Humans + Nature

Welcome to Climate Positive! If you are here to doom scroll, the door is down the hall to the left. This newsletter pulls together top headlines supporting a narrative that climate action is actually happening and making a real difference.

And this week's issue is really exciting! I'm taking a look at innovations that are using the earth's own materials and processes to tackle climate change. From the ocean, to the dirt under our feet, to the everyday natural materials around us, innovators are implementing simple (dare I say common sense?) solutions to tackling the biggest climate challenges. In my opinion, in order to save the planet, we need to return back to it - which means tapping into the natural force of nature rather than fighting it (and STOP making more plastic). Super exciting if these solutions can be driven at scale.

Restoring the ocean to absorb more carbon emissions

According to this CNBC story , innovators are enhancing the ocean's capacity to absorb CO2 by restoring its chemistry, thereby increasing its ability to capture carbon. Ebb Carbon uses an electrochemical process to remove acid from seawater, allowing it to absorb more CO2 and store it as bicarbonate, and has raised $27.75 million in funding from investors like Prelude Ventures. Other key players include Running Tide , which uses kelp farming to sequester carbon, Captura , which filters CO2 directly from seawater, and Equatic , which also focuses on reducing ocean acidity to boost CO2 absorption. Ebb Carbon's technology is already being adopted by companies like Stripe for carbon offsetting, and the technology's costs are expected to decrease as it scales, leveraging existing coastal infrastructure.

Dirt-Powered Batteries to Fuel Farms

This one caught my attention because my son literally built one of these for his 5th grade science project (proof in photo below). At the time we brainstormed how silly it was that the world wasn't tapping into the incredible energy flowing under our feet. Excited to see this at scale!

UK startup Bactery is developing soil-powered batteries that harness the natural energy produced by bacteria in soil to provide a sustainable and cost-effective power source for farms. These batteries, based on ‘soil microbial fuel cells’ (SMFCs), capture energy from chemical reactions in soil-based microorganisms by using carbon-based electrodes to transfer electrons into an external circuit. This energy is then stored in a battery, which can last over 25 years with no maintenance and costs just $32 per unit. The batteries could revolutionize data-driven agriculture by powering sensors and devices without needing complex infrastructure like solar panels or single-use batteries. Bactery is led by Dr. Jakub Dziegielowski , who has spent four years refining the technology, and plans to begin small-scale production within the next year, aiming for commercial launch by 2026. The company’s innovations could significantly lower the barriers to sustainable farming practices, making agriculture more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Seaweed Plastic that Fits Any Plastic Manufacturing System

California-based startup Sway has developed a groundbreaking bio-based resin called Thermoplastic Seaweed resin, or TPSea, designed to replace petroleum-based plastic packaging. Made mostly from seaweed, TPSea is home compostable and seamlessly integrates with traditional plastic manufacturing systems. Sway has secured partnerships with plastic manufacturers and packaging distributors like EcoEnclose, allowing TPSea to reach thousands of brands. These partnerships could significantly impact the packaging industry, the largest generator of single-use plastic globally.

The startup recently raised $5 million in a seed round led by Third Nature Investments, with funds directed toward scaling production. The resin is already being tested by major brands like J.Crew and Burton for use in polybags and protective sleeves. Sway sources its seaweed from vetted ocean farms in emerging blue economy zones, which not only helps the environment but also supports sustainable farming communities.

Shrooms as Nature's Recyclers

And for one of my favorite startups -- maybe the inspiration for this entire newsletter today -- Mycocycle, a startup founded in 2018 by Joanne Rodriguez that uses fungi to revolutionize waste recycling. According to the article featuring them in The Cooldown, almost all plastics are made from dirty energy sources like oil and gas, and they are found just about everywhere, from food packaging to our clothing to building materials. Due to its overreaching use, the global plastics industry is worth $624 billion , according to Grand View Research. By harnessing the natural decomposing abilities of mushrooms, Mycocycle transforms construction waste and old tires into sustainable, plastic-like polymers. This innovative process not only reduces the amount of waste in landfills but also offers a renewable, bio-based alternative to traditional plastics. The company focuses on using white-rot mushrooms, which naturally break down materials without the need for genetic modification, creating fire- and water-resistant materials perfect for the building industry. Currently, Mycocycle is refining its process for recycling crumb rubber from old tires, a product the U.S. produces about 280 million of annually.

That's it for this week. Please do share any positive news/stories you see that would be a fit. The more positivity and awareness we can build around climate progress, the more action we can inspire through hope. Like and follow if you'd like to see more.

And if you'd like my team to help tell your positive climate story, ping me at [email protected]