A very lucky person, who wants to share this with you: Nikos Charalambides at TEDxAthens 2012

Summary

The speaker shares a deep personal connection with the sea, which influenced their studies and career in oceanography. They recount their journey with Greenpeace, starting from a typical job application to becoming an activist. The narrative includes their experiences in protecting marine life, facing legal challenges, and the importance of collective action. The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of questioning established norms and the significance of Greenpeace's independent, people-funded model in advocating for environmental protection and sustainable development.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The speaker has had a strong connection with the sea since childhood, which influenced their career path in oceanography.
• 🐠 A near-drowning experience at the age of 3 sparked a deep respect for the sea's power and led to a lifelong fascination.
• 🎓 The speaker's studies focused on oceanography, driven by a passion for the sea and a desire to understand it better.
• 💡 The speaker admired the courage of a man with an impressive nose who explored the oceans, inspiring them to emulate such bravery.
• 🌍 The speaker learned about other 'strange' individuals who were initially peculiar but later became influential figures in environmental activism.
• 🚢 The speaker's work with Greenpeace began on July 1, 1992, and involved a variety of actions to protect marine life and coastal areas.
• 🛑 The speaker faced legal challenges and even imprisonment for their activism, but these experiences taught them about solidarity and perseverance.
• 🏆 A significant success was the establishment of a marine park in Zakynthos, Greece, after three years of effort, demonstrating the power of collective action.
• 🌱 The speaker emphasizes that their work is not just a job but a passion for environmental protection and sustainable development.
• 🌟 The speaker concludes by expressing gratitude to the supporters of Greenpeace, whose contributions have enabled them to live out their journey as an activist.

Q & A

What is the speaker's early connection with the sea?

The speaker has had a strong connection with the sea since birth, being born under the Pisces zodiac sign, and nearly drowning at the age of 3 which made them feel a deep bond with the ocean.

What was the speaker's academic focus and how did it relate to their love for the sea?

The speaker's studies were centered around oceanography, which was a field they were drawn to due to their love for the sea.

How did the speaker's childhood admiration for a powerful figure influence their life?

The speaker aspired to emulate a strong individual with an impressive mustache who traveled the oceans, which inspired them to pursue activities related to the sea.

What significant event in the speaker's life led to their involvement with environmental activism?

The speaker was introduced to a group of people who were challenging the status quo and taking personal risks for their vision, which marked the beginning of their journey into environmental activism.

What was the speaker's initial expectation of their work with Greenpeace and how did it change?

Initially, the speaker thought their involvement with Greenpeace would be short-term, but it turned into a long journey that lasted for many years.

What was the speaker's role when they first joined Greenpeace?

The speaker's first role in Greenpeace was in an office setting, but they soon found themselves in more action-oriented roles, such as being involved in direct actions to protect the environment.

What was a notable achievement the speaker had during their time with Greenpeace?

One of the significant achievements was the establishment of a marine park in Zakynthos, Greece, after three years of effort to protect the sea turtles and the coastal areas.

How has the speaker's perspective on their work evolved over their 20 years with Greenpeace?

The speaker initially saw their work as a pursuit of passion rather than a traditional job, but over time, they came to recognize it as a serious profession focused on environmental protection and sustainable development.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of challenging established facts?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of questioning established facts and being open to new information, as illustrated by examples such as the shift from CFC-based to climate-friendly refrigeration technologies.

How does the speaker describe the impact of their work and the support they received from individuals?

The speaker expresses gratitude for the support of 300,000 individuals whose contributions allowed them to live out their journey with Greenpeace, and they highlight the collective effort in striving for a better future.

What advice does the speaker give to those interested in making a difference?

The speaker encourages individuals to embark on their own journey, to engage with various organizations, and to create their own networks or follow existing ones to contribute to positive change.