For 16 years TEDX produced and shared scientific evidence of endocrine disruption with key stakeholders, and connected people with the information they needed to create a safer, healthier world. Due to lack of funding, we closed the organization on November 30, 2019.
We remain forever grateful for the vision and inspiration of our late founder, Dr. Theo Colborn; the commitment and productivity of TEDX’s dedicated staff; the guidance of Executive Director Dr. Carol Kwiatkowski and the Board of Directors; our funders large and small, who made the work possible; and for the many partner organizations that fueled our work with their wisdom and passion. Thank you all!
Carmi Orenstein:
Oct 01, 2019 at 10:37 AM
I write representing Concerned Health Professionals of New York, an initiative by health professionals and scientists documenting the science-based evidence on the impacts of fracking on public, environmental, and occupational health and safety, as well as climate stability. CHPNY has published six editions of the "Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking (Unconventional Gas and Oil Extraction)." Anyone seeing this comment would immediately know from this description exactly to whom we are indebted. We have always been and will remain aware that Dr. Colborn was responsible for getting study on the health-threatening chemical emissions of fracking underway. The 2005 development of the first database of chemicals used in shale gas extraction and their health effects was a huge first step for so many of us who became aware that something terribly threatening to human and wildlife health had been unleashed by an unconcerned and largely unregulated industry. And we know how challenging this work was. Our work truly has a founding hero. TEDX carried on Dr. Colborn's legacy with unique and timely dedication, offering more and more invaluable resources over the years. We are so, so sorry to see its door closing. As an earlier commenter wrote, "we need more of this work, not less." CHPNY wishes the TEDX community only the best in the future as we send along our deepest gratitude.
Cory Carroll:
Sep 30, 2019 at 12:25 AM
As a new participant I am confused to the timing of closing this discussion group when the oil & gas industry is pushing forward with non-traditional extraction. As a family physician in Colorado worried about the multiple health impacts this industry is creating, I am saddened by the cessation of your work. This problem is not going away and we need all the "honest scientists" pointing out the problems, despite the political and economic repercussions.
Sandra Steingraber:
Sep 29, 2019 at 06:12 PM
I first learned about fracking from Theo. I continued learning about fracking from TEDX. There are not very many of us working at the intersections of public health science and policymaking with a commitment to getting good science into the hands of people living in frontline communities. I actually don't know what we will do without TEDX, which has served as an essential brain trust for the anti-fracking wing of the climate justice movement. Thank you. I hope somehow you will come back.
Sharima Rasanayagam:
Sep 25, 2019 at 12:17 PM
So sorry to hear this news. TEDX is such a big part of the work I do here at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. I refer to the TEDX List of Potential Endocrine Disruptors every day. Such a loss to the field. Thank you so much for everything you have done. Carol, I've so enjoyed discussions with you at various meetings over the years and I hope to continue to interact with you in the future.
Kathrynne Holden MS, RD (retired):
Sep 23, 2019 at 06:54 PM
Thank you for your invaluable work through the years. Please do keep us updated via this website, your contributions are too important to lose.
Joseph Morgan, MD:
Sep 13, 2019 at 09:54 PM
I first learned about TEDX and had the privilege of meeting Theo at Joyce Young's conference at Ocean Shores, Washington and immediately realized that we were kindred spirits in our concern for the environment and how our society's self-inflicted environmental degradation is resulting in horrendous consequences for the human race. With these concerns directing my medical career since the late 1960's, I couldn't believe I had not encountered Theo's monumental contributions until Ocean Shores. Later I had the honor of nominating Theo to receive the Jonathan Forman Award of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine. It has been outstanding that her work has been carried forward, and she will never be forgotten. Kudos to everyone currently at TEDX for a job well done. I have eagerly looked forward to every communication and am very sad that it is necessary for the doors to close. I will continue to look forward to website postings as long as they are available.
Joseph Morgan, MD
Past President, AAEM
Elise Miller:
Sep 12, 2019 at 02:57 PM
There are certain organizations that emerge at a pivotal time to catapult a new conceptual framework forward, changing a field forever. TEDX is certainly one of them. Theo Colborn’s vision, brilliance and tenacity established TEDX at the forefront of the scientific revolution regarding the nature of endocrine disrupting chemicals and their impact on humans and ecological health. Upon Theo's death, Carol Kwiatkowski then graciously and strategically transitioned TEDX from a founder-led institution into a broad-reaching, global collaborative of cutting-edge researchers dedicated to translating the emerging science into stronger public health policy. Over these years, TEDX has played a critical role in shaping and influencing work on EDCs and has also been a leading voice on the health impacts of hydraulic fracturing. Though TEDX will soon dissolve as an organization, its accomplishments and legacy will live on in all of us who have been touched by its exceptional efforts to ensure current and future generations can reach their full potential and thrive.
With a deep bow of gratitude to Theo and Carol as well as all of the TEDX staff, board, funders and other colleagues who dedicated their time, wisdom and support to this vital endeavor,
Elise Miller
Chair, Board of Directors, TEDX
Jeanne Keith-Ferris:
Sep 11, 2019 at 01:22 PM
I too wish to share my deep appreciation for the dedication of your founder, Theo Colborn, and all the dedicated folks who have continued the work of TEDX. As a concerned citizen and mother, this enlightening research is needed more than ever. What TEDX has begun I know will continue onwards in other NGO's. Thank you all to your courage and commitment over all of these years. Jeanne
Gene Goffin:
Sep 10, 2019 at 04:20 PM
When I met Theo I didn’t know who she was, but we hit if off right away. She had moved back to Paonia and right away got involved with oil and gas, especially fracking development. We met at a meeting of the Oil and Gas Committee of a local environmental organization. We worked together on issues, but we also became friends. Theo worked 18 hour days, so when my wife and I wanted to go out for dinner in Paonia, we’d call up Theo and ask her to come with us. She always said yes and I enjoyed giving her a little vacation. Nevertheless, through dinner she would tell us about her latest discoveries and horrors she had learned about. In anyone else this would be a bad dinner companion, but how could we dislike such a dedicated person who was filled with kindness.
Besides dinner we spoke often, went to meetings, looked at oil and gas development tried to use the voluntary services of a totally inept law student (we couldn’t believe anyone could be so dense) and sometimes Theo actually talked about how she felt. Talking about herself was not Theo’s strong point.
It was almost five years ago Theo called me to tell me she was dying. I knew she wanted to say goodbye. It was an awful phone call to get, but one I expected. We were moving from Delta Co. and were involved in that, so we couldn’t spend any time with her. She had our backs and I miss that, and of course, I miss her greatly.
She was quirky, brilliant, hardworking, persuasive and a real person. It is the real person I really miss.
Theo was not only a great researcher and promoter, she was a good fundraiser. Few people have all those skills, so I am not surprised TedEx is running out of money.
Sonya Lunder:
Sep 04, 2019 at 10:33 AM
It has been a pleasure to work with the TEDX team over the years, and I have confidence that you will continue to contribute to the important work of untangling the relationship between hormone disruption and our health. I hope to cross paths with each of you in our shared future.