Could children have the creativity and moral compass that is needed in the world right now? Three children from different parts of the world hit the TEDx stage to explore how businesses might operate differently if they were accountable to future generations. Youth isn’t wasted on the young if we listen to them and empower their ingenuity. Facilitated by film director Damon Gameau. www.futurecouncil.earth Ruby Rodgers is ready to take the world by storm, and she’s still only 15 years old. Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Climate Change Warrior, Student, Leader – it’s only just the start for this talented and dedicated young woman. When you’re from a big musical family and spend your life surrounded by musicians, it’s so entrenched in your DNA that making music is almost as important as breathing. Her debut single, Hits the Heart was released through EMI Australia / Universal Music in December 2024. Ruby was recently invited to be one of only eight schoolchildren from around the globe to take part in Damon Gameau’s documentary film, Future Council. Future Council gathered a host of inspiring young minds who each brought their own personal experiences and “superpowers” to the table (Ruby’s superpower was as a songwriter / poet / storyteller). They travel across Europe spending time in nature, learning about eco solutions, sharing their concerns and fears for the future, and confronting multinational mega-polluters.Joseph Recycling began in 2022, inspired by a moment when 10-year-old Joseph Wijaya saw his friends collecting metal and cables from rivers while fishing. Realising the value of recycling, and with encouragement from his father, Joseph decided to start his own initiative to collect and process recyclables while giving back to his community.In March 2022, he delivered his first recycling bin to a local co-working space. By 2025, his network has grown to over 200 members, including schools, homes, and businesses.Each week, Joseph collects, sorts, and processes recyclables, partnering with a facility in Java when needed. Funds raised help pay for children’s education. In 2023, he paid for 24 children to attend school, and in 2024, he supported 30.He believes every child deserves the chance to learn and grow into future leaders.Joseph also leads beach cleanups and runs a plastic collection program where children earn English lessons focused on sustainability. He now creates and sells keyrings at markets to support his mission. In 2025, he launched a recycling curriculum to educate remote schools. At just 13, Joseph dreams of building a school where students can pay their fees with plastic waste—turning trash into opportunity.Hiva is a 13 year old Norfolk Islander on a mission to protect Earth’s wild spaces. Armed with his camera and an insatiable curiosity for birds and their habitats, Hiva advocates for a planet that is rich in biodiverse forests and abundant in humans that care about nature.Every time he learns of another bird species going extinct, Hiva hears the wake-up call - and he wants you to hear it too! Birds are the ambassadors of our biodiversity, exhibiting countless variations of colour, shape, size and function that reflect the ecosystem around them - as they disappear, so do our chances of saving our planet.Hiva wants to show his human friends that they too are part of nature, so that we can all start safeguarding our wild spaces for future generations. For more information on Hiva’s mission, visit www.wildtavake.com 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

Mental health is often best understood by the physical symptoms and behaviors we can see. But there is an invisible layer that is misunderstood by people who don't suffer from mental illness. By exploring this aspect, we can come to understand that accessibility and empathy need a greater emphasis when discussing the problems sufferers of psychopathology go through. Thomas Curty is a current student at SUNY Cortland, soon to be graduating in the spring semester of 2025. He has a strong interest in mental health advocacy, digital media, and political science. He comes from Staten Island, NY where he plans to return to work in the mental health field, working a helping job where he can make a difference. 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

Airing Leisure’s Dirty Laundry, explores how leisure is both a means of socialization and a reinforcement of power structures. Together, we will examine who is included and excluded, addressing uncomfortable truths about privilege and access. Like a breath of fresh air, these conversations can invigorate our understanding and foster inclusivity. Dr. Jason Page is an Assistant Professor at SUNY Cortland with over 20 years of experience in education and human services. A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), he brings extensive clinical experience working with diverse populations including at-risk youth, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those with substance use disorders. After earning his doctorate in Recreation Therapy from Clemson University, he has focused his academic career on understanding how marginalized recreational activities and the people who participate in them navigate social acceptance and stigma. 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

In times of change and uncertainty, how we choose to engage with our communities shapes our resilience and well-being. This talk explores the profound impact of connection, the consequences of isolation, and why forming and preserving meaningful relationships is critical for both individuals and society. For 20+ years, Liz Arnold has designed and built thoughtful programs that guide emerging and established leaders towards lives and careers of impact. Liz is currently the Director of Leadership Engagement + Impact at the Truman National Security Project, uniting bold thinkers nationwide to build a strong, safe future. She has additional program leadership experience in startups, tech & education at Google, Cornell, Endeca, Harvard and MIT. 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

Imagine a world where the air is stagnant, no fresh breeze to clear the fog. That's where our health is today. Despite new research, outdated ideas about nutrition and health persist, leaving millions confused. It's time for a fresh breeze of knowledge to circulate, empowering us to reclaim our health and transform the future. Margaret Steffie is a certified personal trainer, health coach, and nursing student with a Master’s in Public Health and a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland. After overcoming significant weight and GI issues, she looked beyond conventional diet and health recommendations, seeking out research and specialized practitioners. This journey fueled her passion for wellness, particularly in the areas of health literacy and evidence-based nutrition. 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

NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk as a substitute for medical advice and consult a medical professional before modifying any medications. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of lifestyle, disease, and longevity. Research around longevity zones as predictors of lifespan remains an ongoing field of study and debated by experts working in the field. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. 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.pdfUnlock the seven transformative health and wellness lessons from China's Longevity Village to live a vibrant life into your 90s—or even beyond 100. Renowned cardiologist Dr. John Day reveals how it's never too late to embrace change for a longer, healthier future. Cardiologist, St. Mark's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, Physician Executive, Cardiovascular Services, HCA Healthcare Mountain Division, Past president Heart Rhythm Society, Past Utah Governor American College of Cardiology 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