Passive Buyers to Active Changemakers: Rethinking Our Consumer Role | Matt Langford | TEDxUoChester
As both a product designer and a consumer, I’ve seen firsthand how products are made -and how they often fall short when it comes to sustainability. This isn’t due to technical limitations but a lack of real pressure for change. While regulation is on the horizon, we, as consumers, have the power to act now. By demanding repairability, durability, and responsible end-of-life solutions, we can push brands to do better. Let’s start a conversation about what we truly want from the products we buy - and use our collective voice to shape amore sustainable future. I'm a product designer specialising in user-centred and sustainability-focused design forearly-stage hardware innovators. I have worked across the consumer and medical sectorshave worked on a wide variety of products including inhalers, medical pagers, pressurecookers and even a Quidditch goal.
I founded People Planet Product in 2024 in order to address a gap between early-stage innovative ideas, and technical product development. I would like to help innovators embed responsible development techniques into their projects and am passionate about helping them to develop products people want, and that align with the needs of the planet. 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
More from TED
- 14:01Product Development | Malika Mascoll | TEDxEF Academy YouthHow do ideas become innovations? This talk walks through the creative journey of turning concepts into tangible products — from design and testing to failure and refinement. It highlights the challenges and breakthroughs that shape the process, and encourages a mindset of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship. Malika Mascoll is a seasoned apparel product developer with over eight years of experience at top fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Rag & Bone, Kith, and Alexander Wang. A graduate of the High School of Fashion Industries and FIT, she specializes in turning creative concepts into high-quality, functional apparel. 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
- 15:45RAINBOW of Excellence Beyond Notice | Vishnu Narayan B | TEDxSJCETPalaiWhat does it feel like to spread the colors of quiet impact? In this TEDx talk, Vishnu Narayan proposes the RAINBOW strategy — Reflect, Acknowledge, Inspire, Navigate, Believe, Own, and Wonder — a powerful framework that inspires you to make an impact, just like the formation of a rainbow: quiet, yet beautiful and noticeable. This talk reveals how unseen moments of integrity, effort, and growth can make a lasting impact through real examples from his life — his mother, who sacrificed her career for him; his school teacher, who inspired him in a way she doesn’t even realize; and more. Discover how small, intentional actions can lead to extraordinary impacts. Vishnu Narayan, a Platinum Certified Mentor, Workplace Coach, NLP Practitioner and Agile Ninja Coach at TCS, is passionate about mentoring, coaching and fostering positive change. Heading Talent Development in Kerala, he leverages his expertise to create a lasting impact.A Mechanical Engineer who started his career as a Plant Engineer, turned IT professional, Vishnu has excelled in roles like Tester, Developer, Scrum Master, Architect, Project Manager, Delivery Manager, Unit Agile Leader etc. showcasing technical prowess and leadership in transformative initiatives.Outside work, he is a philanthropic fitness enthusiast with interests in YouTubing, blogging, cooking, and acting. A devoted family man, he enjoys life with his wife and two cubs. 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
- 9:27Is artificial intelligence a friend or foe? | Man Sum Cheung | TEDxEF Academy YouthArtificial intelligence is reshaping the world — but is it for better or worse? This talk examines the benefits and risks of rapidly advancing AI systems, from automation and efficiency to ethics and human control. It encourages critical thinking about how we can responsibly shape the future of AI. n/a 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
- 17:36The Power of Stories | Megha Rajpurohit | TEDxBodhi International SchoolThe Power of Stories Megha Rajpurohit is a confident and creative 14-year-old from Jodhpur, currently studying in Grade 10 at Heritage Girls School, Udaipur. This marks her second time preparing for a TEDx talk—an opportunity she embraces with enthusiasm. A passionate public speaker, Megha has participated in numerous debates and Model United Nations conferences. Her interests span advanced yoga, long-distance running, and cooking, which she considers her true passion. In her downtime, she finds joy in dancing and writing poetry in both Hindi and English. With strong leadership skills and a deep-rooted educational environment at home, Megha continues to grow as a bold and expressive voice of her generation. 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
- 8:03Social Media: The Killer of Happiness | Emma Greiderer | TEDxEF Academy YouthThis talk explores the dark side of constant online connectivity. From comparison culture to dopamine addiction, it uncovers how social media affects mental well-being and challenges the illusion of happiness portrayed online. It also raises important questions about how we can reclaim joy in a digital world. n/a 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
- 5:47The Power of Influential Speech | Lani Schleusener | TEDxEF Academy YouthWords have the power to inspire action, create change, and shape the way people think. This talk explores how influential speech has shaped history, impacted media, and influenced communities — revealing techniques behind compelling communication and how they can be used to foster stronger connections.n/a 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
