Detailed Summary of "The Surprising Power of Your Nature Photos" | Scott Loarie | TED Talks Daily

In the June 11, 2025 episode of TED Talks Daily, biologist and entrepreneur Scott Loarie delivers an inspiring presentation titled "The Surprising Power of Your Nature Photos." Hosted by Elise Hu, the talk delves into the critical role citizen science plays in combating the global extinction crisis by engaging everyday individuals in biodiversity conservation through nature photography.

1. The Extinction and Attention Crisis

Scott Loarie begins by highlighting the gravity of the current extinction crisis. He states, "By the end of the century, scientists believe that up to one third of animal life on this planet could be gone" (03:51). This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to preserve biodiversity.

He further explains that the crisis isn't solely about species loss but also about our diminishing connection to the natural world. "This just isn't an extinction crisis. It's also an attention crisis. I mean, we're more disconnected from the natural world than ever before." (07:45) This disconnection leads to apathy, hindering conservation efforts.

2. The Power of Citizen Science

Loarie introduces Inaturalist, a citizen science project he leads, as a pivotal tool in addressing these crises. He recounts the rediscovery of the Frosted Phoenix moth in New Zealand, a species believed extinct for a century. This breakthrough occurred when a Swedish bird watcher, a non-scientist, photographed the moth, thereby solving a long-standing scientific mystery (04:15).

“We can keep track of, manage and protect all of these species by engaging millions of everyday, regular people,” Loarie emphasizes (09:30). He illustrates how Inaturalist leverages the collective efforts of millions globally to build a comprehensive atlas of the natural world, encompassing hundreds of millions of observations.

3. Real-World Impact and Discoveries

Loarie shares several compelling stories demonstrating the tangible impact of citizen science:

• Glenda Walter, a retiree in Australia, discovered a new species of praying mantis, Enimia nat, through her observations on Inaturalist (06:20).
• Abigail Deposo, a student in Ecuador, identified a new butterfly species during a class field trip (07:10).
• Deb Manley found a new plant species in Big Bend National Park, Texas, highlighting that even well-studied areas and species groups can yield new discoveries (08:00).
• Juan Deru, a Colombian architect, captured images of the elusive Colombian weasel, an animal previously known only from museum specimens (10:45).

These anecdotes illustrate how ordinary individuals contribute significantly to scientific knowledge, bridging gaps that professional scientists alone cannot fill.

4. Building a Global Scientific Community

Loarie discusses the exponential growth of Inaturalist from a master's project at UC Berkeley to a leading citizen science platform with millions of users. “We now have hundreds of millions of observations representing 1 in 4 of all species on the planet,” he notes (12:15). These extensive datasets are invaluable for scientists and land managers to monitor ecosystems, track species distribution, and respond to environmental changes.

5. Empowering Grassroots Conservation Efforts

Beyond data collection, citizen science fosters community-driven conservation projects. Loarie highlights initiatives like bioblitzes, where communities collaborate to inventory local biodiversity. Such events have evolved into grand-scale endeavors like the City Nature Challenge, now the largest annual census of life on Earth (13:20).

He shares inspiring examples of grassroots actions:

• Heather Holm in Minnesota organized habitat restoration efforts to protect declining bumblebees by removing invasive species and planting wildflowers (13:45).
• Sally Gale in California formed amphibian crossing guards to safeguard newts and frogs from road traffic, using data to design safer wildlife crossings (14:00).

These stories exemplify "actionable hope," where individual actions collectively contribute to significant environmental improvements.

6. Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Loarie outlines ambitious goals:

• Connecting 100 Million People to Nature by 2030: Engaging a vast number of individuals to participate in biodiversity census efforts.
• Launching a Million Grassroots Projects: Inspiring local initiatives to restore habitats and protect countless species (13:30).

He underscores that the extinction crisis is too vast for any single entity to tackle alone but can be mitigated through collective small actions.

7. Call to Action

Loarie concludes with a heartfelt appeal: “The next time you're outside, just take a minute to realize that you're part of an ecosystem that we still know so little about and that needs your help.” (14:50). He urges listeners to notice the flora and fauna around them, photograph it, and share their observations through platforms like Inaturalist, thereby contributing to scientific knowledge and fostering a deeper connection with nature.

Q&A with Chris Anderson

Following the talk, Scott Laurie engages in a brief yet insightful Q&A with Chris Anderson, the head of TED.

Chris Anderson asks: “How many days do you wake up sort of sick to your stomach with despair? And how many days hopeful? And how do you manage that roller coaster?” (14:12)

Scott Laurie responds candidly: “It's really tough... what keeps me going is embracing new ideas, new thinking that can solve these problems. Because if we're just watching the world burn, it's really hard to get out of bed.” (14:37) He emphasizes the importance of community and innovative solutions in maintaining hope amidst overwhelming environmental challenges.

Chris Anderson concludes by thanking Laurie for his inspiration, highlighting the profound impact of his work (15:08).

Conclusion

Scott Loarie's talk on TED Talks Daily serves as a powerful testament to the untapped potential of citizen science in addressing the global extinction crisis. By empowering individuals to observe, document, and share their encounters with nature, platforms like Inaturalist not only enrich scientific understanding but also rekindle humanity's bond with the natural world. Loarie's vision of collective action offers a beacon of hope, demonstrating that every small contribution can collectively forge a path toward a more biodiverse and sustainable future.