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.
Nora Demers:
Sep 04, 2019 at 09:11 AM
This is awful!
Is there any way to keep TEDX going?
Has another group taken up the flag?
Will the website remain active?
Beverley Thorpe:
Sep 03, 2019 at 01:22 PM
I was so saddened by this news. TEDX is a much needed resource particularly as the health issues and biodiversity threat of EDCs continues to build. Theo was one of my most important mentors when we at Greenpeace were campaigning to phase out organochlorines in the late 1980s working to highlight the dioxin connection, toxic lifecycle of PVC and more. the massive increase in awareness of hormone disruption in Great Lakes ecosystems and humans in general was a big motivator for our campaigning message. When Our Stolen Future became translated many international Greenpeace offices even had press conferences to announce why she and her work were so crucial. Today, we understand more about EDCs thanks to TEDX and the fantastic work of Carol and others. I hope we can continue to move this work forward - as we must. Much respect to you all. Bev
natacha Cingotti:
Sep 02, 2019 at 10:44 AM
Reading about TEDX closing its doors in November this year has been the most heartbreaking piece of news of the year and a huge loss for the public health movement working to improve the identification and regulation, and eventual reduction of endocrine disruptors in people's daily lives. Over the years, data and research provided by the TEDX colleagues have been of invaluable help in our advocacy work (including early warning and highly technical discussions with regulatory agencies and governments) as well as for public awareness purpose. I truly hope that this will only be a temporary goodbye and there will be some ways to keep the essential work done so far alive and kicking, albeit under new forms. Thank you TEDX colleagues for inspiring us and leading the way!
Leif Magnuson:
Sep 01, 2019 at 06:07 PM
Oh my. I hope your mission can be preserved in this form or another. Why are you leaving? Where will your contributions and data live on? Where were you able to make the greatest difference and who will fill that role?
Nina L Dunbar:
Aug 30, 2019 at 08:38 PM
Thank you and congratulations to all of the brave and bold women of TEDX. TEDX's founder, Theo Colborn was an original thinker and passionate scientist. Her successor, Carol Kwiatkowski remained true to Theo's vision while taking this small but mighty organization into a much broader arena, synthesizing critical research for use across disciplines and media platforms. May TEDX's vision and legacy continue with each of us.
Olive Kaiser:
Aug 29, 2019 at 11:53 PM
Oh I'm so sorry to hear this. I just linked some of your information on to my website and was so happy to have it. Now more than ever we need this information.
Martin Mulvihill:
Aug 29, 2019 at 07:27 PM
Thank you to TEDX and all who have been involved with building this vital organization through the years.
TEDX has been one of the most influential drivers for the dissemination and advancement of the science of endocrine disruption. Through the hard work of its staff and supporters they have left a lasting impression on scientists and advocates alike. Endocrine disruption and endocrine disrupting chemicals have become a central issue in the fight for safer chemistry and consumer products. This would not have been possible without the foundational work of TEDX.
As a chemist by training, TEDX was one of the first places I was able to find more information and science concerning endocrine disruption. The database of EDC chemicals became my go-to reference and something that I shared with many students and entrepreneurs in the years since first visiting the website.
It is sad to see TEDX close, but I take comfort in the lasting impact that they have had in bringing EDC to the forefront of the Environmental Health movement.
Gottfried Arnold:
Aug 29, 2019 at 03:45 PM
I am so sorry that you have to stop. Thank you very much for giving so much good information: you were the best source to get into the basics of EDCs and the most reliable information on this important theme.
Thank You so much by a German pediatrician!
Gottfried Arnold
Roy Ozanne:
Aug 29, 2019 at 02:02 PM
Oh Dear God, Bless TEDX, its staff and all the work do
This news has brought up my grief over Theo's departure from this earth. I cannot think clearly about TEDX until I share some of my feelings about Theo.
We are all special in this creation, but how especially special she was!!
Sharp!! Intellect like a razor. She could see into things in an instant. No compromising the truth, even when it hurt. But she was also so tender hearted and caring inside. She cared about everyone she knew.
She loved God's creation and knew every flower, every bird, every insect. She loved life, not the high life, but the life God gives to all. For her, GOD was a short spelling of GOOD. She did her most GOOD in everything she did, except in grammar and spelling of her emails. She knew the value of things and perfectly typed emails was not high on her list.
How did one frail sheep farmer/pharmacist accomplish so much??? How can I ever thank her enough??
How can Ecclesiastes be so true that all good things will pass away as well as all wicked things?
The "things" do pass on, yet the Spirit of Good, of Theo(means God, yes?), lives on and may it continue to inspire us to greater good!!
May God watch over TEDX and all its people. Blessings to all!!
With greatest respect for Theo and all of you at TEDX. Theo was never a quitter and I am sure you will not be either!! Onward!! There is so much GOOD to do.
My apologies for rambling on. My tears cloud my mind.
Roy
Clark Rhoades:
Aug 29, 2019 at 12:05 PM
Theo and TEDX were invaluable in fighting fracking in NYS. All of humanity is grateful for the information published as it was the only place devoted to publishing endocrine disruptors information.
Thanks for all your effort and hopefully you will continue this important work.
Clark
Loreen Hackett:
Aug 29, 2019 at 11:09 AM
SO many of us will truly miss the incredible work and information you have provided over the years. You have offered some of the most informative talks and webinars I've ever taken, especially regarding learning of EDCs and the effects of PFAS. I sincerely hope you secure funding to continue to share the invaluable information you have provided. It has helped more than you know, and we are ever grateful. I wish you much success in future endeavors.
ML Ballweg:
Aug 29, 2019 at 09:49 AM
Theo and all of you have been such a blessing! Best wishes and may the important work continue.
James Herman:
Aug 29, 2019 at 08:58 AM
I inadvertently happened to sit next to Dr. Theo Colborn at a symposium at Cooper Union in Manhattan New York. The work she had implemented through TEDX had enabled me to produce a fact based visual presentation to our Otsego New York County Board back in the days before NY State banned hydraulic fracturing. I was able to thank her in person at the symposium. A few years after this she passed away. I am grateful to all of you for continuing her work. The resources TEDX provides are essential to those of us involved in bringing scientific fact based information to local politics.
Joan Baur:
Aug 29, 2019 at 07:18 AM
Your work is essentiel. There should be more of it not less. Unfortunately it seems to be getting more and more difficult to disseminate vital information to the general public no matter what one does. I wish you the best in whatever you do. You truly helped us in France to protect our area between the Cevenne mountains and the Mediterranean from gas fracking. All the permits for it here have been annulled.
Cathe' Fish:
Aug 29, 2019 at 12:55 AM
Theo and All,
Thank you for all you have done. Your book Our Stolen Future woke me up twenty years ago to what was going on with our food and chemicals. I have become a local clean food activist since then.
Sridhar:
Aug 28, 2019 at 11:25 PM
Sorry to know of it’s imminent shutdown
Hoping it serves as a legacy for something else to carry it on
All good things must come to an end; but this wasn’t just good, it was better
All the best and thanks for the journey together
Ahmad Mahdavi:
Aug 28, 2019 at 10:50 PM
It is an excellent site of information, unfortunately I discovered it late last year and hopefully that it remains to be active considering the threats of toxic exposure.
Terry Collins:
Aug 28, 2019 at 08:07 PM
I am really sorry to see TEDX go!
This very small, but incredibly potent nonprofit brought vital insight into the other great existential threat facing mankind, the low dose/concentration adverse effects of everyday-everywhere chemicals where endocrine disruption is the mechanism we know most about.
Humanity hardly knows it—life itself can't know what is happening to it—but the TEDX people where on guard trying to steer our civilization toward a good future for all life. And the team made epic contributions. To lose you when we know such trends are in play as Western Man being on track to be mostly infertile by 2040 is sad indeed.
Perhaps the day will come when the heroines, and heroes, of sustainability, like yourselves, have an easier time of carrying out their vital work.
My deepest thanks, intellectual affection and very best to all of you as you find other positions.
Terry
Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry and
Director of the Institute for Green Science
Carnegie Mellon University
K. Shimberg:
Aug 28, 2019 at 07:21 PM
So sad to see TEDX forced to close down your valuable work and information-sharing, all of which has helped so many of us in our own communities' continuing work to understand, and convince decision-makers to heed, the interrelated workings of Nature, both subtle and obvious! Glad that you can continue the website for awhile longer, and hope that in the meantime a few sponsoring/funding "angels" might appear to revive your continuing research and info-disseminating work. Keep Theo from turning over in her grave, before we all join her there as every living being's health, well-being, and peace of mind continue to be undermined by uncaring excessive-profit-motivated fellow inhabitants of our only environmental home!
Steven Gilbert:
Aug 28, 2019 at 05:13 PM
Dear TEDX team,
I am very sorry to hear the news that the TEDX website is shutting down but not surprised. I shut down Toxipedia for much the same reason - lack of funding. These resources are so valuable - how do we keep them funded and relevant?
Onward -- Steve
INND
Evelyn Hess:
Aug 28, 2019 at 05:07 PM
So very sorry to hear this news. I wish all of you the best and dearly hope you will be able to continue this important work, if in a different venue.
Thank you and good luck!
Mary Jensen:
Aug 28, 2019 at 04:42 PM
Standing ovation for your work. Have you considered making your research summaries, etc available on a thumb drive? Could go to libraries, and other interested sites like GreenMed who are interested in keeping the public informed... Bravo to you.
J. J. Delfino:
Aug 28, 2019 at 04:10 PM
My students and my course materials have been very well informed, starting with Our Stolen Future and continuing until now. Thank you TEDX which I coincidentally mentioned again today in class as a continuing source of information. And thank you Theo and team for motivation and vision. I introduced Theo to a number of my students at a conference in Vail some years ago and to this day, the mention of that experience re-ignites excitement as a highlight in the early stages of their careers.
Heather Cantino:
Aug 28, 2019 at 02:57 PM
Your contributions to the scientific and advocacy communities with rigorous and essential science have been invaluable. Thank you for all your work and for your ongoing efforts now to ensure that your work will continue via other organizations and your online presence. With sadness and much appreciation, Heather Cantino, Athens County's Future Action Network, aka Athens County (OH) Fracking Action Network, acfan.org
Valerie Brown:
Aug 28, 2019 at 02:44 PM
So sorry to hear this news. But the work you have done is monumental and will serve as the foundation of future work by others. It's a great legacy.
Amit Rosner:
Aug 28, 2019 at 02:33 PM
Dear TEDX team, thank you for your immense contribution. I am sure the TEDX team members will continue to work for a safer world - good luck to you all in your next endeavors. On a personal note, your scientific work has greatly inspired me in developing Clearya as practical tool for raising awareness of endocrine disruptors in daily products. I am grateful for that.
Amit Rosner
https://www.Clearya.com
Caroline Cox:
Aug 28, 2019 at 02:17 PM
Your resources have been a critical part of so many of my projects. You have completed a body of work that will sustain the field of endocrine disruption for years to come. Thanks for everything.
Mary Ann Ottinger:
Aug 28, 2019 at 01:39 PM
Thank you for an outstanding contribution to the field for many years. Theo was very proud of you and I hope that all of you continue to work to inform researchers and the public about the impacts of endocrine disruptors on human and wildlife health. My best wishes, Mary Ann
Indira Nair:
Aug 28, 2019 at 01:36 PM
TEDX has been so important in my education and my students' as you kept us informed and educated. "Stolen Future" was a staple of my course on emerging environmental issues; and TEDX was a great source to update students, and offer them challenging questions.
You have such a wonderful staff. THANK YOU for this incredible service!
Jim Emberger:
Aug 28, 2019 at 01:25 PM
It has been almost ten years since I first contacted Dr. Colborn for information on the effects of the chemicals associated with shale gas development. I cannot imagine a more gracious and helpful person. We used the information from TEDX for education, and for testimony to our provincial commission on hydrofracking (New Brunswick, Canada.)
After Theo's passing, we filed suit against our government and once again TEDX's research was featured, and Dr. Kwiatkowski , also gracious and helpful, agreed to be an expert witness for us.
Fortunately, before going to trial, the government declared a moratorium. Now, however, a new government threatens to lift it, so I am really happy that your research and database will be preserved - both are invaluable. I will miss the webinars, but I wish all the staff and researchers the best of luck moving forward. Thanks for everything.
Jim Emberger, Spokesperson
New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance
Dr, Jude Todd:
Aug 28, 2019 at 01:18 PM
Oh! I am very sorry to see TEDX go. I became interested in endocrine disrupting chemicals several years ago, and you helped tremendously in my research efforts. But I certainly understand the struggle for funding in today's world where so many worthy causes need funding. Thank you for arranging to keep your website up. The information you have is a treasure.
With much gratitude,
Jude Todd, PhD
François Veillerette:
Aug 28, 2019 at 01:09 PM
I am the director of the french NGO Générations Futures. We work a lot on pesticides and ED chemicals. The fantastic work accomplished by TEDX hash been of paramount importance to us in the past years. We feel sad that you plan to sunset your organisation... However we hope that we'll find ways to collaborate on specific projects in the future , one way or another. With all our gratitude from Paris, France. François Veillerette.
Jennifer Sass:
Aug 28, 2019 at 01:01 PM
Dear TEDX, Thank you for all your work to raise all boats, make all of us smarter and more effective. Theo was well represented by all of you, and her impacts will continue through your continued work. I'll miss you, and look forward to joining forces in other ways in the future.
Daphne C. Mitchell:
Aug 28, 2019 at 12:58 PM
While I am not able to sustain TEDX financially, I have appreciated its work and have referred many lay friends to its resources. I hope the resources you have given us remain in the public domain.
Heather Patisaul:
Aug 27, 2019 at 07:37 PM
TEDX has been a part of my entire career. I first visited TEDX after meeting Theo at a AAAS meeting, and found the Critical Windows of Development database a powerfully useful tool as I was working on some of my first grants and projects. I've continued to use it as part of my Fetal Basis of Adult Disease class. Carol did a wonderful job of carrying on and nurturing Theo's vision and legacy. The systematic reviews Carol and her brilliant team led are a lasting legacy for the field, and will influence policy for years to come. I am sad to see TEDX go but so incredibly grateful to its terrific staff and supporters. it is a legacy and history to be proud of.
sharyle patton:
Aug 27, 2019 at 01:02 PM
TEDX has been the primary leader in educating academicians, researchers, health-based groups and decision-makers about EDCs and the erosion of human and ecosystem well being because of exposures to EDCs. TEDX has maintained a wise and nimble staff for sixteen years, and their depth of research and outreach capacity is going to be missed throughout the EDC research community.
TEDX has long guided the work of the Commonweal Biomonitoring Resource Center. I will miss TEDX's support and willingness to lend a hand whenever asked. TEDX programs will find homes in other entities,and we look forward to collaborations with you all in your future undertakings which will doubtlessly be as successful as TEDX has been in leading the field in EDC work.