[cooltheplanet] Greening the ghetto with Majora Carter
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Tree Hugger
Jul 15, 2007, 1:38:58 PM7/15/07
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So last night my husband and I were spending our Saturday evening not out on the town or watching a movie or socializing with friends, but watching presentations from the TED conference in March 2007. Sounds geeky, yes? If you don't know about TED, it's an annual conference bringing together news-makers from technology, entertainment and design to share ideas and effect change. What's incredibly entertaining about this is the enormous cross-section of incredibly influential people who, despite their disparate backgrounds, find common ground in their effort to more fully understand the world and change it for the better. Find out more about TED (and watch the presentations) at http://www.ted.com/index.php/pages/view/id/5.
The reason the TED conference relates to this blog is not just the presence of such environmental conservation luminaries as Jane Goodall, but the overwhelming message that we can all create positive change to preserve the planet through our actions large and small. And the most inspiring speaker in that respect has to be Majora Carter, who launched an effort to take back the South Bronx waterfront from sludge and environmental degradation, dramatically transforming this after-thought borough in the process. What touched me - and anyone else who wants to change the world but isn't a power-broker with oodles of influence and money - was her message (to paraphrase) that yes, small grassroots efforts are crucial to saving the planet and the natural environment, and we can achieve great things as individuals if we keep focusing on and spreading our message. You have to watch her presentation at http://www.ted.com/index.php/speakers/view/id/51, because you can't help but be inspired and moved by what she's done, and what she believes she can do. If a woman from the South Bronx can command the same podium as movers and shakers at TED, what's to stop the rest of us?
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Posted By Tree Hugger to cooltheplanet at 7/15/2007 10:05:00 AM
The reason the TED conference relates to this blog is not just the presence of such environmental conservation luminaries as Jane Goodall, but the overwhelming message that we can all create positive change to preserve the planet through our actions large and small. And the most inspiring speaker in that respect has to be Majora Carter, who launched an effort to take back the South Bronx waterfront from sludge and environmental degradation, dramatically transforming this after-thought borough in the process. What touched me - and anyone else who wants to change the world but isn't a power-broker with oodles of influence and money - was her message (to paraphrase) that yes, small grassroots efforts are crucial to saving the planet and the natural environment, and we can achieve great things as individuals if we keep focusing on and spreading our message. You have to watch her presentation at http://www.ted.com/index.php/speakers/view/id/51, because you can't help but be inspired and moved by what she's done, and what she believes she can do. If a woman from the South Bronx can command the same podium as movers and shakers at TED, what's to stop the rest of us?
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Posted By Tree Hugger to cooltheplanet at 7/15/2007 10:05:00 AM
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