🌍 CAT Newsletter 228 - 2024-07-14
CAT 228 - 2024-07-14
Hey CATs,
Welcome to issue 227 of the ClimateAction.tech (CAT) Newsletter - your weekly summary of what's happening inside the CAT community, and in the wider world of climate and tech. New to CAT or looking to re-discover the community? Try out our onboarding checklist.
Remember you can unsubscribe from this newsletter at any time - the link is at the bottom.
Stay safe & healthy 😌 💚 🐱
CAT Community News
✏️ From the blog
Last month CATs in Switzerland gathered for the first ever CAT hackathon. In her blog post Fiona shares reflections and insights. Have a read
🧠 Knowledge base deep dive
CAT Projects: Use your CAT Slack account to log into the knowledge base and explore the collection dedicated to various CAT projects. For instance, you can learn about how to apply for CAT Mini Grants, the process behind the recent Slack Cleanup, what Volunteer roles are open, and other ongoing projects where you might be able to lend a paw and become a more active CAT.
Climate Careers
#climate-carreers channel mod @Elisa:
Hi everyone! I'm trying something new with this channel: I'll be posting this monthly prompt so we can support and encourage each other on our climate journeys
- Burning questions (no pun intended) about a green career path, organisation, or industry
- A project or job hunting practice you want feedback on (CVs, elevator pitches, networking, etc)
- General insights or tips you'd like to share from your own experience
Reply in the thread to give some support to another CAT, or get some support from another member.
📅 CAT events
The next CAT Open Meeting is taking place next Wed, July 10!
CATs old and new please gather and join us as we talk about CAT projects and mini grants, updates on CAT as a CIC (Community Interest Company), community health & stats, AND as we make some decisions on whether we should keep our meetup subscription or not.\nRegister now and read the agenda on Outline.
🍩 Community networking
Like we did last year, #cat-roulette is taking July and August off. For more info see the message in the channel.
Media, events, and news
😺 CAT recommendations
🌱 A cutting from Branch issue 8
Imperfect design for a better future
I want to show you why seeking perfection is a lie that causes a lot of harm, to us, to society and to the planet. And I will talk about why we need a paradigm shift, what we can learn from nature and how to move from perfection to imperfection for a better future for us all.
▶️ CAT videos
10-15 minute videos providing accessible explainers to climate related issues.
Planet A: How we can make solar power at night
If you're looking for a climate success story, you'll find it, of course, in Scandinavia. Sweden has cut 80% of its net emissions since 1990 – while growing its economy. How have they done it? And can this be a blueprint for other countries?
🎤 Podcasts
The latest climate-related podcast episodes. Don't forget, if you're looking around, there's a list of podcasts maintained by CATs
Outrage and Optimism: 253. Mid-2024 Climate Review: How Are We Doing?
In this week's Election Special Roundup, our hosts delve into Labour's recent victory in the UK, offering detailed analysis tailored for both UK and non-UK listeners. They cover the key events and implications from both before and after the election, providing a comprehensive overview of the political landscape.
Highlights: UK and French Elections: Celebration of the defeat of far-right factions in both countries, examining the broader implications for European politics. US Politics: A brief look at the challenges facing the Democratic Party, especially in light of President Biden's underwhelming performance in his recent televised debate with former President Trump
Transition Show: Episode #228 – Public Persuasion
Most climate communicators emphasize the risk of climate change, in the belief that if only people understood how dangerous it is, they would do something about it. But what if terrifying messages about rising sea levels and life-threatening weather events have the opposite effect? What if they only serve to turn people off, rather than motivate them to act?
In this episode, we are joined by the Jessica Lu, the Associate Director of Strategy and Analytics with Potential Energy's Insights Lab. Her team has used established market research techniques to test various messages to unearth what motivates humans to care about climate change. The insights she shares with us are simultaneously surprising and obvious, suggesting much more successful strategies for climate communications.
Volts: Electrolyze everything!
A startup called Mattiq is using a combination of nanotechnology, AI, and electrolysis to produce novel materials that could eventually substitute for carbon-intensive materials in sectors from chemicals to plastics to fuels. In this episode, CEO Jeff Erhardt and I dig into the technological and business details.
Catalyst with Shayle Khan: Decarbonizing the high seas
While aviation may be converging on one main pathway to decarbonization — sustainable aviation fuel — maritime shipping may require a more diverse set of solutions: a portfolio of fuels, energy efficiency, and on-board carbon capture and storage. But each technology has operational and capital challenges. So what will it take to scale them up?
In this episode, Shayle talks to Dr. Lynn Loo, CEO of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation. Ocean-going shipping consumes about 300 million tons of fuel per year, accounting for 3% of global emissions. But with significant regulatory pressure from bodies like the International Maritime Organization, shipping companies are exploring a range of options.
Environment Variables: The Week in Green Software: AI's Power Problem
In this episode of Environment Variables, host Chris Adams is joined by Asim Hussain to dive into the complexities of AI's growing energy demands and its environmental impact. They discuss innovative approaches to sustainability, such as using fungi to manage building waste in data centers and the potential for greener materials and practices. The conversation also covers software optimizations to reduce AI's carbon footprint, emphasizing that energy inefficiency cannot be outsourced. They highlight the importance of integrated sustainable practices in tech development, particularly in the face of increasing AI power consumption projections.
Green IO #42 - Decarbonizing Tech: 2 CTO share their paths with Ludi Akue and Owen Rogers
Decarbonizing tech stacks and platforms? This is the challenge many CTO face these days. 🎙️In our 42th episode, 2 CTOs with different backgrounds and operating in different lines of business cross share their experience in reducing the environmental footprint of their operations. Ludi Akue, former Lunii's CTO, and Owen Rogers, .eco's CTO meet Gael Duez to share their insights and reflect on each other journeys in sustainability.
📅 Submitted events
Want an event listed here? Use this event listing form to submit the details so we can add it in the newsletter.
Mon Jul 15 2024 - How can IT help organisations to reduce their environmental impact?
Calling all Climate Technologists for discussing what are the services that we can offer to organisations that are concerned about their carbon footprint and what is the impact that we can achieve with them.
Thu Jul 18 2024 - GreenTech Gathering
Bringing together the North's GreenTech community to connect in person, share knowledge & collaborate.
What To Expect?
- Networking with industry experts & leaders.
- Learn more about the latest industry innovations.
- Free drinks and nibbles.
Fri Jul 26 2024 - TBLI Virtual Networking
Expand your work connections using your phone or computer.
Join the TBLI Virtual Networking (Mixer) and connect with impact investors, entrepreneurs, and sustainability thought leaders worldwide through our immersive virtual platform.
🕒 Timed 1-on-1 Speed Networking
Tue Oct 08 2024 - The Global Nature Positive Summit 2024
Global Nature Positive Summit aims to boost private sector investment to protect and repair our environment. With a focus on solutions to climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Fri Oct 11 2024 - Better Software
Italian Conference about Sustainable IT
Mon Oct 14 2024 - SxSW Sydney
From a grassroots start in Austin TX, 1987 to a new, second home in Sydney Australia. Tech Innovation with track focus on Energy, Climate & Sustainability
📰 News Highlights
Salon: French election sparks relief for scientists, hope on climate change reform
Following a second round of voting over the weekend in a snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron, France's left-wing New Popular Front has secured a leading plurality of seats in parliament. Defeating Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party, the shocking victory has reportedly elicited a wave of relief among the country's leading climate scientists.
BBC: Ireland's greenhouse emissions lowest in 30 years
Greenhouse gas emissions in the Republic of Ireland are at their lowest level in 30 years, according to the latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Almost every sector showed a fall in 2023, contributing to an overall reduction of 6.8%. It is the largest reduction outside of years when the economy was in recession and is the second consecutive annual reduction.
But the country is "still well off track" to meet EU and national 2030 targets, the EPA said.
ClimateTech VC: Halftime report on Climate Tech investment in 2024
Last Friday, we released our midyear report on climate tech investment trends. Here's a recap of the play-by-play for 2024 so far.
"The climate tech market has been on defense for the first half of the year. Investors, who spent most of 2023 on the bench "waiting-and-see," have continued to play it safe. The result? A drop in both deal count and funding, with the usually resilient early-stage investments finally feeling the pinch. "
Common Dreams: 'All of Our Tricks Worked': Spoof ExxonMobil Ad Nails Just How Easy It's Been for Big Oil
"Do you have any idea how easy it is to get you off our backs with a little bullsh*t about your responsibilities to the planet?"
A new parody ExxonMobil advertisement released Tuesday by a group founded by Adam McKay—the Academy Award-winning writer and director of the blockbuster doomsday climate comedy Don't Look Up—mocks humanity for letting Big Oil get away with causing one of the biggest existential threats of all time.
Citation Needed: Follow the Crypto
Did you know that the cryptocurrency industry has spent more on 2024 elections in the United States than the oil industry? More than the pharmaceutical industry?
In fact, the cryptocurrency industry has spent more on 2024 elections than the entire energy sector and the entire health sector. With this site, we will be able to follow how these industries are working to buy influence across the country.
The Guardian: Climate expert Chris Stark appointed to lead UK clean energy taskforce
Labour has appointed one of the country's foremost climate experts to lead a "mission control centre" on clean energy.
Chris Stark, the former head of the UK's climate watchdog, will head a Covid vaccine-style taskforce aimed at delivering clean and cheaper power by 2030.
Business traveller USA: What You Need to Know About Lufthansa's 'Environmental Cost Surcharge'
Lufthansa has introduced an 'Environmental Cost Surcharge' for tickets booked for flights departing on or after January 1, 2025. This surcharge, ranging from €1 to €72 based on the flight route, is being implemented to offset the increasing costs linked to compliance with environmental regulations mandated by the European Union, and meeting a two percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel blending quota.
Bloomberg: Google is No Longer Claiming to be Carbon Neutral
Google has ended its mass purchase of cheap carbon offsets and thus stopped claiming that its operations are carbon neutral, according to the tech giant's latest environmental report. The company now aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Alphabet Inc. unit has claimed that it's been carbon neutral in its operations since 2007. The status was based on purchasing carbon offsets to match the volume of emissions that were generated from its buildings, data centers and business travel. But in its latest report, the company states: "Starting in 2023, we're no longer maintaining operational carbon neutrality."
Datacentre Dynamics: Amazon claims "all our operations now run on renewable energy"
Amazon says all of its operations – including its data centers – are now powered by renewable energy. Amazon set a goal in 2019 to match all of the electricity consumed across its global operations – including data centers, corporate buildings, grocery stores ,and fulfillment centers – with 100 percent renewable energy by 2030. The company this week announced it has met that goal seven years early – matching all operations with renewable energy in 2023. Follow the link to report.
Seattle Times: 5 years into Amazon's Climate Pledge, workers challenge its progress
On Wednesday, it said it met one milestone seven years earlier than it had anticipated. In 2023, it "matched" all of the electricity consumed across its global operations — including data centers, corporate buildings, grocery stores and fulfillment centers — with 100% renewable energy. But, critics say that sunny outlook isn't telling the story.
Amazon Employees for Climate Justice — an independent group of workers who have been pressuring the company to take more action to reduce its impact on the environment since before the genesis of the Climate Pledge — released its own contradictory sustainability report on the same day as Amazon.
As You Sow: A Report on the Risks of Producing AI Technology for Fossil Fuel Production Processes
Former Head of Microsoft Datacenter Community Environmental Sustainability and Employee Engagement on linkedin:
"We've now filed a shareholder resolution with Microsoft through As You Sow, urging the company to report on the risks associated with producing AI technology for hashtag#fossilfuel production."
"As we approach the 2024 Annual Shareholders Meeting in December, we call on Microsoft to increase transparency and provide shareholders with sensible, decision-useful information about its role in the oil and gas industry."
Follow the link to Holly's Post on LinkedIn. See also: this post in the CAT slack to learn how funds invested on your behalf can influence this vote
Jobs
Remember only jobs listing salary ranges are listed here - to get your job listed, you need to list a salary range. Folks can still look in the #jobs channel. Remember: if you're looking for advice finding a role, check our #climate-careers channel.
Open Energy Transition - Full-stack/Backend/Frontend Software Engineer - EUR 40-80K/year for full-stack/backend, 30-60K for frontend/UX - Permanent - Totally remote
Open Energy Transition is a non-profit energy tech company that uses and develops open-source software solutions and contributes to open data to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable, accessible and reliable energy. Our goal is to increase the pace and reduce the cost of energy system planning decisions through open collaboration and innovation. We are looking to hire 2 software engineers for two projects: a cloud compute solution for solving large energy models, and a solver benchmark website that compares various OSS/proprietary solvers on energy modelling benchmarks. The goal is to build robust, secure, and efficient open-source software to be used for energy and climate modelling and play a part in accelerating the climate transition.
Marble - Founder in Residence, Geothermal - Anywhere - 2.5-3K per month - Contract - Flexible - remote ok
Dive into the geothermal revolution and help unlock clean, sustainable energy for our planet. We're on the hunt for entrepreneurial engineers/scientists from geothermal, oil & gas, or similar sectors. If you're passionate about innovation and ready to explore cutting-edge approaches to power the net zero economy, we want you.
PowerX.co - Senior Full Stack Software Engineer - $136,000 to $204,000 - Permanent -
PowerX is building energy management solutions for businesses, starting with restaurants. We believe that by equipping restaurants with the best tools to use less energy and save money, we can tackle climate change, one store at a time. PowerX is seeking a Senior Full Stack Software Engineer to play a foundational technical role in our product journey. In this role, you will be tasked with developing our product, which includes collaborating with other engineers, product owners, designers, and data team to architect, implement, and maintain new and existing features.
BlueConduit - Data Scientist - $125-145K - Permanent -
BlueConduit was founded in 2019 in response to the Flint water crisis. First in Flint, and then across the country, we pioneered the predictive modeling approach to lead service line identification and replacement, accelerating the removal of this significant health concern and saving communities millions of dollars in avoided digs. We are passionate about using data science and AI for public good, improving social equity, and protecting the environment, and are now working in new ways to help serve communities' needs outside lead service line replacement.
Vizzuality - Front End Engineer - €30,000 - €49,000 - Permanent - Totally remote
Vizzuality is hiring a mid-level/senior frontend developer with experience and proficiency in ReactJS/TypeScript.
At Vizzuality, we create data-driven tools for international organizations tackling climate change, biodiversity, and inequality. We're seeking individuals who combine a global perspective with a strong inclination toward teamwork, a deep understanding of coding, and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning. You should possess a growth mindset to develop T-shaped skills. Here's a chance for you to make a difference!
Verna - Software Engineers (multiple) - circa £70k + share options - Permanent - Totally remote
Verna builds software to help people manage land in the best way for the environment – enhancing biodiversity and drawing down carbon, whilst making sustainable returns. Our main B2B SaaS product supports ecologists and planning professionals to ensure that developments enhance nature. Verna has been backed by the UK Government and investors including Octopus Ventures. We have substantial, and growing, revenues and reserves.
We are looking for two software engineers to expand our product development team. We seek talented, flexible, creative engineers who are happy to get stuck into all aspects of developing compelling, effective, and accessible product experiences.
Like ecosystems, teams are more vibrant, innovative, and resilient when they are more diverse. We welcome applications from everyone, and particularly people from under-represented groups of every kind.
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