TEDxWWF

The TEDxWWF conference will comprise forward-thinking speakers who will share their endeavours and insights (scientific, adventurous, artistic or otherwise) that are challenging and changing the way we think, live and work to meet the challenges of living on our one planet. Read more In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxWWF, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxWWF event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

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TEDxWWF Singapore was an inspiring success. Thank you to all who participated and made this event a possibility.

Videos of presentations from TEDxWWF Singapore are now available online: Thinking One Planet Living Stuart Chapman: Dam right! Simon Tay: Asia’s rise and the environmental costs: up in the air? Sudhanshu Swaroop: Do trees have rights? Protecting the environment in the 21st century Darrel Webber: Business unusual for a global commodity Living One Planet Living William Winram: The great white lie Lixin Huang: Traditional chinese medicine and harmony of the planet Irshad Mobarak: From the naturalist’s notebook Tim ‘Mac’ Macartney: A line in the sand Nathan Hartono: Music performance

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Stuart Chapman: Dam right!

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Simon Tay: Asia's rise and the environmental costs: up in the air?

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Sudhanshu Swaroop: Do trees have rights? Protecting the environment in the 21st century

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Darrel Webber: Business unusual for a global commodity

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William Winram: The great white lie

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Lixin Huang: Traditional chinese medicine and harmony of the planet

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Nathan Hartono: Music performance

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Irshad Mobarak: From the naturalist's notebook

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Tim 'Mac' Macartney: A line in the sand

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Photos from the event:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wwfint/sets/72157630064137165/

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TEDxWWF Singapore speaker - Stuart Chapman, Conservation Director, WWF-Greater Mekong Programme

Click here for Stuart Chapman's TEDxWWF talk

Since the age of five, Stuart knew he wanted to be a “naturalist”. He started working for WWF in 1993, initially in Vietnam’s Bach Ma National Park and then in WWF-UK. As head of the WWF-UK Species Programme, which covered Asia, Latin American and Africa, he successfully devised a campaign which resulted in a change in UK law to make wildlife trade crime an arrestable offence.

In 2004, he moved to Indonesia to coordinate WWF’s Heart of Borneo campaign. Following his 3 years of work there, in February 2007, the governments of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia signed a historic Declaration for the conservation of the Heart of Borneo  - covering an area of 240,000 sq km of rainforest.

In 2008, he moved to Laos to take up the position of Conservation Director for WWF’s  Greater Mekong Programme which covers Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. During this time he ensured the successful implementation of a WWF strategy to oppose the construction of Lower Mekong mainstream dams resulting in two downstream countries adopting WWF’s pre-stated position of a 10 year delay in dam construction.  He also led the team that convinced stakeholders of the need for a Mekong regional programme under the Global Environment Facility, which after 2 years of sustained work, leveraged over US$150 million for conservation in the Mekong region.

Synopsis of Presentation:

DAM RIGHT!

By the end of 2008, 11 Memorandums of Understanding were signed for the construction of hydropower dams on the lower sections of the Mekong River.  With such signing, a clock is ticking as each of these dams goes through the procedures of approval. If any one of these dams is constructed, the Mekong River will be changed forever. The benefits of hydropower, electricity and poverty alleviation, are not without costs.  Hydropower dams fundamentally alter the river ecosystem, often with negative impacts to livelihoods and biodiversity. 

In his presentation, Stuart argues that the “natural capital” provided by the river needs to be considered alongside the economic returns of hydropower and a paradigm shift must be made in hydropower development in a way that provides a win-win for end consumers and the local custodians of the river.

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TEDxWWF Singapore speaker - Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

Click here for Simon Tay’s TEDxWWF talk

Simon is a public intellectual focusing on Asia’s international relations, such as US-Asia relations, the global economy and issues of regionalization. He is concurrently the chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs think-tank, professor of international law at the National University of Singapore and Senior Consultant at the law firm, WongPartnership.

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TEDxWWF Singapore speaker - William Winram, Ocean Environmentalist / Shark Publicist/ Photographer

Click here for William Winram’s TEDxWWF talk

William Winram is noted as an Ocean Environmentalist, Shark Publicist and Photographer. He established himself as one of the few freedivers in the world who can excel in pool and depth competitions, earning several medals at World Championships. After three years of competitive freediving and countless Pan-American records, William started using his breath-hold talents in aid of the world’s oceans. 

Synopsis of presentation:

Sharks have been maligned in the media and because of this the world does not seem to care about the ongoing slaughter estimated up to 100 million individuals a year.

William will be giving a personal account of his first shark encounter and the turning point in his life with regards to sharks and how they have been portrayed. This will include his close encounters with the tiger shark as well as the great white shark.

William will also touch on the critical role of the shark in the marine ecosystem and what we, as individuals, can do to lessen the pressure on the over fishing of these magnificent animals.

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TEDxWWF Singapore speaker - Darrel Webber, Secretary General, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

Click here for Darrel Webber’s TEDxWWF talk

With prior working experience in an international environmental NGO and the private sector, in January 2011, Darrel Webber became Secretary General of RSPO. A not-for-profit association that unites stakeholders from seven sectors of the palm oil industry – namely oil palm producers, palm oil processors or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation NGOs and social or developmental NGOs – RSPO’s goal is to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil. 

Synopsis of presentation:

Demand for palm oil is increasing and has become central to the economies of the developing countries where it’s grown. Palm oil is found in around half the products on our supermarket shelves, and it could soon be used as a biofuel that runs our cars too. But there is a price to pay that doesn’t show up on the till receipt. Deforestation. The loss of species. Indigenous people being forced off their land. Pollution. Climate change. Producing palm oil sustainably is one of the biggest challenges we face. Darrel’s presentation covers the beginnings of sustainable development for palm oil and what that means for the environment and people. He will also share what has been achieved thus far, along with the future for RSPO and sustainable development of palm oil.

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TEDxWWF Singapore speaker - Sudhanshu Swaroop, International Law Barrister

Click here for Sudhanshu Swaroop’s TEDxWWF talk

Sudhanshu is a London-based barrister, who has worked on environmental and human rights issues around the world, including in India, Colombia, Afghanistan, Syria and Darfur. He has a particular interest in the relationship between multinational corporations and the environment. Sudhanshu is Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Bar of England and Wales and has lectured in international law at King’s College, London.

His recent cases include a landmark decision about the liability of a parent company for asbestosis contracted by the employee of its subsidiary and a group claim for environmental damage allegedly caused by the construction of an oil pipeline in Colombia. He has also acted in numerous international arbitrations and submitted arguments to the United States Supreme Court.

SYNOPSIS OF PRESENTATION:

The framework for holding accountable those that damage the environment requires urgent re-appraisal. In this context, what rights and obligations exist and how should they be enforced? Sudhanshu offers some ideas.

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TEDxWWF Singapore speaker - Irshad Mobarak, Founder, Natural History Tours

Click here for Irshad Mobarak's TEDxWWF talk

Irshad is one of Malaysia's most celebrated naturalists with over 26 years experience in the field. A former banker, Irshad is based in Langkawi where he runs a successful bird watching company – Natural History Tours - and is a strong advocate for the conservation of Langkawi's fragile natural heritage. A self-taught naturalist and outdoor buff, he conducts interpretive walks for The Datai Resort, a leading hotel. This gifted and passionate speaker is entertaining but serious and insightful and his walks always inspire his audiences. 

Synopsis of presentation:

Irshad will share interesting observations and insights from the wild. Mostly entertaining, and at times, provocative and controversial, these will include interactions and relationships found between plants and plants, plants and insects, birds and mammals. He will also cover aspects of evolution, and the criteria for success in nature.