Discover the astonishing journey of the Beijing Swift, spanning from Beijing to Africa and back, a tale of resilience and wonder. Through this remarkable story, learn how even urban environments hold the key to preserving biodiversity. Join me as we uncover the power of small actions in shaping a brighter future for our planet.#earthdayTerry Townshend is a Beijing-based biodiversity and climate change expert with specific expertise on legislation, wildlife conservation and China. Formerly lead author and co-author of the annual Climate Legislation Study, in partnership with the London School of Economics, he presented the findings in the US Senate, Chinese National Peoples Congress, Japanese Diet, South Korean National Assembly, Mexican Congress and the UK Parliament. In 2017, in partnership with Chinese NGO ShanShui Conservation Center, he helped devise and set up a community-based wildlife watching tourism project with yak herders on the Tibetan Plateau, focusing on Snow Leopards. The herders were awarded the first community-based tourism concession for a National Park in China, informing policy development for China's national park system.Terry is passionate about public engagement on biodiversity and set up projects to track two of Beijing's most iconic birds - the Beijing Swift + Beijing Cuckoo - both of which werediscovered migrate to southern Africa for the northern winter, attracting media coverage including front page of the New York Times. He runs the Wild Beijing website (www.wild-beijing .org), celebrating the wildlife of China's capital city. In 2018 he became a Fellow of the Paulson Institute, advising their conservation programme, and in 2019 was invited by the Beijing Municipal government to be a consultant on a project to protect and restore Beijing's biodiversity. In 2020 he was co-author of a landmark study on how to finance biodiversity conservation: “Financing Nature: Closing the Global Biodiversity Financing Gap”, influencing the resource mobilisation aspects of the new Global Biodiversity Framework, agreed by more than 190 countries under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal in December 2021.Terry has a prominent media profile, appearing on prime time TV in China with CCTV, BTV and Phoenix TV, featured live on BBC World and worked with the BBC Natural History Unit and ITV's Ray Mears in Qinghai and Beijing, as well as National Geographic. He is a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers and, in 2021, was awarded a gold Beijing Citizen Award by 新京报 (Beijing News) for services to the environment, the first foreign recipient in its history.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

National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yuyan shares powerful stories from Indigenous communities worldwide, revealing how traditional ecological knowledge has preserved Earth's most biodiverse regions from the coral reefs of Palau to the Amazon rainforest. Photographer Kiliii Yuyan is committed to telling stories that help humanity understand itself and its relationship to mother earth. In 2023, Kiliii received one of National Geographic's highest honors, the Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling. He contributes to publications including TIME, Vogue, WIRED, and has been honored by awards including Pictures of the Year International, Leica Oscar-Barnack, PDN and ASMP. Kiliii is currently on speaking tour with National Geographic Live. He is based out of traditional Duwamish lands (Seattle), but usually found beneath the sea or floating on Arctic ice. 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

This TEDx talk describes a personal journey from city life to restoring a fire-damaged farm on Ibiza, using the metaphor of "exploding pine cones" to illustrate how nature regenerates after crisis. Through the speaker's experience transforming an abandoned dairy farm into a regenerative community food hub, they advocate for shifting from linear "take-make-waste" systems to circular, regenerative approaches that mimic nature's cycles, particularly in our food systems. Finn is passionate about building resilience for a changing climate while accelerating the transition towards regenerative cultures. 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

Award-winning journalist and content creator Dorissa shares her transformative journey from the bustling streets of New York City to the heart of Kansas City. Through personal and professional challenges, she discovered the power of patience and learned to embrace uncertainty, finding strength in stillness. Dorissa began her on-air career as a NPR radio host for WSIU in Carbondale, IL before moving to New York City on a whim. Dorissa landed her first job at the number one television market’s premier 24/7 news station—NY1—where she assisted with field production. In 2018, she was hired as a general assignment reporter for Bronxnet Television. There, she produced hyper local news stories and profile pieces; among them an interview package profiling Dr. Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five. Dorissa is now a lifestyle and breaking news reporter at KMBC 9 News in Kansas City, Missouri. Along with her wealth of television experience, she is also a content creator, she has garnered nearly 150K followers on the popular social media platform TikTok by posting affirmations, daily advice and positive messages. Dorissa has also moderated forums for The Bronx Borough President, and is a public speaker. Along with her wealth of speaking experience, Dorissa is also a proud member of NABJ. 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

This TEDx talk explores the unconventional brilliance of chess hustlers and the invaluable life lessons they offer. Through encounters with street chess legends in Chicago, Amsterdam, Zurich and New York, I've discovered that mastery isn’t just about structured learning—it’s about embracing unpredictability, intuition, and raw experience. Chess hustlers thrive on confidence, adaptability, and creativity, challenging the rigid conventions of formal play. Beyond the board, these lessons apply to life, urging us to seek wisdom in unexpected places and step outside our comfort zones. This talk is a reminder that sometimes, the greatest insights come from the most unassuming teachers. Yuvanshu Agarwal, known as Yuvi to friends and family, is a nationally ranked chess player with nearly 15 years of competitive experience. He has represented the Carnegie Mellon Chess Team in collegiate tournaments and enjoys teaching chess to children at his local library in his free time. Beyond chess, Yuvi is passionate about salsa dancing, riding motorcycles with friends, and improving his bouldering skills. 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

Empowering entrepreneurs! Kamakshi Aggarwal shares her inspiring journey of pursuing entrepreneurship and career goals, defying conventions and embracing the 'Go Against the Flow' mindset. In her talk, she reveals how taking bold steps and challenging norms can lead to success. A must-watch for anyone looking to break barriers and achieve their dreams. "As a passionate entrepreneur and social worker with a strong financial background, I'm driven to bring about transformative change in my community. With unwavering ambition and a willingness to speak my mind, I'm not afraid to challenge the status quo and push boundaries. My creative spirit, fitness enthusiasm, and belief in karma guide me in cultivating innovative solutions, fostering meaningful connections, and spreading positivity wherever I go." 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