What would you do if your job was to save the planet? When Christiana Figueres was tapped by the UN to lead the Paris climate conference (COP 21) in December 2015, she reacted the way many people would: she thought it would be impossible to bring the leaders of 195 countries into agreement on how to slow climate change. Find out how she turned her skepticism into optimism -- and helped the world achieve the most important climate agreement in history.

Christiana Figueres: The inside story of the Paris climate agreement

The inside story of the Paris climate agreement

Facing planetary boundaries, humanity's path shifts from zero-sum mentalities to collective action for a sustainable future.

Unanimous decision by 195 governments at Paris to change the global economy for climate protection shows remarkable global unity.

From confrontation to collaboration, the relentless pursuit of optimism by pivotal leaders turned the impossible into the unstoppable.

climate change

environment

global issues

sustainability

technology

collaboration

innovation

social change

nature

future

history

leadership

pollution

motivation

potential

humanity

society

solar energy

government

ebola

renewable energy

international development

goals

TED Stage Talk