Writing the Future: Sustainability in Our Laws | Catherine Blakespear | TEDxEncinitas Blvd
NOTE FROM TED: Research around microplastics and human health remains an ongoing field of study. This talk only represents the speaker’s personal approach to and understanding of sustainability policy and legislation. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfWhat do laws and sustainability have in common? Everything. California State Senator Catherine Blakespear reveals how the fight for a livable planet is being shaped not just by science or activism, but by policy. Drawing from her experience writing and passing landmark environmental legislation, she shares the behind-the-scenes of navigating politics in a climate crisis. With compelling stories, practical insights, and a deep belief in civic action, Senator Blakespear explores how purposeful laws can accelerate the transition to a just, sustainable future. Catherine Blakespear was elected in 2022 as the state senator for the 38th District, which represents northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. She previously served eight years in local government – six years as the Encinitas Mayor and two on the Encinitas City Council. Blakespear sits on the Senate’s committees on governmental organization and transportation. She is on the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and Budget Subcommittee 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy. She is Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and Chair of the Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency, which is tasked with improving support for the 351-mile rail line that runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo and faces climate change threats. She also is on the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies. 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
More from TED
- 6:58Community is an inside job | Denise Van De Cruze | TEDxDonauinselSalonWhat if community isn’t something we join, but something we build from within? Denise Van De Cruze shares how centering joy, identity, and collective care shapes liberating spaces for queer and Black communities. Denise Van De Cruze is a community strategist and founder of Villa Vida Café, a queer community space in Vienna. She creates platforms for connection, joy, and visibility—centering LGBTQIA+ and Black communities through events, art, and grassroots organizing. 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
- 8:36Not Too Queer to Be Corporate. Not Too Corporate to Be Queer. | Remco Boxelaar | TEDxDonauinselSalonRemco Boxelaar, founder of Corporate Queer, shares on stage how he used a childhood of bullying as fuel to build an online platform for LGBTI+ professionals. He believes in ‘Excellence through Authenticity’. Remco Boxelaar (pronouns: he/him) is the founder of Corporate Queer, a platform for LGBTI+ professionals that questions and challenges heteronormativity in business. What does it mean to be professional? He believes in “Excellence through Authenticity.”Remco holds an MSc in Business Administration in International Management & Leadership from the University of Amsterdam. In his master’s thesis, he researched how to turn the perceived disadvantage of LGBTI+ leaders into an advantage.Before starting his own business, he worked as Manager of Diversity & Inclusion at AT Osborne. Remco has also been part of the Supervisory Board of Diversity at Work and Roze Filmdagen.Remco has helped over 100 organizations in their journey to create safer workplaces for queer employees. With “Defiantly Different,” a 3-day leadership program specifically targeting LGBTI+ top talent, Corporate Queer develops the next generation of leaders. 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
- 8:52"When the Whiskey Speaks“ & "Miss Me" | Lena Schaur | TEDxDonauinselLena Schaur performs two original songs, sharing raw emotion, honesty, and soul on the TEDxDonauinsel stage. Lena Schaur is a 22-year-old singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Austria. With her soulful voice, she transforms personal experiences into songs that resonate deeply with her audience. 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
- 10:15Fractal Management: Human Behavior as a Business Strategy | Tim Cox | TEDxDonauinselLearning to recognize and adapt to human behavior is a key element to success in today's business world. Tim's talk goes into examples of changing mindsets to ensure sustainable business outcomes. Tim Cox is an Australian organisation development consultant, fractal manager, soft skills trainer, and public speaker dedicated to helping people grow both professionally and personally. With a creative mindset and a knack for simplifying complexity, he supports individuals, teams, and organisations in navigating uncertainty, building trust, and growing intentionally. His work covers leadership development, team dynamics, communication, and change—always rooted in real human experience.As a fractal manager, he promotes decentralised, adaptive ways of working that reflect the complexity of people and systems. His approach combines deep listening, practical tools, and humour.Whether in boardrooms, workshops, or on stage, he creates spaces where people feel safe to stretch and connect. Outside work, he is a father of five who teach him curiosity and patience. Growth is everywhere if we’re open to it. 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
- 7:44When being authentic is not enough: Try honesty! | Philipp Hansa | TEDxDonauinselIn a world flooded with personalities & opinions, everyone is trying to be “authentic”. But how to? Philipp Hansa tried (and failed) over the years every path, but found the right one with honesty. In his talk, he shares his approach based on two examples. Philipp Hansa is hosting Austria’s biggest radio morning show called "Ö3-Wecker." His podcast "Hawi D’Ehre" is also among the most successful comedy podcasts in Austria. 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
- 12:12Can Gen Z reclaim the art of conversation? | Michelle Burke | TEDxStevens Institute of TechnologyFor most of my career as a teacher, the 10 minutes prior to the beginning of class wasn’t just about getting my notes in order or setting up my technology; it was about chatting with students. We talked about our day, notable world events or recent upsets in sports. Today, students are more likely to ignore the people sitting next to them in favor of scrolling on their phones. But this comes at a cost: In our technology-driven world, the ability to converse and build social connections is as important as ever, but it seems to be a dying art. In this talk, we’ll explore creating tech-free spaces and how that opens up new possibilities for engagement, learning and pleasure. Michelle Y. Burke is an award-winning poet as well as a devoted teacher and mother. She is the author of the poetry collection Animal Purpose, winner of the Hollis Summers Poetry Prize, and her poetry has been featured on The Writer’s Almanac, American Life in Poetry, Best of the Net, and Poetry Out Loud. She’s received poetry prizes from the Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Memorial Fund, the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, and the American Literary Review, and fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, the Vermont Studio Center, and the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center. She holds a PhD from the University of Cincinnati, an MFA from the Ohio State University, and a BA from Loyola University Maryland and is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Foundations of Critical Inquiry Program at the Stevens Institute of Technology. At Stevens, she teaches courses that explore creativity and the intersection of technology and ethics. She believes in creating opportunities for screen-free conversation, especially for young people, and with the help of her daughter, she hosts regular knitting circles and nature outings for the tweens and teens in her community. 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
