Effective Innovation: A Roadmap for Climate Tech Solutions

Written by Oliver Libby

The climate crisis looms as one of the most pressing challenges humanity has ever faced. Given the scope and urgency of this problem, it’s clear that the solutions to this crisis cannot be the sole province of any one nation, demographic, or group of individuals. Nor can we afford a single-minded pursuit of moonshot technologies that will deliver us all while requiring nothing from us in return to work their miracles. Instead, the path forward lies in embracing more clear-eyed approaches to innovation, informed by diverse perspectives and frictionless routes to adoption and scalability.

The Innovation Sweet Spot: Commercialization-Ready Solutions

The power of innovation is often portrayed as looking far into the future, envisioning solutions for 2030, 2040, or even 2050—the critical deadlines for achieving global climate goals. In the face of such intangible speculative technologies, many turn their focus to a scale that is easier to wrap one’s head around: local solutions.

If recent events, from horrific wildfires in Maui to bathwater temperatures off the coast of Florida, are any indication, evidence of climate change, no matter how severe or ubiquitous, will likely not be impetus enough for humanity to accept wholesale changes to our way of life. If we aren’t motivated to change at this point, we never will be. To effectively tackle climate change, we must put our efforts behind solutions that work within the confines of our existing lifestyles, without requiring radical shifts in behavior.?

The most impactful climate innovations exist in the realm between forward-looking aspirations and hyper-local responses. These innovations address large-scale challenges that are either ready for commercialization or are already in use at scale.

Consider Loliware, a company that is revolutionizing our approach to plastics by replacing them with seaweed-based alternatives. Born from the founder's intimate connection to the ocean of her native Hawaii, Loliware's solution is not only environmentally friendly but fits into existing industrial supply chains.?

Similarly, Sealed is transforming energy efficiency by providing updates for households across the nation and offering financing for these upgrades. These solutions seamlessly integrate into our existing systems, driving real change without requiring society to alter its fundamental way of life.

Federal Support and the Call for Action

Numerous commercialization-ready climate technology companies have recently received substantial support from various sources, including the federal government, non-dilutive grant funding, and foundations worldwide. The unprecedented legislative action of the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as numerous state and local initiatives aiming to stimulate green economies, are clear signals that the time for these solutions is now. It is incumbent upon us to act decisively and intentionally, by supporting solutions with the best paths to success.

Diversity in Innovation: The Inclusive Imperative

One of the fundamental truths we must recognize is that while climate change affects every community worldwide, it is underrepresented communities that often bear the brunt of its impacts. From the devastation wrought by storms to the insidious creep of rising temperatures, these communities are disproportionately affected.

Those communities are often underinsured, have greater rates of existing medical conditions, and include buildings and critical infrastructure that pale in comparison to wealthier communities. What’s more, the cost of many climate solutions prohibits these same communities from participating in and benefiting from their adoption. While the price of rooftop solar and energy efficiency retrofits has come down, they are still most often a luxury only affluent communities can afford.

There is, however, a proactive version of this narrative, where underrepresented groups play an important role in informing and implementing climate solutions. The Black community that lives in many of the most affected areas can provide an invaluable perspective on approaching these problems. Women make a large share of the buying decisions for households in America and around the world; their input is similarly crucial.

At the same time, the green economy workforce that we are growing to make homes and buildings more energy efficient must have diversity in it. There is a large number of folks from underrepresented communities who could benefit from this training and use it to build more sustainable and equitable communities. BlocPower is one company that is doing just this, partnering with city governments to train local workforces to electrify buildings in their neighborhoods, thereby improving their health, contributing to climate action, and stimulating the local economy.

When dealing with a human-scale problem like climate change, the solutions must have authenticity. This cannot be technological largesse bestowed by a rarefied group of founders and financers upon communities around the world. These solutions, when done properly, should look like the world, come from the world, and respond to the needs of people who live all around the world. When looking for climate solutions to place our bets on, we would do well to look to founders from communities of color and female founders. We must ensure that these voices are not only heard but actively engaged in shaping solutions.

A Roadmap for Climate Innovation

The climate crisis is a global challenge that will require humanity to tap its facility for innovation like never before. We have no shortage of ingenious solutions already available to us. The key lies in which of these and future solutions we put our efforts behind. Solving this crisis is not solely a task of imagination but of taking a pragmatic approach to adoption and an honest view of who will be most affected by this crisis and how they can contribute. We have the resources; now we must put them to proper use to forge a sustainable future that leaves no one behind.