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From coal towns to clean futures | Viaksha Mohabir | TEDxJohannesburg

Green hydrogen could drive a just transition, humanising climate change by rebuilding communities, restoring dignity, and powering a fair clean energy future | Climate change is often framed as melting ice and distant disasters, but its deepest scars are human. Viaksha Mohabir grew up in a former coal town shaped by economic collapse, where climate injustice was lived long before it was named. Green hydrogen and a just transition offer a chance to repair that damage, if we choose people over abstractions. From energy efficiency to renewables and hydrogen, the clean energy future can rebuild industries, restore dignity, and give forgotten communities a reason to stay. When coal powered growth without justice, climate action must now do both, humanising climate change and ensuring no place is left behind. Viaksha Mohabir is an Energy Advisor at the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), working across energy and climate-related topics in South Africa. Her work bridges local realities with international frameworks, ensuring that African perspectives are reflected in shaping a just and sustainable global energy future. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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