Ideas worth spreading

The economic benefits of climate action

255,879 views |

Marcelo Mena |

TED2020

• May 2020

Marcelo Mena, the former environment minister of Chile, is on a mission to create a zero-emission economy in his country by 2050. In a conversation about climate action, he discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing Chile's ambitious plan to tackle climate change -- and explains why the green recovery needs to be powered by both political leaders and citizens alike. (This virtual conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers and global curator Bruno Giussani, was recorded on May 26, 2020.)

Marcelo Mena, the former environment minister of Chile, is on a mission to create a zero-emission economy in his country by 2050. In a conversation about climate action, he discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic is changing Chile's ambitious plan to tackle climate change -- and explains why the green recovery needs to be powered by both political leaders and citizens alike. (This virtual conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers and global curator Bruno Giussani, was recorded on May 26, 2020.)

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about Chile's efforts to create a sustainable and resilient nation.

Listen to "Ponerse las Pilas" podcast, which tells the stories of pragmatic people who are pushing the shift toward a fossil-free society.

About the speakers

Marcelo Mena

Biochemical engineer

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As a scientist, activist and policymaker, Marcelo Mena has dedicated his life to initiating and guiding the environmental policies and international initiatives that are most likely to transform and rejuvenate our world.

Whitney Pennington Rodgers

Whitney Pennington Rodgers

TED current affairs curator

See speaker profile

Whitney Pennington Rodgers is an award-winning journalist and media professional.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2015 | Article

"The Economic Consequences of Climate Change"

Gobierno de Chile, 2020 | Article

"Chile's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)"

Global Commission on Adaption, 2019 | Article

"Adapt Now: A Global Call For Leadership On Climate Resilience"

Kirsten Hund et al. | Climate Smart Mining Facility, 2020 | Article

"Minerals for Climate Action: The Mineral Intensity of the Clean Energy Transition"

Marcelo Mena Carrasco | World Bank Blogs, 2019 | Article

"Finance ministers, climate champions of our time"

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Learn more about Chile's efforts to create a sustainable and resilient nation.

Listen to "Ponerse las Pilas" podcast, which tells the stories of pragmatic people who are pushing the shift toward a fossil-free society.