September 8-10, 2025, LaunchTN presented its 12th Annual 3686 entrepreneurial festival in Nashville. This was the 3rd environment-focused panel and my second time moderating. Innovation abounds in our region. 

 

Our panel covered a lot of ground: 1) Renewable Energy/agrivoltaics at Silicon Ranch; 2) Sustainable Medicine at Greenwell Project; 3) Fashion Circularity at Threadline, and, 4) Cleantech Venture Creation at Cox Cleantech Accelerator. All the panelists are part of Green Pages.

“What's one thing an individual can do to make a positive impact on the planet?”

▪️ Start a “low plastic” diet - choose to consume and use less plastic

▪️ Wear second hand clothes - the quality and options are endless

▪️ Investigate community solar energy coops - it's often cheaper electricity

▪️ Bring your best leadership game to expanding focus on planetary health

▪️ Compost - reduce food waste and methane, become aware of plastic waste

 

 

🔹 NYCW Official Events Calendar - Power On is the theme

🔹 Sightline Climate (CTVC) - Airtable - most comprehensive

🔹 Climate Tech Cities - NYCW 2025 - Airtable - some crossover with CTVC

🔹 The Nest Climate Campus - Javits Center - Free pass - panels/convention style booths

A “critical assessment” report commissioned by the Trump administration to justify a rollback of US climate regulations contains at least 100 false or misleading statements, according to a Carbon Brief factcheck involving dozens of leading climate scientists. Read this 👆 to better appreciate what's at risk in our air, water (fresh and ocean) and soil. All of this affects planetary health, and therefore, human health.

 
Takeaways:  

➤ DOE using report to support reversal of EPA legislation in 2009 - stating the dangers of and contributors to global warming by 6 greenhouse gases

➤ The five “independent” researchers for the DOE report were hand selected by DOE Secretary Wright, a climate skeptic and fossil fuel advocate
➤ 350 references in the report - 10% are from the 5 authors

➤ The attack on science is dangerous and must be met with facts

▪️ Oklo announces $1.68B in TN for nuclear fuel recycling

▪️ Silicon Ranch and Meta partner for data center w/ 100MW solar energy in SC

▪️ TennGreen Conservancy and partners protect 1,273 acres of the Hatchie River

▪️ AgriCapture low methane rice project receives A rating from BeZero

▪️ Material Return partners with SmartWool for Second Cut (socks made from your old socks)

A mixed bag of interesting, compelling or concerning content that attracted my attention lately. Feel free to share your fascinating finds for future newsletters.

Links:  

🔸 Mushrooms (mycelium) as packaging similar to styrofoam, but biodegradable

🔸 Could solar panels produce better wine?

🔸 1 in 4 homes at severe risk for extreme weather - affecting insurance rates and home values

🔸 TX $7B fund for new gas plants - few takers - pricing and equipment issues

🔸 The Rise of Climate.us - Trump administration turned off much the climate data, but these folks are bringing it back.