Reflecting on TEDxSydney 2025
What a day!
TEDxSydney 2025 was staged on Friday 9 May at City Recital Hall, Angel Place. The afternoon event welcomed 950 curious, open-minded attendees to explore the theme Three Horizons.
Following a moving Acknowledgement of Country from Kevin Heath, the day unfolded through the lens of the Three Horizons: Triage, Transition, and Transformation.
We began with Triage, examining where we currently find ourselves as a planet and culture. Author and podcaster Sarah Wilson opened the talks with a sobering analysis of Earth’s current state, outlining the collapse of multiple interconnected systems and what it might take for humanity to live fully and in alignment once again.
Sarah was followed by Professor Corey Bradshaw, who shared a confronting perspective on Earth’s human carrying capacity - and how far we are exceeding it. Concluding the Triage section was 15-year-old activist and singer Ruby Rodgers, who shared her experience of growing up with today’s immense burdens before performing a heartfelt song from her new album that brought those challenges to life.
We then moved into Transition - Where are we going? This part of the day focused on solutions from systems thinkers and creative innovators making impactful interventions. Simon Holmes à Court, founder of Climate 200, opened the session by unpacking the role of the community independents political movement in revitalising Australian democracy, just days after the Federal election.
Associate Professor of Bioethics Danya Vears then posed challenging ethical questions around the future of newborn screening, asking: Where do we draw the line? A powerful on-stage dialogue followed between Saibai Seisia elder Aunty McRose Elu and human rights lawyer Isabelle Reinecke, exploring real-time questions of climate justice - earning a standing ovation from the audience.
Transition continued with Associate Professor Tanya Latty, who celebrated the joy of deep observation and the vital role of insects in urban biodiversity. Artificial Intelligence advisor Matt Kuperholz offered insights into trust and discernment in an increasingly AI-dominated world, while Director of Climate Energy Finance Australasia Tim Buckley made a compelling case for strengthening our trading relationship with China to achieve better clean energy outcomes. Finally, Professor Andrew Pask spoke about his pioneering work to reintroduce the Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) to Tasmania, as part of efforts to restore ecological balance in the island state.
We then stepped into the third and final horizon: Transformation - Which futures are we imagining and working towards? Gina Chick got the entire audience on their feet with a call-and-response song she composed especially for TEDxSydney. TEDxSydney alumnus Damon Gameau facilitated a powerful conversation between children and a business leader, showing how kids can hold companies accountable to sustainability goals - and redefine business as a force for good.
Barry Irvin, Chair of Bega Group, shared an inspiring story of circularity in action through a community-led initiative in the Bega Valley. To close the day, anthropologist Monty Badami reflected on the beauty of our messy humanity - and how it may be the very thing that saves us.
The day was elevated by stunning performances from women’s percussion collective ILE ILU, country musician Luke O’Shea, Jessica Chapnik Kahn and choir, alongside film excerpts from David Attenborough’s Ocean, Magic Beach, and Last Meal - the latter created by TEDxSydney alumnus Tom Nash and videographer Peter Cramer.
TEDxSydney 2025: Three Horizons was truly a day to remember.
We warmly thank everyone involved for their passion, dedication, and contribution.