Aug 17 - 5min readHow is technology assisting in combating climate changeBy Launchbase
Every day it seems like a new technology company or startup is emerging with a radical plan to help battle climate change. From electric cars to solar energy, these companies are using innovative technologies to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. They are the ones helping preserve our planet for future generations.
Some skeptics may view these companies as being nothing more than greenwashed opportunists. The truth though is that their contributions are making a real difference in the fight against climate change. So what can we learn from these innovative businesses? How can we incorporate their ideas into our own operations?
Read on to find out.
- Tesla Motors
Okay, so Tesla can’t really be considered a startup anymore but we feel it’s important that we shine the light on this innovative company that is making major waves around the world (and even further than that…).
Founded in 2003, Tesla Motors is one of the leading electric vehicle manufacturers in the world. The company’s mission is to “accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable transport”. They are doing just that with their range of luxury electric cars. While Tesla vehicles are still relatively expensive, they are becoming increasingly affordable.
The technology that is fitted within their vehicles is significantly reducing carbon emissions. Historically this has been a big problem for the automobile industry. Since they launched, many companies have followed suit.
- SolarCity
Also not the most recent company to enter the sustainability game, SolarCity is a solar energy services company that was founded in 2006. The company offers solar panel installation, financing, and leasing options. They focus on both residential and commercial customers. SolarCity has helped to make solar power more accessible and affordable for many people, which has resulted in a significant increase in solar energy usage around the United States.
The more solar installed around the world, the less CO2 emissions that will be released into the atmosphere.
- Nest
Nest is a home automation company that was acquired by Google in 2014. The company’s flagship product is a learning thermostat that can be controlled remotely via a mobile app. Nest’s products are designed to save energy and help people reduce their carbon footprints. In addition to the thermostat, the company also offers a smoke and carbon monoxide detector, a security camera, and an LED light bulb.
- Opower
Opower is a software as a service (SaaS) company that provides customer engagement solutions for the utility industry. Opower’s platform helps utilities to improve customer satisfaction, reduce energy consumption, and lower costs. The company has helped utilities around the world save billions of kilowatt hours of energy. They are making great strides in their industry and it will be interesting to see how they evolve over the years to come.
- Better Place
Better Place is a company that provides electric vehicle infrastructure and services. The company’s main product is a network of Battery Switch Stations. These stations allow drivers to swap out their depleted batteries for fully charged ones in just minutes. This innovative solution eliminates range anxiety, one of the main barriers to electric vehicle adoption.
- eRecyclingCorp
eRecyclingCorp is a certified electronic recycler that helps companies and individuals recycle unwanted electronics. The company offers free pick-up service for businesses and provides recycling bins for easy drop-off at any of their locations. eRecyclingCorp recycled over 100 million pounds of electronics in 2015 and has prevented millions of dollars worth of harmful e-waste from ending up in landfills. That’s an impressive achievement for such a young company.
- C2ES
The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. It works to advance practical solutions to climate change. C2ES provides analysis and expert advice on a range of policy options, engages stakeholders to build consensus for action, and convenes leaders to find common ground on climate and energy issues. This will be another interesting one to watch.
- CarbonFund.org
This is another organisation that has been around for a while. Carbonfund.org is a leading carbon offset organization that helps businesses and individuals offset their carbon emissions. The company offers a variety of offsetting options. This includes planting trees, investing in renewable energy projects, and supporting energy efficiency initiatives. Carbonfund.org has offset over 5 million tons of carbon dioxide since its inception in 2002. They are inspiring many startups to follow suit, making a big impact on how companies are addressing their own footprint.
- Climate Neutral Group
Climate Neutral is a certification program that helps businesses offset their carbon footprints and become “climate neutral.” The program provides a comprehensive approach to reducing emissions, including measuring, offsetting, and reducing. Climate Neutral certified businesses include Patagonia, REI, and Burton Snowboards.
- Climate Solutions
Climate Solutions is a nonprofit organization that works to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to climate change. The organization focuses on clean energy, transportation, forests, and climate policy. Climate Solutions has played a pivotal role in the development of clean energy policies in Washington state and Oregon.
Why do we need companies like this to spearhead the fight against climate change?
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet today. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that we have just 12 years to take action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, including more extreme weather events, food and water shortages, and mass displacement of people.
Technology companies and startups are in a unique position to help solve the climate crisis. They are often at the forefront of innovation. They develop new technologies and business models that can help us reduce our emissions and move to a low-carbon economy.
We all have to do our bit
Climate change is an important issue that a lot of people are talking about. Technology companies and startups are coming up with innovative ways to help battle climate change and make a difference.
We should applaud these technology companies and startups for their innovation and dedication. They are making a difference when it comes to climate change. It is going to take everyone working together to solve this problem. So, let’s continue to support these businesses as they try to find new and better ways to combat climate change.
