SINK OR SWIM: The Fight to Save Miami and Beyond | Anya Freeman | TEDxOvertown

Imagine a future where Miami thrives despite the rising seas—a future where innovative technology saves cities from drowning. In this compelling TEDx Talk, Anya Freeman, founder of Kind Designs, takes us on a journey from the year 2100, painting a picture of resilience and hope. Through the story of her immigrant family, who overcame incredible adversity, she shares how her Miami-based startup is 3D-printing living seawalls to protect cities like Miami from the existential threat of climate change.

In this talk, she blends personal narrative with bold technological solutions to address one of the biggest challenges of our time—rising sea levels. From her family's survival through political upheaval to her decision to leave a successful legal career behind, she explains why it's crucial to fight for the future of our cities and communities. Learn how living seawalls mimic marine habitats, offer ecological benefits, and are helping to save coastal cities around the world—all without a green premium.

Join her in this powerful call to action as she shows how innovation, entrepreneurship, and a belief in the American dream can lead to a sustainable, resilient future for generations to come.

#TEDx #ClimateChange #Sustainability #Innovation #LivingSeawalls #Miami #3DPrinting #CoastalResilience #Entrepreneurship Founder & CEO, Kind Designs. Anya is originally from Ukraine and together with her family lived in Israel, South Africa, and China before settling in Miami to attend law school. Anya worked for the US Attorney's Office and clerked at the United States District Court before opening her own law firm focused on environmental policy. Frustrated with lack of innovation around rising sea-levels which threaten Florida, Anya took on the challenge of finding a technological solutions to this global challenge that is affordable for communities and supports the environment. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx