An ode to living on Earth | Oliver Jeffers (re-release)

In this TED Talks Daily episode released on the final day of 2025, host Elise Hu introduces a talk from 2020 by visual artist Oliver Jeffers. Jeffers reflects on the complexities of explaining life on Earth to his newborn son. He shares his observations on human civilization, emphasizing the need for love and kindness towards the planet and each other. Jeffers recounts creating a large-scale model of the Earth, Moon, and humanity, and the profound sense of loneliness he felt when viewing Earth from the perspective of space. He underscores the importance of recognizing our shared humanity and the stories we create to make sense of the world, urging listeners to appreciate the improbable existence we share and to build new, more equitable systems for the future.