A newsletter with 5 or more climate resources to inform and inspire action |
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Welcome back to Climate Connections from ClimateWiser built to feed your curiosity about the environment, sustainability and climate advocacy.
ClimateWiser is convening an ecosystem in the Southeast US focused on doers and thinkers dedicated to safeguarding the environment and promoting resilience and sustainability. We are actively compiling a list of the players in our region doing important work, and we'll highlight news on one or more of them in future newsletters.
Submit your company or organization directly to the ecosystem using the Type form link below.
This week's ecosystem highlight is Holocene - a direct air capture (DAC) company cofounded by Anca Timofte, Tobias Rüesch, and Keeton Ross in Knoxville, TN. They participated in the Innovation Crossroads accelerator there. Holocene was recently acquired by Oxy, (Occidental Petroleum).
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01 | Oxy Acquires Holocene |
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Overview: Occidental Petroleum’s acquisition of Holocene, a direct air capture (DAC) startup, signals growing confidence in carbon removal markets. The move shows that large incumbents see DAC as commercially viable — and essential to long-term decarbonization. This is a WIN for the Southeast. There is a fair amount of negative press about DAC as an affordable, scalable solution. Check this additional article about First Of A Kind (FOAK) struggles. They takes time to mature.Takeaways: - 🤝 Strategic Buy-In: Oxy is doubling down on engineered carbon removal as a path to net-zero.
- 💸 Financial Maturity: The deal reflects a shift from R&D to commercialization in DAC.
- 🏗️ Infrastructure Scaling: Signals demand for large-scale DAC hubs and CO₂ storage infrastructure.
- 🌐 Policy Synergy: Aligned with U.S. federal incentives like 45Q and carbon market demand.
- 🚩 Sector Consolidation: Points to a wave of acquisitions and partnerships in carbon tech.
Keywords: carbon removal, DAC, net zero, oil and gas, energy transition |
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02 | Fallen Leaves as Sustainable Packaging |
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Overview: Ukrainian startup Releaf is converting fallen leaves into tree-free paper packaging. Their biodegradable bags cut down on deforestation and offer a clean alternative to both plastic and traditional wood pulp.Takeaways: - 🍃 Tree-Free Process: Uses cellulose from dead leaves — no forests felled.
- 🧪 Low-Impact Chemistry: Requires 15x less water and energy than wood-based paper.
- 🌱 Biodegradable Output: Fully compostable and naturally decomposes in under 60 days.
- 🤝 Commercial Partners: Used by Uber Eats, L’Oréal, and global hospitality brands.
- 🌍 Circular Design: Turns urban waste into high-demand packaging.
Keywords: circular economy, nature-based solutions, waste-to-resource |
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03 | The Future of the Grid Is Distributed |
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Overview: Sparkfund makes the case for utility-led deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) like solar, storage, and demand response. DERs can reduce grid strain, increase resilience, and help meet climate mandates.
Takeaways: - ⚡️ Grid Upgrade Strategy: DERs reduce need for costly bulk transmission upgrades.
- 🔌 Resilience Booster: Microgrids + local storage support reliability during outages.
- 💰 Cheaper for Ratepayers: DERs defer infrastructure costs and lower peak demand charges.
- 👷 Utility Role Shift: Advocates for utilities to act as DER integrators, not resistors.
- 🧭 Regulatory Lag: Rules and incentives must evolve to support a distributed model.
Keywords: DERs, grid modernization, utilities, solar + storage, demand response |
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04 | Scientific Brain Drain from the US |
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Overview: A growing number of American scientists are being lured overseas by stronger funding and political support. Europe, Australia, and Canada are actively recruiting talent disillusioned by U.S. policy uncertainty.
Takeaways: - ✈️ Top Talent Exodus: Early-career researchers and senior scientists alike are relocating.
- 💸 Funding Disparity: Competitive grants and research freedom are stronger abroad.
- 📉 Innovation Risk: U.S. may lose leadership in fields like climate modeling and clean tech.
- 🌐 Global Collaboration Shift: More research partnerships are forming outside U.S. institutions.
Keywords: science policy, brain drain, research funding, academic mobility |
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05 | Recycling Rare Earths at Scale |
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Overview: Rare earths are vital for wind turbines, EV motors, and electronics — but mining them is toxic and geopolitically fraught. Cyclic Materials recovers these metals from used magnets in a closed-loop system.
Takeaways: - 🔁 Closed-Loop Model: Recovers neodymium, dysprosium, and other rare earths from scrap.
- 🧪 Clean Chemistry: Avoids harsh acids and hazardous byproducts in recovery process.
- 🇺🇸 Domestic Supply Chain: Mitigates reliance on China for rare earth imports.
- 🌎 Energy Transition Role: Supports sustainable manufacturing of wind turbines and EVs.
- 🏗️ Scalable Platform: Facilities designed for low capital intensity and global expansion.
Keywords: rare earths, recycling, EV supply chain, magnets, circular economy |
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06 | Paris EcoDistrict - Photo Gallery |
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Overview: Bonus: The Clichy-Batignolles district in Paris is a test case for 21st-century urban design. Featuring solar, geothermal, and car-free streets, it embodies the “15-minute city” ethos. I can't wait to visit - soon! (IYKYK)
Takeaways: - ☀️ Clean Energy Mix: Powered by rooftop solar and deep geothermal wells.
- 🚗 Car-Free Design: Prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport.
- 🏘️ Diverse Housing: Mixed-income, energy-efficient buildings foster inclusion.
- 🏞️ Green Infrastructure: Parks and stormwater systems double as climate buffers.
- 🌐 Urban Export Model: Shows what dense, low-carbon living can look like worldwide.
Keywords: eco-districts, urban design, 15-minute city, climate resilience, France |
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