In this insightful talk, Vikrant Sapkota, PhD candidate, in climate science explores three key strategies to tackle climate change and limit global warming to 1.5°C. The talk breaks down Plan A (cutting emissions), Plan B (Carbon Dioxide Removal), and Plan C (Sunlight Reflection Methods, with a focus on Stratospheric Aerosol Injection). While Plan C offers a potential short-term solution to cool the planet, the speaker highlights the need for more research and careful consideration of its risks and ethical concerns. The talk emphasizes the importance of not relying solely on quick fixes and prioritizing long-term climate action, including aggressive emissions reductions. ikrant Sapkota is a dual-title PhD candidate in Climate Science and Meteorology at Penn State University, specializing in leveraging observational datasets and climate models to understand uncertainties in future climate change projections. He serves as the Vice President of the Science Policy Society at Penn State and represented the university as the graduate student delegate at COP28, the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai. Vikrant has also worked as a Graduate High-Performance Computing Consultant, where he assisted departments across Penn State with their software and programming needs. He was awarded the Graduate Research Innovation Award from the Joint Fire Science Program and the Best Poster Award at the 2024 National Science Policy Symposium. He is deeply interested in the intersection of climate, public policy, and technology, with a focus on exploring innovative solutions like sunlight reflection methods to address climate change. 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 this inspiring talk, Dr. Michael McShane reflects on the legacy of his grandfather, "Chief Rob," and his guiding motto: "Know you’re right, then go ahead." Through stories of rural Pennsylvania, healthcare struggles, and community support, he explores how this simple yet powerful message encourages standing up for what you believe in and taking action. Drawing on his own work with the LION Mobile Clinic, a student-led initiative that provides healthcare and resources to underserved communities, the talk emphasizes the importance of collaboration, community spirit, and leveraging the power of Penn State to tackle the challenges facing rural America. This is a call to action for all Penn Staters to channel their collective strength and make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. Dr. Michael McShane is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Penn State College of Medicine. He is a clinician-educator that is passionate about improving the health and well-being of underserved communities. Dr. McShane is interested in the intersections of education, health systems, and sustainability. His research focuses on patient and community advocacy, ensuring their voices are heard when designing health solutions. He leads the LION Mobile Clinic, a student supported mobile effort to improve the health and well-being of the community. 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

Through his personal experiences with loneliness and isolation, Rian discusses his journey to find a community and how everyone can find connectedness in the modern world. Seeing loneliness not a series of personal failures, but rather a society–level disconnect from the understanding that people need each other, provides a foundation for building connections. Rian Griffin, a senior at Penn State studying civil engineering, is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. Upon graduation, Rian will join Kiewit, a construction company, where he’ll be involved in a variety of projects from maintaining bridges in New York to developing tunnel systems in Baltimore. His passion for civil engineering stems from its practicality. He appreciates how civil engineers positively impact everyday life, from the water we drink to the roofs we sleep under. He enjoys city biking and kayaking in his free time and is also a Young Life Leader at Penn State, where he works to transform how students in the State College area perceive community. 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 for health advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of joy, hormones, and gene expression. 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 art and science of graceful aging with Dr. Nooshin K. Darvish, a leading naturopathic physician and author with 30 years specializing in longevity medicine. Through her talk, you’ll learn how joy and resilience lead to cellular health to redefine aging and unlock purpose, vitality and wellbeing. Dr. Nooshin Darvish, an award-winning licensed naturopathic physician, is the founder and Medical Director of Holistique and the author of ‘The Golden Gate: Unleash Your Feminine Powers to Graceful Aging’. As a clinician of 30 years, Dr. Darvish is an expert in hormone health, women’s health, regenerative medicine, chronic complex diseases and integrative cancer therapies.In her practice, her guiding principle is to harmonize the science of medicine with the art of healing. Dr. Darvish’s life purpose is to ‘Transform Lives from Within‘, support women’s health and wellbeing, and serve through educating and healing the mind, body and soul. She strives to practice a perfect blend of the art and science of medicine, treating the root causes of chronic conditions. 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

What kind of future do we want as humanity steps beyond Earth? Pam Melroy takes the stage to explore how space exploration is shaping not only our understanding of the universe but also the values we carry into the cosmos. She highlights how the lessons of the past—like the International Space Station’s remarkable legacy of global cooperation—can guide us toward a future rooted in peace and shared progress. With the NASA’s Artemis campaign poised to send the first woman and person of color to the surface of the Moon, she emphasizes the importance of building a culture of exploration that benefits all humanity. Drawing on science fiction’s vivid contrasts between utopias and dystopias, she makes the case for deliberate, principled action now to ensure a bright future among the stars. This is a powerful call to action for anyone who dreams of a world united by curiosity and hope. Col. (USAF, ret) Pam Melroy was sworn in as the NASA deputy administrator on June 21, 2021. As deputy administrator, Melroy performs the duties and exercises the powers delegated by the administrator, assists the administrator in making final agency decisions, and acts for the administrator in his absence by performing all necessary functions to govern NASA operations. Melroy is also responsible for laying out the agency’s vision and representing NASA to the Executive Office of the President, Congress, heads of federal and other appropriate government agencies, international organizations, and external organizations and communities.Melroy was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program in 1983. As a co-pilot, aircraft commander, instructor pilot, and test pilot, Melroy logged more than 6,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft before retiring from the Air Force in 2007. 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

Preston Curtis's talk shows just how important it is to be happy and optimistic in your everyday life. Life is hard and can sometimes get you in a rut, so giving yourself the ability to be happy throughout every situation is necessary. He has many experiences that have nearly sent him to an early death, so he will be sharing just how valuable life truly is and that you should enjoy every minute. From Denver, Colorado, Preston Curtis enjoys studying psychology and is a varsity rower. A first year student who has done everything they can to become as engaged as possible. He loves to spend as much time as he can hanging out with friends while also trying to experience everything possible. Whether it be competitive tennis or water polo, life is too short not to try it all. He firmly believes that hard work and a smile on your face are key to achieving our goals, both in rowing and in life. 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