We Need CleanTech Innovations to Combat Climate Change

I can’t state enough the importance of CleanTech. As human existence and climate change continue to have a damaging effect on the life expectancy of our planet the actions we take to limit our damage become a vital indication of whether we’ll be able to counteract enough to maintain life on this planet.

We as a species obviously do not want to abandon the amazing advantages we’ve gained through technology, but we need to make changes to reduce the damaging effects we’ve made.

Modern innovators and technology, fortunately, are coming through with fantastic options to guide us down the right path and they need our support. This is where impact investing comes in.

Let’s look at what innovations are being brought forth.

I think it’s a fair assumption to say you’re reading this on a computer, phone or tablet. Do you ever stop and think about the amount of power our device-obsessed society uses on a daily (let alone monthly or yearly) basis?

The chance of humanity agreeing to give up the internet and our devices is ridiculously tiny. In fact, according to Cisco internet use will triple by 2020. This produces an enormous carbon footprint. The good news is innovators have seen this problem and have a potential solution.

Ranovus aims to power our data in a modern way, using quantum-dot lasers and data-connection hardware. The important part: this system uses a quarter of the power and is also a quarter of the cost. Major providers are taking notice, which makes sense when you realize this company may be the only player in the (very important) alternative power game.

Knowing how important this innovation is Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) has stepped in to offer support. This impact investment organization’s goal is to support Canada’s CleanTech market so it’s easy to see why it’s backing Ranovus.

This CleanTech innovation will prove to be a vital asset in the coming years and may be our best bet when it comes to minimizing our footprint while still maintaining our modern advantages.

The automobile was an amazing invention that set us on the path to the society we currently have. That being said, there are many negative aspects that come with the current gas-powered engines. Whether or not you believe in the dangers of peak oil, you have to admit that the polluting nature of petroleum and gas mean we need to uncover a viable alternative sooner rather than later.

The current main contender is the electric car. Using renewable energy and in turn producing less air pollution this technology is a big improvement from our current gas guzzlers. Quiet and cheaper to operate, it’s easy to see why this is the option most people think of when they think of the next stage of cars. Many major companies offer models (see Tesla’s Model 3, Nissan’s LEAF, Ford’s Focus Electric and Chevrolet’s Spark EV or Bolt EV) which means it’s an easily accessible option for today’s drivers.

Let’s talk about solar. This innovation is getting more and more attention and is seen as one of the growing opportunities in the impact investing field. The technology is often used as an aid to electric cars, with 28-40% of EV cars owners using home solar panels to produce energy and in turn charge their cars. Although it was thought that a fully solar powered car would not be possible, new innovators are challenging that notion and are bringing their options to the market in 2019. Keep your eye out for the Lightyear One, as this may prove to be our introduction to the car of the future.

All our fancy technology uses energy and that energy comes at a cost. Global air pollution is getting worse and, according to the World Health Organization, nine out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air. This is a catastrophe that is only going to get worse if we don’t find a solution.

The good news? The hunt for clean energy sources is well underway.

Knowing the importance of this research and development, accelerators have set themselves up to help guide and support the startups and entrepreneurs that will bring CleanTech to the greater market. Accelerators like Clean Energy Trust, Greentown Labs and Urban-X are leading the way in the quest to create an energy innovation ecosystem.

Totem Power serves as an example of the potential in the next evolution of energy. Offering a smart utility system that is also much more visually appealing than our current hydro poles, the company aims to create a decentralized energy grid. Not only that, these platforms offer solar-powered lighting and can serve as EV charging stations and WiFi hotspots.

Visually appealing and multifunctional, Totem is showing us the way to a future run on sustainable energy.

Make no mistake, our future relies on CleanTech. This ingenious use of technology is how we will be able to live with modern advantages and minimize our footprint.

We have the opportunities and technology in our reach. With the right brilliant minds working towards solutions, the future looks possible and bright. Whether through innovations in data, automobiles or energy, the next phase of technology looks amazing.

 

To read more on this topic, check out our previous article here.