Connecting expertise for climate innovation

The era of subtle interventions and one-off climate fixes is behind us. What we need now are bold, integrated solutions that address multiple challenges simultaneously. Seaweed—specifically, sargassum—is an interesting and not-so-obvious example of what I’m talking about. Algae blooms are surging as oceans warm. Caribbean sargassum hit a new record in 2022, up 20% from 2018. When rafts of sargassum reach the shore, they harm aquatic ecosystems by reducing dissolved oxygen, blocking sunlight needed for photosynthesis in corals and grasses, and elevating water temperatures. But here’s where perspective matters: sargassum inundation isn’t just an ecological problem—it’s an emerging, multi-sector opportunity. 🔬 At the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, R&D is underway to convert sargassum into renewable biofuels, including jet fuel that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90%. 🐄 Researchers at Penn State University are exploring how sargassum can be used as a livestock feed additive to reduce methane emissions. Other studies have also shown promising results for its use in poultry feed and aquaculture. Desalinating it is a hurdle, but innovators like Phyto Corporation are already pioneering techniques with other salt-tolerant crops that could potentially be adapted to sargassum. This is what climate leadership looks like: connected thinking, integrated action, and solutions that cross sectors. Sargassum inundation isn’t just a symptom—it’s a signal. It shows us that complex problems require multifaceted, systems-level answers. In a world of converging climate crises, it's crucial to connect the dots and turn today’s threats into tomorrow’s solutions. Let’s reframe what’s possible: climate solutions can be systemic, scalable, and profitable. But only if we lead boldly and think holistically. #Innovation #Sustainability #ClimateAction #GreenInnovation #RenewableEnergy #TechForGood

Most of the advice for breaking into a climate career is now dangerously out of date. For years, the playbook has been singular: learn about solar, wind and EVs. That advice just became a fraction of the story. Last week, the Australian Government released two landmark documents: the National Climate Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Plan. More than simply policy papers, they are a formal declaration that a second, parallel climate economy is here. The '𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆'. Backed by a A$9 billion commitment, the focus is no longer just on preventing future change. It’s on managing the reality that’s already here. The Risk Assessment provides the sobering 'why', confirming in stark detail the cascading impacts on our infrastructure, economy and communities. The Adaptation Plan provides the 'how', like investing in nature-based solutions such as the mangrove ecosystems that protect our coastlines (pictured). It creates a vast new frontier for career-transitioners. And it’s already the lived reality of the professionals building this new economy, many of whom are members of our Climate Crew community. It requires the urban planning skills of leaders like Roland Chanin-Morris of Ramboll, who is designing our future resilient cities. But physical assets are only half the picture. True resilience is built at the community level, which is why the strategic engagement work of founders like Nicole Dennis of Cobalt Engagement – leading those complex on-the-ground conversations – is now an essential service. This new reality also demands a new kind of strategist. People like Josue Castro of BWD Strategic, who has pivoted his high-level government experience to help organisations navigate climate risk, and systems thinkers like Oliver Dykes at Deloitte, who redesign entire organisations for a resilient future. Underpinning it all is a revolution in finance, driven by innovators like Renate Crollini of Adaluma Tech, who is building the tools to embed risk into capital decisions, guided by the global expertise of policy architects like Linda Romanovska of Melomys Advisory, who co-authors the international frameworks that make this possible. If you are a career seeker, I encourage you to connect with the people whose work you find most relevant. This is what Climate Crew is for: to make the connections that build the future. The message is clear. We don't 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 need renewable energy engineers. We need builders, planners, financiers and organisers. Your skills are now climate skills. The opportunity to find your life's work in climate has never been greater. #ClimateCareers #ClimateAdaptation #GreenJobs #ClimateAction #CareerTransition #NationalAdaptationPlan #WorkOnClimate Image: Mangroves in Woy Woy, NSW. Sourced from the National Adaptation Plan (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water). © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.

I've spent the past two years researching climate innovation inside companies. Trying to understand how companies can move past easy wins and not just wait around for climate tech to be available. And I'm thrilled to finally share my findings publicly. 🙌 The biggest takeaway: Climate innovation is corporate innovation. 🛠️ Climate innovation requires the same conditions and resources as corporate innovation to flourish: commitment from leadership, culture of risk-taking, and resources dedicated to exploration 🧗 Sustained, incremental improvements that align with existing business context outlast the disruptive, high-profile breakthroughs. Incremental advancements more smoothly integrate into business-as-usual, which makes them more likely to stay embedded 👷 Staff that are passionate about sustainability but don't have it in their title are one of the most impactful solutions to find new climate solutions. But they must have the support and resources to identify and act on new ideas. 🤝 Climate innovation can't be done in a vacuum, companies need to actively engage the larger climate innovation ecosystem. Each part of the ecosystem (government, universities, investors, startups, etc.) plays a critical role to de-risk and speed up new climate solutions - for companies it's around demand signaling and catalyzing innovators. I'm excited to share the full framework that identifies the key levers that companies can utilize to unlock climate innovation, with a real-world example for each. You can access the report and framework here: https://lnkd.in/esVc8Ykr If you're actively working on this topic or trying to advance climate innovation within a company, DM me. And please share any other corporate climate innovation resources in the comments.

Nobody Tells You This About Breaking Into Climate Policy & Global Advocacy – An African Perspective You work hard. Attend the conferences. Build experience. Yet somehow, it still feels like you’re on the outside looking in. Because in climate policy, expertise alone isn’t enough. This space runs on unspoken rules that no one warns you about. If you’re a young African passionate about climate action, here’s what I have learned along the way: Your voice matters more than your title. I have been in rooms with world leaders and policymakers. The ones who make an impact aren’t always the most senior, they’re the ones who ask the right questions and bring fresh ideas. In Africa, where young people are often told to “wait their turn,” this is even more important. Speak up. Your solutions matter. Most opportunities don’t come from applications—they come from action. Some of my biggest breaks didn’t come from filling out forms. They came from showing up, taking initiative, and proving my value before anyone asked. In places like Zambia, where formal opportunities can be limited, create your own. Volunteer. Start something. Visibility isn’t bragging—it’s how change happens. You can lead groundbreaking projects, but if no one knows about them, they won’t open doors. Document your journey, share your insights, and tell your story. If we don’t showcase African climate leadership, who will? Adaptability is more valuable than expertise. Policies shift. Funding changes. Crises emerge. The people who thrive in climate advocacy are those who can pivot, learn, and respond quickly. Africa is on the frontlines of climate change—resilience and innovation are our superpowers. Stop waiting for permission. There’s no “perfect moment” to start. If you have an idea or a perspective that needs to be heard—put it out there. Want to break into this space? Here are some opportunities to explore: 📌 Global Climate Fellowships – Programs designed to equip young leaders with the tools to shape policy and drive climate action. https://lnkd.in/g5qqTZXi) 📌 International Climate Conferences – If you want to influence global policy, you need to be where decisions happen. https://lnkd.in/g-KGP9qi 📌 ImpactShip – A curated list of funding, fellowships, and climate leadership opportunities straight to your inbox. Sign up here https://lnkd.in/gs_BsZSA) Africa has the solutions the world needs. It’s time we take our place at the table. 🌍✨ #ClimateAction #AfricaLeads #ClimatePolicy #YouthInLeadership #ClimateAdvocacy hi

Wider markets have long considered quantum technology as speculative sci-fi tech, but it's already solving big problems in the climate solutions space. Innosphere recently partnered with the Partnership for Strategic Futures to better understand how these two domains connect. We looked more closely at six major verticals where the connection is already active: environmental monitoring, energy innovation, disaster response, agriculture, carbon management, and water systems. Across each one, we found quantum LiDAR, gravity sensors, spectroscopy, and smart grid tech already in  Use. We also saw the climate/quantum overlap happening right here in Colorado: 🔬 LongPath Technologies, Inc. is using quantum-frequency lasers to detect methane leaks with high sensitivity. 🌍 AOSense, Inc is developing quantum sensors for climate monitoring and Earth observation. ⚡Infleqtion is building quantum-enhanced grid systems to strengthen energy resilience. Beyond use cases, these sectors share common structural needs. Both rely on technical founders. Both require federal and R&D funding to gain traction. Both depend on specialized capital and long commercialization timelines, and both need support systems that can help translate science into deployable solutions. There’s a real opportunity here for leaders across climate and quantum to work more closely. By coordinating around shared infrastructure and commercialization strategy, we can help both ecosystems grow faster and solve more complex problems in the process.