one? David Anderson: Look at there. Jeff Corwin: Look at that. Elizabeth Fleming: Look at that. Jeff Corwin: And it would be a sad world without this, and this is why this is so important. Because every sea turtle matters. This little straggler, buried deep in the nest, it's been liberated. In a little bit. David Anderson: Yep. Jeff Corwin: It's going home. Jeff Corwin: Of the seven sea turtle species roaming the oceans of our world, six of them make their nests on the beaches of America and all of them are listed as protected animals, under the Endangered Species Act.

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NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here:

NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf John Lanier believes that we all have a part to play in the fight to stop climate change. Through his leadership of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, he continues the legacy of his grandfather, the late corporate environmental pioneer Ray C. Anderson. With a plan developed for the state of Georgia as the example, John makes a powerful case for a new and exciting method to fighting climate change that incorporates not only solutions that reduce carbon emissions but also those that address social issues such as unemployment and hunger on a local level. Advocating for the environment is part of John A. Lanier’s DNA. As the executive director of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, he continues the legacy of his grandfather, the late corporate environmental pioneer Ray C. Anderson through Foundation programs that seek to create a brighter, more sustainable world. Through this work, John is spearheading Drawdown Georgia, a movement designed to scale the most effective climate solutions for the state of Georgia. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Southface Institute, a nonprofit working to advance green building and a regenerative economy. He is author of “Mid-Course Correction Revisited,” an updated edition of his grandfather’s first book. John earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law and holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and economics from the University of Virginia. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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 COWSPIRACY: The Sustainability Secret () is a groundbreaking feature-length environmental documentary following an intrepid filmmaker as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today, and investigates why the world's leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it. Published on Jun 6, 2014

Produced by Kip Anderson & Keegan Kuhn, Animals United Movement A.U.M.

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Ray Anderson's reading of Paul Hawken's Book, The Ecology of Commerce changed his life and explains how he came to understand the damage being done to the earth by organizations including his company. 

To purchase The Ecology of Commerce from Amazon, click on the image or visit your local bookstore or library. Thank you.

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Mary Anderson has twenty five years in municipal government and Public Works and is currently the Director of

Mary Anderson has twenty five years in municipal government and Public Works and is currently the Director of Public Works for City of Highland Park, IL (Chicago suburbs) and is one of the original appointees to the APWA Center for Sustainability. In this panel presentation at the APWA Sustainability in Public Works held in Portland, Oregon in June, 2011 Ms. Anderson emphasizes the APWA Framework for Sustainability and the APWA initiative, the Center for Sustainability.

The session was videtaped by Ruth Ann Barrett, EarthSayers.tv, the voices of sustainability.

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A shocking solution by two climate scientists? Addressing the economic system, advocating a radical de-growth strategy. Interviewed by Amy Goodman at the UN Climate Summit, Warsaw, Poland.

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