This presentation, "Improving Wisdom," features Dr. Ursula Staudinger, Director of the Columbia Aging Center and Professor of Sociomedical Sciences and Psychology at Columbia University. For more

This presentation, "Improving Wisdom," features Dr. Ursula Staudinger, Director of the Columbia Aging Center and Professor of Sociomedical Sciences and Psychology at Columbia University. For more information, visit her website: ursulastaudinger.com.

Dr. Staudinger delivered this talk at the University of Chicago Wisdom Research Forum on May 8, 2015.

The video was published on June 5, 2015.

Pioneering women's rights lawyer and activist Catharine A. MacKinnon explores the "Butterfly Effect" in law. She argues that seemingly minor legal interventions can generate major social and

Pioneering women's rights lawyer and activist Catharine A. MacKinnon explores the "Butterfly Effect" in law. She argues that seemingly minor legal interventions can generate major social and cultural transformations, inspiring equality seekers to spread their wings.

A distinguished Elizabeth A. Long Professor of Law at Michigan Law, MacKinnon specializes in sex equality issues under international and domestic law. Watch her discuss these powerful ideas in our latest RSA Spotlight video. For the full talk, click here. Learn more about her work here.

Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and author of the bestselling "Finding the Mother Tree," is a world-renowned pioneer in plant communication and

Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and author of the bestselling "Finding the Mother Tree," is a world-renowned pioneer in plant communication and intelligence. Her groundbreaking research reveals the complex ways trees interact and communicate through below-ground fungal networks, which are crucial for forests’ resiliency, adaptability, and recovery.

Simard’s work has far-reaching implications for managing and healing forests from human impacts, including climate change. She discusses the dire global consequences of logging old-growth rainforests and advocates for nature-based solutions that combine Western science and Indigenous knowledge to preserve and care for these invaluable ecosystems for future generations.

Learn more at Bioneers.org.

Growing concern about beef's environmental impact faces political backlash, driving new climate commitments. Food and climate experts will discuss the climate science of beef, exploring effective

Growing concern about beef's environmental impact faces political backlash, driving new climate commitments. Food and climate experts will discuss the climate science of beef, exploring effective solutions, regenerative practices, and emission reduction strategies. They will also examine carbon markets, consumer awareness, and how cultural factors influence the debate.

Renowned experts Dr. Jonathan Foley (Project Drawdown), Dr. Matthew Hayek (NYU), and Dr. Silvia Secchi (University of Iowa) will lead this discussion. Sign up for our Food X e-newsletter: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/food-x/

Environmental justice addresses critical global concerns: communities worldwide disproportionately face environmental hazards, and the benefits and costs of environmental policies are often

Environmental justice addresses critical global concerns: communities worldwide disproportionately face environmental hazards, and the benefits and costs of environmental policies are often unequally distributed. Learn more about OECD's work on this topic: OECD Environmental Justice.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international body established in 1960. It collaborates to build better policies for prosperity, equality, and well-being. The OECD works with governments to establish evidence-based international standards and find solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges, serving as a unique forum for data, analysis, and best practices. A related Vidéo en français is also available. For more about the OECD: About the OECD.

Not all green solutions are created equal. Many eco-friendly alternatives, from corn-based biofuels to biodegradable plastics, promise to save the planet—but do they truly deliver? In this

Not all green solutions are created equal. Many eco-friendly alternatives, from corn-based biofuels to biodegradable plastics, promise to save the planet—but do they truly deliver? In this engaging talk, sustainability researcher and Georgia Tech professor Patricia Stathatou shares a powerful 3-question framework to cut through the hype and assess the true environmental impact of emerging technologies. Drawing on surprising case studies, such as the unintended consequences of ethanol and the progress of electric vehicles, she reveals how to evaluate products and policies across their full lifecycle, from production to disposal.

As an assistant professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech, Patricia specializes in sustainable water and energy systems, working to redefine their design and assessment. Her research, featured in Forbes and WSB-TV, integrates life cycle and techno-economic assessments with real-world data to drive sustainability. With a doctorate from the National Technical University of Athens and postdoctoral research at MIT, she has also contributed to international standards, including marine fuel guidelines for the International Maritime Organization, accelerating the transition to cleaner technologies and more sustainable environmental solutions.

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.

Astronomer Wendy Freedman, a University Professor at the University of Chicago, discusses humanity's quest to measure the expanding universe. She highlights the "Hubble Tension"—a scientific

Astronomer Wendy Freedman, a University Professor at the University of Chicago, discusses humanity's quest to measure the expanding universe. She highlights the "Hubble Tension"—a scientific mystery where cosmic expansion rate measurements don't match. Freedman explains how the James Webb Space Telescope is achieving unprecedented accuracy, suggesting this conflict may signal new physics. Her work inspires future generations to pursue revolutionary cosmic discoveries.

A trailblazer in observational cosmology, Professor Freedman previously directed the Carnegie Observatories and chaired the Giant Magellan Telescope project. Named one of TIME100's most influential people in 2025, she currently leads a James Webb Space Telescope program. This TEDx talk is available at ted.com/tedx.

Organized by the SIRGE Coalition, this virtual roundtable will explore Indigenous self-determination. Leaders will discuss its historical journey, current challenges, and its link to collective

Organized by the SIRGE Coalition, this virtual roundtable will explore Indigenous self-determination. Leaders will discuss its historical journey, current challenges, and its link to collective rights, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). They will also address practical steps for policymakers, states, and corporations to align with diverse global expressions of self-determination.

Additional topics include advancing self-determined priorities, overcoming challenges for self-determination's inclusion in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and navigating autonomy within this framework.

Panelists are Carlos Mamani, Les Malezer, Dalee Sambo Dorough, and Elsa Stamatopoulou. Galina Angarova will moderate.

Princeton Bioethics professor Peter Singer, author of "Animal Liberation Now," challenges our factory food systems and the psychology behind them. He examines ethical dilemmas concerning animal

Princeton Bioethics professor Peter Singer, author of "Animal Liberation Now," challenges our factory food systems and the psychology behind them. He examines ethical dilemmas concerning animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and speciesism, advocating for a shift towards ethical eating.

Singer proposes plant-based diets and cultured meat as sustainable alternatives, emphasizing the importance of considering suffering. His influential work, which inspired effective altruism, encourages informed dietary choices for a more ethical and sustainable future.

Explore more: Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube: Big Think YouTube. Watch "Change your diet, extend your life": Video Link. Become a Big Think Member: Members. Guide leaders with Big Think+ for Business: Big Think+.