As the saying goes, time is running out. We all know we have a limited amount of time to achieve our climate goals. “Rapid closure“, But the changes being made are not dramatic enough. International efforts such as the Paris Agreement Slow takeoff Big companies aren’t listening Scientists’ call End unsustainable production.
Living in this reality can be not only frustrating but downright depressing, so you wouldn’t be blamed for wanting to look away and focus on what’s easier to control.
But as entrepreneurs, there is something we can do. Taking to the streets, volunteering and donating is still important, but putting our passion, energy, technical knowledge and creativity into developing innovative climate solutions is also a very valid form of climate action. Climate entrepreneurship is about rolling up your sleeves and creating practical, scalable solutions that make a real difference.
Today, climate technology is (thankfully) The fastest growing sector Entrepreneurship is thriving. Founders in this space have the potential to make a big impact, and naturally, they are attracting the keen eye of investors. It’s particularly exciting that climate tech is one of the few sectors that is garnering investor interest. Avoided capital reduction Since the pandemic began.
What’s even more encouraging is that you don’t need any specialized level of education or work experience to become a climate entrepreneur. All you need is passion, a problem to solve, and the dedication to bring it to market. Some inspiring examples include: Earth Awardis the world’s largest environmental sustainability competition for young people aged 13-19. These young people began their journey with only knowledge and ideas from a handful of academic disciplines. But the results are truly extraordinary. Flood forecasting technology, “Agripod” device To reduce fertilizer misuse, a unique Washing Machine Equipment We do a lot of things, including recycling 90% of our wastewater.
Sound interesting? Then this 3-step mini starter guide might get you started in the right direction.
Step 1: Learn
First, educate yourself on climate issues and find your area of ​​focus. Don’t worry if you’re not a climate scientist, just pick a few key resources and start absorbing knowledge from there. UNCC: Learn You can access our catalog of professional mini-courses and continue learning until you find a topic that interests you. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals This is a website where you can browse the 17 SDGs and find topics to explore further.
Or, if the never-ending list of global problems seems daunting, start by thinking local. What’s happening in your local community, region, or state? Are there annual floods, droughts, or problems with local crops? Issues that affect your local area can also affect the global community, meaning you can expand your concept to have a wider impact.
My goal here is to raise awareness of multiple issues and find a topic I’m passionate about. runner-up Team Ceres of the Earth Prize 2024 said: “Work on something that you are truly interested in. If you are passionate about finding a solution, your project and team will thrive.”
Questions to answer: What are the issues affecting your local or regional environment? What are your predictions for these challenges over the next 10-20 years and beyond? What is being done currently to address those challenges?
Step 2: Innovate, innovate, innovate
Climate tech is a very broad industry that encompasses everything from agricultural mobile apps to physical water filters. Innovative solutions can come in all shapes and sizes: software, hardware, services, products, etc. Within one environmental challenge, you can create any one of these or combine multiple solutions.
To spark your imagination and get your mind working, consider two very different solutions designed by teenagers participating in The Earth Prize.
- Pebbles: Orlando and Koza are based in the UK and brought their backgrounds in computer science, mathematics and physics to a product called Pebble. While looking at a software solution, they realised that pooling computers together to reduce energy consumption could potentially save billions of kWh per year, as well as reduce carbon emissions and consumption of rare metals. The result was a software-based solution – a high-tech product that scales.
- Mycoflow: British team MycoFlo is focusing on the issue of polluted water sources around Kenya’s Niger River Basin, aiming to improve living conditions for one million residents. The team’s name, Mycoflo, reflects both the fungal material “mycelium” and the river’s “flow.” The first element of this unique prototype is a smart sensor called MycoBot. This sensor is placed in the river water to detect the concentration of certain substances and measure them against online data sets. If unhealthy levels are detected, the next step is to bring in mycelium-based bags to filter the water.
These two examples show both physical products and software, but by no means the limit of what is possible. Areas of innovative growth today include electric vehicles (expanding electric vehicles around the world with easy-to-install chargers, batteries, etc.), carbon accounting software (millions of global businesses looking to measure and reduce their emissions), and carbon capture software (systems that track carbon shipping, or captured carbon). These ideas are just the beginning. The world is yours!
Step 3: Find a mentor
Finding a mentor is key to success. Life as a climate entrepreneur is hard, and when you’re lost in the storm, you’ll appreciate an extra paddle. Mentors are known for the feedback, connections, and confidence they provide, but one benefit that’s often overlooked is the unexpected questions they ask. A mentor’s questions can take your thought process in an entirely different direction.
Here are four tips for finding a mentor.
- Identify your niche.
- Post on LinkedIn and openly ask your network to connect, be specific and offer a cup of coffee in return for the introduction.
- Search online for the associations and networks that are most relevant to your industry. Join as a member and attend online and offline events to expand your network.
- Talk to us! Tell your colleagues, friends and family. The more people you talk to, the more likely you are to find a mentor who is a good fit for you.
Embarking on climate entrepreneurship is an exciting journey that promises greater fulfillment than the typical tech founder path. Becoming a climate entrepreneur is an exciting journey full of learning, growth, and impactful action. By educating yourself about climate issues, seeking mentors, and turning your solutions into viable businesses, you can tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. The world needs the creativity and energy that only entrepreneurs can provide. Get out there and make a change.
If you know a young person aged 13-19 and think this career path would be right for them, please encourage them to apply. Earth Award 2025!
Charlotte Tucker as a media specialist Earth Foundation.
