What if we knew which toxic chemicals each of us carries within our bodies? Would we fix the current mismatch of material science and product design? Would we change the way we consume? Emily Penn has seen the worst we humans have done to this planet and its oceans and yet it still took a simple blood test to fully open her eyes.
It all started when Emily needed a way to get to travel 14,000 miles to Australia for her first architect job and had already vowed never to take another plane. Managing to get on the fastest bio-fuelled boat, the Earthrace, her calling to be an ocean’s advocate and skipper surfaced like a humpback whale, and she continued to round the planet with the crew for nearly three years.
Emily is also an artist, a Cambridge University architecture graduate, and director of global organization Pangaea Explorations that helps scientists, filmmakers and everyday people gain access to the most remote parts of our planet to see firsthand the ocean’s plight. She organizes mass-waste clean-ups on Pacific islands, trawls for microplastics in the Arctic and has discovered previously unknown oceanic gyres—huge areas of plastic pollution accumulation.Emily is the youngest and only female recipient of Yachtmaster of the Year, awarded by HRH Princess Royal.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
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