Can Technology Save Us? Water Security in Changing Climates | Monica Emelko | TEDxKiwanis Park Youth
Water is essential to life, but in the face of climate change, our traditional approaches to water security are no longer enough. This talk explores how technology, environmental stewardship, and social engagement must work together to ensure clean drinking water for all. Discover why protecting our water sources is just as important as the treatment technology itself—and why social science is key to implementing real change. Monica Emelko is a Professor and the Canada Research Chair in Water Science, Technology & Policy at the University of Waterloo in Canada. She is a Professional Engineer and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. Dr. Emelko holds chemical and environmental engineering degrees from MIT, UCLA, and the University of Waterloo and has served as a technical advisor to the U.S. National Academies of Engineering, Science, and Medicine, Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as several other federal and provincial/state agencies in Canada, the United States, and globally regarding regulatory development related to water treatment, source water protection, public health policy, risk analysis, and integrated resource management. She has worked on wildfire and its implications to drinking water treatment since 2004. Her team was the first globally to describe wildfire effects on drinking water treatability. They are regularly cited by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for identifying these linkages and received the Canadian Council of the Federation Award of Excellence in Water Stewardship in 2014. In 2016, Dr. Emelko assisted as first responder helping with water treatment response and re-entry risk management during and after the wildfire in Fort McMurray and received a citation from the Premier for service to the province. Professor Emelko is the Scientific Director of “forWater” a Canada-wide and internationally partnered research network focused on maximizing benefit from concurrent forest management-based approaches for drinking water source protection and enhanced resilience in water treatment, operations, and risk management. 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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- 20:04Wisdom from Ancient Scriptures: Solving Modern Leadership Challenges | KK Bhagchandani | TEDxMRUKK Bhagchandani presents an insightful session on how ancient wisdom can provide solutions to modern leadership challenges. Every leader, whether in business, technology, or personal life, encounters struggles related to people, resources, finances, and technology. He highlights that logic is abundant in technology but often lacking in human relationships, while emotions are strongest in humans and almost nonexistent in technology. While financial and resource-related issues can be resolved through knowledge and networks, human-related challenges require wisdom and leadership. Wisdom plays a crucial role in making the right choices, developing oneself, and leading a fulfilling life. According to Bhagchandani, it can be found in global case studies, ancient scriptures, and the guidance of elders and mentors. To illustrate this, he shares stories from different sources, covering perspectives on social, professional, and personal life. For social life, he narrates the story of The Monkey and Two Cats, emphasizing that when two equals fight, the one creating the conflict benefits, teaching the importance of unity and fairness. He also draws a lesson from The Mahabharata, where the Pandavas fought for justice despite unfair odds, reinforcing the idea that one must always stand for righteousness. Additionally, he shares the case of Google vs. China (2006-2010), where Google refused to comply with censorship despite business risks, proving that principles should guide decisions. In the professional sphere, Bhagchandani highlights key lessons through three stories. The first, The Mouse and the Cat, demonstrates that great ideas are meaningless without proper execution. He then references The Ramayana, emphasizing the need for strategy, patience, and perseverance in leadership. Lastly, he discusses Coca-Cola’s failure in 1985, where a poor decision led to backlash, yet the CEO took full responsibility, exemplifying true leadership. For personal life, he stresses the idea that nothing in this world is truly free—everything comes at a cost, whether visible or hidden. He shares the story of Yudhishthira and Yama, which underscores the importance of truth and righteousness. Another example is Johnson & Johnson’s 1982 product crisis, where a mistake resulted in the loss of five lives. Instead of denying responsibility, the company took full accountability, setting an ethical standard for businesses. Bhagchandani concludes by reiterating that ancient wisdom remains relevant today. Whether dealing with corporate failures, ethical dilemmas, or leadership struggles, solutions can be found in historical scriptures and past experiences. He encourages leaders to seek knowledge, act with integrity, and learn from history to navigate modern challenges effectively. Business consultant with 30+ years of tech industry expertise. Renowned for transforming leaders into impactful visionaries, he specializes in pharma and life sciences innovation, AI, and cloud transformation. A captivating speaker, has inspired audiences on 1000+ stages, including TEDx, and speaks six languages. Founder of KKB.works and Empyrian Lifesciences Inc, he is also Chief Business Officer at Axcess.io. With accolades like Bharat Udyog Ratan and Glory of India, KKB empowers businesses and leaders to achieve extraordinary success. 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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