The surprising thing I learned sailing solo around the world | Dame Ellen MacArthur

What do you learn when you sail around the world on your own? When solo sailor Ellen MacArthur circled the globe - carrying everything she needed with her - she came back with new insight into the way the world works, as a place of interlocking cycles and finite resources, where the decisions we make today affect what's left for tomorrow. She proposes a bold new way to see the world's economic systems: not as linear, but as circular, where everything comes around.
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[@ronkirk5099]

My own solo circumnavigation took place on a 33' sailboat in the high latitudes both north and south. I will never forget the five months I spent in the Southern Ocean with just me and the albatross (I had no long range communication gear). I saw no other boats, ships or aircraft during that time. Actually 3 months S. Africa to Tonga and 2 months rounding Cape Horn from San Diego to the Falklands. This was truly the experience of a lifetime for me.

[@timothyfolsom2305]

That's inspirational because I just bought a 33 ft and I want to circumnavigate!

[@behonestwithyourself3718]

Did you film any of it? That would be cool to see

[@bobcornwell403]

Not sure that exchanging an ownership economy to a renter one is really a good answer. Renteers tend to price gouge once they have the upper hand. Meeting the very real challenges of this still young century is going to require a likely up ending of many things that are now taken for granted. Very, very much of our way of life is just out and out waste. Throw away clothes, planned obsolete products, and urban automobiles are my favorite examples. I see carbon use rationing on the near horizon (with ration points, which everyone is allotted, but can be resold at a much higher price). Such would all but doom wasteful products and services by making them price non-compettitive.

[@bernardogradin5776]

Ellen’s testimony is a powerful invitation for all of us to rethink our business models and to establish a sustainable relationship with our planet.

[@kimdewit8122]

This is fantastic!! I can't believe that this week is the first time I'm viewing this. I plan to use this with my English students who will have an action research project soon! I LOVE your platform, that sailing is what brought you closer to this, and that you are "balls to the walls" giving this your all. Thank you. It's definitely both ambitious and inspiring! I love your correlations to your great-grandfather's life. "24 cars in the world" at the time he was (was it born?) around is really amazing. Estimating that he passed in the mid-90's, and wow what a contrast, right? Thank you again!

[@oneverse111]

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, indeed. Very inspiring

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Brooks Broox and not an original line

[@chrishamilton4999]

@@petyrkowalski9887 a sad and irrelevant response.

[@charliebone126]

She's a beautiful speaker and with unique experiences. 😊

[@JuanDiegoLopezGiraldo]

This is a wondeful and inspiring talk about our present environmental situation and how to proceed...

[@stevie1463]

Dame Ellen MacArthur - Superb!

[@benthosspearguns]

Amazing words by an amazing human!! Congratulations Ellen!!! You are an inspiration!!!

[@kayevers3016]

Sehr tiefgründig, circular economy, beeindruckende Frau!

[@varan22]

Sailng part of the story was absolutly amaizing.

[@shrekhead7498]

The second story was even better. She's a genius

[@pauldroop]

Shame she ventured into what economists view as “flat earth theory”.

[@followtheboat]

The most inspirational person on this planet today, and for many reasons. A donc.

[@geoffreydowen5793]

I read you book a few years ago and today, in 2023 I decided to search tube to watch you sail; instead I landed here, I am an ex Navy Veteran and understand the power of our oceans, having served on something bigger than your craft,(R09) "Ark royal"Lady your are insperational. I would follow you to the ends of the Earth. Thank you. for opening our eyes a little bit wider; you presented yourself immaculately BRAVO; BZ Pip Pip!!

[@OscarOliverah]

This talk and the idea she had arrived to is exactly what the Zeitgeist Movement are working towards. She call it Circular Economy, we call it Global Resource Based Managment System

[@janeleboeuf]

THIS is the kind of message we NEED to hear.

[@andresquintero1126]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iovSqYWGott5jLM Botella pet llenas de esperanzas Si en vez de hacer montones de basuras y dejarlas en campo abierto al aire libre , donde hay contaminación cruzada y contaminación de olores y contaminación al aire , podríamos empezar por separar todas las bolsas plásticas de todo tipo y meterlas en una botella , dos , tres y cuatro botellas , llenarlas y completar toneladas , disponer en un sitio adecuado y luego entregarlas a empresas encargadas del proceso de trituración , a cambio esas empresas nos podrían ayudar a ayudar , Se baja el volumen de la contaminación Se estaría cumpliendo con el plan nacional de desarrollo Se estaría beneficiando muchas personas económicamente y se estaría mejorando cada vez más la imagen de la institucion Podríamos llevar este proyecto a las escuelas y que los niños nos entregarán estás botellas llenas de esperanzas .

[@titusorelius9458]

A strong, intelligent, driven, accomplished, and independent woman tells her amazing story and not a single mention of feminism. *That's more like it TED.*

[@carlosewm]

rhoyt15 Why, are you searching for soul mates?

[@bodhia]

Titus Orelius She doesn't need to mention it. She is feminism in action.

[@titusorelius9458]

Jo Stimpson All I see is powerful human being. I don't see feminism at all.

[@bodhia]

Titus Orelius She's a powerful human whose success has remained unfettered by her gender, race, sexuality, etc. That is feminism by definition.

[@titusorelius9458]

Jo Stimpson Nope Modern feminism would seek to cripple her and have her believe she is nothing but a victim that is surrounded by male rapists and abusers. If this woman came out today and said "I AM NOT A FEMINIST" Feminists everywhere would ruthlessly attack and harass her for daring to utter those words. Daring to stand on her own without bowing to the Feminist Cult. It has happened to successful women time and time again. Modern Western feminism has devolved into a Hate Movement.

[@hilarious3327]

Lovely to have you as spokesperson/Ambassador we are blessed 💕 👁⛵🍀🌻🐬🦋

[@DBZisThebest]

"at 17 I was told I wasn't clever enough to be a vet". I know the feels bro..i know the feels.

[@teriscallon]

wow, her passion

[@elemenz888]

Teri Scallon *Do it!* *_JUST... DO IT !!!_* ô ( [] ) / \

[@krisztian3909]

One of the very few inspiring woman nowdays

[@stumccreadie9772]

Your great Grandfather will be very very proud of you mam. Full respect.

[@Passion_killer]

Always wondered what a linear economy was but the picture at 11:53 cleared it up.

[@iamamuffin1307]

When I pressed the time stamp and it was an ad lol

[@tonism-music]

Stumbled upon this video 'cause I just came from an island trip and wanted to learn about sailing. Then I was pleasantly surprised. 💚

[@johnmech4617]

You got big balls sailing the southern ocean, I'm Aussie and I sail but never would I go down there, it's an achievement that's not on my list, Bass Straight and the Tasman is enough for me. Congratulations though, what a remarkable feat.

[@nobodymoerser4270]

When I was a schoolboy I saw a documentary about your circumnavigation of the South Pole, it wasn't too dramatic, everything was iced over, the mast threatened to break, the onboard cam filmed everything. After 50 years, I still take my hat off to you because of this grandiose achievement, I have never forgotten that....

[@mpking-ey7ys]

To see a child having a dream and then grow up to achieve it, the parents must feel extremely proud.

[@plushy9849]

Great talk! I wasn't expecting it to take the turn it did. Very inspiring. Great ideas effectively communicated.

[@lucyfer6689]

I feel the same way. So glad we're talking about this

[@murrayelliott6828]

Inspirational Ellen, what a shame there are so many Plebs making useless comments below.

[@skyak4493]

At the time, when she first raced around the world, I resented the big budget of her campaign and the media fawning over her -there were a dozen other boats being ignored and she is not the first woman contestant. Now hearing her speak I understand the strength of her campaign. Her clear unwavering certainty -this is what must be done so this is what I will do -is so refreshing in contrast to the blame transfer professionals on social media today -the omnipotent "victims" who expect to be given a new universe to compensate for their mistreatment. Sailing is a fantastic teaching opportunity for youth in general and girls in particular if they plan to pursue leadership or STEM opportunities. In this talk I think that Ellen sounds a little crazy implying that we will run out of materials, but what she is talking about is well known at major corporations as "full product life management". It is something they all weigh against market conditions and foreign competition that is often subsidized.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Passionate and driven. Very inspiring

[@stevenuk]

Ellen, Look into Central Bank based monetary systems and how they work, what is needed for them to work and who controls how they work. Explains the madness and inequality of this world we all live in.

[@imemyself2820]

Finally, thanks to the internet I am able to watch MacArtur talk about her great achievents. Man this woman..There is nothing she can't do, nothing she can't overcome she and Laura Dekker are pioneers and we wont see their likes born again, I am telling you!

[@kayeman001]

always interests me to read the comments, how people dont talk about the presenter not the topic, but talk about themselves

[@johnwinton2209]

Just reading her autobiography. excellent.

[@srimansrini]

Adventurist Dame Ellen MacArthur gives an inspiring talk about her solo sailing around the globe. She also stresses the importance of circular economy where everything is recycled and minimized the wastage. This is an amazing and need-of-the-hour talk.

[@seiyo2965]

私が船を購入して間もない頃、Ｂ&Qの三胴船で日本に来ていて浦賀沖まで、見送りに行こうかと考えてマリーナからみていたのを思い出しました。 個人的にはヨットの世界にいて活躍していて欲しかった。最近もないと思っていたら、別な世界に足を踏み入れていたからかと思いました。ヨットの世界はフォイリングに変わりました。できればそういう技術を開発して欲しかった。循環型には技術は少なく受け身であると思います。活躍期待しています。👍

[@kayeman001]

I love the way you keep saying "we" and not "me"!

[@prof.m.ottozeeejcdecs9998]

We need people like her to run our world. people who had to conserve to survive, people who learned to live with nature and her forces, not those overpaid selfish, executives, ignorant of their doing, who have ruined our planet to very near the point of no return...

[@bluesifer8238]

Conserve to survive? Did you listen to her talk? She tells you a story about; the time, energy, resources and money she wastes so she could do something unproductive, wasteful and meaningless, then continues to lectur you about how you should give more and use less. Your a fucking nut job.

[@FieldOVision]

so many plans in one speech, each requires vast change in every field in order to make possible

[@OffgridOceanLife]

Heyyy I love the channel,I just sold everything I owned to buy a sailboat to start sailing around the world :) thanks for the inspiration,just made my first KZbin video hahaha it’s actually doing pretty good

[@somadevo]

This is a very special video. The story itself is filled with meaningful ingredients that strongly hold your attention. After experiencing the video you continue to receive a great deal related to what you have just experienced. I feel economics are ignoring our Divine Source that we can be in Conscious Relationship with which relates directly to the economics of life. In living by giving and devoting all acts, service and accomplishments to Our Divine Source expecting nothing in return but Trusting in Source we will be provided for in the best way possible to fulfill our destiny life becomes miraculous and reveals the true purpose of life which is to truly discover your relationship with The Divine. I had my nine years on the ocean in wooden sailboats and had started this spiritual path 8 years before it manifest for me to live my calling to live on the ocean in a windship. I jumped into living by giving in 1970 and it has never stopped being a flow of miracles that have raised and created me wholisticly. Infinite Loving Blessings tp all opening to the new Light entering to abolish the deception, dishonesty, and folly on all levels so a High Harmony can reveal life's true potential.

[@Johnnyjawbone]

I was trying to think of who she reminded me of, then it dawned on me. If Clark Kent had a sister......!

[@philp4684]

Johnny Jawbone Ursa from Superman II

[@aidand.7911]

Ursa, superman II

[@Gribbo9999]

Johnny Jawbone Yeah Superman's big sister.

[@andyb.1026]

Ellen is REAL.. Not Fictional Charachters

[@staytruecommunity9879]

That's what I'm standing for! Great speech Great manifestation! I'm highly appreciate for making clean the mission of Young Generation! My mission. Our mission. #TEDsMANIFISTATION #staytrue #staytrueru #str

[@ameliaspurway3631]

this women is amazing.

[@stumccreadie1287]

She just gets better and better.

[@minemarketman]

One world, PASSION!

[@RichardEricCollins]

Incredible woman.

[@MrDswampymarsh]

such an amazing lady so so strong and brave

[@inviolableflame6732]

What can I do, at a personal level to contribute to this change? How do I move forward in my own life without compounding the problem? Suggestions?

[@LarsChristensenFournier]

Big kudos to a Curageous, and enlighted Mind!

[@betopandiani]

Impressive, congrats Ellen.

[@justin9268]

Manufactured obsolescence should be a crime. Well technically it is , just not in the books yet.

[@nikolai1714]

This was so simplistic, "recycle everything" as if no one has ever thought of that. "Now we have a plan". I agree though. If your bath tub is flooding you dont't go get a bucket you turn of the faucet. (Plastics)

[@perleycarmichael5498]

Was so impressed by her accomplishments, but couldn’t stop there! Sooo unimpressed by those that can’t let us enjoy that, but have to get on a dam pedestal. Spend time appreciating the God that created it and enjoy it...sharing your experience .

[@Kennuscott]

YOU LIVED GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@mikaelaosten9804]

How can we take these ideas and put them into policy action? And how can we inspire businesses/corporations to make these types of changes as consumers? I am curious how to change the model and shifting it will allow us to put these ideas into action on the large-scale. Thinking about timing, these are the types of activities that will meet climate goals, but without there being some sort of force behind it (legislative, consumer shifts), I feel a bit disheartened that we will get to where we need to be by the time we need to be there.

[@sonnymoon6465]

Thank you for that !

[@ineshaslett2712]

She is so inspiring.

[@Kennuscott]

hey ellen.. well done. i had similar experiences across the world which caused me to study and do alot of work in these fields.. well done. but now that im skint and a bit bust i think ill go into oil and gas or avaition. natural capilisism ect... well its happaning throughout industry and has been for quite a while. giving these talks in china, india and elsewhere would be my first pointer for you....

[@zenplymouth]

Woman I admire. I am a sailor maself. What she achieved is inspirational.

[@andreipatrushev]

I want this woman to be the next President of the US and the UN Secretary General! Her dedication, personal courage, and the conversion to action is so inspiring. I want to be hired as her deckhand and apprentice! Amazing courage, integrity and wisdom. Have never been more impressed by anyone's talk on TED.

[@andreipatrushev]

Andrei patrushev This is actually Pyotr Patrushev, Andrei's father who is writing this...

[@aaron___6014]

Andrei patrushev presidents don't get much done.

[@rossolinger4477]

whoa there, let's just dial it back a little

[@phedrob3735]

Being now on my third GRP boat and considering how much GRP there is in all the marinas around the world I find myself wondering if GRP can be recycled in any way

[@empresspyra]

wow, I don't often feel so moved by something to tears. Beautiful, thought provoking, accurate and substantial. Can I use this footage in film screenings at my local library?

[@BillRotchford]

What a fantastic TED talk. bill

[@alextaylor1696]

Thanks for that, bill. signed Alex

[@hughfranklin4002]

I have nothing but total admiration for this young lady. People like her are the reason the UK is is where it is today.

[@markpalmer4917]

I understand when she says we.

[@williamfreimuth]

Wow! This is a stunning talk. I am encouraged that such passion might guide us through the rough rough waters we all now face. Bucky Fuller's 'Operating Manual for Spaceship Eaarth' was just 'webinared' by his diligent Institute today........he considered himself principally 'a sailer' as well.

[@AlePreludioFinal]

Amazing talk, very moving.

[@chaimaabenyachrak4603]

Go ahead Ellen

[@NigelSavage]

"European Space Station"? missed that one :) . Amazing story!

[@nathandecrom2409]

this is what u call a sailer

[@kwakakak]

sailor*

[@TheKillerpanda123]

Why does she keep saying we if she was alone on that boat? or does she mean herself and the boat?

[@aidanhodge7090]

Her self and the boat. As a sailor myself the boat is company, has its own personality, and abilities.

[@Episaudron]

great speak!

[@meiming1]

I wish that something I had done when I was young inspired me to: sail around the world, become a rocket scientist, write a book etc ...........how does this happen?

[@thegametesterman]

Am I the only one who doesn't remember anything from before I was around 13, I don't remember doing anything or having any dreams or realising anything. Here I am now at 17 looking at myself and only just starting to think about what I want to do but still with no idea.

[@andrewbrown2063]

What we can do: Live simply, eat more vegetables; interact with people in your community to improve it; make borrow fix rather than buy when possible; travel light; live in the moment; closely observe trees, plants, sunsets, sunrises, waves, the stars the mountains, the animals, the people. Focus on your Breathing. Smile. Let go of the past, don’t worry about the future. Buy as little stuff as possible; grow some food. Spread peace and love.

[@murrat]

Great presentation. We really need better design for reuse of the finite materials on this earth.Sure wish I could reuse all the packaging that I push to the curb every week. I own so many single use appliances, computers, tools, furniture, etc. Sure, some items get recycled, but if it was designed for multi use, perhaps it could some day power our homes and cars or fertilise our gardens.I like the terms linear and circular economy.Thanks for sharing TED.

[@apapouts]

wow this is amazing

[@shanekonarson]

Brilliant !

[@santiago321lat]

How is a sailboat propelled by the wind, and whose electronics are powered by the wind and/or sun an example of a finite system? Seems to me its exactly the opposite.

[@BobGnarley.]

Absolutely profound and amazing work. Will have to look more in depth

[@wojteklar858]

greate talk !

[@saundrakielborn2201]

Quite amazing!

[@albasecases6012]

Viva Yolo, mi capitán, te queremos!!

[@meencheehong4679]

Nobel Prize is awaiting you

[@alextaylor1696]

Which B&Q can u get those from? I got kicked out of my local one because I got in to a fight with one of the workers after he asked "do you want decking?"

[@SVAndromeda]

Love this

[@TiborRoussou]

Not only are we squandering our finite resources, but also destroying our planet to obtain them. As one person I feel so helpless to change the wrongs I see. Watching this talk reminded me I am not alone in my thinking, and not to give up on my quest for change. Margaret Mead said it best, "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed. It is the only thing that ever has."

[@Zendo-v8k]

Peter Joseph (Zeitgeist Movement), Jacques Fresco (The Venus Project). The ideas are spreading/being rediscovered. Thankfully. Great talk!

[@rasgebremedhintafari3583]

Zendo YOUR A JOKE AND SO IS ZEITGEIST

[@MrDswampymarsh]

you have inspired me since you did this wow you some lady

[@inner200k]

Sorry, but she is wrong. you first have to deal with humanity and greed you'll never make any meaningful head way anywhere until you fix that.

[@prof.m.ottozeeejcdecs9998]

I concur, but where does one start to get to that realization? She found a starting point...

[@sladeyoung1637]

Deal with humanity huh? Sounds a bit strange.

[@pushkardey]

This is exactly the only issue with the human civilization right now, as soon as the global resources are managed and distributed evenly. There will not be many wars except of ego. However as long as humans celebrate collaboration and not competition, we should be safe.

[@MikeParsonsOutdoorGearCoach]

I was emotionally impacted by this talk, need to take some personal responsibility.

[@scottbeaulieu13]

We need hemp based products... hemp could produce many things today that requires more raw materials and production than growing mass crops of hemp to create many many products from every part of the plant. Then it can regrow in just months, as long as you have soul, water, light and ability to clone and obtain good seeds you can sustain solid harvests for decades to come. This new transition to hemp based products would also establish an entire new economy and industry along with new jobs.

[@joetaylor486]

Ellen Macarthur is a very impressive individual, no mistake. Her message however has an awful power and I had no idea various strategic resources were so terribly scarce! I am rethinking my life as I type this.

[@carmelpule6954]

Like her grandfather, I also fed pit ponies in a coal mine when I was at Newcastle upon Tyne. The pit ponies I saw were blind as a cause of the coal dust. One old and wise coal miner used to advise the other coal miners, "Do not ask for a pay rise as that will continue to escalate, it is much better to ask for a plot of land 200 feet long and 21 feet wide and we could plant it with the veggies and other food we need and we would ask the coal companies just to educate of children free of charge. As the lady said it so well, our forefather only asked for the basics and the families were stable for thousands of years. With the modern family demands, we are overusing the raw materials and we will soon not know what we are going to do with the refuse and the rubbish we are throwing away..........we shall sink in our own rubbish and refuse. Some packets I buy from the supermarket have even three wrappings around them before one comes to the item itself. Some countries do not know what to do with their rubbish and hidden behind Australia's modern living..... few people know that Australia is dumping its plastic in Malasia. How about that for selfishness and egoism! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqLVnXiphdSsgM0

[@Hhenryarero]

The Winds and the Storms

[@vuelolibre0]

What a woman...

[@michaelbrownlee9497]

a girl sails solo around the world. Tania did it on a contessa 26. Nothing tops Slocum though.

[@LetBBB6345789]

Beside the speaker's life achievements, what is there in this speech that is not known, what idea to solve a problem? Repeating her points is vital to get other people working on it. It does, however, not even create the illusion of a solution. It's the recognition and (needed) repetition of a problem.