#166: How Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Removes Carbon from our Oceans with Planetary Technologies

#166: How Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Removes Carbon from our Oceans with Planetary Technologies

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Michael Kelland, CEO and Co-Founder of Planetary Technologies, about whether the ocean could play a much larger role in helping remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. For decades, the ocean has served as one of Earth's largest carbon sinks, absorbing roughly a quarter of human-generated CO2 emissions. But that service comes at a cost: ocean acidification, which threatens coral reefs, shellfish, and marine ecosystems worldwide. Michael explains how Planetary Technologies is using a climate solution known as coastal seawater restoration, also called ocean alkalinity enhancement, to restore ocean chemistry, increase the ocean's natural ability to absorb carbon dioxide, and provide long-term carbon removal. The conversation explores how ocean carbon removal works, the science behind ocean alkalinity enhancement, the challenges of measuring and verifying carbon removal, and what it will take to scale climate technologies that can help the world reach net-zero emissions. Key Points: * The ocean is already one of the world's largest carbon removal systems – The ocean naturally absorbs vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but growing CO2 levels are increasing ocean acidification and putting stress on marine ecosystems. * Ocean alkalinity enhancement helps restore seawater chemistry – By adding alkaline minerals to seawater, Planetary Technologies aims to increase the ocean's capacity to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide while helping counter the effects of acidification. * Ocean carbon removal could help address hard-to-decarbonize sectors – Industries such as aviation may continue producing some emissions even in a net-zero future, creating a need for durable carbon removal solutions that can offset emissions that are difficult or expensive to eliminate. * Mike Kelland, CEO and co-founder of Planetary Technologies [https://www.planetarytech.com/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkelland] * Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/] 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…   Visit our website [https://earthlingspodcast.com/] for more episodes! Sign up to our newsletter [https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/] for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!  We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit] Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be! Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/] on our website Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page [http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast]. Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:  * Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast] * Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/]  * Follow us on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643] * Follow us on X [https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de]  Thanks to Resource Labs [https://resourcelabs.co/] for having us on the network!

#165: Bonus Episode: Looking Back on 15 Years of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability with Lisa Ann Pinkerton

In this special bonus episode of Earthlings 2.0, we feature WCS Talks Unplugged [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/wcs-talks-unplugged/], the podcast from Women in Cleantech & Sustainability [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/] (WCS). Host Sara Fuentes sits down with our very own Lisa Ann Pinkerton to discuss the origins of one of the largest global networks supporting women in cleantech, renewable energy, sustainability, and climate technology. Lisa Ann reflects on how a simple decision to stop waiting for change and start building community grew into an organization that has connected more than 20,000 women worldwide. The conversation explores climate leadership, professional networking, sustainability careers, entrepreneurship, and the role of community in advancing women across the energy transition and climate innovation sectors. Lisa Ann also shares lessons learned from building a mission-driven organization over the past 15 years and why hope, authenticity, and persistence remain essential for anyone working to create a more sustainable future. Previous Earthlings episodes mentioned in the show include Carbon Price, Power, and Politics with Neal Dikeman (Part 1 [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/s3e14-carbon-price-power/] & Part 2) [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/s3e16-carbon-price-power/]. Key Points: * Women in Cleantech & Sustainability began with a simple decision to take action – Lisa Ann shares how identifying a gap in the industry led to the creation of a global network supporting women across climate, energy, and sustainability sectors. * Strong communities are built through consistency and shared purpose – The conversation explores lessons learned from growing a mission-driven organization over 15 years and the importance of creating spaces where people can connect, collaborate, and advance their careers. * Hope and persistence remain critical climate leadership skills – Lisa Ann discusses why long-term progress in climate and sustainability requires resilience, authenticity, and a willingness to keep showing up. * Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/], and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaannpinkerton/] * Sara Fuentes, Chair of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/], CEO and Founder of SmartWaste [https://www.smartwasteusa.com/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-eve-fuentes-6a620422/] 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…   Visit our website [https://earthlingspodcast.com/] for more episodes! Sign up to our newsletter [https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/] for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!  We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit] Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be! Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/] on our website Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page [http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast]. Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:  * Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast] * Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/]  * Follow us on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643] * Follow us on X [https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de]  Thanks to Resource Labs [https://resourcelabs.co/] for having us on the network!

#164: How the Grid Could Survive the AI Boom with Solid State Transformers With DG Matrix

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Michael Wood III, Director of Commercial Development at DG Matrix, about one of the biggest challenges behind the AI boom: aging electrical infrastructure. As AI, data centers, manufacturing and electrification drive unprecedented demand for electricity, utilities and developers are increasingly constrained by a grid architecture built around technologies that have changed little in more than a century. Michael explains how DG Matrix is developing the world's first commercially available multi-port solid-state transformer, a power electronics platform designed to simplify energy systems, accelerate access to power, integrate multiple energy sources, and support the growing energy needs of AI data centers and electrified industries. The conversation explores grid modernization, data center energy demand, power system flexibility, and why the future of electricity infrastructure may require a fundamental rethinking of how energy moves through the grid. Key Points: * AI data centers are creating unprecedented demand for electricity – The rapid growth of AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure is placing new pressure on an electrical grid originally designed for predictable demand patterns. * Solid-state transformers could modernize power delivery – DG Matrix's multi-port solid-state transformer replaces complex power conversion chains with a flexible platform that integrates AC, DC, batteries, renewables, generators, and data center loads. * Grid flexibility is becoming as important as grid capacity – As electrification accelerates across transportation, manufacturing, buildings, and computing, future energy systems will need to be smarter, faster, and more adaptable to changing power requirements. * Michael Wood III, Director of Commercial Development at DG Matrix [https://www.dgmatrix.com/], LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/michael-wood-iii] * Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/] 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…   Visit our website [https://earthlingspodcast.com/] for more episodes! Sign up to our newsletter [https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/] for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!  We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit] Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be! Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/] on our website Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page [http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast]. Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:  * Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast] * Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/]  * Follow us on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643] * Follow us on X [https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de]  Thanks to Resource Labs [https://resourcelabs.co/] for having us on the network!

#163: Can Renewable Energy Replace Combustion? This Company Thinks It Can With FeX Energy

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Hayden Smith, CEO of FeX Energy, about the growing challenge of decarbonizing industrial heat and why long-duration energy storage may become essential to the future of clean manufacturing and grid reliability. While renewable electricity adoption continues to grow, many industrial sectors still rely on fossil fuel combustion to generate the high-temperature heat needed for cement, steel, chemicals, plastics, mining, and food processing. Hayden explains how FeX Energy is developing an iron-based thermal energy storage system capable of storing renewable electricity for long durations and releasing it later as high-temperature industrial heat approaching 900°C. The conversation explores how thermal energy storage could help stabilize renewable-heavy grids, reduce dependence on natural gas, support industrial electrification, and help industries decarbonize without requiring massive transmission infrastructure upgrades. Key Points: * Industrial heat remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize – Heavy industry still depends heavily on fossil fuel combustion for high-temperature manufacturing processes. * FeX Energy uses iron as a long-duration thermal battery – The company’s Iron Arc Reactor stores renewable electricity and releases it later as high-temperature industrial heat. * Long-duration energy storage could improve grid flexibility and industrial electrification – Thermal storage systems may help manage renewable intermittency, reduce grid strain, and lower infrastructure upgrade costs. * Hayden Smith, CEO of FeX Energy [https://www.fexenergy.com/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-c-smith?originalSubdomain=ca] * Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/] 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…   Visit our website [https://earthlingspodcast.com/] for more episodes! Sign up to our newsletter [https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/] for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!  We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit] Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be! Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/] on our website Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page [http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast]. Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:  * Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast] * Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/]  * Follow us on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643] * Follow us on X [https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de]  Thanks to Resource Labs [https://resourcelabs.co/] for having us on the network!

#162: Whales, Wolves, and Wild Comebacks: The Power of Rewilding with Alister Scott

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Alister Scott, Executive Director of the Global Rewilding Alliance, about the growing global rewilding movement and how ecosystem restoration could play a major role in addressing biodiversity loss, climate resilience, flooding, wildfire risk, and human well-being. The conversation explores what rewilding actually means: restoring ecosystems by reducing destructive human activity, reconnecting habitats through wildlife corridors, and reintroducing keystone species like wolves, beavers, bison, jaguars, and whales that help ecosystems regulate themselves naturally. Links to other topics discussed in the interview: * The list of the Global Rewilding Alliance’s partner projects on every continent can be found here [https://globalrewilding.earth/alliance-partner-directory/] * Ben Goldfarb’s book, Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter [https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/eager-paperback/?srsltid=AfmBOorzxQjoaPjZ__vLENLhWcwTiH81v8W2I3tta9xtTcDopnnKiMP5], by Ben Goldfarb * Vanuatu’s Protected Area Status with the Protected Planet Initiative [https://www.protectedplanet.net/country/VUT]'s protected area * Videos that showcase the rewilding spirit * Principles of rewilding [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGu_N95KJYR/?igsh=Zmhma3Ayb2xvNm0y] * Imagining a rewilded Earth [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI0_z6yqbrY/?igsh=MmV0ejRpbXQ4azY3] * A rewilded language [https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHoG1JiKOZb/?igsh=bWxrOTloMHc2NGht] * Wild heroes: * Hippos [https://www.instagram.com/p/DMQAHQMqZim/?igsh=MTcyajRqNGdsa3lkOQ==] * Otters [https://www.instagram.com/p/DEKjOdKKM7P/?igsh=bnNyeTM2cTZpM2Zr] * Beavers [https://www.instagram.com/p/DMFs_XoKRdf/?igsh=MXBzYTJqeGZ1eXN2ZA==] Key Points: * Rewilding focuses on restoring ecosystem function – Rather than tightly controlling landscapes, rewilding creates the conditions for nature to recover and self-regulate over time. * Nature recovery creates economic opportunities – Protected ecosystems can support local economies through tourism, sustainable land management, and long-term climate resilience. * Rewilding can happen anywhere – From marine protected areas to urban gardens and backyard pollinator habitats, biodiversity recovery can begin at every scale. * Alister Scott, Executive Director of the Global Rewilding Alliance [https://globalrewilding.earth/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralisterscott] * Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications [https://technica.inc/], Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability [https://www.womenincleantechsustainability.org/], and CEO of PRVIEW [https://prview.ai/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaannpinkerton/] 🚀 Calling all Earthlings…   Visit our website [https://earthlingspodcast.com/] for more episodes! Sign up to our newsletter [https://theearthlingspodcast.substack.com/] for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!  We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QjZGBcv41Kgl4TbKEP2US-SiooH_R9812UBapuqudFs/edit] Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be! Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode [https://earthlingspodcast.com/episodes/life-at-3-c/] on our website Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page [http://patreon.com/TheEarthlingsPodcast]. Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:  * Follow us on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthlings-podcast] * Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/earthlingspod/]  * Follow us on our Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086533328643] * Follow us on X [https://mobile.twitter.com/earthlingspod?lang=de]  Thanks to Resource Labs [https://resourcelabs.co/] for having us on the network!