TED talk: “What seaweed and cow burps have to do with climate change,” spoken by Ermias Kebreab: discusses the role of agriculture in contributing to climate change and the potential of seaweed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. Kebreab informs of the fact that livestock production is a significant contributor to global emissions, and that innovative solutions such as seaweed farming can help to mitigate this impact.

Kebreab’s talk educates the need to address the environmental impacts of food production, particularly in light of the growing global population. Agriculture is responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, and reducing the environmental impact of food production is critical to addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Kebreab’s talk provides a clear and accessible introduction to the role of agriculture in contributing to climate change and the potential of seaweed as a solution.

For our class, Kebreab’s Ted Talk is a particularly applicable topic as it provides an example of the intersection between science, policy, and communication in addressing environmental issues. Students can learn about the complex interactions between agriculture, climate change, and human health, as well as the potential of innovative solutions such as seaweed farming.

Kebreab’s talk also reiterates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in promoting sustainability and addressing environmental challenges. Addressing the environmental impact of food production requires the involvement of multiple disciplines, including agriculture, biology, economics, and policy. Students in our class can learn about the challenges and opportunities of working across disciplinary boundaries to promote sustainability and combat climate change after watching.

“What seaweed and cow burps have to do with climate change” is an engaging and informative video that is highly relevant for a senior college level, interdisciplinary environmental sustainability/journalism class. The talk provides enlightenment for the importance of addressing the environmental impact of food production and the potential of innovative solutions such as seaweed farming.