John Hardy: My green school dream

www.ted.com Join John Hardy on a tour of the Green School, his off-the-grid school in Bali that teaches kids how to build, garden, create (and get into college). The centerpiece of campus is the spiraling Heart of School, perhaps the world's largest freestanding bamboo building.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at www.ted.com/tra.... Watch a highlight reel of the Top 10 TEDTalks at www.ted.com/ind...

[@NsaneNtheNbrane]

This is one of the most respectable green ideas I've seen yet. He's actually building something. He actually has something to show instead of just having ideas. He hasn't just built a radical house or a hippie commune here. He's built an entire system--one that actually works and is exportable. I'll admit that the idea still needs to be developed more before we can have a sort of engineering revolution, but this is the direction we need to be going for sure.

[@johnkingshares]

Some of these comments seem ignorant, but in many ways I understand why. It's hard to get across what they've accomplished so far and what they're creating in a quick TED talk. He didn't have a chance to discuss the details of the educational program, nor is it really palpable what an amazing environment they've created. I'd highly recommend a visit to the Green School if you find yourself near Bali in the future. They run tours daily, and they're incredibly educational and inspiring (having just been today). Yes, you can't create a verbatim replica of this everywhere. But the logic behind the educational ethos, the conscious design and sustainability principles... they can certainly be applied everywhere. It's not perfect, and it doesn't claim to be. But it's a step in the right direction.

[@andreewert1142]

I visited it 2 years ago and was awed.. Like you, I had listened to the Ted Talk beforehand, The tour is Great. The Iron River below can be rafted, also a fun day outdoors.I don't know where I found the energy to do this. I was over 60 then but push yourself to step outside your comfort zone and do , memorable epic trips...that change your life.

[@kinsmed]

This is incredible. I didn't even know where Bali was, but now I see it could be our Garden of Eden of the future.

[@raystyles1045]

It needs a lot more sharing school farms early stages too late ?

[@rezaprabowo]

Just went here today, superbly inspiring. Anyone that spend time in Bali should visit them and take the tour.

[@Brodiz]

Great idea and I hope that along with teaching these kids "how to build" they are teach them how to present these same ideas for future generations. Having this green teaching and mind set is great but should be accompanied with the knowledge of how to share and inspire others to do the same.

[@herys6912]

Very inspiring, good school and make children happy. Thanks John

[@Ill733]

Omg this is literally my dream school I want to go there so badddddd 😊

[@papasitoman]

How can you run away at 25?

[@andreewert1142]

run away to the Circus? what Circus? ..so instead,...Eat, pray, love...lol

[@fridzalone]

I went to Bali two weeks ago...I had plans in my minds about visiting some wonderful places, including this Green School. And as what always happens to all of us when we didn't write a to-do list, I suddenly forgot about my wonderful places list, and that's when I screwed my holiday. I HAVE TO go to Bali again, and this time I'll make sure to bring the list with me. And Green School would be one of my top priorities :)

[@Sondre7]

It doesn't get much more hippie than this

[@zehrakaratas3082]

It's an incredibly beautiful school, and 10 years after the speech, I'm just learning that even those who are in these comments may be living life if I'd seen it sooner.

[@millaeunsol]

Thank you for caring for the mother earth. We should all be more aware of what kind of damage we are causing on our planet and study more sustainable way of living. We are witnessing the climate change and yet here we are living destructively as nothing ever will happen or change.

[@tfpunk1979]

This is amazing

[@sileb13]

I wish we could do that here in England...

[@cookieRyan1489]

I honestly want to know. 1) How does desks not being square make the school more green? 2) How does 'the bubble' help cool the class? 3) How does a compost toilet work? Please let me know if you have any ideas =)

[@LouieAblett]

for number three just google

[@BBwoan]

@chrisgelb I would like to believe that they do last. If things like bamboos don't last, then I should consider buying a new home in 6months' time since my wooden house will be deteriorated by then.

[@mahabraja]

Great John on your green school project there in Bali.

[@kackmalwieder]

John Hardy, Thank you!

[@pjedinn]

Living in Iceland... This school sounds like a nightmare...

[@Sparrow1969]

Amazing. My kids would have thrived in a school like this, but I live in North Dakota, where it's winter half the year. It would be interesting to see what kind of winter alternative to this Green School in Bali we could come up with.

[@anikinippon]

Hate to be in a class there in typhoon season

[@pinegulf]

Good for them. It's -10 degrees celsius here.

[@KeeperOfKeys22]

8 year later I wonder how the negative commentors would feel about this now. The school is a success.

[@kevbrav]

Only 20% of the locals?

[@reafdaw01]

@hyperseauton It´s the traditional clothing of the balinese.

[@mariaphhd8]

that's an amazing project)

[@raystyles1045]

From John Handy music to John Handy green school heal the world

[@VillemR]

@cookieRyan1489 1) I'm guessing not making tables square reduces waste, since the material probably doesn't grow in a square shape 2) reflects sunlight and helps keep a lower temperature?

[@zeuszheng8569]

I wish I knew this when I was in Bali; I wish I knew this when I was a kid

[@Deathwhisperer13]

If i only had the chance to go and see !!!

[@powerchess20002000]

I want to like this again and again..

[@saadazzz]

I wish I went to that school

[@loisenasio]

Here's an idea: Rather than building a school where the children of rich western ex-pats learn to grow vegetables and participate in esoteric Balinese shamanistic rituals, build a regular school where the children of impoverished Balinese villagers can educate themselves and perhaps break out of the cycle of poverty. Just a thought...

[@n.a3345]

As an Indonesian, I really love this Idea. I feel like that this school is only exclusive for the expats community. It's rather unfair for the locals since their build the school on their land.

[@oliviav1196]

loisenasio he said in the talk that they make sure 20% of the students are Balinese

[@widimac]

Green School currently has more than 400 local students who learn about english and environment. Local student pay by collecting trash. They call it "kulkul connection". PLease google it

[@danwlilvi4384]

Komang Widi but, are you guys ever felt treated like second class or inlander by doing that..picking trash to be allowed sitting with the expats??

[@KeeperOfKeys22]

@@danwlilvi4384 I would rather collect trash rather than pay in money.

[@penutwi]

@librariannz green or not. "hows that road going?" "well we have been working on it for 50 years now...... 500ft done O_o" lol

[@HallounNizar]

Impressive, respect.

[@natureasintended]

Fantastic. Also, I'd just like to recommend a high calorie, raw food diet. It will treat your wheeziness. Really! All the best!

[@TheSanovita]

Hello. Nice to have found your video

[@dogdammit6]

John Hardy should meet Jacque Fresco and hear about the Resource Based Economy!

[@marie-soleildauphinais9530]

Such an inspiration 💖

[@BrianInskeep]

Amazing school. Visited today.

[@TBDguitar]

This school can't prepare children to get into college.. Colleges are not "off the grid". What are they supposed to do when thy're in a regular modern "classroom"? It's going to be an EXTREME shock for them.

[@thewinematcher]

@bornearth why not? nowadays people from all over live all around the world, it would be retrograde to exclude indigenous people just as much as it would be to exclude foreigners.

[@bornearth]

i love this idea. but local is not 20% of the indigenous people.

[@andreewert1142]

if it were 100% local, it would not work..not initially..you need to bring the energy of change, the impetus, the desire...and it needs to be nourished, harnessed and birthed from wherever it came from..here it came from a Canadian who lived in Bali for 20+ years

[@BAdventures]

Great project and achievement =)

[@IntuitiveLeap]

@saladshootavvv learning for the future should include 'life ground' attributes such as competence in providing your own nutrition and clothing/shelter, don't you agree? Is relying only on others (nabisco for instance) for these necessities the most intelligent course of action? Does learning practical farming and homeskills at a young age in any way interfere with learning about computer 'thingys' at a later date, when brains reach sufficient maturity?

[@bluefootedpig]

@SickBang in the same boat. You have seen the article of al gores home vs bush right? bush's home is almost a net zero house, and al gore uses up like 10 times of the average household, and he offsets it by buying energy credits, from his own company. So I imagine not much else would be done.

[@librariannz]

@IvarNordman While big cities might lay the odd square or path by hand I can assure you that for the most part the paving stones they use are machine cut and a lot more uniform and correct that what is being implied as 'good' here. I'd love to see test results from some of these kids too - I bet they're way below average in maths, reading, writing and generally usefull skills!

[@LouieAblett]

I have a friend who went there, he's easily one of the brightest kids in my college. He's a bit of a hippy like all those kids you saw in the video but he's fifteen and doing international a levels (which are harder than standard British a levels) in maths, chemistry and physics. he doesn't do much English granted but he's a good public speaker who's always leaving discussions over dinner. I went to a similar school here in the UK and likewise I'm far from stupid.

[@M1ST3RHYDE]

@librariannz You and your Reading & science. I when to a Grean Skool and im a geneus. & I no how to whistle while i work. Can any of yur mathimutitions do that.

[@wolffenhaus]

of Course it looks like a school. Finally.

[@Sarosun]

looks like a fun school to me :D

[@sansewai]

@loisenasio I for one agree with you.

[@penutwi]

@HDvideosaregood right, being green is a way for corperations to make tons of green and pray on the ones that belive what they say. true or not people will pay a ton of money to be "green".

[@wallrider88]

@loisenasio get a grip. at least, he´s doing something. get your stuff together and work it out at your own village, city, home. just a thought. and don´t take this as an agression, chill

[@djamorpheus]

nooo! im graduating partially!!

[@andreeaweed]

None but ourselves can free our minds.

[@vegano1]

i really like his skirt

[@MyDavidsun]

Hi. I saw your video that's cool!

[@jiuzhouqingyantiaoshizhuang]

Some credits to the architects, hello??

[@stephenmears]

Awsm.

[@SuperiorApostate]

The desk not being square is extremely green.

[@MarnixTroudes]

They are taking balinese kids as well, they mix them together

[@puawairangiuia8316]

So they should, its their land!

[@xapemanx]

lead based paint comes in green.

[@TemporalOnline]

Rainy & Windy days must be troublesome in this "green schools"...

[@M1ST3RHYDE]

Im sure running away at 25 is not running away, That is called growing up and moving.

[@endymcg]

ran away at 25?

[@faridahanum6700]

Terimakasih sudah mengenal kan Indonesia untuk dunia. Semoga bisa menjaganya bersama untuk dunia....

[@user-mb2nr1vk3v]

tepatnya bali bkn indonesia:v

[@richarddawkins4607]

the rest of indonesia masih sibuk dengan tradisi gurun pasir dan kafir2an.

[@JegHedderEmilxD]

06:20 a guy that sleeps

[@SuperiorApostate]

@adood101 lol, yeah..

[@crudhousefull]

Lol...everyone knows that you don't stay under thatched roofs when there are coconut trees around!! If you don't pluck the coconuts they fall right through the roof! Love the idea, but you've got to learn more to live in those conditions

[@kiddhitta]

yeah thoses schools will be perfect for a school of 3000 kids.

[@halfthishalfthat]

@cookieRyan1489 1) I'm pretty sure that he was just listing things about the school, ie. it is green, it has blah blah blah, the desks are not square. 2) It blocks the sun. 3) You poo in it, your poo is used as compost.

[@kll.c]

@guyincognito84 what did he wrong?

[@eijimotoi]

bagus

[@MrLtk007]

@chrisgelb The thing is even then.. the maintenance wont be as expensive or anywhere close to what our structures cost to build in the first place.. It wud have been built at a fraction of the cost than any of our modern buildings are made up of.. To get finance to procure licenses and building materials and how those materials are procured by industries in the first place to build mordern structures... Its disgusting the amount of blood and blood money goes into making a normal building..

[@groMMit1981]

@M1ST3RHYDE no but we can spell and know how to use spell check :) invest in firefox 4 beta, doesn't it for you automaticlaly lol

[@IrinaSilva]

i want to study, live, everything, there! :O

[@MrLtk007]

@niniomigrania The problem is u are looking at it while living in the present srewed up world.. and why is it screwed up.. because people r too self centred and a whole lot of mindset issues that wont fit in the youtube word limit.. Thats wat he is targeting.. people's way of thinking about the world around them from being disposable resources to sharing space with them.. Undoubtedly.. the kids coming out of that school will have higher moral standards and an open mind than all of us..

[@SuperAtheist]

@alexlg18 if something that insignificant changed his life, he has nothing of value to offer me.

[@almajbj28]

me da algo de asquito el sudor :S jeje pero es un gran hombre, sudoroso, pero bueno jejejej

[@Ibakecookiess]

@hyperseauton oh no different cultures exist? WHAT

[@loisenasio]

My cousins also went to a green school in Africa, it was under a tree, at the time they called it "lack of amenities".

[@woundedhealer5580]

loisenasio,loooool

[@reafdaw01]

@guyincognito84 lol

[@aliwafaafif]

@Jaspian : What a narrow minded comment....

[@lordrazi111693]

@Sondre7 lol

[@KalifUmestoKalifa]

@guyincognito84 There is an easy way of getting rid of all the hippies, you go on top of a tall building and you jump all the time repeating: "There's no place like home, there's no place like home!" Trust me it'll work there'll be no more hippies in your world.

[@happycline]

great, Idea, though I would like some climate control here in Canada... and why is he wearing a skirt? I know not to really judge by the clothing.. but.. common..

[@cook1905]

That 'skirt' is a part of traditional balinese clothing. I know this comment is so old, but I just have to answer it.

[@SepirothUltima]

And why do they learn to plant organic rice in the Green School? Organic == not "green" . Organic farming is inefficient and destructive. Simply put, it is ridiculous.

[@LouieAblett]

oh really.

[@reafdaw01]

@guyincognito84 My dream is to make people like you into decent human beeings.

[@iawarenow658]

rather interesting concept but in the wrong location since NKRI Indonesia carrying out Genocide and cover-up and misdirection by rich kids of rich parents that benefit from the Genocide for Gold over human life..

[@SuperAtheist]

I stopped watching after he admitted that crappy gore movie changed his life. he should have done more research first.

[@PeterParker-bx5tf]

LOLLL

[@TBDguitar]

this school looks so bad!

[@AaronDino]

You know what, half billion Chinese children are doing these right now while they actually want a "modern" lifestyle

[@LouieAblett]

it's what the media sells that's why

[@niniomigrania]

Its all nice and all, but humanity is growing at an incredibly fast rate, so how this green dream would solve the problems we are facing? The pollution is just one of the problems we have, but not all. We live in very dense populations that need massive amount of capital and machines to be sustained. I see this more like a hippie-dream, but not very realistic. I think is nice to promote this although.

[@Jaspian]

This is tragic.... modern kids learning to live like cavepeople...

[@LouieAblett]

haha mann if we carry on with this modern living method we have soon we'll all be forced to live like this or die. So pretty good, useful and eye opening experience for young people to expand their horizons. Just my opinion but hey

[@dleiros]

What is the point of this?? ....oh dear god...

[@waqqashanafi]

That armpit sweat stain. :-(

[@M1ST3RHYDE]

Im sure running away at 25 is not running away, That is called growing up and moving.