The natural beauty of wooden skyscrapers | Pablo van der Lugt | TEDxVUAmsterdam
What if our homes could actually fight climate change? Building scientist Pablo van der Lugt reveals how modern timber construction, a material that literally grows back, is transforming buildings into massive carbon sinks, not sources of pollution.Debunking common myths, he shows how skyscrapers can be built from wood, storing tons of CO2 and offering surprising health benefits. Learn how this biobased building revolution, already unfolding in cities like Amsterdam, could contribute 25% of our global climate budget by 2050.Dr. van der Lugt, an architectural engineer and author of the bestseller Tomorrow's Timber, is a leading expert and passionate advocate for high-performance bio-based materials. Discover the stunning beauty and power of "growing your own home" and how to join this vital movement. Architectural engineer dr. ir. Pablo van der Lugt obtained his PhD at Technical University Delft in 2008 for his research about the environmental impact (LCA) of engineered biobased materials. Since then he has been active in the mass timber industry as senior consultant on the themes sustainability, circularity and biobased building, ever maintaining a connection with the academia through Delft University of Technology as guest lecturer / researcher. Besides his consultancy and research roles, he also serves on the Board of Directors of the highly influential Built by Nature investment fund.He is a passionate advocate of high performance bio-based materials. In the vision of van der Lugt in the essential transition towards a more circular economy there are tremendous opportunities for smart bio-based materials made from fast-growing resources such as (modified) softwood and (engineered) giant bamboo, to substitute carbon intensive, high performance materials from the techno-cycle such as metals, minerals and plastics (PVC).Van der Lugt is the author of several popular books on biobased building, including the best-seller Tomorrow’s Timber (2020), also translated to Dutch and Spanish, and the fully revised version of Booming Bamboo (2024). He regularly publishes his research findings about timber construction and biobased materials in popular magazines and scientific journals and conference proceedings.He is a highly demanded speaker following several formats, ranging from TED and Pecha Kucha talks, to keynote presentations at high-level international conferences, including the International Climate Conferences in Paris (COP 21), Katowice (COP 24) and Glasgow (COP 26) and PEFC Tomorrow’s Timber Talks (since Autumn 2020). His speakers profile for the professional speakers agency Speakers Academy can be found online. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 17:27The problem with complacency in education | Curtis Czarniak | TEDxSUNYCortlandThe toxic individualism and isolation that permeates all our schools threaten our students’ and teachers. After a century of educational research, classroom practice, and reforms, we must accept the reality that the way we conduct education in our schools IS the problem. That can, and must, change. Mr. Czarniak received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) from The Ohio State University (1975) before completing a Master of Science Degree in Science Education (1989) and a CAS in Educational Administration (1996) from SUNY Cortland. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 15:31L'argent fait-il vraiment la santé? | Jaafar Heikel | TEDxFMPRProfesseur Jaâfar Heikel aborde avec clarté les enjeux cruciaux de la santé publique, tant à l’échelle mondiale que marocaine. Il met en lumière les défis systémiques qui freinent les progrès en matière de santé, en insistant sur le fait que le financement, bien qu’essentiel, n’est pas le seul levier déterminant. Son plaidoyer invite à repenser nos priorités pour bâtir un avenir sanitaire plus équitable et résilient. Internationally renowned epidemiologist, expert in infectious diseases, and health economist, served as a consultant to the WHO. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 15:17The Power of the Ball | Mohammed Amine Zariat | TEDxFMPREntrepreneur social, fondateur de TibuAfrica, il transforme le ballon rond en moteur de changement. “The Power of the Ball”, c’est l’histoire d’un sport qui éduque, inspire et bâtit l’Afrique de demain. À travers son témoignage, Mohammed Amine Zariat montre comment la passion, la persévérance et la collaboration entre les secteurs public, privé et associatif peuvent créer un véritable impact social. Un talk vibrant, porteur d’espoir, qui illustre parfaitement le pouvoir du sport pour changer les trajectoires de vie. Social entrepreneur, founder of TibuAfrica. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 12:05Et si un robot devenait votre médecin? | Youssef Tabali | TEDxFMPRMédecin passionné et humaniste dans l’âme, Youssef D. Tabali a su dépasser les frontières de la médecine pour toucher quelque chose de plus vaste : l’âme collective d’une génération. construisant épisode après épisode un miroir fidèle des espoirs marocains. C’est avec la même authenticité qu’il rejoint TEDxFMPR, prêt à partager sa vision, son parcours et son rêve d’un Maroc où chaque voix compte. 7th-year medical student, founder of the podcast Moroccan Dream This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:38Rester humain dans la médecine de demain | Nadia Ismaili | TEDxFMPRDans un monde où les machines gagnent en précision, Pr Nadia Ismaili, pionnière dans son domaine et professeure respectée à la Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie de Rabat, Vice présidente du cnom et experte politique de la santé, nous invite à repenser le rôle irremplaçable de l’humain dans la médecine de demain.Sa participation à TEDxFMPR promet un regard novateur sur la préservation de la place du médecin à l’ère des avancées technologiques et de l’intelligence artificielle.. Préparez-vous à une intervention qui marquera les esprits. Professor of higher education at the Faculty of medicine and pharmacy of Rabat, Dermatologist, Vice president of the national medical council (CNOM), and health policy expert. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:31IA et Pharmacie: une chance inouïe pour notre pays | Younes Rahali | TEDxFMPRYounes Rahali est une figure éminente dans le domaine de la pharmacologie au Maroc. Chef du service de pharmacologie à la FMPR et vice-doyen chargé des affaires pharmaceutiques, il est spécialiste de la sécurité des médicaments et de la traçabilité pharmaceutique. Alliant recherche, enseignement et engagement institutionnel, il incarne une expertise complète et une vision innovante.Lors du TEDxFMPR, il partage une intervention riche et passionnante sur un thème d’avenir : « L’intelligence artificielle, une opportunité inespérée pour l’essor de la pharmacie au Maroc ».Une réflexion profonde au croisement de la science, de la rigueur et de l’innovation, à ne pas manquer. Head of the pharmacology department at FMPR, Vice-Dean for pharmaceutical affairs. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx