The Herds, a Vast Act of Theater to Spark Climate Action | Amir Nizar Zuabi | TED

The Journey of Little Amal: A Puppet's Migration

Introduction to Little Amal

• Two years ago, the speaker began a journey starting in Gaziantep, Turkey, leading through eight countries to the UK.

• The journey was led by a 10-year-old unaccompanied refugee puppet named Little Amal, who is 13 feet tall and symbolizes vulnerability and determination.

• During her first walk, she traversed 65 cities and was greeted by over a million people both in person and online.

The Impact of Little Amal

• The project is described as a vast act of theater that connects diverse locations from Gaziantep to Manchester.

• It aimed to transform the narrative around refugee children from mere statistics into human stories filled with potential and hope.

• The speaker reflects on personal experiences watching bird migrations in Palestine, drawing parallels between these natural phenomena and human migration.

Reflections on Migration

• As the speaker observed fewer birds over time, they felt a connection between the decline of bird populations and human migration crises.

• This led to questions about creating projects addressing climate change similarly to how Little Amal addressed refugee issues.

Introducing "The Herds": A New Project

Concept Overview

• Inspired by lessons learned from Little Amal's journeys, "The Herds" will focus on climate crisis awareness through puppet animal migrations.

• Scheduled for spring 2025, this project will depict animals fleeing climate disasters across Africa to Norway.

Artistic Vision

• The puppets will represent various species native to each country encountered during their journey, serving as an alarm bell for climate action.

• Collaborations with arts institutions aim to create unique artistic responses as these puppets take over urban spaces.

Addressing Climate Change Through Art

Urgency of Action

• Animals are portrayed as nature’s early warning system; their behaviors signal impending environmental disasters.

• Despite existing warnings about climate change, there remains widespread indifference that "The Herds" aims to disrupt.

Personal Connection

• The project emphasizes that climate change impacts must be felt personally rather than perceived as distant issues affecting others.

Lessons Learned from Storytelling

Emotional Engagement

• Much of the current climate debate fails because it lacks emotional engagement; data alone does not inspire action or care among ordinary people.

Creating a Movement Through Art

Collaboration with Artists and Designers

• The project involves a talented team of puppeteers and designers from South Africa, focusing on creating beautiful yet powerful representations of animals.

• The aim is to evoke a range of emotions through the puppetry, showcasing animals that are ferocious, tired, frightened, but also elegant and proud.

• The materials used for the creations will be recyclable, reusable, and easily sourced to promote sustainability in art.

Call to Action for Community Engagement

• There is an open invitation for schools, universities, and cities to participate in shaping the narrative of this artistic endeavor.

• Climate organizations are encouraged to utilize this project as a platform to spread their message and advocate for change.