Airplanes are a significant source of emissions and air pollution, but are increasingly critical to many of the functions of our everyday lives. This week, we spoke with Adam Cohen, a researcher from the UC Berkeley Institute of Transportation Studies, who studies Advanced Air Mobility – a set of policies and technologies that work to make air transport cleaner, more sustainable and more equitable.
Typical wind turbines, critical as they are to the renewable energy transition, are wasteful to produce and almost impossible to reuse. We spoke to Ryan Clarke, a materials scientist at Hexion Inc, about new turbines made out of recyclable resin, which not only utilize less energy in production, but also create less waste as they can be recycled.
How can we reimagine the construction industry to be more sustainable? Plantd, a company dedicated to developing sustainable construction materials, seeks to answer this question through developing a new form of wood materials. We spoke with Plantd CEO Nathan Silvernail about the company’s goals and achievements.
Water Batteries, or pumped storage hydropower, offer an innovative way to store and release energy during peak demand periods or when renewable sources are unavailable, ultimately reducing reliance on fossil fuels by enabling renewable energy to be used more efficiently. We spoke with Erik Steimle, the Chief Development Officer of Rye Development, about how pumped storage hydropower can help meet grid decarbonization goals.
As the effects of climate change are increasingly felt around the world, the need to incentivize communities to make lifestyle choices that limit its impact is more necessary than ever. This week, we spoke to Klean Energy Kulture co-founders Michael Hawthorne Jr. and Corey Dennard about using pop culture to raise awareness about climate change and promote sustainable practices.
As EV adoption increases, so does the need to charge them. We spoke with Tiya Gordon, co-founder of It’s Electric, to learn more about curbside charging and how it is an equitable solution towards promoting sustainable transportation through EVs.
Ammonia, vital for global agriculture, is traditionally produced with significant carbon emissions. Dr. Benjamin Snyder envisions farmers using solar power to create “green ammonia” on-site, reducing greenhouse gases and promoting self-sufficiency.
The “30 by 30” conservation movement aims to conserve 30 percent of the Earth’s land by 2030. California is among the first jurisdictions to implement a comprehensive 30 by 30 strategy and has invested $11 billion towards the effort. The movement focuses on protecting biodiversity, engaging local communities, and building resilient ecosystems, while also navigating challenges like land use conflicts and climate change adaptation.
Air travel accounts for about 2.5 percent of global carbon emissions. To reduce emissions from aviation, ZeroAvia is seeking to build the world’s first zero-emission passenger jet powered by hydrogen fuel, which offers three times more energy per kilogram than jet fuel and emits no toxic fumes when combusted. Hydrogen fuel’s higher energy density and capacity for consistent electrical power make it a promising potential energy source for aircraft.
Electric motorcycles and battery swap technology can improve livelihoods and reduce emissions in Africa and around the world. Ampersand, an African electric vehicle company, provides affordable electric motorcycles (called “e-motos”) in East Africa and operates a convenient battery swap system. These e-motos are replacing polluting gas motorcycles with a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative.