In December 2019, TED announced a new climate change initiative called Countdown, with the help of YouTube, global leaders, and nonprofit environmental groups. The movement encourages anyone, anywhere to join the countdown, get their communities involved, and contribute ideas to combat the climate crisis. The initiative is guided by these five main topics: renewable energy, infrastructure, transportation, food, and restoring ecosystems.

TED Countdown uses Sharp Grotesk as a primary typeface for its identity, educational materials, social media graphics, and more. The logotype is set in all-caps, cut horizontally down the middle to reference flip clocks. The initiative will run for a year and culminate in a global summit in October 2020, bringing together cities, companies, schools and communities around the globe to share and discuss the responses generated throughout the movement. The best proposals could be put into motion with the help of businesses, policymakers, and celebrities supporting the initiative.

Client: TED Countdown
Typeface: Sharp Grotesk