Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we dive into a fascinating intersection of science, technology, and the future of carbon-free chemicals and fuels - all through the power of light. Our host, Lisa Ann Pinkerton, is joined by Trevor Best, CEO and co-founder of Syzygy Plasmonics. Trevor explains how Syzygy is revolutionizing the chemical manufacturing industry by eliminating combustion—a process that contributes over two gigatons of CO2 annually. By using a groundbreaking technology ...
Aug 13, 2024•40 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s Tech Spotlight, we feature a company that says the fastest way to get carbon out of aviation isn't electric or hydrogen, but instead hybrids, similar to how hybrid cars were a precursor to electric cars. Our host Lisa Ann is joined by Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of Ampaire, a leader in developing hybrid electric propulsion for aircraft designed specifically to reduce emissions, noise, and operational costs. Prior to founding the company, Kevin held various...
Aug 08, 2024•29 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! We’re continuing our summer scheduling with another Earthlings 2.0 rerun! With the Paris 2024 Olympic games currently underway, we thought of revisiting our conversation with Gene Gebolys, founder and CEO of World Energies. As the world gathers for this grand event, the carbon footprint associated with air travel becomes a significant concern. This episode discusses the nuances of sustainable aviation, from fuel performance to the tokenization of emission reductions, and how th...
Aug 01, 2024•36 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we dive deep into one of the most carbon-intensive industries on the planet: cement production. Cement is a crucial component of concrete, the second most consumed material on Earth after water, and its production accounts for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions. Our host Lisa Ann is joined by Ryan Gilliam, CEO and co-founder of Fortera, a company at the forefront of the green cement revolution. Ryan shares his journey from a PhD in fuel cell des...
Jul 23, 2024•36 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! We’re continuing our summer scheduling with another Earthlings 2.0 rerun: Mast Reforestation with Grant Canary , the visionary CEO behind Mast Reforestation. As of this week, over 1.6 million hectares of forest around the world has been lost to wildfires– and that’s just in 2024 alone! We need these forests to regrow if we want any hope of turning back the worst effects of climate change and that’s why we’re revisiting our conversation with Grant surrounding new technologies an...
Jul 16, 2024•34 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we once again dive into the pressing issue of food waste, a problem that results in the loss of nearly 50% of produce before it even reaches our plates. We explore how an innovative solution from RYP Labs, co-founded by Moody Soliman, is using biomimicry to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Moody shares insights into how their bioactive, plant-based stickers mimic natural processes to keep produce fresh longer, reducing waste and helping to...
Jul 09, 2024•30 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! For this week’s episode, we’re continuing our summer schedule where we’ll be posting a rerun of a relevant episode every other week. National Eat Your Beans Day falls on July 3rd this year, so we hope you consider the simple legume in your summer menus: beans! Here’s an amazing recipe that’s always a hit as a side to any summer BBQ: Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad from NYTimes Cooking . In this episode, our host Lisa Ann Pinkerton (CEO of Technica Communications ), and guest...
Jul 02, 2024•28 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! For this week’s episode, we’re continuing our summer schedule where we’ll be posting a rerun of a relevant episode every other week. The Earthlings 2.0 team have been dreaming about spending our summers lounging on a quiet, peaceful deck, drinking Mai Tais under a clear sunny, blue sky ever since we heard this episode: Sailing the Silent Seas! In this exciting episode, we set sail into the transformative waters of the marine transport sector, navigating the currents of ch...
Jun 25, 2024•37 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! For this week’s episode, we talk with Kira Dineen, host of the award-winning podcast DNA Today, who sheds light on the incredible advancements in genetic research. From personalized medicines tailored to your genome to the ethical dilemmas of embryo selection in IVF, Kira provides a comprehensive look into the future of healthcare. Join us as we discuss the implications of CRISPR technology, the promise of precision medicine, and the potential of whole genome sequencing. We als...
Jun 18, 2024•40 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! For this week’s episode, we’re starting our summer schedule where we’ll be posting a rerun of a relevant episode every other week. We’re starting our summer schedule off with a very timely episode we did with Steve Boyle of Rubicon Carbon back in 2023. Once again, carbon credits are back in the hot seat after The Biden Administration issued recommended guidelines for increased participation and credibility within the credits system. Listen to learn about the complicated puzzle ...
Jun 11, 2024•33 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast Greetings In this week’s episode, our away mission takes us underground to explore mushrooms, the most widely distributed organisms on our planet. Without them, life on Earth might not have occurred. Terence McKenna even suggested that mushrooms might have originated in space due to their spores' resilience. If you listened to our 2022 episode, " The Psychedelic Therapist Will See You Now ," you know I'm interested in psychedelics' impact on mental health. Beyond this, mushrooms can slow cancer ...
Jun 05, 2024•42 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this eye-opening episode of Earthlings 2.0, we sit down with Josh Tetrick, CEO of GOOD Meat, to explore the revolutionary world of cultivated meat. Discover how a single cell can transform into billions of pounds of meat without the need for traditional animal farming. Josh delves into the ethical and environmental implications of our current food system, highlighting the potential of cultivated meat to create a kinder, more sustainable future. Learn about the groundbr...
May 29, 2024•34 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we delve into the complexities of making sustainable choices in today's consumer landscape. Joining us today is Medea Giordano, a dedicated gear writer for WIRED magazine. Medea shares her expertise on sustainable consumer products, from recycled clothing to eco-friendly home goods. Together, Lisa Ann and Medea explore the pitfalls of online shopping, the scarcity of sustainable products on store shelves, and the importance of trustworthy product r...
May 21, 2024•40 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this episode, we dive into an inspiring story of renewable energy success. Our guest is Julian Spector, a senior reporter at Canary Media, who was the first to report on Portugal’s remarkable achievement of powering its grid with 100% renewable energy for six consecutive days. We discuss how Portugal, despite not having easy access to geothermal or extensive hydro resources, managed to achieve this milestone and what lessons other countries can learn from their experience. L...
May 15, 2024•35 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! This week we delve into the transformative potential of e-fuels in achieving a carbon-neutral future. Our guest, Tim Boeltken from Ineratec , discusses how synthesizing fuels from green hydrogen and captured CO2 can leverage existing infrastructure and vehicles, providing a practical path away from fossil fuels without waiting for newer technologies to mature. Explore how e-fuels, produced through innovative modular chemical plants, offer a scalable solution that could democrat...
May 07, 2024•40 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! On this week’s episode, we explore the transformative potential of hyperspectral imaging technology, a tool that was once exclusive to space agencies like NASA but has recently become accessible for commercial use. Join our host Lisa Ann, as she delves into the myriad applications of this advanced imaging technique that captures data across the electromagnetic spectrum to reveal the unseen details of our planet. Our expert guest, Max Joshua, provides a deep dive into how hypers...
May 01, 2024•38 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast Hello, Earthlings! In today’s episode, we focus on the new technology set to redefine our energy landscape. We’re speaking about the potential energy of the future: Hydrogen! We met Max Accordino, Head of Business Development at Horizon Educational. We discuss the need to educate the younger generation about the value of hydrogen energy through educational play! According to some scientific studies, learning a new skill or concept can take as many as 400 repetitions to create new neural sy...
Apr 23, 2024•34 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! This week we’re celebrating Earth Day by delving deep into the pervasive issue of plastic pollution, a subject that touches on the health of our planet and ourselves. Our guest, Aidan Charron, the Director of End Plastic Initiatives at Earthday.org, shares his journey from witnessing the impact of plastic on the beaches of North Carolina to spearheading efforts to combat plastic pollution globally. Aidan and our host, Lisa Ann, explore the daunting realities of microplastics an...
Apr 16, 2024•43 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode of "Earthlings 2.0," Lisa Ann talks to guest Joseph Pratt, CEO and CTO of Zero Emission Industries, on the potential of hydrogen fuel cells in decarbonizing the maritime industry. The episode delves into the groundbreaking work of Zero Emissions Industries and the positive findings that herald the viability of hydrogen as a sustainable power source for commercial vessels. Pratt shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of implementing hydrogen...
Apr 09, 2024•42 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, Lisa Ann Pinkerton delves into an innovative solution addressing the global housing crisis without exacerbating our climate emergency with Plantd. With the collective future of 3 billion Earthlings at stake by 2030, the episode navigates the pressing need for sustainable construction methods that align with our carbon budget. In an era where traditional building materials contribute significantly to carbon emissions, this episode spotlights Pl...
Apr 02, 2024•37 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this electrifying episode of Earthlings 2.0, host Lisa Ann Pinkerton and expert guest, Sarah Minczeski Delisle, VP of Government Affairs and Communications at Swell Energy, dives deep into how Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) are becoming the unsung heroes in the transition to renewable energy. These systems are not only changing the way we think about energy generation and distribution but are also empowering communities worldwide to contribute to a more reliable and envir...
Mar 26, 2024•33 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, our host Lisa Ann Pinkerton (CEO of Technica Communications ),, delves into the indispensable yet underappreciated role of rectifiers in the green hydrogen economy with guest Bryan Allen, Director of Hydrogen and Energy Storage at DynaPower . Together they explore how rectifiers, devices converting AC to DC, are pivotal in hydrogen production systems, particularly in green applications involving renewable energy sources like solar. Allen, with over two d...
Mar 20, 2024•22 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the enchanting world of waste with our host, Lisa Ann and the dynamic duo behind the Trash Magic! Podcast, Oakley Jennings-Fast and Sara Eve Fuentes. Sara and Oakley share the origins of the Trash Magic! Podcast, unravel the complex relationship we have with trash, and challenge the prevailing norms around waste disposal and recycling. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the vital topic of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), unr...
Mar 13, 2024•39 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Philipp Ruez, Head of Sales for Industrial Applications at EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, and our host, Lisa Ann Pinkerton, to delve into the transformative world of hydrogen fuel cells. They discuss the basic principles of how fuel cells generate power to their significant impact on decarbonizing heavy industries, Phillip shares his insights on the technology that might just be our planet's green savior. Discover why fuel cells, pro...
Mar 06, 2024•29 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this exciting episode, we set sail into the transformative waters of the marine transport sector, navigating the currents of change towards a sustainable future with zero-emission yachting at the helm. Our guide through this voyage is none other than Michael Köhler, CEO of Silent Yachts , and a visionary who has been steering the solar-powered yacht movement since 2009. His vision was clear: to navigate the world's waters with minimal environmental impact, harnessing the pow...
Feb 28, 2024•44 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back, Earthlings, to another electrifying episode where we shine a light on the innovations set to redefine our energy landscape. Today, we're diving into a breakthrough poised to crack the code of the clean energy future: thermal batteries. We talk with Asegun Henry, founder and chief technology officer of Fourth Power, who sheds light on the inception, development, and future aspirations of thermal battery technology. We discuss the innovation's foundational principles, its advantages ...
Feb 21, 2024•37 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast In this enlightening episode, we delve into the pervasive and concerning issue of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination with Nigel Sharp, the forward-thinking founder of Aquagga . PFAS, often referred to as the "forever chemicals," pose a significant challenge to water quality and environmental safety worldwide. Nigel shares his journey of discovery, the impact of PFAS, and the innovative efforts his company is making to not just remove, but destroy these persistent contaminan...
Feb 13, 2024•30 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, join us as Karin Calvinho, co-founder and CTO of RenewCO₂ , takes us through her journey from witnessing the environmental impacts of Brazil's petrochemical industry to leading the charge at RenewCO₂. Her story, marked by firsthand experiences with pollution and oil spills, fuels her commitment to sustainable chemistry. Alongside host Lisa Ann, Karin dives into how her company transforms CO₂ emissions into eco-friendly plastics, leveraging renewabl...
Feb 06, 2024•34 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this episode, our hosts Lisa Ann, and our guest Gene Gebolys (CEO and Founder of World Energy), take to the skies in discussing Sustainable Aviation Fuels or SAFs. SAFs are becoming more necessary year by year as the fight to combat climate change intensifies. Gene shares enlightening insights on the evolving SAF market and the company's groundbreaking transatlantic flight. We discuss the nuances of sustainable aviation, from fuel performance to the tokenization of emission ...
Jan 30, 2024•34 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this thought-provoking episode, our hosts Lisa Ann and our guest Timothy Papandreou , the CEO of Emerging Transport Advisors (ETA), dive into the transformative world of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. They discuss the potential global impact, current advancements, and the ethical and societal implications of this rapidly evolving technology. Embracing the potential of technology, Timothy sheds light on the often-debated benefits of AVs, despite their inherent risks, emp...
Jan 23, 2024•39 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast 
