Carbon Conversations

Dr. Annalisa Bracco is a professor and Associate Chair for Research in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is interested in using computation tools to better understand how our oceans work and the interactions between physics and biology across marine ecosystems. Her research group uses models, artificial intelligence and observations to study ocean transport, biogeochemical interactions, climate dynamics and carbon cycling in the climate system.  Most recently she has been researching how coral reefs may exchange larvae, plastic pollution in the Gulf of Mexico, ocean mixing near seamounts and marine carbon dioxide removal through Sargassum algae and alkalinity enhancement.

Contact: https://research.gatech.edu/people/annalisa-bracco

In this episode, I sit down with Thea and Stefan, the visionary founders of Proon-Tech, a startup revolutionising biodiversity conservation and reforestation through AI-driven innovation. We explore their journey in creating cutting-edge technologies that tackle the global biodiversity crisis, the challenges of scaling green tech solutions, and the real-world impact of their projects. Tune in to hear their inspiring story, success stories from the field, and what’s next for Proon-Tech in their mission to protect our planet.

Dominic Hafner is a leader at Carbon Standards International, where he spearheads the Global Artisan C-Sink Standard. This initiative aims to transform the role of smallholder farmers within the global climate narrative by merging carbon financing with sustainable biochar practices. Under his guidance, the program not only achieves significant environmental milestones but also fosters long-term economic empowerment for communities in the global south. Dominic's efforts are central to integrating innovative carbon removal technologies with grassroots agricultural practices, making a substantial impact on both local and global scales.

For more information or to contact Dominic go to THIS LINK.

Currently serving as Senior Program Manager at Brainforest, Camille Accolas is dedicated to bridging the gap between founders, experts, and funders through the Brainforest Venture Program. She brings extensive experience in consulting, project management, and sustainability across both public and private sectors. Camille is skilled in biodiversity impact evaluation, sustainability reporting, and developing corporate strategies. She holds a Master's degree in Globalisation, Business, and Development from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex.

Brainforest Venture Program:

https://brainforest.global/venture-program

Wangari Kuria is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Farmer on Fire Global Consultancy seeking to eliminate hunger and improve safe food production. 

An Agripreneur with a rich background as a farmer, aggregator, and an expert on the value-chain. She is renowned as one of the pioneers of making agriculture appealing by creating captivating videos on farming and challenging many online to engage and act.

She is at the frontline in partnership with global partners with a focus on small scale farmers to reduce barriers for youth and women entry into the agribusiness.

Website: www.farmeronfire.com

Email- [email protected]

Phone- +254720448250/ +254721444655

Facebook: FB Page

WIAS 2024 event - Event Page

Erin Grover advises on emerging technologies for the verification of climate impact, food security, and regenerative supply chain transparency. This includes the application of blockchain, AI, and IoT innovation.

She is a strong advocate for using these technologies to improve the lives of smallholder farmers in the Global South. Her drive comes from her time living with a farming community in the mountains of Nepal in her early 20s. This is where she learned to speak Nepali and learned how to live from the heart.

She has extensively researched emerging DeFi markets in Kenya, Uganda, and India. She is a part of the World Economic Forum's Crypto Sustainability Coalition as a member of the blockchain and carbon working group and has been a featured speaker at the annual meetings of the World Bank, Barclays, and COP28.

Before her work in agritech, she served for the United Nations, USAID, and other international NGOs in Afghanistan, Timor-Leste, Nepal, and Cambodia for over a decade.

Additionally, she has contributed as a journalist to CoinTelegraph, IndieWire, and is currently a featured writer for AGBI.COM (Arabian Gulf Business Insight).

Her previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Mashable, The Times of India, and many other international news sources.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eringrover/

Dora is responsible for the long-term development and sustainability of Marquis Energy Global, establishing valuable connections with potential markets worldwide. She developed a passion for energy solutions during her 13-year career in the petroleum industry, involved in major capital upstream projects across the globe.  Prior to this, she sailed the seas as an officer in the U.S. Navy.  

She is a graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy studying Mechanical Engineering, providing a technical foundation to her journey to sustainability. 

Now, Dora is a mother of two humans and two dogs and enjoys staying active through running and triathlons.

You can connect with Dora on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doraexplore/

For more on Marquis: https://marquisinc.com

Dries Roobroeck's journey in applied biosciences began with a neighbourhood clean-up he organized as a 10-year-old and deepened when he observed his great uncle's selfless work with rural communities in India at the age of 15. He pursued biological sciences at university, fascinated by the broad range of topics, particularly how nature works. His PhD focused on the cycling of carbon and nitrogen between soil, plants, and the atmosphere in Poland's undisturbed peatlands, giving him profound insights into biogeochemical processes, greenhouse gas emissions, and laboratory and data analytics.

After completing his PhD, Dries had the privilege of conducting a postdoctoral study with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, researching the occurrence and causes of non-responsiveness of crops to synthetic fertilizers in Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, and Nigeria. This work highlighted the pervasive issues of nutrient input inefficiency and soil fertility degradation that trap many small-scale farmers in poverty. Concurrently, he became increasingly involved in research on biochar agronomy and pyrolytic technology, including long-term experimentation, participatory evaluation, upscaled assessment, and system engineering.

Seeing an opportunity for science to solve many of today's complex problems, Dries, along with Aarti Shah, started Co-REGEN to advise agribusinesses on becoming circular and regenerative. They coach these businesses on adopting more reliable power, low carbon heat, and nature-based solutions to improve farming and processing, aiming to enhance their movement up the agricultural value chain while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Since late 2022, Dries has been working with PennState University's program PlantVillage, where he has had the opportunity to translate scientific research and ideas into practical applications.

Further viewing/reading:

Video of PlantVillage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huqLMHRNIVA

Video from feasibility in tea sector https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcq_Gf1ES_0

LinkedIN www.linkedin.com/in/driesroobroeck

Contact: Email [email protected]

Jason Dodier is an American international business professional and Co-Founder of the GRAIN Ecosystem, aiming to revolutionize global project development through digitization, transparency, and increased access to capital. His mission focuses on empowering project developers worldwide to meet ambitious waste-to-value, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity goals set by the global climate agenda.

Based in New York City, Jason played a key role in advancing Energy as a Service microgrids in the US, notably contributing to the JFK New Terminal One Microgrid. This project, soon to be the largest rooftop terminal solar array in the US, showcases his dedication to digital transformation and sustainability.

With a career spanning the US, Middle East, and Europe, Jason's experience in operations, business development, marketing, and sales management at Schneider Electric has refined his expertise.

Currently, Jason serves as a sustainability ambassador, advocating for the integration of IT and educational reform. He delivers impactful speeches and builds connections with industry leaders.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Jason co-founded Fountainhead Rhode Island, a notable non-profit known for transformative initiatives in the New England region. His roles in sustainable energy solutions and non-profit leadership underscore his commitment to a more sustainable future. Jason holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a bachelor's degree from Bryant University.

https://twitter.com/J_Dodier

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondodier/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/grain-ecosystem

Trina Montemayor is a dedicated professional with over 20 years of experience in the corporate food service industry. She has been an integral part of the success of Order Corner, a web-based company specializing in food ordering for corporate and professional groups of 10 or more.

Throughout her tenure at Order Corner, Trina has worked tirelessly to build and manage a team of exceptional individuals. She has fostered a positive and collaborative work environment, ensuring that each team member feels valued and motivated. Trina's leadership skills have been instrumental in adapting the company's business model to meet the ever-changing needs of the industries they serve and the clients they love.

In March 2020, faced with the unprecedented challenges posed by the global pandemic, Order Corner made the difficult decision to close its doors. However, Trina's dedication to her clients and passion for her work did not waver. Many of her clients reached out to her personally, praising the exceptional work of her team and expressing their gratitude for their invaluable services.

Driven by a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to her clients, Trina took the next step in her career journey. She founded Trina's Concierge and Catering (TCC), a new venture that operates at a minimal level while adapting to the current environment. Trina ensures that every precaution is taken to keep drivers and staff safe while maintaining the same level of excellence in coordinating and delivering food for professional environments.

Trina's business model extends beyond just food delivery. She also coordinates and delivers other essential items as per client requests, going above and beyond to meet their needs. At TCC, every client is treated with utmost care and respect, and a team-based approach is taken with partner restaurants and caterers to ensure a personalized and perfect experience.

Trina Montemayor is a dedicated professional who thrives on the challenges of the industry. Her adaptability, passion, and commitment to excellence make her a trusted partner for any professional or corporate event.

For more information in Trina and TCC visit: https://trinacc.com