What if sustainability was never a choice, but simply the way we lived?In this talk, Aya Fernandez, CEO of Eco-Uling, shares how her team turns discarded coconut shells and other agricultural waste into clean-burning charcoal briquettes, helping to fight deforestation, reduce pollution, and create livelihoods in rural communities.Drawing on the wisdom of pre-colonial Filipino traditions, Aya shows that the answers to our biggest environmental challenges may lie in going back to what we once knew: working with nature, not against it. From a high school science project to a nationwide social enterprise, her journey proves that real progress is not about moving fast but about growing with intention and purpose.This is a story about slowing down to build something stronger and bringing people and the planet forward together. Aya Fernandez is the visionary founder and CEO of Eco-Uling by Project Lily Inc., a pioneering social enterprise transforming coconut waste into eco-friendly charcoal briquettes. Through her expertise in carbonization and fire technology, she is redefining conventional waste management practices and pushing the boundaries of sustainability. 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