TED Talks 2009

It's been a great week for sustainable innovation. That's because the TEDGlobal 2009 conference took place this week in Oxford, England. TED stands for "technology, entertainment, and design," but the TED conferences encompass much more than those words might suggest. Since 1990, TED has been bringing together groundbreaking speakers from the worlds of science, art, entertainment, and more, to present and discuss their visions for positive change in the world.

The topics of the TED talks are very diverse, but many relate to sustainable development and environmental activism. This year's speakers include experts in seed banking, biomimicry, water purification for disaster zones, and DIY windmills, among many others. While these topics aren't necessarily new, TED speakers are selected for their fresh perspectives, and the talks are almost always surprising and interesting.




Interested in attending a TED conference in the future? Events include annual American and global conferences, plus a few other opportunities like this year's TED India. Tickets generally sell out well in advance, so check out the options and get your application in as soon as possible. For home viewers, all TED talks are eventually made available as free online videos. The 2009 talks haven't been posted yet, but you can catch up on previous years while you wait.