Watch Terraformation Leaders Speak at TEDxCountyofHawaiʻi Summit

As world leaders gather in Glasgow for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), TEDx has partnered with communities around the world to spotlight local solutions to climate change. This weekend, the County of Hawaiʻi will launch a virtual TEDx summit highlighting the Island’s diverse sustainability community. 

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The TEDxCountyofHawaiʻi event will feature speeches from 10 community change-makers. Each of these speakers — ranging from scientists to business leaders to educators in traditional culture — will share their perspective on the event’s theme, “Local Insights Grow Global Solutions.”

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We’re honored that two of the event’s speakers are part of the Terraformation team, CEO Yishan Wong and Business Development Manager for the Pacific Islands Brandon Jirō Hayashi. Both Yishan and Brandon will speak to the power of forests to capture carbon and restore the planet.

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Yishan will discuss the fastest, cheapest, and most reliable way to remove CO2 from the air: trees. It will take approximately one trillion trees to stop global heating and help solve climate change. But with a coordinated global effort and the help of technology, large-scale reforestation is possible. 

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Yishan will outline how Terraformation is using solar-powered desalination to help solve freshwater shortages in places like Hawaiʻi — which is key to restoring desertified areas to their native forest ecosystems.

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Brandon, who was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu, will discuss the co-benefits of forests and the connection between trees and humanity. He will share the importance of heritage in his own life, and highlight how knowing who we are and where we come from allows us to be better ancestors to those who come after us. Through the conservation and restoration of Earth’s forests, we can all leave a more resilient world for future generations. 

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TEDxCountyofHawaiʻi will be streamed on November 13 beginning at 11am HST / 1pm PST / 4pm EST.‍

The virtual event is free and open to the public. Register here.