The world has changed greatly, and studying relationships between humans and our environment have become increasingly essential to solve modern problems. Yet Earth Science, the field that equips us to understand these problems, is undervalued and barely taught, especially in K-12. While biology, chemistry, and physics are widely required, very few states require ESS courses, leaving most students with little exposure to the subject. This neglect creates a cycle of fewer teachers, fewer students, and declining majors in one of the most critical disciplines. Increasing Earth Science literacy is essential, not only to train specialized geoscientists but also to empower the public to make responsible decisions and hold policymakers accountable. Just as cooperation solved the ozone crisis, strong ESS education prepares society to act and be part of the solution. Expanding requirements, training teachers, and building a culture that values ESS will ensure students appreciate and protect our planet. Varyan Jain is a rising junior from BASIS Chandler, and he's an Arizona MATHCOUNTS champion and an invitee to the 2025 USA Physics Olympiad. He has pursued the Earth and Space Sciences through the US Earth Science Olympiad, Science Olympiad, and Science Bowl and achieved national-level recognitions in each. Furthermore, he has also proposed, conducted, and presented earth science-related research projects, specifically focusing on risk mitigation of pollution or disasters in developing communities through environmental modeling. In the future, he hopes to develop his skills as a problem-solver by studying mathematics and computer science in pursuit of solutions for environmental problems. His current goal is to encourage earth science literacy through working with students, schools, and scientists in order to better solve the problems of today and tomorrow. 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

The Permian extinction, also known as the Great Dying, was the single most devastating mass extinction event in Earth’s history. Its causes? Global warming, ocean acidification, acid rain, and the depletion of the ozone layer. Sound familiar? The Permian extinction and today’s climate crisis have a number of troubling parallels. But there is a key difference: we have the agency take action. This talk will begin by exploring how the Permian extinction proves that we are manufacturing the conditions for another mass extinction. Next, it will unpack how the Great Dying revealed the fragility of our ecosystem and what the warning signs are. Then, how Permian extinction highlights the importance of mitigating risks in destabilized regions and funding climate research. The talk concludes by discussing lesser-known climate innovations, and why every action matters. Tara is a high school junior at Hamilton High. She’s passionate about problem-solving and spreading science education. Outside of school, she’s involved in STEM tutoring, running youth workshops for science, web development, and volunteering for local science centers. Her recent climate research has opened her eyes to the field of geoengineering, as well as the critical significance of creating a shift in climate perception. She believes that climate innovations are among the most crucial of our time, and that the lack of funding for these solutions reflects a broader lack of urgency in addressing the climate crisis. Her goal is to contribute to problem-solving in this field, as well as the others that impact my community. In the future, she plans to pursue a career in engineering, where she hopes to continue making efforts to develop solutions that address real-world issues. 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