Dr. Ron Chandler's talk "The Role of Human Dignity in Sustainability" is about the centrality of human dignity in sustainability. With stories from the field, he presents examples of how selfish misguided efforts to bolster dignity actually destroy it, but actions to help others and to protect the land in which they live successfully improves the dignity of all. Dr. Ron Chandler is currently an Assistant Instructional Professor for UF Department of Psychology and the department’s Undergraduate Coordinator. He has Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin State University in Aquatic Biology and Wildlife Science, a Master of Science in Limnology and Aquatic Chemistry from Texas State University, and a PhD in Educational Psychology from Walden University. He teaches classes in the Psychology of Sustainability, Social Psychology, and Positive Psychology. Ron is also cofounder and president of Conservation Initiative for the Asian Elephant (CIFAE) a 501 (c)3 (2000). CIFAE’s mission is to “identify issues of critical importance to the sustainability of the Asian elephant and the peoples sharing its habitat.” 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