In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Gioia Massa, Senior Project Scientist for Space Crop Production at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, about how NASA is preparing to grow food on the Moon, Mars, and future deep-space missions. As human space exploration moves beyond short-duration missions, reliable food production will become a critical component of life support systems. Gioia explains the science behind space agriculture, including how researchers are overcoming challenges such as microgravity, radiation, water management, and limited resources while testing crops aboard the International Space Station and developing future lunar and Martian growing systems. The conversation explores how plants can provide food, oxygen, and psychological benefits for astronauts, as well as how technologies developed for space farming are already influencing vertical farming and sustainable food production on Earth.

• Check out NASA’s show: Houston, We Have a Podcast
• More episodes from Earthlings 2.0 on space exploration:
• #55 – Hyperspectral Satellite Data Putting Many Eyes on the Earth
• #18 – The Recycler for Spaceship Earth with Brittany Zimmerman
• #15 – Space Inc.

Key Points:

• NASA is developing agricultural systems for future Moon and Mars missions – Researchers are testing how crops grow in microgravity and preparing experiments to support long-duration human exploration beyond Earth.
• Plants serve as more than just food in space habitats – Crops can help absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and support astronaut well-being, making them an important part of future life support systems.
• Space agriculture is shaping the future of farming on Earth – Research conducted for space missions has contributed to advances in LED grow lights, hydroponics, vertical farming, controlled environment agriculture, and resource-efficient food production.

• Gioia Massa, Senior Project Scientist for Space Crop Production at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, LinkedIn

• Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, CEO and Founder of PRVIEW, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Behdad Bahrami, CEO of Edgecom Energy, about how artificial intelligence is changing the way industrial facilities manage electricity. As energy prices become more volatile, AI data centers drive unprecedented demand on the electric grid, and utilities introduce increasingly complex pricing structures, manufacturers and other large energy users need better visibility into how and when they consume electricity. Behdad explains how Edgecom's AI-powered energy management platform combines utility billing, real-time energy monitoring, grid signals, and predictive analytics to help industrial facilities reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and make smarter energy decisions. The conversation explores industrial energy management, demand response, grid modernization, AI-powered energy optimization, and why energy should be treated as a controllable business cost rather than a fixed expense.

Key Points:

• AI is making industrial energy management more proactive – By combining real-time facility data with utility pricing, demand response programs, and predictive AI models, industrial facilities can identify inefficiencies, automate energy decisions, and reduce electricity costs.
• Industrial facilities have significant untapped opportunities to improve energy efficiency – Many manufacturers still rely on fragmented utility bills and limited energy monitoring, making it difficult to understand where electricity is being used or where savings can be achieved. Greater visibility enables better operational and financial decisions.
• The growth of AI data centers is accelerating the need for a smarter electric grid – As electricity demand rises, utilities, manufacturers, and large commercial facilities will need better energy orchestration, flexible demand, and intelligent software to optimize existing grid infrastructure before building new capacity.

• Behdad Bahrami, CEO of Edgecom Energy, LinkedIn

• Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Masami Hayashi, Global Strategy Director at Clean Planet Inc., about the company's work developing solid-state fusion technology for industrial heat. While electricity often dominates clean energy discussions, industrial heat remains one of the largest sources of global energy consumption and emissions. Hayashi explains that Clean Planet's Quantum Hydrogen Energy (QHE) technology uses hydrogen and proprietary metal catalysts to generate heat via solid-state fusion, potentially producing significant thermal energy from minimal fuel inputs. The conversation explores industrial heat decarbonization, hydrogen energy, fusion commercialization, and the potential role of this technology in factories, commercial buildings, and other heat-intensive industries.

Check out a few of our episodes on the built environment:

• #159 – Combining Robotics and Mass Timber For Modular Urban Buildings with Intelligent City
• #131 – Why AI + Robotics Could Be The Future of Reclaimed Lumber with Urban Machine
• #108 – Autonomous Robots Driving Down Costs for Sustainable Infrastructure with Civ Robotics
• #29 – Living, Breathing, Beautiful Buildings with Lindsay Baker

Key Points:

• Industrial heat is a major climate challenge that receives less attention than electricity generation – Manufacturing, commercial buildings, refrigeration systems, logistics facilities, and data centers all require large amounts of thermal energy, much of which is still produced using fossil fuels.
• Solid-state fusion could provide a new pathway for clean industrial heat – Clean Planet's Quantum Hydrogen Energy technology uses hydrogen and engineered metal catalysts to generate excess heat through a low-temperature fusion process, potentially delivering significantly more energy from hydrogen than combustion-based approaches.
• Commercial deployment is focused on real-world industrial applications – Clean Planet is working with industrial boiler manufacturer Miura to develop heat modules for factories, supermarkets, commercial buildings, and logistics facilities as it moves from laboratory research toward commercialization.

• Masami Hayashi, Global Strategy Director at Clean Planet Inc., LinkedIn

• Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, CEO and Founder of PRVIEW, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn

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, LinkedIn

• Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…  

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Thanks to Resource Labs for having us on the network!

In this special bonus episode of Earthlings 2.0, we feature WCS Talks Unplugged, the podcast from Women in Cleantech & Sustainability (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 & Part 2).

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, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn
• Sara Fuentes, Chair of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, CEO and Founder of SmartWaste, LinkedIn

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…  

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Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our website

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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, LinkedIn

• Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…  

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Sign up to our newsletter 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. 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 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.

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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, LinkedIn

• Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…  

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Sign up to our newsletter 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. 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 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.

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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
• Ben Goldfarb’s book, Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, by Ben Goldfarb
• Vanuatu’s Protected Area Status with the Protected Planet Initiative's protected area
• Videos that showcase the rewilding spirit
• Principles of rewilding
• Imagining a rewilded Earth
• A rewilded language
• Wild heroes:
• Hippos
• Otters
• Beavers

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, LinkedIn

• Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, and CEO of PRVIEW, LinkedIn

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…  

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Sign up to our newsletter 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. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!

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In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Dan Kelly, CEO of ADAR Technologies, about how the company is rethinking industrial waste management through acoustic dehydration technology. By removing moisture from high-volume waste streams, like agricultural byproducts, sludge, and food waste, ADAR reduces disposal costs, eliminates contaminants, and preserves nutrient value for reuse. The conversation centers on a simple but powerful shift: when sustainability improves the bottom line, adoption follows. Instead of relying on policy or incentives, this approach turns waste into a profitability lever, unlocking new opportunities in resource recovery, circular economy systems, and industrial efficiency.

Key Points:

• Waste streams can become revenue streams – ADAR focuses on high-moisture industrial waste, reducing disposal costs while creating new value from materials that were previously discarded.
• Acoustic dehydration replaces thermal drying – Using shock waves instead of heat, the system removes water at a molecular level while preserving nutrients and reducing energy use.
• Economics are driving adoption – Companies are engaging not for compliance, but to improve margins by turning waste management into a profit center.

• Dan Kelly, CEO of ADAR Technologies, LinkedIn

• Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications

🚀 Calling all Earthlings…  

Visit our website for more episodes!

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures! 

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Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our website

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In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Emily Dinino, Founder and CEO of ThermoShade, about how extreme heat is reshaping cities, infrastructure, and daily life, and what it will take to adapt. As the deadliest weather-related hazard in the U.S., rising temperatures are exposing gaps in how we design public spaces, especially in underserved communities. Emily shares how ThermoShade is developing passive-cooling panels that reduce surface temperatures without relying on energy-intensive systems, and how the technology is being piloted in urban transit, agriculture, and temporary off-grid shelters. The conversation explores the science behind radiative cooling, the realities of deploying climate tech in public infrastructure, and why resilience, not just mitigation, needs to be a bigger part of the climate conversation.

Key Points:

• Extreme heat is a design problem as much as a climate problem – Urban heat islands, driven by materials like concrete and metal, disproportionately impact underserved communities and require rethinking how public spaces are built and shaded.
• Passive cooling can reduce heat without adding strain to the grid – ThermoShade’s panels use radiative cooling and phase change materials to maintain lower surface temperatures, creating environments that can feel significantly cooler without relying on fans, misters, or air conditioning.
• Deploying climate tech depends on working within existing systems – Rather than replacing infrastructure, ThermoShade is integrating into existing contracts and designs, such as retrofitting bus shelters through established partners.

• Emily Dinino, CEO and Founder of ThermoShade, LinkedIn

• Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications