How We’re Turning Pollution into Toys, Toothpaste and More | Xu Hao | TED
In the TED talk titled “How We’re Turning Pollution into Toys, Toothpaste, and More,” Xu Hao, leader of Tencent’s climate change initiatives, emphasizes the urgent need for innovative low-carbon solutions to combat climate change. Unlike the lengthy evolution of ethanol into a major industry, Hao argues for a speedy approach, harnessing existing scientific advancements in carbon utilization.
He discusses initiatives like the CarbonX Program, where scientists, engineers, and business professionals collaborate to transform CO2 into everyday products such as plastics, cosmetics, and aviation fuel. Highlighting the potential of startups like Gasgene, which uses genetically modified bacteria to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals, and Feynman Dynamics, innovating sustainable aviation fuel, Hao illustrates a promising future where pollution is repurposed.
By integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines, these initiatives aim to create economically viable solutions, ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon economy is not just aspirational but achievable. Ultimately, Hao’s talk inspires optimism about technological innovations that can drive a cleaner, sustainable future—showing that with collaboration, rapid progress is possible in the fight against climate change.
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Video “How We’re Turning Pollution into Toys, Toothpaste and More | Xu Hao | TED” was uploaded on 11/11/2025 to Youtube Channel TED