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Ahmed Ben Yaghlane

Student, TEDxYouth@MedjezElBeb

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How to build our future without destroying the Earth ?

I want to talk with the members of TED community about our future and our children's future because it is important to us, how to develop without destroying.

Topics: Development Green Earth brain activity collective intelligence future personal development the past
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    sam iwueke

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    Aug 19 2012: We need to create Banks that helps the people, and in turn the people helping the banks
    For example, you have a debt to pay and don’t have the money at this time, you can go to this banks and ask for their help. These Banks can do 1 of 2 things,
    1. Set up a way they can pay of their debt. Could be by working for the bank and help their local area and community
    2. The Banks should start a Community with the people and know the general information about them (what they do for a living so on...) Example: There’s a big project going in the area to put up a solar wind turbine and not enough man power or right tools.
    The company can call their local bank and ask for helping hand, and see if the rite person is available to contribute.

    I think this is a very good idea, because it brings use together as a hole and makes use fill like we are part of something bigger then are self’s. This opportunity can really help use out in the long run.
    What do you guys think?
    Thanks for your Time.
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    Mats Kaarbö 10+

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    Aug 17 2012: By implementing a resource-based economy as fast as we can. A resource-based economy is a holisticsocio-economic system in which all goods and services are available without the use of money, credits, barter or any other system of debt or servitude. All resources become the common heritage of all of the inhabitants, not just a select few.

    The premise upon which this system is based is that the Earth is abundant with plentiful resource; our practice of rationing resources through monetary methods is irrelevant and counter productive to our survival. Modern society has access to highly advanced technology and can make available food, clothing, housing and medical care; update our educational system; and develop a limitless supply of renewable, non-contaminating energy. By supplying an efficiently designed economy, everyone can enjoy a very high standard of living with all of the amenities of a high technological society.

    A resource-based economy would utilize existing resources from the land and sea, physical equipment, industrial plants, etc. to enhance the lives of the total population. In an economy based on resources rather than money, we could easily produce all of the necessities of life and provide a high standard of living for all.

    A resource-based economy would make it possible to use technology to overcome scarce resources by applying renewable sources of energy, computerizing and automating manufacturing and inventory, designing safe energy-efficient cities and advanced transportation systems, providing universal health care and more relevant education, and most of all by generating a new incentive system based on human and environmental concern.

  • Roberto Garcia

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    Aug 15 2012: Overpopulation is what lies underneath this issue. Better technologies to increase the human lifespan, will increase the population problems. we live on the resources that the earth gives us, air, water, food. But this resources need their own "time and space" to replenish. Overpopulation means then that this resources will have less "space" to replenish and at the same point less time, because of the urge of feeding more people in shorter periods of time. To build a better earth 1 we should cut off the use of fossil fuels, And look for natural alternative ways of feeding, Maybe algae or something that can be produced fast and that can supply our daily consumption needs

  • O'Neil Poree

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    Aug 10 2012: Ahmed:

    Human nature (expressible on large scales only through/by collective intelligence) is not adequate to develop a livable future world. We are sufficiently blind to the future desperate plight of our descendants to succeed in rendering the world unlivable for our species, and unfortunately, simultaneously obliterate most other species which would be key to restore (in some far, far future) any similar ecosphere to our present ideal one.
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    Sams dad

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    Aug 9 2012: It's not primarily about wealth, jobs, or resources. It's about mutual respect. Respect for knowledge and understanding and willingness to work. By taking care of the "least able" first we can then assure the future. Until then Wealth, Jobs and Resources will remain just something to be jealous about.

  • Ian Mcewan

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    Aug 8 2012: You need to understand that everything in the universe is connected, we will develop, but life as we know it will change. This is true just now and it will always be true.
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      Ahmed Ben Yaghlane

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      Aug 17 2012: When one man dream is just a dream. But when many men dream together, it is the beginning of a new reality
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    neil cheney

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    Aug 8 2012: By colonising other planets. Industrialisation has been shown to destroy the environment. Just look at the mess China is in as they become industrialised. The UK had its industrial revolution and now we import our needs from China and other countries. The Earth will not be destroyed by human beings although we will probably do a good job at destroying ourselves and other fauna and flora in the meantime. The Earth will continue: its been going over four billion years! Humans have been around for a mere 200,000 years. It is our nature to breed and to consume all available resources and then move on to greener pastures. As the greener pastures get eaten up we will end up being forced to colonise other planets to mine their resources and so on.....Without colonisation of other planets the Earth will simply end up stripped mined of all commodities and when this happens the population will naturally decrease due to wars over the remaining resources until what is left of the population is in balance with the environment. The cycle will start again most probably.
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    Teoh Amanda

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    Aug 8 2012: For every step that you take, try your best to make sure that you won't be sorry for it.
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    Adi Gupte

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    Aug 7 2012: The first way to go forth is cleaning up the mess we already are in. If we are pumping more carbon in the system more than it can absorb, we have a serious threat. The biggest challenge of the day is alternative energy which is truly clean (unlike some of our bio-fuels like ethanol which damages more than the repair.) Also educating the masses is a concern. Most of the people take the Earth for granted.

  • Ryan Hessler

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    Aug 6 2012: IMO, the best way to build our future without destroying the Earth is to mimic nature and the environmental systems it has established.
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    Stanley Ravi

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    Aug 6 2012: David:
    www.transitionnetwork.org

    It's large enough to engage the planet.

    Thanks

  • Adrinn Chelton

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    Aug 5 2012: Are we the only animal which consciously builds toward the future, hmm? This puts us in a very strange position in regards to nature as a whole. We also may be the only species which will live in misery believing that the suffering will bring about a better future for us and those we love. This trait is easily manipulated by those willing to do so and as long as there are those willing to use the kindness of others as a stepping stone to a "better future" while giving none in return, we won't be able to realize the society that we want to be a part of. We may still have many, many thousands of years ahead of us, learning the basics of civility. But there is nothing wrong with that.

    Basically, the end never justifies the means. The means is all there is. We need to learn this before we can live peacefully together on this earth.
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    David Brossman

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    Aug 5 2012: I would invite you to take a look at

    The Quixote Project at http://jpssis.com/index.html

    And help us in our quest of the perfect windmill.
    A simple idea that could help in a significant way
    to build our future without destroying the earth.

  • John Allyn

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    Aug 2 2012: Denied emotions in each individual act out in behavior Such unconsciousness is the root of the problem we face in developing a sustainable value structure. Objective science has convinced us all that the subjective only leads to distorted knowledge. This the essential process of self realization through introspection has not developed.

    If we learn to value and understand the subjective aspect of our being we will be on the way to sustainable prosperity

  • Gowtham MaDdy

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    Aug 2 2012: GO BACK TO STONE AGE!!!! LIFE!!!!!!

    • Barry Palmer 50+

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      Aug 5 2012: I am typing into a marvel of technology, connected to the entire globe, and wondering if perhaps my descendants will indeed find happiness in a second stone age. I think we should try to avoid that, if only because of the misery of illness that our technology can prevent and ameliorate.

      • Adrinn Chelton

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        Aug 5 2012: I agree, how many of us has personal experience with average day to day life in the stone age? I'm willing to bet is wasn't a walk in the park. Hungry animals eating your family wouldn't make for a fun afternoon. Watching your clan starve off due to 1 year of drought, no thanks. We take so much for granted as far as technology is concerned. Now is all we have, we need to start cherishing it and helping others do the same.

        Happiness is only found in the subjective reality, objective reality is devoid of emotion.
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          peter lindsay 30+

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          Aug 5 2012: Sub Saharan Africa doesn't look like much fun from our perspective does it?

  • Juniper Blue 10+

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    Aug 1 2012: For me, working to find ways to live simply and sustainably has freed up some of my personal resources to support things that I care about. By going without some luxeries, by consuming few animal products and few processed foods, by buying second hand items when possible, by choosing to not have children, by living in a small (500 sq. ft) home and sharing an efficient car, my partner and I have made it possible to have more time to volunteer and more money to give to causes that we believe will help make the world a more peaceful place. We have also been able to pursue education in ways that would not be possible if we had become entagled in a more expensive lifestyle.

    Ultimately, to answer your question, I think that if people can demonstrate that there is real value in living simply, we may begin to build a culture that can "build a future without destroying it."

    If those who are motivated (and as they are able to), can live artfully, we may show that by living simply we are actually able to enjoy more personal freedom, have more control over where our money is directed and demostrate the ability to make some tangible and postive changes in our community (and world.) By this, we may begin to develop a broader culture that realizes that "wealth" is not something that is attained from the puruit of money but is aquired through the pursuit of a meaningful life.

    People may learn to value and pursue a quality of life that is not dependent upon the accumulation of material "valueables." Life itself will become the treasure.
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Aug 1 2012: Juniper Blue,
      That is so beautifully expressed, and apparently "lived" by you! I totally agree that there is GREAT value in living simply, in that we learn more about our own creativity, while artfully enjoying more personal freedom and having more control over where our money is directed, while making changes in ourselves and our community.....including the global community we all share. When we realize that life itself is the treasure, as you insightfully say, we learn more about the meaning of our lives, which many people seem to be seeking:>)

      • Juniper Blue 10+

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        Aug 5 2012: Thanks for the support Colleen ... there are days when I am not sure I am making a difference but we all do what we can. We are in this together!
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Aug 5 2012: My pleasure Juniper Blue, and you too!

          We are indeed in this together, and the more we remember that, the better for all of us. There are days when I'm not sure I'm making a difference either. When we look at the big picture, making a difference sometimes seems overwhelming. On a deep level, however, I believe every small, or large step we take DOES make a difference....if even in my own heart and mind:>)

          I am grateful to grow up in a family (60+ years ago) which recycled, restored, renovated, reused, EVERYTHING, as well as grew our own food. These practices were carried out partly because of limited financial resources while raising a family of 8 kids, and partly because my parents were aware of protecting the earth.

          Back then, I do not recall any talk about the earth being threatened...they simply did things to respect and protect the earth, which sustains us. So, I learned the "simple living" practices as a child, and would never change those practices regardless of the circumstantes. For me, it is the most natural way of "being" for my own peace of mind and heart:>)
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      David Brossman

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      Aug 5 2012: I would invite you to take a look at

      The Quixote Project at http://jpssis.com/index.html

      And help us in our quest of the perfect windmill.
      A simple idea that could help in a significant way
      to build our future without destroying the earth.
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    Ken brown 30+

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    Jul 30 2012: Begin a "Leaving" tradition for the 65's and overs.

    By the time that comes to fruition i should be inline to be one of the first to walk down that path,it's in the back of the younger generations minds as they become more aware of global issues.

    Abhorrent? yes it is but governments worldwide are making inroads to tap grey wealth and if we all leave, it will give the young the chance they see in surviving in this world without us older ones reminding them of their fate and the fact that they believe the net offers all wisdom past and future.

    Many has stated here, we're not living younger for longer but living older longer.Some believe that an ordered society is the only way,a system of control but that only works if you are valuable constantly throughout your life,it doesn't take into account the myriad of mishaps that can befall an individual as life goes on.

    We love our children, we should be able to clear away for them,immortality isn't just around the corner,so what's stopping us taking that step?
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    Raul De Maio

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    Jul 30 2012: I think we must change our "economic" philosophy.
    We have to pass from the philosophy of consumer to the philosophy of balance and recovery.
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    Luke Hobbs

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    Jul 30 2012: I think we need to go back to understanding what being a "civilized" society means. We are a very "uncivilized" society with the way Governments treat people, the way corporations treat each other, the way we treat the Earth, committing acts that just aren't deemed civil at all but justifying it with words like "But it's just business" or "It's the Law". Why "just"? Why "The"? and why does that make it OKAY? I think we need to find a civil and moral backbone and pull the reins in on going "too far" and letting our egos get in the way of "doing the right thing by society".

  • Ian Sheane

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    Jul 29 2012: Learn to in habit areas comfortably that were once thought were near impossible. Because the downfall of society is the mass number of people that will be joining the already living. While people aren't dying as soon either. We will be over populated so wee need to populate areas like a building that is under water, or underground.
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    Stanley Ravi

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    Jul 29 2012: Resilience to an Oil Dependent Economy and Permaculture.
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      David Brossman

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      Aug 5 2012: I would invite you to take a look at

      The Quixote Project at http://jpssis.com/index.html

      And help us in our quest of the perfect windmill.
      A simple idea that could help in a significant way
      to build our future without destroying the earth.

  • Jonathan Lobel

    • 0
    Jul 29 2012: The single most impactful thing people can do to better orient ourselves towards a sustainable way of life, fundamentally changing the way we live in and interact with our environment, would be to rid ourselves of the very most diabolical of human inventions, religion. Ignorance and myth hinder humanity's struggle to overcome instinct with intelligence.

  • Siddharth Malani

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    Jul 29 2012: A fundamental change in outlook is also required. Dump GDP and HDI and use a new term which maybe called ODI or optimised development index. this index would define how much do you impact the environment to lead a reasonable quality of life. that will give a clear picture of how countries are performing. for example developed countries may have high GDP and high HDI but if they spend 10times as much than othe countries for the same level of HDI they will rank lower. So ODI would be HDI / environmental impact ( in very rough terms) that will change how we look at development.
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Jul 29 2012: Siddharth,
      I agree with what you are saying....especially that a change in outlook is required. How do you perceive a new term helping to move us forward with a new outlook? We know how countries are performing....do we not? I'm sorry to say the country I live in is the highest consumer, and knowing we are the highest consumer hasn't seemed to change our use of resources. So, how do you see changing the terms we use facilitating change?

      • Siddharth Malani

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        Jul 29 2012: i think it will change the way what a common man thinks is good or bad. If you look at how we look at stock market we want to buy stock of companies that make most money, not the most efficient. We demand more and more profits which needs more and more consumption. Now thats what GDP was doing like how big my economy is compared to yours. Then HDI was invented which is a better indicator, but what it still misses is Optimisation factor. You could achieve a HDI of .95 which is very high, but one country may spend half of the other in terms of environment to achieve the same level of HDI.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Jul 30 2012: Hello again Siddharth:>)
          Who would implement this?

      • Siddharth Malani

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        Jul 30 2012: Hi Colleen,

        A reputed economist possibly should come up with this new index and persuade governments via the UN to adopt it. HDI for example was not introduced not long ago.

        I hope someone comes up with a better index soon.
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          Colleen Steen 500+

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          Aug 1 2012: Dear Siddharth,
          I am very much in favor of ANYTHING that might contribute to peace, harmony, safe and responsible growth in our world. Although I was understanding what you are talking about on a conceptual level, there was a question popping into my mind...HOW THE HECK DO WE DO THAT???

          I just connected with the link Barry provided, and it makes more sense to me now. I've been involved with this process on local and regional levels, and I simply was not perceiving how it could be implemented on a larger scale....but WHY NOT???

          Thanks to all of you (Siddharth, Barry and Pavan) for helping me to see beyond my own limitations:>)

    • Barry Palmer 50+

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      Jul 31 2012: Hello Siddharth,

      I agree with your idea. I think a measure of sustainable growth would make an impact on people, especially students. It is one thing to have a vague idea that we are harming our world, and it is another to see a measure which shows that year after year it is getting worse. It would also point to countries that are better, and give us an idea where to look for better practices.

      Developing this measure will not be easy. It involves placing a value on all of the different ways we impact our environment. How do you place a value on the extinction of a song bird? Check out this talk:

      http://www.ted.com/talks/pavan_sukhdev_what_s_the_price_of_nature.html

      Difficulties should not stop this. It will require an economist, but many others as well.

      • Siddharth Malani

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        Aug 1 2012: Thanks for that link. Its interesting. As Peter Drucker said - if you can measure it you can manage it.
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        Colleen Steen 500+

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        Aug 1 2012: Thanks for the link Barry....very informative, and it helped me understand Siddharth's suggestion:>)

        Barry, you say it is one thing to have a vague idea that we are harming our world, and it is another to see a measure which shows us how and why. This reminds me of when I started serving on the local planning commission and development review boards many years ago.

        We have "Wetland Rules" in this state....it's illegal to fill in wetlands. I knew that, but I didn't really know why. When I got on the boards, applicants came in with arguments in favor of filling in wetlands for development, and I realized that the members of the boards who had served for many years didn't know why either.

        So, I contacted a staff member of the Agency of Natural Resources, and asked the question. Why? What is the impact? Fascinating! In a nut shell, wetlands filter and clean our water. If we fill in a majority of our wetlands, we are compromising the natural water filter, thereby threatening the safety of our water resources.

        I think/feel that developing a measure is easier when we have appropriate information. We cannot place a value on something if we do not honestly know why it might have value.

        In our local process, the developers were oftern simply looking at the value to THEMSELVES, without considering the value to the whole. As Pavan points out...we need to "perceive the difference between public benefits and private profits".

        It is interesting and encouraging to see the progress we have made on the local and regional levels regarding this issue. Developers and engineers are now more aware of the impact of the wetlands, and are creating plans which not only preserve the existing wetlands, but ADD to the function of wetlands by building rain gardens, water detension ponds, using permeable materials for sidewalks/parking lots, etc.

        As I observe this very small change on a local/regional level, I realize we can ALL contribute to the process as a global community:>)
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    Colleen Steen 500+

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    Jul 29 2012: Hello Ahmed Ben Yaghlane:>)
    We can develop our future without destroying the earth with awareness. It is important for each and every one of us to do our part to be good stewards of the space we occupy. Science continues to give us information regarding what is good and what is not so good in the goal to preserve our earth for future generations. In addition to attention to what the future might be like, it would benefit all of us to care about the circumstances we live in here and now, in the present.

    There used to be development without concern for the environment, and I believe we are changing that paradigm. As a member of local and regional planning commissions and developement review boards, and transportation advisory committee for the past 10-15 years, I am observing and encouraging the changes.

    We are now seeing more permeable/semi permeable materials used for sidewalks and parking lots, which decreases the impact of storm water runoff. We are seeing developers plant rain gardens, green roofs, install more solar collectors and wind turbines. There is an increase in park and rides, to encourage less use of cars, bikeracks are more plentiful and more easily accessable, and public transportation is becoming more of a focus, etc.

    These steps seem very small, in a small area, when we look at the big picture, and if each of us does our small part, it will lead to change on a larger scale. Each of us also needs to be aware of how, why, when and where we consume resources. We, as a global community (collective intelligence) need to be mindful of our resources and make every attempt possible to protect the earth which sustains us.

  • Andrew Hu

    • +1
    Jul 29 2012: Live closer to nature .
    Eat fresh food , drink fresh water from nature ,
    walk , jog and bike instead of cars.
    Avoid staying up late.
    Build house from wood and bamboo instead of concrete and glasses .

  • Mathilda Jansen

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    Jul 28 2012: What about MONSANTO?
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    Gail . 50+

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    Jul 28 2012: We need to understand the nature of the global economic model - that cannot exist without war, poverty, ignorance, violence, and most recently - illness. There are alternative economic models, but I have yet to talk with anyone who has even read about them - with the exception of one PhD economist who is running for U. S. congress and says that the idea of educating people about the problems with their economic model is not something that any politician (who understands it) is willing to talk about. Can't get elected that way.

    With the earth's population spiraling toward 8 billion, combined with global warming that is spreading the drought that jeopardizes our food supply, combined with an economic model that values profits over lives (During the Great Depression, many died of hunger while food rotted in the field because too many couldn't afford to buy any), along with poor farming practices by mega farming corporations who destroy aquifers in the name of profits, and will move on when the water is no longer usable - leaving the people to fend for themselves, global governmental support for plundering our resources, educational systems that are designed to teach people how NOT to think rationally, etc, we are approaching and end to the troubles. It's all falling apart. The economic model is mathematically guaranteed to fail because it is a Ponzi scheme, and with it the rest will go.

    If we do nothing about these forces that are gathering into a perfect storm, a minimum of 28% of the earth's population will be starving/thirsting to death by 2030. This starvation will not be limited to Asia and Africa. Spiraling inflation will take food out of the reach of the common human, and we will then be able to try to fix what is broken. But how to do THAT when education refuses to teach anything that does not serve corporate profits?

    We need to educate ourselves & lower our numbers, or they will be lowered for us.
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 28 2012: Maybe it cannot exist YET.

    • Barry Palmer 50+

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      Jul 31 2012: I would like to educate myself. Where can I find reading material about "alternative economic models" that work in a free society?

  • Siddharth Malani

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    Jul 28 2012: The answer is pretty simple - optimize consumption, stop and reduce population growth and invest in education and awareness. Less number of people means less resources required. This will also put an end to blatant number based capitalism, put less strain on earth's natural resources and make world war free...
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jul 28 2012: I always wish to ask each person with this proposal if they are proposing that they themself not exist or is this the mantle they expect someone else, someone less ;"worthy' in their estimation to assume?
      I always feel like suggesting " you go first and perhaps we will follow"!
      I am the mother of five kids who were born in a country that needs immigration to survive and I cannot imagine undoing any of them. The world needs each one and so do I.

      • Siddharth Malani

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        Jul 28 2012: Hi, What I mean is it is not a forced decision. So I would never ask anyone to have less number children. That's entirely their own decision. But I would not hesitate making them aware of the consequences and especially for their own children in the future in a resource constrained world. Also I believe that every one may not be aware of the big picture. People like to live in their little worlds and don't blame them for that. What I am trying to say is raise the awareness so people at least have the information of the big picture so they can take wise decisions for themselves and their children. p.s. Americans (5% of world population) consume 40% of world resources. China and India want to be the same as US i.e. consume more and more. So you can see for yourself what's going to happen 20 years from now.
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          Debra Smith 200+

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          Jul 28 2012: Siddharth Malani , thanks for caring enough to address my concerns. I am fully aware of all of your stats, as I live in a country which accepts a huge amount of immigration from the countries you mention and accords those persons greater human rights than they found in their home lands and as I am a woman who lives in Canada, who has an MA and an MBA. I rasied responsible people who contribute greatly and who consume in proper proportion.

  • Berker Elyay

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    Jul 28 2012: Use the almost limitless information at your disposal via the Internet, and make sure that you convert that knowledge into solutions that will help the generation after
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    Mukund Rasane

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    Jul 28 2012: Firstly we should minimize our needs, we should be happy with basic needs i.e. food, cloths and shelter.
    Minimize our expectation. Minimize our comfortable level.Four people can easily resides in flat, instead of 1 or 2 story bungalow. We can develop our future simply by doing farming only.And last but not the least we should remove EGO completely then only it is possible.
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      Jared Kirschner

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      Jul 28 2012: While all of these proposals would work, I highly doubt they would be adopted. It doesn't matter if 5% of the world's population takes your advice because they are willing to change because they feel like it is a necessary sacrifice. How could you convince an entire society to follow these measures? I think you'd have more luck with clever designs that provide the same utility for less. Start with fundamental questions like "Why would 4 people rather live in a flat than a 1 or 2 story bungalow?" Does it provide more utility? Is it some form of investment/security? Is it for social status? There has to be a reason. Unless these deeper reasons can be addressed, change will not happen.
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        Mukund Rasane

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        Jul 30 2012: Change surely will happen if we start from ourself first.... 5% of world population accept my advice then very soon that will convert into 100%. We always should think in positive way not in negative.
        if we are happy with our basic necessity then people will not go for any bribe or crime to get more money. And at the end everyone wants to be more richer than other, this will surely change.
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