In her talk, Ami Vitale tells us how a charismatic bear and China's resolve to save it could save us all.

Ami Vitale has lived in mud huts and war zones, contracted malaria, and donned a panda suit — all in keeping with her philosophy of “living the story.” Recently, she has turned her lens to documenting compelling wildlife stories. Her career has brought her face-to-face with violence and conflict, but also with surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit. Her work is exhibited around the world in museums, galleries and as part of numerous private collections. She has garnered prestigious awards including multiple prizes from World Press Photos, the International Photographer of the Year prize, the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding Reporting and named Magazine Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographer's Association, among others. She is a founding member of Ripple Effect Images, a collective of scientists, writers, photographers and filmmakers with a mission to create powerful stories illustrating the specific issues facing women in developing countries.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx