Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
In a deeply moving letter to her grandmother, Xiye Bastida reflects on what led her to become a leading voice for global climate activism — from mobilizing school climate strikes to speaking at the United Nations Climate Summit alongside Greta Thunberg — and traces her resolve, resilience and profound love of the earth to the values passed down to her. "Thank you for inviting me to love the world since the moment I was born," she says.
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.
Follow TED on Twitter:
Like TED on Facebook:
Subscribe to our channel:
TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy ( ). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at
Save d world
“leave everything better than you found it”
Boomers failed at that
@Matthew Morton my dude be killing life
@Matthew Morton Ur mom
What help u guys want from me
@Prajwal Hiremathmy point exactly, one size fits all solutions are ineffective.
I live in the rural united states, less than 90 voters per square mile.
You?
@Steven Thompson India…here we have bus stop every 100m for every 100m for traveling locally…but never expected that developed nation would have these issues
@Prajwal Hiremath look at a globe, we have hundreds of millions of people less than you, spread over an area more than twice yours.
I imagine you have trouble imagining it at all.
@Prajwal Hiremath I could not hit the next nearest home to mine with a stone, and would be hard pressed to hit it with a sling or a bow. The road leading to the rear of my home goes through a swamp and is unpaved. The front road is paved and maintained by myself and my neighbors,
Anything you can do. Start by learning more about it and then you’ll know what actions to take.
It’s not an age issue tho. Some rich ppl wanna have it all that is out there. And they will let you speak your mind as long as it doesn’t contribute to their fall.
Climate Change concerns were brought to the publics attention in the 1970’s; so they are culpable. But you’re correct in saying it’s not an age issue, even though their inaction is the reason we’re in the dire situation we’re in now. It’s not rich peoples fault alone, we’re buying the products they sell to make them rich. Make smarter consumer choices. Know where your products and food are coming from; understand the impacts and we can do better for the future generations than past generations did for us.
@Evan Parent You know the First Industrial Revolution happened in 18th-19th century and now we have come to notice that carbon is overtaking our planet. It’s unsustainable and they (those who rule) know this. I bet they are quite grateful now for any efforts to make it more sustainable for them. It’s their playground. They would not wanna lose it. They even fund or found some of these organisations themselves.
In consuming habits I have the same perspective with you. But let’s think about these mobile phones we use right now to comment on youtube. Even their batteries have components made by African child labour. I think it’s not an easy task to have right consuming habits in 2020.
@Evan Parent Buying corporate is cheaper than mom and pop shops. But if millennials were taxed less and the minimum wage raised maybe people could make those choices.
Tik tok is a massive waste of co2.
Just saying.
China and India
the more you know, the less you truly know, good motivation but you can’t skip the process of growing up
I love this. I just wrote a YA book about a group of teens who want to change the world but struggle between the way they want to change it and the way their parents want them to do it.
I want to say that i heartedly support you
@Xiye excelente video!
A drug company ad ran before this.
I wish she could see how all these things are ruining her life. Rather than actually doing something, she is just ranting to other people to solve the problem sigh. Even if gather billion people who just shout to the government you won’t be able to save the planet. Government isn’t something magical that all you have to do is shout and the planet will be saved. This is the most idiotic idea just shouting at other people to do something. Do something productive to really solve the propblem. I might sound harsh but it’s the truth.
You are right, however if there is no one ranting, nothing will happen. This is ruining their lives but they feel it is necessary. The idea behind striking is to bring attention to the problem. For those who want things to change and personally are not in a position of power, striking makes sense. The solutions are out there, people just need the will and incentive to change things. No one wants to miss out on life, they do it because they feel a sense or responsibility and that they CAN make a difference in our planets trajectory. I respect these climate activists.
We have more than enough people who can point out what doesn’t work, we don’t have those who can make things work. High-schoolers hating experts and ignoring how difficult it is to ever make anything work is making this world a worse place. My point: be capable or shut up.
The last thing people want is to listen to children tell them things they already know. Striking from school is never going to stop big businesses from destroying the planet.
Everyone wants to save the world until they see the cost on their tax bill.
The thing is… we said that at your age too. So did the hippies that came before us. I hope you do but saying it won’t help.
How are you today? I just want to remind you that you can do your best in anything. Have a great day.