What Does It Take to Create Change? An Artist and a Conservationist Answer | TED Intersections

Summary

In this thought-provoking conversation, Amir Nizar Zuabi and Kristine McDivitt Tompkins explore the intersection of human suffering, environmental activism, and the transformative power of art. Discussing projects like 'Amal,' a puppet representing a refugee child, and 'The Herd,' a migration of puppet animals, they highlight how creativity can inspire empathy and drive social change. Both emphasize the need for resilience in the face of global crises, using personal loss and grief as catalysts for action. Their conversation underscores the urgency to act now and the belief in the regenerative power of life, even amidst destruction.

Takeaways

• 😀 The project 'The Herds' uses life-sized puppet animals to raise awareness about the environmental crisis and climate migration.
• 😀 Animals in 'The Herds' symbolize the early warning signs of ecological collapse, walking through cities to remind people of beauty and the power of collaboration.
• 😀 'Amal,' a puppet refugee child, demonstrated the universal emotions of love and solidarity among migrants, border police, and others, transcending language and barriers.
• 😀 KMT reflects on the power of vulnerability and fierceness, both in her personal journey through grief and in the projects she undertakes.
• 😀 Personal loss, like KMT's experience after her husband's death, can drive individuals to take action and create positive change in the world.
• 😀 The importance of community and collective action is emphasized as a strength that can lead to achieving difficult, seemingly impossible goals.
• 😀 Climate change and environmental degradation are causing real-world suffering, particularly in the Global South, where weaker communities bear the brunt of the crisis.
• 😀 There is a growing connection between the violence seen in human conflicts and the violence against nature, with both driven by a lack of compassion.
• 😀 Both KMT and ANZ express a mix of optimism and pessimism, acknowledging that while the world faces dire challenges, there is hope that humanity can change, albeit often too late.
• 😀 The ultimate solution to global crises lies in a mix of strategies, but it often takes a crisis to force humanity to act, making the work done now crucial for future generations.
• 😀 Despite the overwhelming challenges, both speakers believe that life, both human and non-human, is resilient, and that change is possible through collective empathy and action.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Amir Nizar Zuabi's 'The Herd' project?

The central theme of 'The Herd' is a large migration of life-sized puppet animals made from recycled materials, highlighting the impact of climate change. The animals are portrayed as early warning signs of a systematic collapse, and they journey from Congo to Norway as a symbol of beauty, unity, and the power of collective action to address impossible challenges.

How does Amir Nizar Zuabi describe the significance of beauty in his work?

Amir Nizar Zuabi views beauty as a powerful reminder of what can happen when people work together. He believes beauty transcends the ordinary and can inspire action toward solving seemingly impossible problems, especially in the face of climate collapse and social challenges.

What is the role of Amal, the puppet, in Amir Nizar Zuabi's storytelling?

Amal, the puppet refugee child, serves as a powerful symbol of vulnerability and hope. She was introduced during a migration journey to the U.S.-Mexico border, where she brought together border police, immigrants, and children, creating a brief moment of shared compassion and understanding despite the hardships they faced.

What does Kristine McDivitt Tompkins find impactful about Amal?

Kristine McDivitt Tompkins finds Amal impactful because the puppet transcends language and human behaviors, evoking powerful emotional responses. Despite being a puppet, Amal communicates vulnerability and fierceness, uniting people in ways that words alone cannot.

How does Kristine McDivitt Tompkins describe her approach to overcoming grief after the loss of her husband?

Kristine McDivitt Tompkins describes how she transformed her grief into a driving force for change. She acknowledges the painful emotions of loss but emphasizes how they fueled her commitment to conservation work and her mission to continue supporting rewilding efforts, even when faced with personal challenges.

How does Kristine McDivitt Tompkins deal with rejection or 'no's' in her conservation work?

Kristine McDivitt Tompkins accepts rejection as part of the process but remains persistent. She emphasizes the importance of showing up, staying true to one's mission, and earning people's trust over time. Despite facing opposition and challenges, she believes that consistent effort leads to cultural change.

What is Kristine McDivitt Tompkins' view on the impact of climate change?

Kristine McDivitt Tompkins is deeply concerned about the current and future impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Global South. She acknowledges the extreme weather events and shifting climate patterns affecting millions of people and expresses concern about the ability to slow these changes in the short term.

How does Amir Nizar Zuabi maintain hope in the face of global crises?

Amir Nizar Zuabi maintains hope through his belief in the resilience of mankind. He recognizes that humanity often acts too late in response to crises but believes that people can eventually come to their senses, especially when faced with the tangible effects of climate change and social unrest.

What does Kristine McDivitt Tompkins mean by 'the power of a village'?

Kristine McDivitt Tompkins believes that the strength of human connections in isolated, rural communities is crucial for creating lasting change. Through her conservation work, she emphasizes the importance of building supportive networks that foster trust, resilience, and collaboration in the face of adversity.

How do Amir Nizar Zuabi and Kristine McDivitt Tompkins view the relationship between human violence and environmental destruction?

Both Amir Nizar Zuabi and Kristine McDivitt Tompkins believe that the violence humans inflict upon each other is deeply connected to the destruction of the environment. They argue that a lack of compassion for both people and nature is the root cause of many global crises, and they emphasize the need for compassion to address both social and environmental challenges.