TEDxLCWU Countdown 2023 took place on December 14th, 2023 at Main Auditorium Lahore College for Women University from 1pm to 4:30 pm. The independently organized event, licensed by TED, featured local voices and TED Talks under the theme of climate change. The talks were focused on five subject areas: power, built environment, transport, food and nature. In hosting this event the organizers raised awareness, established linkages and initiated dialogues which translated into action through our young inspiring leaders. 

About TED Countdown  

TED Countdown is a global initiative that champions real solutions to the climate crisis. The goal: To build a better future by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and creating a cleaner, greener, more equitable world. Launched in 2020, TED Countdown event is part of a bold, global movement which aims to find ways to shift, more rapidly, to a world with net zero greenhouse emissions and tackle the climate crisis.  

As part of the centenary celebrations, this year’s event showcased the contributions of the faculty members, alumnus of Lahore College for Women University and from the civil society in tackling climate change.  

Speakers at TEDxLCWU Countdown 2023 included: 

·      Mr. Ali Kemal – Chief SDG at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Inititaives, Mr. Kemal, an expert in Pakistani macroeconomics and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressed climate, gender, and livelihood issues. He also highlighted the impacts of pandemic and floods while advocating for improved healthcare facilities.

·   Dr. Nausheen Mazhar – an Associate Professor, Physical Geographer, Climate activist and Chairperson of Geography Department, underscored climate urgency, emphasizing the need for global recognition and individual action to address escalating natural disasters. Her dedication to research and policymaking paves the way for a sustainable future, and it has earned her numerous achievements, including: authorship and contributions to publications in high-impact journals, books, and the IPCC's 6th Assessment Report

·       Ms. Basarat Kazim – Recipient of the Nelson Mandela Award 2007 and Gold Stevie Award 2022 for Most Innovative Woman of the Year Government or Non Profit Inspiring Women Awards: Women making Waves 2023 among many others is a pioneering educator involved in setting up libraries and Basti schools in Lahore since 1978. She discussed the rise in Global Greenhouse Gases and various agents that contribute to it while also highlighting the importance of reforestation.

·      Dr. Amina Obaid Khawaja - a guiding force at LCWU since 2004, currently leading the MS Psychology program, shared her insightful talk highlighting the vital connection between animal life and climate change, urging action to protect and preserve the wildlife. Dr. Khawaja is a trailblazer in psychology, known for her innovative Islamic therapy, the Transcendental Model, and her advocacy for both humanity and animals.

·       Mr. Umer Sheraz - a visionary Senior Research Officer at COMSATS University Islamabad, discussed impact of climate change on various professions while also highlighting climate induced anxiety and Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change.

·        Ms. Sarah Arshad - a recent graduate and LCWU alumna passionate about environmental science. At the stage of TEDxLCWU, she shared her insightful talk on "thinking big but starting small."

           The talks will be uploaded to TEDx YouTube channel and TED library.