TED Talks Daily - Conservation: a love story | Elsaphan Njora

Episode Date: March 6, 2026

What if the key to saving nature isn't just about science or policy, but love? Love for the land, for the people who depend on it, for the world we leave behind. Artist Elsaphan Njora has journeyed across Kenya witnessing ecosystems vanish, from Indigenous forests to sacred lakes. But he's also seen communities breathing life back into rivers, forests and coasts in creative, unexpected ways — showing that conservation can flourish alongside livelihoods, and that even the most threatened landscapes can be reborn.Learn more about our flagship conference happening this April at attend.ted.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You're listening to TED Talks Daily, where we bring you new ideas to spark your curiosity every day. I'm your host, Elise Hugh. Today, we're taking you on a journey through the vast and beautiful landscape of Kenya to ask the question, what if the key to saving nature isn't about science or policy, but about love? From the crater in Silali to the springs at Mzima, the cool blue waters of Lake Chala to the sandy beaches of Robinson Island. I am in awe of what this country has to offer. Multi-hyphenate artist Elsafan Njora has been traveling across his native country for years, witnessing ecosystems vanish from indigenous forests to sacred lakes.

But he's also seen communities breathing life back into the rivers, forests and coasts in creative, unexpected ways. In his talk and performance, supported by guitarist Manasseh Shalom and singer Kendi Nkongay, He tells the story of the very real possibility of a world where conservation can flourish alongside livelihoods. Because for Elsafon, through love of the land, the people, and the world we leave behind, even the most threatened landscapes can be reborn. So what is taking us so long? That's coming up right after a short break. And now our TED Talk of the Day.

For the last year my hand, take me now. Don't resist, don't ask me how. For the last three and a half years, I have traveled more than I have ever done in all my years. I have interacted with cultures, landscapes, and legends across the land. And I've been enriched by these vast experiences that I'm so fortunate to have, so much so that some of my songs are starting to sound like travel journals. His safari in Yama Penzi means this journey is of love.

From the crater in Silali to the springs at Mzima, the cool blue waters of Lake Chala to the sandy beaches of Robinson Island, the waterfalls at Luskebe to the island of Sumba, the small elephants of Abadeas to the giants in Amboselli, the sometimes feisty buffaloes of Mount Kilimambogo to the lilac-breasted roller in the plains, the rivers, the valleys, the people. I am in awe of what this country has to offer. This wealth, this beauty is meant to be shared. It is meant to be passed on. After all, we too found it here. And we are direct beneficiaries of the intentional or accidental conservation efforts of the past. The question is, what shall we leave for those who are coming after us. Allow me to take you on a journey. Let us start in a county

called Nyhururu, in a peculiar water body called Lake Olbolosat, which is both a salty and freshwater lake. It is possible that one day we might not have it anymore. Delaying to take measures to curb cultivation around riparian land near the lake will most certainly lead to its destruction. and in a few years time, it might as well never have existed. But a lake is not just a lake. Now let's go to Machakos County. The land of the long-distance traders, the flat landscape of enchantment,

and the crescendo music lovers. The home of the great seer who puttabye, my darling. The home of the great seer, prophesied the coming of the British, and once home to a vast indigenous forest whose remnants can be found at Kea Makimwe, which means one hill. There at the sacred hill of the akamba, you'll see there was evidence that this was a vast forest. However, Machakos today stands in contrast of what our ancestors once called home. Massive deforestation has transformed a large section of it into a semi-arid expanse where water is scarce.

Now the forests and the legends and the stories might as well never have existed. But a forest is not just a forest. These are ecosystems that support a great number of species from birds, land animals, fish, insects, plants, some of which are endemic to the area, and serve as nature's order in the great equation of balance. The very same balance that we are here to discuss. But our farmers need land to till, and we need wood, don't we? but pause

this is not a piece to patronize instead it's to paint a picture of perhaps what could be possible if we took action and to bear the news of the efforts that have been taken so far the proverbial what if

but now with a motive to reconsider reconfigure and recruit what if there is another way to go about it what if there's another way to coexist with nature make a living, and leave an inheritance for those who are coming after us.

Let us go to Kilifi County, right next to the Indian Ocean, somewhere at the shores of Watamu, stands a testament of what could be if we reimagined conservation. A group called Darbaso, through research and collaboration, began planting mangroves 20 years ago in an effort to conserve. 20 years of insults and ridicule, doubts and second thoughts. But now the shows breathe more life into the world and give better sanctuary for sea life. And an establishment called Crabshack Hotel stands as a tourist attraction, a pillar of conservation and commerce,

margin nature, community and profit in an eco-friendly existence. and back in Machakos, they are making better use of the land and they are repopulating the indigenous seedlings. With the efforts of the conservationists, we might just see the return of the trees of old. And at Lake Polbolosak, they are resettling the farmers and they are saving the lake. It is no longer a thing of what if, it's a possibility. We can save our ecosystems, our species and our futures. We can.

The evidence is clear across the world. the world. So what is taking us so long? I've never understood why it takes so much effort to do what we know we need to do. Maybe it is a human condition to procrastinate until it is too late in order to catch that edge, that elusive high of uncertainty thinking we have some kind of control. Only problem is there is no control. However, I believe that if we search deep inside for something bigger, something bigger than ourselves, then we'll light a fire that can take us all the way to a better world. Now, I'm no expert, but I believe at the core of conservation is love.

Love for the land, love for the people of the land, and most importantly, love for those who will come after us. And with this, I think we can find a way to work together in a manner that we can. will benefit nature and community in a manner that will give honor and dignity. And so this journey has to be a journey of love. And while that may take longer, the effects are profound and far-reaching enough to keep the world breathing. Finally, let me complete this journey with imagination.

I will ask you to indulge me. Close your eyes. I want you to envision that place that you want transformed. Do you have it? You have it? So I want us to take this journey together. On the count of three, I want you to say it out loud. One, two, three.

This safari me am mapezi. I'm hajaya kuizi. Here's my hand, take me now. I insist don't ask me how. I'm on fire for you. On fire. On fire for you. On fire.

On fire for you. That was Elsa van Njora with Manasseh Shalom and singer Kendi Nkongay at the TED Countdown Summit in Nairobi, Kenya in 2025. If you're curious about Ted's curation, find out more at TED.com slash curation guidelines. And that's it for today.

TED Talks Daily is part of the TED Audio Collective. This talk was fact-checked by the TED Research Team and produced and edited by our team, Martha Estefanos, Oliver Friedman, Brian Green, Lucy Little, and Tonicaa Sung Marnivong. This episode was mixed by Lucy Little. Additional support from Emma Tobner and Daniela Ballerazo. I'm Elise Hu.

I'll be back tomorrow with a fresh idea for your feet. Thanks for listening.