How employers in Washington State solved a transportation crisis

How much time do you spend commuting to and from work in your car? And do you drive alone? In the US, the transportation sector emits more carbon pollution than any other sector—but in 1991, Washington State decided to take matters into their own hands. In this episode, Ryan and Anjali talk to Brian Lagerberg, who worked on the state’s commuter trip reduction plan: a policy that required employers to provide their employees with alternative ways to get to work. Together, they unpack the factors that led to the plan’s success and discuss how other cities and states can promote the same practices that make Washington the carpool state, and the kind of model that others can follow. For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten years ago, Indonesia’s forests were being decimated due to a big spike in palm oil production…until two Girl Scouts decided to get involved. Anjali and Ryan uncover the story behind Indonesia's dramatic reduction in deforestation. From grassroots activism to corporate boardrooms, this episode explores the delicate balance of pressuring companies, influencing governments, and empowering local communities to protect our forests. Discover how a blend of smart policies and market forces can create lasting change, and learn why the fight against deforestation is a global game of whack-a-mole we can't afford to lose.For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know the UK just closed its last coal plant? Hooray! But after taking a moment to celebrate, Ryan and Anjali reflect on what to do about natural gas – a fossil fuel that the UK isn’t replacing fast enough to meet its climate goals. Fortunately, there are some really smart people coming up with bold solutions. They dive into Amol Fadke's groundbreaking idea to repurpose existing plants – a kind of "Airbnb for the grid" approach that could double transmission capacity, save billions, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the surprising story of how Texas – rich in oil and gas – became America's biggest producer of wind energy. For our first episode, Ryan and Anjali talk with Pat Wood, once George W. Bush’s right hand man and head of Texas's Public Utility Commission, to uncover the innovative approach that turned Texas into a renewable energy powerhouse. It’s a story about what could get done before partisan politics got in the way of good climate policy, and it shows that economic incentives for consumers, government, and companies can play a huge role in supercharging clean energy.For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is an episode of a podcast we think you'll love, Climate One. A third of Americans say that they've skipped food, medicine, or something else to be able to afford their energy bills. Much of the increase in the cost of electricity is driven by rising demand from artificial intelligence and data centers, industrial on shoring and hotter temperatures.How does your electricity bill get calculated, and who’s in charge of setting those rates? Does public power serve consumers better than investor-owned utilities? And will rising electricity prices dampen the transition to cleaner sources of energy?Guests:Shelley Welton, Professor of Law and Energy Policy, University of PennsylvaniaSeverin Borenstein, Professor, Haas School of Business, UC BerkeleyKevin Miller, Reporter, Maine Public RadioFor the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coming September 22nd, 2025: Speed & ScaleTED has a new podcast.Here’s a new climate story: the biggest solutions to our climate crisis exist all around us, but they’re hiding in plain sight. Join hosts Ryan Panchadsaram and Anjali Grover as they identify the greatest climate wins unfolding across the world. They’ll chat with the people tackling the issues quickly, efficiently, and at a scale that actually makes a difference. From the explosion of wind energy in Texas (yes, Texas!) to ending coal in England, you’ll hear fresh perspectives, solution-oriented thinking and inspiring stories that will leave you knowing we CAN solve humanity’s toughest challenge.Subscribe wherever you are listening to this.For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is an episode from our friends at the Climate Rising podcast.This episode in our hard-to-abate series features aviation expert Robin Riedel, a Partner at McKinsey & Company who co-leads the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility. Robin describes five approaches to decarbonize aviation: upgrading aircraft, improving operational efficiency, sustainable aviation fuel, other novel fuels and aircraft configurations, and carbon credits. We also learn about some McKinsey engagements on aviation decarbonization, and conclude with Robin’s career advice.Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest:  Robin Riedel, Partner and co-head of the McKinsey Center for Future MobilityFor transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.orgFor the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exactly when and where did life on Earth begin? Scientists have long thought that it emerged three billion years ago in the ocean — until astrobiologist Tara Djokic and her team made an unexpected discovery in the western Australian desert. Learn how an ancient rock found near a hot volcanic pool is shifting our understanding of the origin-of-life puzzle.For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone has the right to a clean environment — but major disparities exist when it comes to who faces the consequences of pollution. Environmental justice leader Peggy Shepard points to the disproportionate impact that hazardous environmental conditions have on Black, brown and Indigenous communities and challenges us to build a truly equitable future that turns "sacrifice zones" — where community health is sacrificed for the sake of development — into "green zones" that redress the legacy of pollution and harmful policies.For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your closet is likely full of all kinds of materials — leather, cotton, nylon and polyester, to name a few — that contribute to fashion's sustainability crisis. Biomaterials investigator Dan Widmaier explains how we could look to nature for sustainable replacements for these much-used materials and introduces a leather alternative made from mushrooms that looks great and doesn't harm the environment. "We can make fashion sustainable, and we're going to do it with science," Widmaier says.For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/speed-and-scale-transcriptInterested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.