What’s your superpower? Angela Francis believes that hers might be being a mixed race economist who grew up in Derby – something that gives her a unique perspective when it comes to tackling climate change. A passionate environmentalist, Angela sees that the key to overcoming the climate challenges we face is proving to the public that transitioning to a green economy can change their lives for the better right now. Rather than trying to edge the environment to the top of a priority list already overloaded with Brexit, healthcare, crime and the economy, Angela argues that we must focus on how policy for the environment has the power to deliver real solutions to the problems people are already dealing with. Only by engaging with broader conversations about the kind of country we want to be will the environmental sector be able to design policies that a farmer in Cumbria or a factory worker in Derby will get behind. Angela Francis started as an accountant in the energy industry before moving into economic development where she has worked for the last 18 years. Throughout her career, she has always found ways to focus on how our human systems – energy, production, consumption, transport and planning – need to change to come into line with our planetary ones. After finding her home in the environmental advocacy sector, Angela is now Chief Advisor on Economics and Economic Development at WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). She provides economic advice across the climate, food and biodiversity programmes, as well as leading on trade and industrial policy for a green transition. 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
