TED2019
Joanne Chory: How supercharged plants could slow climate change
喬安妮 · 裘利: 如何強化植物來延緩氣候變遷
Filmed:
Readability: 3.3
1,881,351 views
植物是很了不起的機器。數百萬年來，它們一直吸取空氣中的二氧化碳，將之存在地下，對於氣候變遷，這是個關鍵。植物遺傳學家喬安妮 · 裘利在努力放大這種特殊能力：她與沙克植物分子和細胞生物實驗室的同事合作，創造出能在更深的地下儲存更多碳長達數百年之久的植物。來聽這些強化植物如何能協助延緩氣候變遷。（這項有野心的計畫，是 TED 為了鼓舞和資助全球改變而推動的「大膽項目」其中計畫之一。）
Joanne Chory - Plant geneticist
Recognized as one of the greatest scientific innovators of our time, Joanne Chory studies the genetic codes of plants. Her goal: to use plants to help fight climate change. Full bio
Recognized as one of the greatest scientific innovators of our time, Joanne Chory studies the genetic codes of plants. Her goal: to use plants to help fight climate change. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:12
I recently had an epiphany.
0
929
1928
我最近有個頓悟。
00:15
I realized that I could
actually play a role
actually play a role
1
3183
3817
了解到其實我能扮演一個角色，
00:19
in solving one of the biggest problems
that faces mankind today,
that faces mankind today,
2
7024
5672
協助解決人類現今
所面臨的最大問題之一，
所面臨的最大問題之一，
00:24
and that is the problem of climate change.
3
12720
2309
那就是氣候變遷的問題。
00:28
It also dawned on me that
I had been working for 30 years or more
I had been working for 30 years or more
4
16497
4104
我也開始明白，我已經
工作了三十年以上，
工作了三十年以上，
00:32
just to get to this point in my life
5
20625
1921
只是為了到達
我人生中的這個時點，
我人生中的這個時點，
00:34
where I could actually make
this contribution to a bigger problem.
this contribution to a bigger problem.
6
22570
3891
讓我能夠為更大的問題貢獻心力。
00:38
And every experiment
that I have done in my lab
that I have done in my lab
7
26857
2213
過去三十年間，我在
實驗室中做的每個實驗，
實驗室中做的每個實驗，
00:41
over the last 30 years
8
29094
1993
00:43
and people who work for me
did in my lab over the last 30 years
did in my lab over the last 30 years
9
31111
4188
以及過去三十年間在我實驗室中
為我工作的人所做的實驗，
為我工作的人所做的實驗，
00:47
has been directed toward doing
the really big experiment,
the really big experiment,
10
35323
4254
都是為了要來做這個大實驗，
00:51
this one last big experiment.
11
39601
1933
最後一個大實驗。
00:53
So who am I?
12
41871
1151
所以，我是誰？
我是植物遺傳學家。
我是植物遺傳學家。
00:55
I'm a plant geneticist.
13
43046
2103
00:57
I live in a world where there's
too much CO2 in the atmosphere
too much CO2 in the atmosphere
14
45173
4237
在我所居住的世界中，
大氣的二氧化碳含量太高，
大氣的二氧化碳含量太高，
01:01
because of human activity.
15
49434
3564
這是人類活動造成的。
01:05
But I've come to appreciate the plants
16
53022
3444
但我漸漸開始賞識
植物是了不起的機器，
01:08
as amazing machines that they are,
17
56490
3132
01:11
whose job has been, really,
to just suck up CO2.
to just suck up CO2.
18
59646
2954
它們一直吸收二氧化碳。
01:14
And they do it so well,
19
62624
1236
它們做得非常好，
01:15
because they've been doing it
for over 500 million years.
for over 500 million years.
20
63884
4279
因為它們這樣做已經超過五億年了。
01:20
And they're really good at it.
21
68187
2222
它們非常擅長。
01:22
And so ...
22
70433
1150
所以……
01:25
I also have some urgency
I want to tell you about.
I want to tell you about.
23
73401
2841
我也有件急迫的事要跟各位談。
01:28
As a mother, I want to give
my two children a better world
my two children a better world
24
76266
3942
身為母親，我想要給
我的兩個孩子更好的世界，
我的兩個孩子更好的世界，
01:32
than I inherited from my parents,
25
80232
1663
比我父母給我的更好，
01:33
it would be nicer to keep it going
in the right direction,
in the right direction,
26
81919
2722
比較希望看到的
是世界繼續朝對的方向前進，
是世界繼續朝對的方向前進，
01:36
not the bad direction.
27
84665
1563
而不是壞的方向。
01:38
But I also ...
28
86252
1507
但我也……
01:41
I've had Parkinson's
for the last 15 years,
for the last 15 years,
29
89569
2405
我有帕金森氏症，
它跟了我十五年，
它跟了我十五年，
01:43
and this gives me a sense of urgency
that I want to do this now,
that I want to do this now,
30
91998
3364
這讓我更急著想要現在就做這件事，
01:47
while I feel good enough
to really be part of this team.
to really be part of this team.
31
95386
3588
趁我的狀況還不錯，
還能為團隊盡力的時候。
還能為團隊盡力的時候。
01:50
And I have an incredible team.
32
98998
2215
我的團隊非常棒。
01:53
We all work together,
33
101237
2275
我們全都同心協力，
01:55
and this is something we want to do
because we have fun.
because we have fun.
34
103536
3867
我們想要做這件事
是因為我們做得很開心。
是因為我們做得很開心。
01:59
And if you're only going to have
five people trying to save the planet,
five people trying to save the planet,
35
107427
3402
且，如果你們只有五個人
在試圖拯救地球，
在試圖拯救地球，
02:02
you better like each other,
36
110853
1303
你們最好喜歡彼此，因為你們
會花很多時間相處在一起。
會花很多時間相處在一起。
02:04
because you're going to be spending
a lot of time together.
a lot of time together.
37
112180
2772
（笑聲）
02:06
(Laughter)
38
114976
1050
02:08
OK, alright. But enough about me.
39
116050
1605
好。不要再談我了。
02:09
Let's talk about CO2.
40
117679
1683
咱們來談談二氧化碳。
02:11
CO2 is the star of my talk.
41
119386
2103
二氧化碳是我這場演說的明星。
02:13
Now, most of you probably think
of CO2 as a pollutant.
of CO2 as a pollutant.
42
121998
4301
在座大部分的人可能認為
二氧化碳是污染物。
二氧化碳是污染物。
02:18
Or perhaps you think of CO2
as the villain in the novel, you know?
as the villain in the novel, you know?
43
126323
4779
或者，也許你們認為
二氧化碳是小說中的反派。
二氧化碳是小說中的反派。
02:23
It's always the dark side of CO2.
44
131126
2564
總是看到二氧化碳的黑暗面。
02:26
But as a plant biologist,
I see the other side of CO2, actually.
I see the other side of CO2, actually.
45
134174
4800
但，身為植物生物學家，
我看的其實是二氧化碳的另一面。
我看的其實是二氧化碳的另一面。
02:31
And that CO2 that we see,
46
139411
2769
我們所看到的二氧化碳，
02:34
we see it differently because
I think we remember, as plant biologists,
I think we remember, as plant biologists,
47
142204
4660
我們會對它另眼看待是因為，
身為植物生物學家，我們記得
身為植物生物學家，我們記得
02:38
something you may have forgotten.
48
146888
1840
某件你們可能已經遺忘的事。
02:40
And that is that plants actually
do this process called photosynthesis.
do this process called photosynthesis.
49
148752
4856
那就是，植物會進行
一個叫做光合作用的過程。
一個叫做光合作用的過程。
02:45
And when they do photosynthesis --
50
153632
2040
當它們進行光合作用時——
02:47
all carbon-based life on our earth
51
155696
3738
地球上所有的碳基生物，
02:51
is all because of the CO2 that plants
and other photosynthetic microbes
and other photosynthetic microbes
52
159458
5445
都是因為植物
和其他光合作用微生物
和其他光合作用微生物
02:56
have dragged in from CO2
that was in the atmosphere.
that was in the atmosphere.
53
164927
4390
把大氣中的二氧化碳吸收進來。
03:01
And almost all of the carbon in your body
came from air, basically.
came from air, basically.
54
169341
3588
基本上，你們體內
所有的碳都來自空氣。
所有的碳都來自空氣。
03:04
So you come from air,
55
172953
1492
所以你們來自空氣，
03:06
and it's because of photosynthesis,
56
174469
1706
因為光合作用，
03:08
because what plants do
is they use the energy in sunlight,
is they use the energy in sunlight,
57
176199
3592
因為植物所做的就是
使用太陽的能量
使用太陽的能量
03:11
take that CO2 and fix it into sugars.
58
179815
2865
吸取二氧化碳，轉變成糖。
03:15
It's a great thing.
59
183046
1314
這是件好事。
03:16
And the other thing
that is really important
that is really important
60
184384
2079
還有一件事，也對今天
要談的主題很重要，
要談的主題很重要，
03:18
for what I'm going to tell you today
61
186487
1730
那就是，植物和其他
光合作用微生物
光合作用微生物
03:20
is that plants and other
photosynthetic microbes
photosynthetic microbes
62
188241
3550
03:23
have a great capacity for doing this --
63
191815
2643
做這件事的能力很強——
03:26
twentyfold or more than the amount
of CO2 that we put up
of CO2 that we put up
64
194482
4307
比我們人類活動
所產生出來的二氧化碳量
所產生出來的二氧化碳量
03:30
because of our human activities.
65
198813
2166
還要高二十倍以上。
03:33
And so, even though
we're not doing a great job
we're not doing a great job
66
201003
3000
所以，雖然我們在減少排放方面
03:36
at cutting our emissions and things,
67
204027
2320
沒有做得很好，
03:38
plants have the capacity,
68
206371
3785
但，身為光合作用有機體，
03:42
as photosynthetic organisms, to help out.
69
210180
2976
植物有能力可能協助我們。
03:45
So we're hoping that's what they'll do.
70
213180
2121
所以，我們希望它們能夠幫忙。
03:48
But there's a catch here.
71
216821
1690
但，沒這麼好的事。
03:50
We have to help the plants
a little ourselves,
a little ourselves,
72
218535
2238
我們自己得要先稍微協助植物，
03:52
because what plants like to do
is put most of the CO2 into sugars.
is put most of the CO2 into sugars.
73
220797
4947
因為，植物會把大部分的
二氧化碳轉成糖。
二氧化碳轉成糖。
03:57
And when the end
of the growing season comes,
of the growing season comes,
74
225768
2547
在生長季節要結束時，
04:00
the plant dies and decomposes,
75
228339
2357
植物會死亡並分解，
04:02
and then all that work they did
to suck out the CO2 from the atmosphere
to suck out the CO2 from the atmosphere
76
230720
4873
接著，它們之前將二氧化碳
從大氣中吸掉以及製造碳基生物質
04:07
and make carbon-based biomass
77
235617
3230
所做的所有工作，
04:10
is now basically going right back up
in the atmosphere as CO2.
in the atmosphere as CO2.
78
238871
4469
現在基本上都以二氧化碳的
形式回到大氣當中。
形式回到大氣當中。
04:15
So how can we get plants to redistribute
the CO2 they bring in
the CO2 they bring in
79
243364
6373
所以，我們要如何讓植物
重新分配它們所帶入的二氧化碳，
04:21
into something that's
a little more stable?
a little more stable?
80
249761
2411
製成稍微更穩定一點的東西？
04:24
And so it turns out
that plants make this product,
that plants make this product,
81
252196
3643
結果發現，植物會製造一項產物，
04:27
and it's called suberin.
82
255863
1622
叫做軟木脂。
04:29
This is a natural product
that is in all plant roots.
that is in all plant roots.
83
257509
3313
它是一種天然產物，
在所有植物的根部都有。
在所有植物的根部都有。
04:32
And suberin is really cool,
84
260846
1645
軟木脂非常酷，
04:34
because as you can see there, I hope,
85
262515
2697
因為我希望各位可以在這裡看到，
04:37
everywhere you see a black dot,
that's a carbon.
that's a carbon.
86
265236
3519
凡是看到黑點的地方，就代表碳。
04:40
There's hundreds of them in this molecule.
87
268779
2064
在這個分子中有數百個黑點。
04:42
And where you see those few red dots,
88
270867
2396
還可以看到少數的紅點，
04:45
those are oxygens.
89
273287
1156
它們是氧。
04:46
And oxygen is what microbes like to find
90
274467
2415
微生物喜歡去找氧，
04:48
so they can decompose a plant.
91
276906
2330
這麼一來它們就可以分解植物。
04:51
So you can see why this is
a perfect carbon storage device.
a perfect carbon storage device.
92
279260
3650
所以各位可以看得出來這為什麼
是個完美的碳儲存裝置。
是個完美的碳儲存裝置。
04:54
And actually it can stabilize
the carbon that gets fixed by the plant
the carbon that gets fixed by the plant
93
282934
5113
事實上，它可以穩定
植物所提供的碳，
05:00
into something that's a little bit
better for the plant.
better for the plant.
94
288071
3883
成為對植物更好一點的東西。
05:04
And so, why now?
95
292450
2136
所以，為什麼是現在？
05:06
Why is now a good time to do
a biological solution to this problem?
a biological solution to this problem?
96
294610
5570
為什麼現在是個好的時機點，
很適合用生物解決方案
很適合用生物解決方案
來處理這個問題？
05:12
It's because over the last
30 or so years --
30 or so years --
97
300204
4093
因為，在過去三十年左右——
05:16
and I know that's a long time,
you're saying, "Why now?" --
you're saying, "Why now?" --
98
304321
3018
我知道那是很長的時間，
你們說「為什麼是現在？」——
你們說「為什麼是現在？」——
05:19
but 30 years ago, we began to understand
99
307363
2290
但，三十年前，我們開始了解
05:21
the functions of all the genes
that are in an organism in general.
that are in an organism in general.
100
309677
3606
一般有機體中所有基因的功能。
05:25
And that included humans as well as plants
101
313307
3588
那包括了人類以及植物，
05:28
and many other complicated eukaryotes.
102
316919
2824
還有許多其他複雜的真核生物。
05:32
And so, what did the 1980s begin?
103
320069
3127
所以，八○年代是什麼的開端？
05:35
What began then is that we now know
104
323220
2183
那時，我們開始了解
05:37
the function of many of the genes
that are in a plant
that are in a plant
105
325427
2527
在植物中有許多基因的功能
在告訴植物要如何生長。
在告訴植物要如何生長。
05:39
that tell a plant to grow.
106
327978
1425
05:41
And that has now converged
with the fact that we can do genomics
with the fact that we can do genomics
107
329427
4706
那些知識現在被用在基因組學上，
05:46
in a faster and cheaper way
than we ever did before.
than we ever did before.
108
334157
3126
發明出比以前更快速、
更便宜的方法。
更便宜的方法。
05:49
And what that tells us is that
all life on earth is really related,
all life on earth is really related,
109
337307
4000
我們從中學到的是，
地球上的所有生命都是相關聯的，
地球上的所有生命都是相關聯的，
05:53
but plants are more related to each other
than other organisms.
than other organisms.
110
341331
5397
但，植物和彼此的關係
比和其他有機體的關係更密切。
比和其他有機體的關係更密切。
05:58
And that you can take a trait
that you know from one plant
that you know from one plant
111
346752
3254
你可以選一項
你所知道的植物特性，
你所知道的植物特性，
06:02
and put it in another plant,
112
350030
2207
放到另一株植物上，
06:04
and you can make a prediction
that it'll do the same thing.
that it'll do the same thing.
113
352261
3495
你便可以預測，
它會做出同樣的事。
它會做出同樣的事。
06:08
And so that's important as well.
114
356093
1556
這點也十分重要。
06:09
Then finally, we have these little
genetic tricks that came along,
genetic tricks that came along,
115
357673
3433
最後，我們還有
這些小小的基因技倆，
這些小小的基因技倆，
06:13
like you heard about this morning --
116
361130
2773
比如今天早上各位聽到的那些——
06:15
things like CRISPR,
that allows us to do editing
that allows us to do editing
117
363927
2259
像是 CRISPR，可以用來編輯基因
06:18
and make genes be a little different
from the normal state in the plant.
from the normal state in the plant.
118
366210
4503
並製造出和植物中
正常狀態不太一樣的基因。
正常狀態不太一樣的基因。
06:23
OK, so now we have biology on our side.
119
371272
2186
好，現在，生物學站在我們這一邊。
06:25
I'm a biologist, so that's why
I'm proposing a solution
I'm proposing a solution
120
373482
3754
我是生物學家，那就是為什麼
我針對氣候變遷問題
提出的解決方案
提出的解決方案
06:29
to the climate change problem
121
377260
2881
06:32
that really involves the best evolved
organism on earth to do it -- plants.
organism on earth to do it -- plants.
122
380165
5357
會需要仰賴地球上演化得
最好的有機體——植物。
最好的有機體——植物。
06:37
So how are we going to do it?
123
385546
1721
所以，我們要怎麼做？
06:39
Biology comes to the rescue.
124
387800
1463
生物學來救援了。來吧。
06:41
Here we go.
125
389287
1203
06:43
OK.
126
391204
1150
好。
06:45
You have to remember
three simple things from my talk, OK?
three simple things from my talk, OK?
127
393634
4152
請各位記住這場演說的
三個簡單要點，好嗎？
三個簡單要點，好嗎？
06:50
We have to get plants to make more suberin
than they normally make,
than they normally make,
128
398569
3556
我們要讓植物製造出
比正常量更多的軟木脂，
比正常量更多的軟木脂，
06:54
because we need them to be
a little better than what they are.
a little better than what they are.
129
402149
2957
因為我們需要它們
比現在的狀態再更好一些。
比現在的狀態再更好一些。
06:57
We have to get them to make more roots,
130
405130
4368
我們要讓它們製造更多根，
07:01
because if we make more roots,
we can make more suberin --
we can make more suberin --
131
409522
2738
因為，如果能製造多根，
就能製造更多軟木脂——
就能製造更多軟木脂——
07:04
now we have more of the cells
that suberin likes to accumulate in.
that suberin likes to accumulate in.
132
412284
4753
現在，我們有更多
能夠聚集軟木脂的細胞，
能夠聚集軟木脂的細胞，
07:09
And then the third thing is,
we want the plants to have deeper roots.
we want the plants to have deeper roots.
133
417061
3429
第三點，我們希望植物的根更深。
07:12
And what that does is --
134
420514
1722
那樣的用途是——
07:14
we're asking the plant, actually,
"OK, make stable carbon,
"OK, make stable carbon,
135
422260
3667
我們其實是在請求植物：
「好，製造穩定的碳，
「好，製造穩定的碳，
07:17
more than you used to,
136
425951
1444
比平常的還要多，
07:19
and then bury it for us in the ground."
137
427419
2325
接著，為我們
將這些碳埋在地下。」
將這些碳埋在地下。」
07:21
So they can do that
if they make roots that go deep
if they make roots that go deep
138
429768
2445
所以，如果它們的根很深，
而不是在接近土壤表面處迂迴，
它們就能做到這件事。
它們就能做到這件事。
07:24
rather than meander around
on the surface of the soil.
on the surface of the soil.
139
432237
3610
07:27
Those are the three traits
we want to change:
we want to change:
140
435871
2688
這三項特性是我們想要改變的：
07:30
more suberin, more roots,
and the last one, deep roots.
and the last one, deep roots.
141
438583
4907
更多軟木脂、更多根，
以及，最後一項，更深的根。
以及，最後一項，更深的根。
07:35
Then we want to combine
all those traits in one plant,
all those traits in one plant,
142
443514
2754
接著，我們想把這三項特性
結合到同一株植物中，
結合到同一株植物中，
07:38
and we can do that easily
and we will do it,
and we will do it,
143
446292
2984
這很容易，我們將會這麼做，
07:41
and we are doing it actually,
in the model plant, Arabidopsis,
in the model plant, Arabidopsis,
144
449300
4452
其實，我們正在這麼做，
用的是模型植物，阿拉伯芥，
用的是模型植物，阿拉伯芥，
07:45
which allows us to do these
experiments much faster
experiments much faster
145
453776
2874
這種植物讓我們
做實驗的速度能更快，
做實驗的速度能更快，
07:48
than we can do in another big plant.
146
456674
3284
比使用其他大型植物更快。
07:51
And when we find that we have plants
where traits all add up
where traits all add up
147
459982
3746
當我們的植物有了
所有這些特性之後，
所有這些特性之後，
07:55
and we can get more of them,
more suberin in those plants,
more suberin in those plants,
148
463752
3111
我們就能從那些植物
取得更多軟木脂，
取得更多軟木脂，
07:58
we're going to move it all --
149
466887
1388
我們打算全部移植——
08:00
we can and we we will,
we're beginning to do this --
we're beginning to do this --
150
468299
2583
我們能且我們會這麼做，
我們已經開始著手——
我們已經開始著手——
08:02
move it to crop plants.
151
470906
1599
移植到作物植物上。
08:04
And I'll tell you why we're picking
crop plants to do the work for us
crop plants to do the work for us
152
472839
4405
我等下會告訴各位
為什麼要選作物植物
為什麼要選作物植物
08:09
when I get to that part of my talk.
153
477268
2385
來為我們做這項工作。
08:12
OK, so I think this is the science
behind the whole thing.
behind the whole thing.
154
480188
3929
好，這就是這種做法背後的科學。
08:16
And so I know we can do the science,
I feel pretty confident about that.
I feel pretty confident about that.
155
484141
3944
我知道科學的部分我們
沒問題，這我有信心。
沒問題，這我有信心。
08:20
And the reason is because,
just in the last year,
just in the last year,
156
488109
2301
原因是因為，就在去年，
08:22
we've been able to find single genes
that affect each of those three traits.
that affect each of those three traits.
157
490434
4343
我們分別找出了影響
那三項特性的個別基因。
那三項特性的個別基因。
08:27
And in several of those cases,
two out of the three,
two out of the three,
158
495307
4008
在許多情況中，
大概有三分之二的比例，
大概有三分之二的比例，
08:31
we have more than one way to get there.
159
499339
2381
我們都有不只一種方法可以辦到。
08:33
So that tells us we might be able
to even combine within a trait
to even combine within a trait
160
501744
3412
那就表示，我們甚至可以
在單一項特性中做組合，
在單一項特性中做組合，
08:37
and get even more suberin.
161
505180
1733
來取得更多軟木脂。
08:41
This shows one result,
162
509735
1421
這裡呈現的結果是，
在右手邊的植物，
在右手邊的植物，
08:43
where we have a plant here on the right
163
511180
1866
08:45
that's making more than double
the amount of root
the amount of root
164
513070
2750
它的根的數量，比左邊的
一般植物高出兩倍之多，
一般植物高出兩倍之多，
08:47
than the plant on the left,
165
515844
1331
08:49
and that's just because of the way
we expressed one gene
we expressed one gene
166
517199
2693
它會變成這樣，是因為我們
將這種植物中的一個正常基因
將這種植物中的一個正常基因
08:51
that's normally in the plant
167
519916
1454
08:53
in a slightly different way
than the plant usually does on its own.
than the plant usually does on its own.
168
521394
4493
用和它自己一般的做法
稍微不同的方式來表現。
稍微不同的方式來表現。
08:57
Alright, so that's just one example
I wanted to show you.
I wanted to show you.
169
525911
2960
好，這只是我想
給各位看的一個例子。
給各位看的一個例子。
09:00
And now I want to tell you that, you know,
170
528895
2071
現在，我想要跟各位談的是，
09:02
we still have a lot
of challenges, actually,
of challenges, actually,
171
530990
2258
我們其實還要面對很多挑戰，
才能解決這個問題，
才能解決這個問題，
09:05
when we get to this problem,
172
533272
1726
09:07
because it takes ...
173
535022
2285
因為會需要……
09:09
We have to get the farmers
to actually buy the seeds,
to actually buy the seeds,
174
537990
3003
我們得要讓農夫
真的去買這些種子，
真的去買這些種子，
09:13
or at least the seed company to buy seeds
175
541017
2452
或至少讓種子公司去買
09:15
that farmers are going to want to have.
176
543493
2237
農夫想要買的這些種子。
09:18
And so when we do the experiments,
177
546080
2405
所以，當我們做實驗時，
09:20
we can't actually take a loss in yield,
178
548509
3703
我們其實無法承受產出損失，
09:24
because while we are doing
these experiments,
these experiments,
179
552236
2992
因為，當我們在做這些實驗時，
09:27
say, beginning about 10 years from now,
180
555252
2722
比如，從現在開始算起十年，
09:29
the earth's population will be
even more than it is right now.
even more than it is right now.
181
557998
3186
地球的人口將會比現在還多。
09:33
And it's rapidly growing still.
182
561208
2544
人口仍然在快速成長。
09:35
So by the end of the century,
we have 11 billion people,
we have 11 billion people,
183
563776
2654
在這個世紀末，
我們有一百一十億人，
我們有一百一十億人，
09:38
we have wasted ecosystems that aren't
really going to be able to handle
really going to be able to handle
184
566454
4288
我們未能有效利用的
生態系統，將無法處理
生態系統，將無法處理
09:42
all the load they have to take
from agriculture.
from agriculture.
185
570766
3426
來自農業的所有負荷。
09:46
And then we also have
this competition for land.
this competition for land.
186
574567
4286
接著，還有土地競爭。
09:51
And so we figure, to do this
carbon sequestration experiment
carbon sequestration experiment
187
579209
5241
所以，我們認為，
要做這種碳隔離實驗，
要做這種碳隔離實驗，
09:56
actually requires a fair amount of land.
188
584474
4317
其實會需要相當大片的土地。
10:00
We can't take it away from food,
189
588815
2540
我們不能搶食物用的土地，
10:03
because we have to feed the people
that are also going to be on the earth
that are also going to be on the earth
190
591379
3516
因為在我們渡過這次危機之前，
我們仍然得要提供
食物給地球上的人。
食物給地球上的人。
10:06
until we get past this big crisis.
191
594919
2540
10:09
And the climate change is actually
causing loss of yield all over the earth.
causing loss of yield all over the earth.
192
597483
4333
而氣候變遷其實已經
在世界各地造成了產出損失。
在世界各地造成了產出損失。
10:13
So why would farmers
want to buy seeds
want to buy seeds
193
601840
3063
所以，農夫為什麼會想要買
可能會影響產出的種子？
可能會影響產出的種子？
10:16
if it's going to impact yield?
194
604927
1452
所以，我們不能讓它影響產出，
10:18
So we're not going to let it impact yield,
195
606403
2031
10:20
we're going to always have
checks and balances
checks and balances
196
608458
2199
我們得要一直有制衡原則，
10:22
that says go or no go on that experiment.
197
610681
3190
來決定實驗要不要進行。
10:25
And then the second thing is,
when a plant actually makes more carbon
when a plant actually makes more carbon
198
613895
4069
第二點，當植物
真的製造出更多碳，
真的製造出更多碳，
10:29
and buries it in the soil like that,
199
617988
1867
並這樣將碳埋入土壤時，
10:31
almost all the soils on earth
are actually depleted of carbon
are actually depleted of carbon
200
619879
3555
地球上幾乎所有的土壤的碳
可能都已經耗盡了，
可能都已經耗盡了，
10:35
because of the load from agriculture,
201
623458
2723
原因是農業的負擔，
10:38
trying to feed eight billion people,
202
626205
2476
現在地球上有八十億人，
10:40
which is what lives
on the earth right now.
on the earth right now.
203
628705
2296
要提供他們食物所造成的負擔。
10:43
And so, that is also a problem as well.
204
631372
2547
所以，那也是個問題。
10:48
Plants that are making more carbon,
those soils become enriched in carbon.
those soils become enriched in carbon.
205
636212
3493
製造更多碳的植物，
那些土壤就會更富含碳。
那些土壤就會更富含碳。
10:51
And carbon-enriched soils
actually hold nitrogen
actually hold nitrogen
206
639729
4635
富含碳的土壤其實也含有氮，
10:56
and they hold sulphur
and they hold phosphate --
and they hold phosphate --
207
644388
2252
還有硫以及磷酸鹽——
10:58
all the minerals that are required
for plants to grow and have a good yield.
for plants to grow and have a good yield.
208
646664
3596
這些都是植物成長並盛產
所需要的礦物質。
所需要的礦物質。
11:02
And they also retain water
in the soil as well.
in the soil as well.
209
650284
2952
它們也會讓土壤中保有水份。
11:05
So the suberin will break up
into little particles
into little particles
210
653260
2350
所以，軟木脂會拆開成為小粒子，
11:07
and give the whole soil a new texture.
211
655634
2522
讓整體土壤有新的結構。
11:10
And as we've shown that
we can get more carbon in that soil,
we can get more carbon in that soil,
212
658180
3707
我們已經展示過，
若土壤中有更多碳，
若土壤中有更多碳，
11:13
the soil will get darker.
213
661911
1936
顏色會變得比較暗。
11:15
And so we will be able
to measure all that,
to measure all that,
214
663871
3055
我們能夠測量這項特性，
11:18
and hopefully, this is going to help
us solve the problem.
us solve the problem.
215
666950
3040
希望這能協助我們解決問題。
11:22
So, OK.
216
670363
1436
所以，好。
11:23
So we have the challenges of
a lot of land that we need to use,
a lot of land that we need to use,
217
671823
3905
我們的挑戰包括
需要使用很多土地，
需要使用很多土地，
11:27
we have to get farmers to buy it,
218
675752
1623
要讓農夫去購買，
11:29
and that's going to be
the hard thing for us, I think,
the hard thing for us, I think,
219
677399
2615
我認為，那對我們來說會很困難，
11:32
because we're not really salesmen,
220
680038
2898
因為我們不是業務員，
11:34
we're people who like to Google a person
rather than meet them,
rather than meet them,
221
682960
3014
我們這種人比較喜歡去 Google
別人而不是去和別人見面。
別人而不是去和別人見面。
11:37
you know what I mean?
222
685998
1266
你們能懂吧？（笑聲）
11:39
(Laughter)
223
687288
1012
大部分科學家是這樣子的。
11:40
That's what scientists are mostly like.
224
688324
2487
11:43
But we know now that, you know,
no one can really deny --
no one can really deny --
225
691291
3652
但我們知道，沒有人能否認——
11:46
the climate is changing,
everyone knows that.
everyone knows that.
226
694967
3189
氣候正在變遷，大家都知道。
11:50
And it's here and it's bad
and it's serious,
and it's serious,
227
698180
2096
事情發生了，狀況很糟，很嚴重，
11:52
and we need to do something about it.
228
700300
1849
而我們得要採取行動。
11:54
But I feel pretty optimistic
that we can do this.
that we can do this.
229
702173
3047
但對此我是相對樂觀。
11:57
So I'm here today
as a character witness for plants.
as a character witness for plants.
230
705244
4270
所以，今天我是以植物的
品格證人身分來到這裡。
品格證人身分來到這裡。
12:01
And I want to tell you
that plants are going to do it for us,
that plants are going to do it for us,
231
709538
2921
我想要告訴各位，
植物會為我們做這些，
植物會為我們做這些，
我們只需要給它們一點點協助，
12:04
all we have to do
is give them a little help,
is give them a little help,
232
712483
2183
它們就會為人類取得金牌。
12:06
and they will go and get
a gold medal for humanity.
a gold medal for humanity.
233
714690
2521
12:09
Thank you very much.
234
717235
1412
非常謝謝。
12:10
(Applause)
235
718671
3987
（掌聲）
12:14
(Cheers)
236
722682
1936
（歡呼）
12:16
Thank you.
237
724642
1151
謝謝。
12:17
(Applause)
238
725817
4836
（掌聲）
12:25
I finally got it out.
239
733428
1400
我終於說完了。
12:30
Chris Anderson: Wow.
240
738817
1333
克里斯安德森：哇。
12:32
Joanne, you're so extraordinary.
241
740831
1579
喬安妮，你真了不起。
讓我確認一下我們聽對了：
12:34
Just to be sure we heard this right:
242
742790
1739
12:36
you believe that within the next 10 years
243
744553
3238
你認為在接下來的十年間，
12:39
you may be able to offer the world
244
747815
2267
你們將會提供世界
12:43
seed variants for the major crops,
like -- what? -- wheat, corn, maybe rice,
like -- what? -- wheat, corn, maybe rice,
245
751895
5014
主要作物種子的變種，
比如小麥、玉米，也許還有稻子，
比如小麥、玉米，也許還有稻子，
12:50
that can offer farmers just as much yield,
246
758331
3437
且農夫還是能保持產量，
12:53
sequester three times, four times,
more carbon than they currently do?
more carbon than they currently do?
247
761792
5019
並隔離出比目前還要高
三倍或四倍的碳量？
三倍或四倍的碳量？
甚至更多？
12:59
Even more than that?
248
767315
1151
13:00
Joanne Chory: We don't know
that number, really.
that number, really.
249
768490
2275
喬安妮裘利：我們其實
不知道確切數字。
不知道確切數字。
13:02
But they will do more.
250
770789
1574
但它們會產出更多。
13:04
CA: And at the same time,
251
772387
1382
克：且，同時，
13:05
make the soil that those
farmers have more fertile?
farmers have more fertile?
252
773793
3418
讓那些農夫的土壤更肥沃？
13:09
JC: Yes, right.
253
777235
1150
喬：是的，沒錯。
13:10
CA: So that is astonishing.
254
778903
1777
克：那好驚人。
13:12
And the genius of doing that
and a solution that can scale
and a solution that can scale
255
780704
3905
且非常天才，這個解決方案能夠
將已經有的規模再擴大規模。
13:16
where there's already scale.
256
784633
1404
13:18
JC: Yes, thank you for saying that.
257
786061
1691
喬：是的，謝謝你這麼說。
13:19
CA: No, no, you said it, you said it.
258
787776
1984
克：不，不，是你說的，你說的。
13:21
But it almost seems too good to be true.
259
789784
3488
但聽起來太好了，不太像真的。
13:25
Your Audacious Project is that we scale up
the research in your lab
the research in your lab
260
793919
4297
你的「大膽項目」是要
把你的實驗室研究擴大規模，
把你的實驗室研究擴大規模，
13:30
and pave the way to start
some of these pilots
some of these pilots
261
798240
4059
並為一些前導計畫舖路，
13:34
and make this incredible vision possible.
262
802323
2238
讓這了不起的遠景成為可能。
13:36
JC: That's right, yes, thank you.
263
804585
1802
喬：沒錯，是的，謝謝你。
13:38
CA: Joanne Chory, thank you so much.
264
806411
1779
克：喬安妮裘利，
非常謝謝你。祝成功。
非常謝謝你。祝成功。
13:40
Godspeed.
265
808214
1201
13:41
(Applause)
266
809439
2862
（掌聲）
13:44
JC: Thank you.
267
812325
1150
喬：謝謝你。
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Joanne Chory - Plant geneticistRecognized as one of the greatest scientific innovators of our time, Joanne Chory studies the genetic codes of plants. Her goal: to use plants to help fight climate change.
Why you should listen
Joanne Chory grew up in Boston in a close-knit Lebanese-American family who helped her develop the self-confidence to venture into the unknown -- college away from home (where she fell in love with genetics) and graduate school where she learned the value of doing a good experiment and the joy that brings. Over three decades, she's built a career at the forefront of plant biology, pursuing fundamental questions of how plants perceive and adapt to changing environments.
Chory is the Director of the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. She's received many of science's top distinctions -- she is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and a 2018 Breakthrough Prize winner, as well as winner of the 2018 Gruber Genetics Prize. Recently, she realized that her work could address the critical problem of climate change. Plants already take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere; we just need to help them adapt to storing the CO2 in a more stable form. With support from the Audacious Project at TED, she and her Salk colleagues are taking on this challenge in a project she sees as the culmination of her career. Chory is excited to take one more step into the unknown, with a chance to change our planet's future.
Joanne Chory | Speaker | TED.com