The urgency of climate action demands innovation not only in technology but also in financial structures. While voluntary carbon markets hold promise, they lack the sophistication to truly incentivize impactful carbon removal projects. Enter the Carbon Stock Exchange—a structured, market-driven platform where carbon credits evolve into a new asset class with real, differentiated value. Dr. Delton Chan’s vision of a carbon currency lays the groundwork, but we take it a step further, proposing a market where carbon credits gain quality-based
...Author: Mehrad
This past weekend, as I watched SpaceX’s Starship achieve its first successful catch landing—an engineering marvel featuring the now iconic “Mechzilla” — I was struck by what this achievement means for mankind. SpaceX’s vision for Mars is no longer just science fiction; it’s becoming a tangible possibility for the near future. But this moment also reminded me of my original thesis for investing in SpaceX: not just for the dream of Mars, but for the practical, commercial realities of what
...As climate operators and investors, we spend our days navigating the complexities of this massive global challenge, from evaluating carbon removal technologies to debating the merits of direct air capture. We are deeply immersed in the technical, financial, and political aspects of climate action. But what if there’s another, perhaps more personal, role we should embrace?
Let’s consider an ancient tradition — the Godparent. Historically, the godfather or godmother has been a spiritual guide for children, someone the family trusts
...As I’ve become even more aware of our limited carbon budget to remain within 1.5 (or realistically 2C) scenario. It’s clear CDR will have to play a role, even if it won’t scale fast enough to limit most of the short term consequences, longer term if we don’t have CDR in play we could be setting up a (mostly) uninhabitable planet for our ancestors.
So how do we move faster? Financially incentivize the largest players who could most
...At Cool Climate Collective, my philosophy has been deeply rooted in the belief that knowledge is power, and sharing it is essential for driving meaningful change. Whether it’s in boardrooms or during everyday interactions, every opportunity to share insights and feedback can contribute to the greater good. This commitment extends even to something as simple as providing feedback to an Airbnb host.
Recently, I suggested an idea related to electric vehicles (EVs) to an Airbnb host. This might seem like
...In the evolving landscape of corporate carbon practices, there’s a pressing need to shift our approach from mere compliance to engaging consumers in a meaningful dialogue about carbon. As geopolitical dynamics change, with right-wing and climate-hostile politicians increasingly targeting environmental initiatives, the focus on compliance is at greater risk than ever.
The rise of ESG backlash could undermine the entire carbon removal and offset industry. To safeguard and advance our climate goals, it’s imperative to transition to a model
...For the past 50 years, the relentless pursuit of affordability has defined our collective notion of “better.” Cheaper prices became the paramount metric, overshadowing critical variables like quality, style, sustainability, and even health impacts. This myopic view has had stark repercussions, leading to a race to the bottom fueled by mass production, standardization, and planned obsolescence.
But now, a renaissance is stirring – one that recalibrates our understanding of “better” through a more holistic lens. We’re beginning to recognize that
...When we imagine the robotic future, our minds often conjure visions of generalized androids – the metallic jack-of-all-trades adept at any task we throw their way. However, this generalist perception belies the true revolution brewing in the world of robotics and automation. The real disruptive force may not lie in general-purpose robots, but rather in the rise of highly specialized robot “savants” armed with deep, nuanced skills that transcend human mastery.
The allure of General Purpose Robots (GPRs) is undeniable
...McDonald’s is an empire built on delivering consistent, affordable food on a massive scale. One of their flagship products, the Chicken McNugget, epitomizes this ethos – it’s a seemingly simple concoction that the world has embraced, with their chicken-based product sales (incl. McNugget) now on par with McDonald’s iconic beef burgers at around $25 billion annually.
But what if we could reimagine the McNugget filling to be healthier and more nutritious while maintaining the cost efficiencies that make it so
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In the last 18 months, the landscape of artificial intelligence and robotics has undergone a seismic shift, altering our collective perception of the potential and applicability of these technologies in our daily lives.
At the heart of this transformation was a pivotal moment: the launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI on November 30, 2022. This event propelled Large Language Models (LLMs) from the domain of tech aficionados to the forefront of mainstream consciousness, revealing a future where AI could blend seamlessly
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