A Playbook on Financing Climate Solutions—with Nili Gilbert & David Blood
February 19, 2024
Tackling climate change costs a lot of money — and the financial sector is key to getting that money flowing. In a wide-ranging conversation, sustainable investment leaders Nili Gilbert and David Blood discuss where progress is being made on climate solutions, where capital still needs to move faster and why this is an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable growth.
What if Advertising was Honest?—with Sylvester Chauke
February 5, 2024
After years of brand building, marketing veteran Sylvester Chauke realized that his industry had sold the world on overconsumption, with devastating consequences. He shares how marketers could instead promote sustainability with "honest ads" that do right by the planet and encourage people to think twice before buying.
The Secret Perks of Driving Electric—with Cynthia Williams
January 22, 2024
Electric vehicles need to be more than just eco-friendly — they have to be more chic, convenient and affordable than their gas-powered alternatives, says sustainability leader Cynthia Williams. She explores what it'll take for an electric revolution to succeed in the US, calling on corporations, policy leaders, investors and more to collaborate in unprecedented ways. After the talk, Modupe shares her own approach to encouraging change that sticks.
How to Solve the World's Biggest Problems—with Natalie Cargill
January 15, 2024
Sometimes the world's biggest issues can seem so intractable that meaningful change feels impossible. But what if the answer has been right in front of us all along? What if the answer is actually throwing money at the problems? In this thought-provoking talk, philanthropic advisor Natalie Cargill shares what might happen if we came together to spend 3.5 trillion dollars on fixing the world. And, yes, she also has a plan for where to get the money from. (Followed by a Q&A with Anna Verghese, executive director of The Audacious Project.) After the talk and Q&A, Modupe shares her philosophy on giving.
What Does "Wealth" Mean to You?—with Aisha Nyandoro
How Business Can Drive Solutions to Social Problems—with Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor
January 8, 2024
Driven by the belief that businesses can — and should — invest in the communities around them, Intercorp founder and philanthropist Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor has built schools, pharmacies and a literal bridge to better serve Peru's growing middle class. In conversation with TED business curator Corey Hajim, he explores the immense possibility behind private-public partnerships — and his conviction that any individual can step up to create change. After the interview, Modupe talks about how to build meaningful partnerships to make real social change.
What Does "Wealth" Mean to You?—with Aisha Nyandoro
December 18, 2023
For people living in poverty, a guaranteed income can mean finally having the space to dream of a comfortable life. Sharing the stories of single moms who participated in a first-of-its-kind program that offered them $1,000 per month with no strings attached, poverty disrupter Aisha Nyandoro calls for us to redefine what it means to be wealthy — putting aside lavish vacations and fancy cars in favor of paid bills and a well-fed family — and to listen when people tell us what they need most. After the talk, Modupe dives deeper into what it means to really let individuals and families decide what to do with their own money.
How to Fix Fashion and Protect the Planet—with Amy Powney
December 11, 2023
From the field to your closet, your clothes go on a long journey before they enter your life. Designer Amy Powney explores the fashion industry's brutal impact on the environment and human health, modeling what ethical, planet-friendly clothing can look like — and inviting us all to think beyond the label. After the talk, Modupe dives into a whole category of fashion that we can all do without.
Why Are We Making Pizza Boxes Out of Endangered Trees?—with Nicole Rycroft
October 16, 2023
If we're going to solve the climate crisis, we need to talk about supply chains, says biodiversity champion and 2023 Audacious Project grantee Nicole Rycroft. Her organization, Canopy, partners with key industry leaders to overhaul their base materials in favor of more sustainable alternatives. Learn more about how they're shifting production of everything from T-shirts to the Harry Potter book series out of the world's ancient and endangered forests — and how solutions for every sector are closer than we think. After the talk, Modupe shares some tips on transforming simple pleasures (like buying clothes or ordering takeout) so they’re a bit better for the planet.
What the Fossil Fuel Industry Doesn't Want You to Know—with Al Gore
October 2, 2023
In a blistering talk, Nobel Laureate Al Gore looks at the two main obstacles to climate solutions and gives his view of how we might actually solve the environmental crisis in time. You won't want to miss his searing indictment of fossil fuel companies for walking back their climate commitments — and his call for a global rethink of the roles of polluting industries in politics and finance. After the talk, Modupe shares her own hot take on global warming and how it’s impacting everyone — from students to industry leaders.
The Magic of a Creative Career—with Michael Sheen
September 25, 2023
The city of Port Talbot in South Wales is known for a few things: a steel mill, a proudly working class population and a passionate commitment to the arts that produced Hollywood superstars Richard Burton and Anthony Hopkins. In this sweet, personal talk, actor Michael Sheen shares how he was also able to take advantage of all the city had to offer, why he's worried that a change in approach to arts education means that kids now don't get the same kind of chances -- and the steps he's taking to ensure that creative up-and-comers get the support and access they deserve. After the talk, Modupe shares a story about her own career mentor. Check out this talk on TED.com to see animations by Sam Orams and Sarah Klan.
A Socialist Perspective on the Pursuit of Happiness—with Aaron Bastani
July 24, 2023
Several crises are set to define the next century -- but journalist Aaron Bastani believes we have the technological ability to meet our biggest challenges and create unprecedented levels of prosperity for all. He shows how we could get there by ditching capitalism as the world's economic operating system and adopting "universal basic services," where governments would freely provide life essentials like housing, health care, education and transport. After the talk, Modupe shares thoughts on what organizations can do in the meantime to ensure people live long healthy lives.
3 Money Lessons from Infamous Scam Artists—with J Mase III
June 12, 2023
Scam artists know something about money that you don't -- and artist J Mase III is here to shed some light. He shares examples of infamous scams from Elizabeth Holmes's false medical tech promises to Anna "Delvey" Sorokin's fake trust fund, along with three crucial lessons on how money functions for the wealthy, why it flows in the direction it does and how to start spotting scams in your own life. After the talk, Modupe shares what we can learn from scam artists to overcome imposter syndrome.
A For-Profit Mindset for Nonprofit Success—with Tolu Oyekan
May 30, 2023
Can you imagine a world where nonprofits increase their impact and move the needle on the impossible problems they often take on? Looking to bring the urgency of a profit motive to every initiative, inclusive finance promoter Tolu Oyekan shares the mindset that can help any business meet its goals with speed and precision. After the talk, Modupe shares more specific examples of tech that is increasing financial inclusion (and agricultural innovation) across the continent.
What Wikipedia Teaches Us About Balancing Truth and Beliefs—with Katherine Maher
October 10, 2022
Even with public trust at an all-time low, Wikipedia continues to maintain people's confidence. How do they do it? Former CEO of Wikimedia Foundation Katherine Maher delves into the transparent, adaptable and community-building ways the online encyclopedia brings free and reliable information to the public -- while also accounting for bias and difference of opinion. "The seeds of our disagreement can actually become the roots of our common purpose," she says. After the talk, Modupe gives a few process hacks for organizations looking to improve their decision-making.
Got Millet? How Marketing Could Improve the Lives of African Farmers—With Zoe Karl-Waithaka
April 4, 2022
From "got milk?" to "avocados from Mexico," marketing influences what you eat more than you may realize. But despite the known power of food marketing, farmers in Africa are more likely to receive funding for seed and fertilizer than they are for advertising geniuses. Agricultural development expert Zoë Karl-Waithaka outlines three ways industry, governments, NGOs and others can help African farmers improve their livelihoods -- and positively impact society, the economy and the environment.
How to Provide Cooling for Everyone Without Warming the Planet—With Rachel Kyte
March 28, 2022
"The way we cool things down is heating the planet even more," says sustainable development expert Rachel Kyte -- and the solutions go well beyond just fixing air-conditioning. She identifies four major areas with transformative solutions -- from roofs painted with bright white paint to solar control glass to more efficient cold chains for vaccines -- that can be implemented in fair and sustainable ways. Learn more about what a community designed for cool could look like.
4 Myths and Misunderstandings About Doing Business in Africa—with Nomava Zanazo
December 13, 2021
Business in Africa is booming -- but international companies are missing out, says emerging markets expert Nomava Zanazo. Rushing in without knowing their customers, businesses underestimate Africans and make costly assumptions about their diversity, preferences and buying power. Sharing the basics about what companies need to know to succeed on the continent, Zanazo debunks four myths and misunderstandings about Africa and its citizens -- and invites businesses from overseas to share in its wealth ... once they've done their research. After the talk, Modupe talks with Ndidi Nwuneli, the co-founder of Ace Foods, a distributor of West African food products. Ace Foods is a great example of a company that is following Zanazo's advice for how American companies can do business well with African consumers.
Where Do Your Online Returns Go?—with Aparna Mehta
December 6, 2021
Do you ever order clothes online in different sizes and colors, just to try them on and then send back what doesn't work? Aparna Mehta used to do this all time, until she one day asked herself: Where do all these returned clothes go? In an eye-opening talk, she reveals the unseen world of "free" online returns -- which, instead of ending up back on the shelf, are sent to landfills by the billions of pounds each year -- and shares a plan to help put an end to this growing environmental catastrophe. After the talk, Modupe talks about businesses that are tackling resale and more sustainable shopping practices.
The Case for Co-ops—with Anu Puusa
September 20, 2021
Think capitalism is broken? Try cooperativism, says co-op enthusiast and researcher Anu Puusa. She lays out how cooperatives—businesses owned, operated and controlled by their members—can both make money and have a positive impact on the environment and local communities. With co-ops, Puusa says, doing good business and doing good at the same time becomes possible. After the talk, Modupe offers suggestions for listeners who are interested in participating in cooperativism.
To End Poverty, Cultivate Innovation—with Efosa Ojomo
May 24, 2021
What turns a developing country into a prosperous one? For years, Efosa Ojomo has been trying to answer this question. And what he has found – through starting his own nonprofit in Nigeria, doing research at Harvard Business School and writing a book called The Prosperity Paradox with Clay Christensen – reverses many of our existing ideas around aid. In this talk, Efosa lays out a new approach to fighting poverty that identifies innovation as the key driver of prosperity. But how does one build an innovative business in a developing market? In environments that can be as unfamiliar and unpredictable as they are full of opportunity? Stick around after the talk, where Modupe and Efosa discuss the unique mindset that this type of business requires.
Google's Circular Economy—with Kate Brandt
April 5, 2021
To accomplish environmental change at the scale and pace we need, huge corporations have to make some fundamental changes. How will they do it? In this talk, the head of sustainability at Google, Kate Brandt, shows how one of the biggest companies in the world is aiming to translate techniques from nature to build a circular system where nothing goes to waste.
Disruptive Startups that Actually Help Local Businesses—with Amane Dannouni
March 29, 2021
More and more, we buy through online marketplaces: Amazon, Uber, Airbnb — the list goes on. But this convenience and efficiency comes with a hidden cost, mostly to small local businesses and workers. Does it have to be that way? Amane Dannouni doesn’t think so. In this talk, the BCG technology consultant shares stories we’re not used to hearing: of online apps in Southeast Asia and Africa that have found a way to help local economies, even as they disrupt them.
The Long Term Stock Exchange—with Michelle Greene
March 8, 2021
What do companies get when they go public on a major stock exchange? The opportunity for anyone to invest, giving the company access to a bunch of cash that allows for huge growth. And...pressure to think in the short term. This can end up hurting their workers, the environment, and even their own long-term strategy. In this episode, a proposal for a new kind of stock exchange, that isn’t just trying to shift a few rules but is building a whole new system to incentivize thinking in the long term. How do you do that? When is it better to just fix what you already have? And will it work? After the talk, Modupe and Corey dig in.
To Make a Company Change, Turn Up the Heat—with Vinay Shandal
January 18, 2021
What do you do when a company doesn’t act in line with your values? Boycott? Divest? In essence, stop the flow of money? That's the typical advice. But sustainability consultant (and former comedian) Vinay Shandal says we’re missing a whole set of tools more effective than walking away. He looks to the most intimidating and influential profit-chasing investors in the world for techniques on how to make real social change. After the talk, Modupe chats with Corey Hajim, TED’s Business Curator, to try to apply Vinay’s ideas to their own lives. Without getting exhausted.