How to measure the planet’s heartbeat | Yadvinder Malhi

This podcast episode features a TED Talk by ecosystem ecologist Yadvinder Malhi, recorded at the TED Countdown Summit in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025. Malhi discusses the importance of understanding and working with the "vibrancy" of ecosystems, which he defines as the complex flow of energy through various species. He argues that focusing solely on carbon capture or charismatic species in conservation efforts is insufficient and that maintaining the ecological energy and biodiversity of ecosystems is crucial for their resilience and adaptation to climate change. Malhi uses the example of tropical atolls to illustrate how vibrant, interconnected island-reef systems are more capable of withstanding sea-level rise compared to ecologically depleted ones. The talk emphasizes the need to consider the entire biosphere and promote regenerative practices that allow both humans and the environment to thrive.