Celebs to lead global TED call to act on climate crisis

SAN FRANCISCO: The Pope and Prince William was set to join activists, artists, celebrities and politicians at a free streamed TED event aimed at unifying people to confront the climate crisis.

The Countdown programme yesterday was set to feature 50 speakers, the pontiff and the second-in-line to the British throne among them.

“You’ll be hearing from all different kinds of folks from all walks of life; from the front lines to the grassroots to the treetops,” actor Mark Ruffalo, who was among the

Countdown hosts, said during a briefing ahead of the event.

“They’ll be talking a little bit about the problems and a lot about the solutions.”

Countdown was expected to last about five hours, for the first time providing a free look at the blend of arts, ideas, innovation and enlightenment that are trademarks of prestigious TED conferences.

“Climate can’t wait,” said TED head Chris Anderson.

“If there’s one thing that we surely must learn from this year, it’s that when scientists warn you that there is something terrible coming, you have to pay attention.”

While Countdown would spotlight science about the climate crisis and how it is harming the health of the planet, it would be geared to things people can do to stop it.

For example a talk would be given by the mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, where there is a project to plant a million trees to protect land from floods and absorb carbon dioxide.

Speakers also included European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, teenage climate activist Xiye Bastida, actor Chris Hemsworth and former US vice-president Al Gore.

Hundreds of smaller TEDx events are planned around the world to encourage local action.

Countdown is billed as a global initiative to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis, turning ideas into action. It comes as some world leaders have weaponised the issue for political gain.