Featured Talk: Save What You Love by Jonathan Franzen
TEDxSantaCruz is excited to announce the release of local resident and renowned writer and essayist Jonathan Franzen’s TEDxSantaCruz 2019 talk about climate crisis and the urgent need for humanity to adapt to current realities of the Anthropocene, including the sixth mass extinction. Entitled Save What You Love, he invites us to acknowledge harsh facts of the climate crisis, and to work fiercely and urgently to preserve as much of the planet’s biodiversity even as efforts to mitigate the crisis continue.Featured Talk: “In the Dark” | August Lee Stevens & Angela Chambers
Angela Chambers and August Lee Stevens blend song & dance. August’s indie soul & folk music pairs with Angela’s interpretive dance. August, a musician & singer-songwriter, tells intimate stories through her indie soul and folk music. She recently released her debut EP, Better Places, with Women’s Audio Mission (WAM). Angela is a community leader and dance artist focusing on personal transformation & social activism at Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center & the Santa Cruz County Black Health Matters Initiative.
Changing the Game: Our Future Economy | Maria Cadenas
Immersive Narratives for Climate Awareness | Juliano Calil
Virtual Reality vividly showcases climate change threats like wildfires, heat waves, and rising sea levels. Dr. Juliano Calil uses immersive storytelling to raise awareness, engage audiences, and inspire climate action. As a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy and Adjunct Professor at the Middlebury Institute, he pioneers science communication. With a Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz, he collaborates on innovative solutions for coastal flooding, wildfires, and heatwaves.
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How starting a ‘hope club’ can help us grieve | Daisy Nuñez | TEDxSantaCruz
Daisy Nuñez, a high school counselor and daughter of farm workers, leads The Hope Club, a grief support group at Watsonville High School and Hartnell College. A thanatologist and Hospice board member, she uses her expertise to help those dealing with loss. Outside work, she volunteers at Saint Patrick’s Church, travels, and values family time.
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A NEW Fashion Trend That Can Save the Earth
Stephen-Will Weir advocates for the Slow Fashion movement, emphasizing mindful consumption for personal, economic, and environmental benefits. A sustainability expert, he's committed to waste reduction and forest conservation. Based in Santa Cruz, Stephen's lifestyle includes outdoor activities and promoting sustainable living.
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Values as Verbs: How to be About that Action by Esabella Bonner
Esabella Bonner champions active societal engagement, transforming values into actions for systemic change. She founded Black Surf Santa Cruz to foster inclusivity and wellness through surfing, after leading Santa Cruz County's largest protest in 2020.
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Beyond the Safe Space by Madeline Aliah
Madeline Aliah, an 18-year-old transgender poet, shares her journey and advocates for a world embracing gender diversity. With South Asian heritage and a Christian-Islamic upbringing, she promotes empathy and inclusivity. As part of the Santa Cruz Queer Trans Youth Council, she guides educators on diversity. Her first chapbook, "This is My Body," debuted in January 2024.
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Funding Climate Solutions by Dr. Galina Hale
Dr. Galina Hale addresses financing climate change solutions, exploring funding sources and individual contributions to expedite action. A former advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, her work intersects finance and climate, with a focus on sustainable food systems and financial stability under climate threats. An accomplished author and speaker, she influences both academia and policy on a global scale.
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“Rising Together / Human Citizen” | Keith Greeninger
At TEDxSantaCruz, Keith Greeninger delivered a performance that highlighted life’s dual nature and the unifying theme of “Rising Together.” His music explores the essence of our collective human experience. An acclaimed musician, Greeninger’s songs have garnered prestigious accolades at Telluride Blue Grass and Kerrville Folk Festivals.
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How education after incarceration changed my life | Effron “Donnie” Veal
Donnie Veal, overcoming adversity in prison and his community, embraced education for hope and change. As a program coordinator, he now leads others toward a fresh start, away from recidivism. His 23-year journey from inmate to education advocate and UC Santa Cruz graduate demonstrates education's power to transform lives.
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