The first short excerpt is from Mark's Speech at the October 2014 TED Global conference in RiodeJaneiro, Brazil in which he addresses how indigenous cultures, isolated and uncontacted tribes, are disappearing - they are the most endangered species in the Amazon Rainforest, not the jaguar nor the eagle. The second excerpt is from Mark's August 2006 speech as part of the Authors@Google series in which he emphasizes his view that protecting the earth is good for us spiritually.

• Published on Dec 1, 2014

Mark Plotkin visits Google to discuss his book, "Medicine Quest: In Search of Nature's Healing Secrets." This event took place on August 29, 2006, as part of the Authors@Google series. Uploaded on Apr 24, 2007

Dr. Plotkin's latest book, is available from Amazon by clicking on the image or visit your local bookstore. Thank you.

"The greatest and most endangered species in the Amazon rainforest is not the jaguar or the harpy eagle," says Mark Plotkin, "It's the isolated and uncontacted tribes." In an energetic and sobering talk, the ethnobotanist brings us into the world of the forest's indigenous tribes and the incredible medicinal plants that their shamans use to heal. He outlines the challenges and perils that are endangering them — and their wisdom — and urges us to protect this irreplaceable repository of knowledge. Published on Nov 24, 2014

EDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.
Find closed captions and translated subtitles in many languages at http://www.ted.com/translate