In Episode 6 of the EcoSparks podcast, we follow Santiago Rodrigo Patiño and Daniel Hurtado, Co-Founders of FLUVIQ, as they journey from Spain to Shanghai to develop their startup. In an era where water scarcity is an escalating global concern, the demand for efficient and sustainable water management solutions has never been higher. FLUVIQ addresses this challenge by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize water consumption in agriculture.

This episode is a blend of entrepreneurship meets sustainability, covering topics such as why many young entrepreneurs are not gravitating towards sustainability, the different approaches to electric vehicles from the perspective of a former BMW employee, and the importance of individual efforts in water conservation.

[Timestamps]

00:30 What brings the co-founders to Shanghai from Spain? The duality between the natural landscape of their home cities and metropolitan that is Shanghai.

03:42 Defining sustainability through the concepts of balance and long-term impact.

07:15 Insights on China's shift towards a more sustainable mindset.

09:12 Discussing the risk of water scarcity to our planet and how Fluviq's technology will revolutionize the Agri-Tech sector, including how farmers will integrate it into their routines.

12:40 Fluviq's milestones after arriving in Shanghai: partnerships with Microsoft, collaborations with drone companies in Spain, and the development of Fluviq 1.0.

14:45 How investors and individuals perceive water scarcity as an issue during pitches, and whether there is a disparity in understanding.

17:05 Personal Sustainability: Working hard and playing hard

19:06 The importance of bringing technology to farmers.

22:20 Insights from a former BMW Green Mobility employee on the psychographic differences in BMW's marketing strategies for electric cars.

27:38 Be conscious and selective with the ways you choose to conserve water (Ft. Avocados )

33:10 The Future of Fluviq : developing a global network of technological and agricultural partners 

33:56 Fluviq's sustainable future driven by a sense of awareness and necessity

38:41 How you can stay connected and updated with the latest happenings at Fluviq.

[Connect with Santiago and Daniel]

Santiago Rodrigo Patiño : linkedin.com/in/santiagorodp

Daniel Hurtado : linkedin.com/in/daniel-hurtado-in

[For Fluviq Business Inquiries]

Email : [email protected]

Webisite: fluviq.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/fluviq

[Connect with EcoSparks]
LinkedIn: wediscoverecosparks

[Producers]
Host: Ella Taylor
Guests: Santiago Rodrigo Patiño, Daniel Hurtado
Editors (s): Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu
Designer: Zoe Zhang
Music: Aileen Zhao

[Join us]
We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: [email protected]

In Episode 5 of EcoSparks, we are joined by Tim Binnion, the founder of (better)labs, and notably the first to combine product design and engineering with sustainable and circular innovation in China. Tim shares everything from his experience as the founder of a sustainable startup in China to the potential of circular design for creating a better planet, along with entrepreneurial lessons for young entrepreneurs!

Time Stamps:

02:11 What actually is circular design? Has it something to do with drawing circles?

04:43 How can we make the shift as individuals and companies to a circular mindset?

06:41 What is emotional durability and why does it matter?

11:10 Tim's top circular brands

14:01 So..what does Better(labs) do?

15:37 How can we make a circular business model? Tim’s future plans for (better)labs

16:38 What is it like being the founder of a sustainable startup in China?

19:21 The potential for circular design to be incorporated into exhibitions and pop-ups

22:01 As individuals, how can we reimagine the use of our objects and be more mindful of our impact?

25:31 The biggest differences in China’s sustainability evolution over the 15 years Tim has lived there

27:06 Is it truly fair to blame China for mass production and consumption?

27:36 How different is Australia in sustainability?

29:51 ESG programs and carbon reduction goals

32:11 Marketing a sustainable company in China without saying the ‘S’ word

35:56 Tim’s “better” definition of sustainability

38:01 The Ellen McArthur Foundation as a resource and how we can increase our understanding

42:11 Tim’s sustainable future defined by no waste


Contact Tim

Linkdin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbinnion/

Company Webiste: https://www.betterlabs.cc/

Follow EcoSparks
LinkedIn: wediscoverecosparks

[Producers]
Host: Ella Taylor
Guest: Tim Binnion
Editors (s): Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu
Designer: Zoe Zhang
Music: Aileen Zhao

[Join us]
We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: [email protected]

In the fourth episode of 'EcoSparks', Aileen interviews her peer Ruilin Huang (Lynn), a high school student based in Shanghai who is dedicated to making a sustainable economic impact. Despite balancing final exams and university applications, Lynn has already provided green solutions for two companies in Shanghai and understands the importance of aligning macro-policies with the demands of our planet.

Join Aileen and Lynn as they discuss Lynn's sustainable suggestions at a macro level, the connection between meditation and sustainability, as well as her advice for other students looking to adopt a greener way of living!

[Timeline]

00:15 Lynn in a nutshell. 

01:33 Lynn's Passion for Economics, Biology, and Her Intended Major 

03:00 "Scarce"- Based View of Sustainability 

04:00 Lynn's Adopted Scarcity-To-Growth Mindset: "Consumption to Creation" 

04:32 Her Journey To Sustainability - Linking Economic Development to Environmental Sustainability 

05:55 The High Schooler Provided Green Solutions At the Corporate Level 

07:22 What Future Career Paths Are In Store For Lynn?

09:20 A 'Hopeful' Anti-Greenwashing Sustainable Future Redefined By Guidelines 

10:52 The Rise of 'Data Sexuals' 

11:55 Gratitude for Our Natural Environment Being A Driver for Sustainability 

13:04 Why We Should Escape the Temporary Pleasures (Impulse Buying) Gained from Consumption 

14:18 Rethinking Product Design / Material Acquisition With Sustainability in Mind 

16:15 Why Macropolicies Should Shift Towards Nurturing Green-Purpose-Driven Innovation 

18:01 Our Generation Lacking Sustainability Knowledge / Lynn's Advice! 

20:28 Using Mindfulness to Melt Boundaries with Our External Environment 

21:30 Sustainability Beyond Our Natural Environment

[Producers]

Host : Alieen Zhao

Guest : Ruilin Huang (Lynn)

Editor(s): Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu

Designer : Zoe Zhang

Music : Aileen Zhao 

[Join us]
We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: [email protected]

In our third EcoSparks episode, Emma interviews Yi-Wen Lee, Plant Forward Chef Educator, noted member of 'THE CHEFS' MANIFESTO' initiative by SDG2 Advocacy Hub, and key initiator for many global food education programs. She has a unique, diverse cultural and industrial background being a world citizen with 17 years of fashion marketing experience in New York and China before transitioning to the world of whole foods education in 2012.

From sharing digestible food literacy concepts to comparing the farmer market scene in Shanghai and New York to the best way to adapt the sustainable food conversation for the audience, the co-founder of The Plant Forward LLAB's insights make for a dialogue packed with food for thought!

#lets.plantforward.together

[Timeline]

0:40 Who Is Yi-Wen? 

2:20 Defining Sustainability Through Secularity, Regeneration, and Mindfulness

3:15 Yi-Wen's Career as a Plant Forward Food Educator and Its Connection to Sustainability

4:52 Making the Move from Fashion to Food

6:37 Farmers Markets Vs. Supermarket Shopping

8:53 What Is the Farmers' Market Scene Like in Both Shanghai and New York?

11:37 How Well 'Read' in Food Literacy Are Australia, the US, and China?

14:25 Food Literacy Is Becoming a Hotter Topic

16:48 Yi-Wen's Guide to Living More Sustainably and Nutritiously 

19:01 Yi-Wen's Plant Forward Platform 植本食薏

23:18 Utilizing Both the Skins and Seeds of Your Fruit and Vegetable

25:34 We Can All Be Flexitarians 

26:28 Diversity in the Plant-Centric Food Pyramid

30:11 Energy Providing Greens and Their Fascinating Likeness to a Uterus

31:31 Adapting The Food Conversation for the Audience 

33:32 Conscious Food Prep and the Importance of Regeneration

39:34 Reflecting on What Foods Make You Feel Sleepy and Energized

43:34 Mindful Eating and Our 5 Senses (Snapping a Picture Being One of Them!)

45:13 What Are Some Challenges in Incorporating Sustainability?

47:28 Yi-Wen's Winter-time Tip for Soup and Salad

50:24 What Are Some Ways to Make Shanghai More Food Sustainable?

55:03 Pushing for Sustainability Without Explicitly Saying "Sustainability"

55:43 Yi-Wen's Sustainable Future is 'Regenerative'

[Producer]

Host: Emma Zhang

Guest: Yi-Wen Lee

Editor: Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu

Designer: Zoe Zhang

Music: Aileen Zhao

Connect with Yi-Wen Lee 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-yi-wen-lee-4242706/

Can’t Get Enough of EcoSparks? You can now follow us and get in touch on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/wediscoverecosparks/?viewAsMember=true

[Join us]
We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: [email protected]

In the second session of EcoSparks, we follow Toronto University Student Claire and our host Emma, as they tackle the topic of sustainability through Claire’s unique cross-cultural lens. From her view on how big cities like Toronto and Shanghai tackle sustainability and order takeout to Gen Z’s attitude towards green living and climate change - there is no doubt Claire’s unique perspective and insights as a psych major make for a fascinating discussion!

[Producer]

Host: Emma Zhang

Guest: Claire Li

Editor: Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu

Designer: Zoe Zhang

Music : Aileen Zhao 

[Timeline]

01:12 Who is Claire Li?
01:57 Understanding Sustainability as a Lifestyle
02:54 How Moving to Toronto Changed Her Outlook on a Sustainable Lifestyle
04:16 Shanghai Vs. Toronto (Which City Does It Better?)
04:59 Takeaways and Toronto’s Government Planning As Food for Thought 
06:11 The Recycling Scene in Shanghai 
07:34 Claire’s Experience Working At Toronto Rescue and Knife Life Rescue 
10:46 The Attitude of Gen Z Towards Sustainability 
12:33 What Practical Sustainable Changes Can Young People Make (Hint: More Food For Thought)
14:23 China’s Coincidental Sustainable Way of Cooking Using Every Part of The Animal
16:53 Gen Z’s Attitude Towards Climate Change 
19:14 The Defining Power of Public Speaking & Claire’s Experience In Debate 
23:48 What Does Claire’s ‘Engaged’ Sustainable Future Look Like?

[Join us]
We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: [email protected]

In the first episode of EcoSparks, Emma and Aileen dive headfirst into what the concept of sustainability uniquely means to Aileen as a high school student, as well as her interesting perspective on what leads us as a society to treat nature the way we currently do. They both address how we as a society, in particular younger generations, are becoming forced into the loop of buying more and more commodities in comparison to years ago. Aileen gives her hot take on the reasoning behind younger people’s resistance to paying attention to sustainability, while also offering her practical advice on how people can incorporate sustainable practices into their everyday lives.

[Producer]
Host: Emma Zhang
Guest: Aileen Zhao
Editor: Ella Taylor, Zoe Zhang, Kay Xu
Designer:Zoe Zhang

[Timeline]
0:52 Aileen Zhao in a nutshell.
1:29 Sustainability as an abstract concept, getting to its core meaning.
2:36 Aileen being drawn to Sustainability, childhood dreams, & passion for creating alignment.
4:26 The big philosophical question : How do we as a society treat nature?
6:31 High school sustainability events and the way one should integrate sustainability in a club.
8:56 Dissolving the gap between sustainable theories and their incorporation in life (Eg. via Marxism!)
10:51 A discussion on durability  - the cycle of consumerism and our materialistic new generation.
12:56 Aileen’s Guide for Young People to be more sustainable.
14:07 The perceived lack of willingness by young people to embrace sustainability.
14:56 Making big cities more sustainable: What could be done better?
16:24 “Only the people with power can control climate change”.
17:45 Small individual changes that can make a big impact!
18:14 What does a sustainable future look like?

[Join us]
We invite interested and passionate candidates for both interviewer and interviewee roles. So what are you waiting for? To reach out, share a copy of your updated CV and the reason why you are interested at: [email protected]