[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] it’s Christmas Eve 1968 the Apollo 8
it’s Christmas Eve 1968 the Apollo 8
it’s Christmas Eve 1968 the Apollo 8 spacecraft has successfully completed
spacecraft has successfully completed
spacecraft has successfully completed its first three orbits around the moon
its first three orbits around the moon
its first three orbits around the moon launched from Cape Canaveral three days
launched from Cape Canaveral three days
launched from Cape Canaveral three days before this is the first time that
before this is the first time that
before this is the first time that humans have ever traveled beyond
humans have ever traveled beyond
humans have ever traveled beyond low-earth orbit on the vessels fourth
low-earth orbit on the vessels fourth
low-earth orbit on the vessels fourth pass the earth slowly comes into view
pass the earth slowly comes into view
pass the earth slowly comes into view and reveals itself above the moon’s
and reveals itself above the moon’s
and reveals itself above the moon’s horizon astronaut Bill Anders
horizon astronaut Bill Anders
horizon astronaut Bill Anders frantically asked his crewmates where
frantically asked his crewmates where
frantically asked his crewmates where their camera is grabs the Hasselblad
their camera is grabs the Hasselblad
their camera is grabs the Hasselblad points it towards the window presses the
points it towards the window presses the
points it towards the window presses the shutter and takes one of the most
shutter and takes one of the most
shutter and takes one of the most important photographs of all time
important photographs of all time
important photographs of all time Earthrise when the crew was safely home
Earthrise when the crew was safely home
Earthrise when the crew was safely home a few days later they were asked about
a few days later they were asked about
a few days later they were asked about the mission
the mission
the mission Anders famously replied we went to the
Anders famously replied we went to the
Anders famously replied we went to the moon but we actually discovered earth
moon but we actually discovered earth
moon but we actually discovered earth what did he and his fellow crewmates
what did he and his fellow crewmates
what did he and his fellow crewmates feel in this incredible moment in a
feel in this incredible moment in a
feel in this incredible moment in a study released just this past year a
study released just this past year a
study released just this past year a team of researchers at the University of
team of researchers at the University of
team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania examined the testimonies of
Pennsylvania examined the testimonies of
Pennsylvania examined the testimonies of hundreds of astronauts who had the
hundreds of astronauts who had the
hundreds of astronauts who had the opportunity to view the Earth from space
opportunity to view the Earth from space
opportunity to view the Earth from space their analysis uncovered three common
their analysis uncovered three common
their analysis uncovered three common feelings first
feelings first
feelings first a greater appreciation for Earth’s
a greater appreciation for Earth’s
a greater appreciation for Earth’s beauty second an increased sense of
beauty second an increased sense of
beauty second an increased sense of connection to all other living beings
connection to all other living beings
connection to all other living beings and third an unexpected often
and third an unexpected often
and third an unexpected often overwhelming sense of emotion the
overwhelming sense of emotion the
overwhelming sense of emotion the researchers believe that seeing the
researchers believe that seeing the
researchers believe that seeing the Earth from a great distance provokes
Earth from a great distance provokes
Earth from a great distance provokes someone to develop new cognitive
someone to develop new cognitive
someone to develop new cognitive frameworks to understand what they are
frameworks to understand what they are
frameworks to understand what they are seeing they believe these astronauts
seeing they believe these astronauts
seeing they believe these astronauts were forever changed by this new view
were forever changed by this new view
were forever changed by this new view this new perspective this new visual
this new perspective this new visual
this new perspective this new visual truth this feeling is commonly referred
truth this feeling is commonly referred
truth this feeling is commonly referred to as the overview effect
only 558 people have ever been to outer
only 558 people have ever been to outer space 558 people had the opportunity to
space 558 people had the opportunity to
space 558 people had the opportunity to gaze down in awe to wonder at our planet
gaze down in awe to wonder at our planet
gaze down in awe to wonder at our planet floating in an infinite sea of darkness
floating in an infinite sea of darkness
floating in an infinite sea of darkness but what if that number were bigger
but what if that number were bigger
but what if that number were bigger three years ago I set off on my own
three years ago I set off on my own
three years ago I set off on my own mission to see if I could bring this
mission to see if I could bring this
mission to see if I could bring this feeling of overwhelming scale and beauty
feeling of overwhelming scale and beauty
feeling of overwhelming scale and beauty to many more people just by using one
to many more people just by using one
to many more people just by using one small computer in my small New York City
small computer in my small New York City
small computer in my small New York City apartment it was then in 2013 that I
apartment it was then in 2013 that I
apartment it was then in 2013 that I launched daily overview every day I have
launched daily overview every day I have
launched daily overview every day I have used satellite imagery to create one
used satellite imagery to create one
used satellite imagery to create one expansive overhead view of our planet
expansive overhead view of our planet
expansive overhead view of our planet more than 1,000 of these images have
more than 1,000 of these images have
more than 1,000 of these images have been created thus far and more than
been created thus far and more than
been created thus far and more than 600,000 people tune in for this daily
600,000 people tune in for this daily
600,000 people tune in for this daily dose of perspectives I create the
dose of perspectives I create the
dose of perspectives I create the imagery by curating photos from the
imagery by curating photos from the
imagery by curating photos from the massive archive of a satellite company
massive archive of a satellite company
massive archive of a satellite company called digital globe they operate a
called digital globe they operate a
called digital globe they operate a constellation of five satellites each
constellation of five satellites each
constellation of five satellites each roughly the size of an ambulance that is
roughly the size of an ambulance that is
roughly the size of an ambulance that is constantly taking pictures of the earth
constantly taking pictures of the earth
constantly taking pictures of the earth as they orbit at 28,000 kilometers per
as they orbit at 28,000 kilometers per
as they orbit at 28,000 kilometers per hour now what does this mean each of
hour now what does this mean each of
hour now what does this mean each of these satellites is equipped with a
these satellites is equipped with a
these satellites is equipped with a camera that has a focal length of 16
camera that has a focal length of 16
camera that has a focal length of 16 meters so that’s roughly 290 times
meters so that’s roughly 290 times
meters so that’s roughly 290 times greater than a DSLR camera equipped with
greater than a DSLR camera equipped with
greater than a DSLR camera equipped with a standard 55 millimeter lens so if we
a standard 55 millimeter lens so if we
a standard 55 millimeter lens so if we were able to attach one of their
were able to attach one of their
were able to attach one of their satellites to the roof of this theater
satellites to the roof of this theater
satellites to the roof of this theater in Oxford we could take a picture of a
in Oxford we could take a picture of a
in Oxford we could take a picture of a football clearly on the pitch at the
football clearly on the pitch at the
football clearly on the pitch at the stadium in Amsterdam that’s 450
stadium in Amsterdam that’s 450
stadium in Amsterdam that’s 450 kilometers away that’s incredibly
kilometers away that’s incredibly
kilometers away that’s incredibly powerful technology and I decided at the
powerful technology and I decided at the
powerful technology and I decided at the beginning of this project that I would
beginning of this project that I would
beginning of this project that I would use that incredible technology to focus
use that incredible technology to focus
use that incredible technology to focus on the places where humans have impacted
on the places where humans have impacted
on the places where humans have impacted the plan
the plan
the plan as a species we dig and scrape the earth
as a species we dig and scrape the earth
as a species we dig and scrape the earth for resources we produce energy we raise
for resources we produce energy we raise
for resources we produce energy we raise animals and cultivate crops for food we
animals and cultivate crops for food we
animals and cultivate crops for food we build cities we move around we create
build cities we move around we create
build cities we move around we create waste in the process of doing all of
waste in the process of doing all of
waste in the process of doing all of these things we shape landscapes and
these things we shape landscapes and
these things we shape landscapes and seascapes and cityscapes with increasing
seascapes and cityscapes with increasing
seascapes and cityscapes with increasing control and impunity so with that in
control and impunity so with that in
control and impunity so with that in mind I’d like to share a few of my
mind I’d like to share a few of my
mind I’d like to share a few of my overviews with you now here we see cargo
overviews with you now here we see cargo
overviews with you now here we see cargo ships and oil tankers waiting outside
ships and oil tankers waiting outside
ships and oil tankers waiting outside the entry to the port of Singapore this
the entry to the port of Singapore this
the entry to the port of Singapore this facility is the second busiest in the
facility is the second busiest in the
facility is the second busiest in the world by terms of total tonnage
world by terms of total tonnage
world by terms of total tonnage accounting for one-fifth of the world
accounting for one-fifth of the world
accounting for one-fifth of the world shipping containers and one half of the
shipping containers and one half of the
shipping containers and one half of the annual supply of crude oil if you look
annual supply of crude oil if you look
annual supply of crude oil if you look closely at this overview you’ll see a
closely at this overview you’ll see a
closely at this overview you’ll see a lot of little specks those are actually
lot of little specks those are actually
lot of little specks those are actually cows at a feedlot in Summerfield Texas
cows at a feedlot in Summerfield Texas
cows at a feedlot in Summerfield Texas in the United States
in the United States
in the United States so once cows reach a particular weight
so once cows reach a particular weight
so once cows reach a particular weight roughly 300 kilograms they are moved
roughly 300 kilograms they are moved
roughly 300 kilograms they are moved here and placed on a specialized diet
here and placed on a specialized diet
here and placed on a specialized diet over the next three to four months the
over the next three to four months the
over the next three to four months the cows gain an additional 180 kilograms
cows gain an additional 180 kilograms
cows gain an additional 180 kilograms before they are shipped off to slaughter
before they are shipped off to slaughter
before they are shipped off to slaughter you’re also probably wondering about
you’re also probably wondering about
you’re also probably wondering about this glowing pool at the top there that
this glowing pool at the top there that
this glowing pool at the top there that gets its color from a unique combination
gets its color from a unique combination
gets its color from a unique combination of manure chemicals and a particular
of manure chemicals and a particular
of manure chemicals and a particular type of algae that grows in the stagnant
type of algae that grows in the stagnant
type of algae that grows in the stagnant water this is the mount whale back iron
water this is the mount whale back iron
water this is the mount whale back iron ore mine in the Pilbara region of
ore mine in the Pilbara region of
ore mine in the Pilbara region of Western Australia a beautiful yet scary
Western Australia a beautiful yet scary
Western Australia a beautiful yet scary scar on the face of the earth
scar on the face of the earth
scar on the face of the earth of the world’s mined iron ore 98% is
of the world’s mined iron ore 98% is
of the world’s mined iron ore 98% is used to make steel and is therefore a
used to make steel and is therefore a
used to make steel and is therefore a major component in the construction of
major component in the construction of
major component in the construction of buildings automobiles or appliances such
buildings automobiles or appliances such
buildings automobiles or appliances such as your dishwasher or refrigerator this
as your dishwasher or refrigerator this
as your dishwasher or refrigerator this is a solar concentrator in Seville Spain
is a solar concentrator in Seville Spain
is a solar concentrator in Seville Spain so this facility contains 2650 mirrors
so this facility contains 2650 mirrors
so this facility contains 2650 mirrors which are arrayed in
which are arrayed in
which are arrayed in centric circles around 140 meter tall
centric circles around 140 meter tall
centric circles around 140 meter tall tower at its center at the top of the
tower at its center at the top of the
tower at its center at the top of the tower there is a capsule of molten salt
tower there is a capsule of molten salt
tower there is a capsule of molten salt that gets heated by the beams of light
that gets heated by the beams of light
that gets heated by the beams of light reflected upwards from the mirrors below
reflected upwards from the mirrors below
reflected upwards from the mirrors below from there the salt circulates to a
from there the salt circulates to a
from there the salt circulates to a storage tank underground where it
storage tank underground where it
storage tank underground where it produces steam which spins turbines and
produces steam which spins turbines and
produces steam which spins turbines and generates enough electricity to power
generates enough electricity to power
generates enough electricity to power 70,000 homes and offsets 30,000 tons of
70,000 homes and offsets 30,000 tons of
70,000 homes and offsets 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year this
carbon dioxide emissions every year this
carbon dioxide emissions every year this overview shows deforestation in Santa
overview shows deforestation in Santa
overview shows deforestation in Santa Cruz Bolivia immediately adjacent to
Cruz Bolivia immediately adjacent to
Cruz Bolivia immediately adjacent to untouched tracts of rainforest
untouched tracts of rainforest
untouched tracts of rainforest deforestation the country has primarily
deforestation the country has primarily
deforestation the country has primarily been driven by the expansion of
been driven by the expansion of
been driven by the expansion of mechanized agriculture and cattle
mechanized agriculture and cattle
mechanized agriculture and cattle ranching so as the country tries to meet
ranching so as the country tries to meet
ranching so as the country tries to meet the demand of its growing population and
the demand of its growing population and
the demand of its growing population and feed them the sacrificial destruction of
feed them the sacrificial destruction of
feed them the sacrificial destruction of its rainforest has taken place to do so
its rainforest has taken place to do so
its rainforest has taken place to do so it is estimated that the country lost
it is estimated that the country lost
it is estimated that the country lost 4.5 million acres of rainforest in one
4.5 million acres of rainforest in one
4.5 million acres of rainforest in one decade alone from 2000 until 2010 this
decade alone from 2000 until 2010 this
decade alone from 2000 until 2010 this is the eye shampo district in Barcelona
is the eye shampo district in Barcelona
is the eye shampo district in Barcelona Spain so the overview perspective can be
Spain so the overview perspective can be
Spain so the overview perspective can be incredibly helpful to help us understand
incredibly helpful to help us understand
incredibly helpful to help us understand how cities function and how we can
how cities function and how we can
how cities function and how we can devise smarter solutions for urban
devise smarter solutions for urban
devise smarter solutions for urban planning and this will become only more
planning and this will become only more
planning and this will become only more relevant as it is expected that four
relevant as it is expected that four
relevant as it is expected that four point nine billion people will live in
point nine billion people will live in
point nine billion people will live in cities around the world by the year 2030
cities around the world by the year 2030
cities around the world by the year 2030 this area of Barcelona is characterized
this area of Barcelona is characterized
this area of Barcelona is characterized by its strict grid pattern apartment
by its strict grid pattern apartment
by its strict grid pattern apartment with communal courtyards and these
with communal courtyards and these
with communal courtyards and these octagonal intersections which allow for
octagonal intersections which allow for
octagonal intersections which allow for more sunlight better ventilation and
more sunlight better ventilation and
more sunlight better ventilation and additional parking at street level and
additional parking at street level and
additional parking at street level and here we see that grid pattern but under
here we see that grid pattern but under
here we see that grid pattern but under much different circumstances
much different circumstances
much different circumstances this is the Dadaab refugee camp in
this is the Dadaab refugee camp in
this is the Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya the largest such facility
northern Kenya the largest such facility
northern Kenya the largest such facility of its kind in the world and home to
of its kind in the world and home to
of its kind in the world and home to 260,000 displaced refugees to cope with
260,000 displaced refugees to cope with
260,000 displaced refugees to cope with the influx of refugees who are fleeing
the influx of refugees who are fleeing
the influx of refugees who are fleeing Somalia where there is famine and
Somalia where there is famine and
Somalia where there is famine and conflict the UN has built this area
conflict the UN has built this area
conflict the UN has built this area gridded out it left called the LFO
gridded out it left called the LFO
gridded out it left called the LFO extension
extension
extension to house more and more refugees we’re
to house more and more refugees we’re
to house more and more refugees we’re arriving and occupying these white dots
arriving and occupying these white dots
arriving and occupying these white dots which are actually tents which will
which are actually tents which will
which are actually tents which will slowly fill up the area over time so if
slowly fill up the area over time so if
slowly fill up the area over time so if you have one of these overviews you have
you have one of these overviews you have
you have one of these overviews you have a moment in time if we have two
a moment in time if we have two
a moment in time if we have two overviews however we’re able to tell
overviews however we’re able to tell
overviews however we’re able to tell stories about changes in time I call
stories about changes in time I call
stories about changes in time I call that feature of the project juxtaposed
that feature of the project juxtaposed
that feature of the project juxtaposed and we’ll share a few examples of it
and we’ll share a few examples of it
and we’ll share a few examples of it with you now so the tulip fields in
with you now so the tulip fields in
with you now so the tulip fields in Netherlands bloom every year in April so
Netherlands bloom every year in April so
Netherlands bloom every year in April so we take an image captured in March a few
we take an image captured in March a few
we take an image captured in March a few weeks before and contrast it to one
weeks before and contrast it to one
weeks before and contrast it to one taken a few weeks later we’re able to
taken a few weeks later we’re able to
taken a few weeks later we’re able to watch the flowers bloom in this
watch the flowers bloom in this
watch the flowers bloom in this magnificent cascade of color it is
magnificent cascade of color it is
magnificent cascade of color it is estimated that the Dutch produce 4.3
estimated that the Dutch produce 4.3
estimated that the Dutch produce 4.3 billion tulip bulbs every year in 2015
billion tulip bulbs every year in 2015
billion tulip bulbs every year in 2015 two dams collapsed and an iron ore mine
two dams collapsed and an iron ore mine
two dams collapsed and an iron ore mine in southeastern Brazil causing one of
in southeastern Brazil causing one of
in southeastern Brazil causing one of the worst environmental disasters in the
the worst environmental disasters in the
the worst environmental disasters in the history of the country it is estimated
history of the country it is estimated
history of the country it is estimated that 62 million cubic meters of wastes
that 62 million cubic meters of wastes
that 62 million cubic meters of wastes were released when the dams broke
were released when the dams broke
were released when the dams broke destroying numerous villages in the
destroying numerous villages in the
destroying numerous villages in the process including bento Rodrigues seen
process including bento Rodrigues seen
process including bento Rodrigues seen here before and after the flood
ultimately nineteen people were killed
ultimately nineteen people were killed in this disaster half a million people
in this disaster half a million people
in this disaster half a million people did not have access to clean drinking
did not have access to clean drinking
did not have access to clean drinking water for an extended period of time and
water for an extended period of time and
water for an extended period of time and the waste soon entered into the Rio Doce
the waste soon entered into the Rio Doce
the waste soon entered into the Rio Doce River extended for 650 kilometers all
River extended for 650 kilometers all
River extended for 650 kilometers all the way into the sea killing unknowable
the way into the sea killing unknowable
the way into the sea killing unknowable amounts of plant and animal life along
amounts of plant and animal life along
amounts of plant and animal life along the way and lastly here’s a story
the way and lastly here’s a story
the way and lastly here’s a story related to the crisis in Syria a
related to the crisis in Syria a
related to the crisis in Syria a conflict which has claimed the lives of
conflict which has claimed the lives of
conflict which has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and
hundreds of thousands of people and
hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions
displaced millions
displaced millions so this patch of desert is seen in
so this patch of desert is seen in
so this patch of desert is seen in Mafraq Jordan in 2011 the year the
Mafraq Jordan in 2011 the year the
Mafraq Jordan in 2011 the year the conflict started and when we compare it
conflict started and when we compare it
conflict started and when we compare it to an image captured just this year in
to an image captured just this year in
to an image captured just this year in 2017
we see the construction of the Zaatari
we see the construction of the Zaatari refugee camp it is estimated that 83,000
refugee camp it is estimated that 83,000
refugee camp it is estimated that 83,000 people currently lived in this vast sea
people currently lived in this vast sea
people currently lived in this vast sea of tents so just as the astronauts of
of tents so just as the astronauts of
of tents so just as the astronauts of Apollo 8 watched the earth rising above
Apollo 8 watched the earth rising above
Apollo 8 watched the earth rising above the lunar landscape for the first time
the lunar landscape for the first time
the lunar landscape for the first time there is no way that you could have
there is no way that you could have
there is no way that you could have imagined what the places I just showed
imagined what the places I just showed
imagined what the places I just showed you look like from outer space and while
you look like from outer space and while
you look like from outer space and while you may enjoy the aesthetics of an image
you may enjoy the aesthetics of an image
you may enjoy the aesthetics of an image once you learn exactly what it is you’re
once you learn exactly what it is you’re
once you learn exactly what it is you’re seeing you may struggle with the fact
seeing you may struggle with the fact
seeing you may struggle with the fact that you still like it and that’s the
that you still like it and that’s the
that you still like it and that’s the tension I want to create with my work
tension I want to create with my work
tension I want to create with my work because I believe it is that
because I believe it is that
because I believe it is that contemplation that internal dialogue
contemplation that internal dialogue
contemplation that internal dialogue that will lead to greater interest in
that will lead to greater interest in
that will lead to greater interest in our planet and more awareness of what
our planet and more awareness of what
our planet and more awareness of what we’re doing to it I believe that viewing
we’re doing to it I believe that viewing
we’re doing to it I believe that viewing the Earth from the overview perspective
the Earth from the overview perspective
the Earth from the overview perspective is more important now than ever before
is more important now than ever before
is more important now than ever before through the incredible technology of
through the incredible technology of
through the incredible technology of these high-flying cameras we can see
these high-flying cameras we can see
these high-flying cameras we can see monitor and expose the unprecedented
monitor and expose the unprecedented
monitor and expose the unprecedented impact that we are having and whether we
impact that we are having and whether we
impact that we are having and whether we are scientists or engineers or
are scientists or engineers or
are scientists or engineers or policymakers or investors or artists if
policymakers or investors or artists if
policymakers or investors or artists if we can adopt a more expansive
we can adopt a more expansive
we can adopt a more expansive perspective embrace the truth of what is
perspective embrace the truth of what is
perspective embrace the truth of what is going on and contemplate the long-term
going on and contemplate the long-term
going on and contemplate the long-term health of our planet we will create a
health of our planet we will create a
health of our planet we will create a better and safer and smarter future for
better and safer and smarter future for
better and safer and smarter future for our one and only home thank you
our one and only home thank you
our one and only home thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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