Name: The surprising power of your nature photos
Uploaded: 2025-06-11T14:57:09Z
Duration: 11 min 48 s
Description: Scott Loarie has a challenge for you: go outside and take a picture of a living thing. He introduces the global community of people building a living atlas of the natural world by sharing their nature photos with scientists — and shows how you can join in on the fun.

Scott Loarie has a challenge for you: go outside and take a picture of a living thing. He introduces the global community of people building a living atlas of the natural world by sharing their nature photos with scientists — and shows how you can join in on the fun.

The surprising power of your nature photos

Everyday nature sightings, like a moth on a balcony, can solve century-old mysteries and fuel scientific breakthroughs. With over two million known species—and many more undiscovered—the world faces both an extinction and an attention crisis. By sharing photos through citizen science platforms, millions help build a real-time atlas of life and drive grassroots conservation. Small acts of noticing and sharing nature reconnect people to the living world and inspire hope amid environmental challenges.

Ordinary People Hold the Key to Saving Earth’s Biodiversity

nature

science

animals

environment

social change

climate change

technology

biodiversity

plants

wildlife

ecology

conservation

TED Stage Talk

Scott Loarie: The surprising power of your nature photos