Environmental damage isn’t just an ecological issue—it’s a growing public health crisis. In this policy-focused talk, Maya Kalender explores how chemical toxins and environmental dysregulation are endangering our waterways and our well-being. Drawing on years of research and advocacy, she makes the case for stronger regulations and more informed public action. Her talk challenges us to see environmental protection as essential to human health. Maya Kalender is a high school senior passionate about Science Research and environmental protection. Over the past few years, she has learned about the significant damage chemical toxins have done to our waterways, empowering her to take action. Maya has previously done two TED talks, both centered around environmental issues. In this talk, which she developed with her advisor, Joseph McMenamin she takes a policy-centered approach. She will speak about the public health crisis that has erupted due to environmental dysregulation. 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