Ideas for Impact

Canada holds a fifth of the world’s freshwater, yet many of its communities still face boil water advisories, phosphorus-fueled algae blooms, and shrinking aquifers. While water feels abundant here, the truth is more complicated and more urgent.

In this episode of Ideas for Impact, we sit down with Kariann Aarup, Head of Program Partnerships at AquaAction, a national nonprofit helping young innovators design and deploy real-world freshwater solutions. With more than 80 water tech ventures launched through their AquaHacking Challenge and AquaEntrepreneur programs, AquaAction is proving that early-stage ideas—when rooted in local knowledge and built with intention can shift how we respond to one of Canada’s most pressing environmental challenges.

From a startup turning blue-green algae into biofuel, to AI-powered infrastructure tools that predict water main failures before they happen, Kariann walks us through the powerful solutions emerging from Canada’s youth and what it takes to turn a prototype into impact.

We explore:

• The biggest threats to freshwater in Canada right now (and why the myth of abundance is dangerous)
• Why youth-led innovation offers a radically different mindset around environmental entrepreneurship
• How AquaAction matches local water problems with student-driven tech innovation
• The real barriers to scaling water tech regulation, public sector procurement, and slow adoption cycles and what AquaAction is doing to change that
• The role of mentorship, community, and experiential learning in building a generation of water-aware leaders
• Why designing with water at the centre could change how we build everything from cities to clothing

If you’re curious about what the future of water looks like in Canada—and how entrepreneurship, sustainability, and systems change are starting to intersect in real ways—this conversation is for you.

🎧 Episode Highlights:

 04:12 – Kariann’s journey: From entrepreneurship to environmental impact
 07:20 – What makes youth-led water innovation different
 13:35 – Top threats to freshwater across Canada
 17:20 – Invasive species, phosphorus runoff, algae blooms & innovation on the ground
 22:15 – How blue-green algae became biofuel: A real venture story
 25:40 – Why water tech startups don’t follow the usual playbook
 29:50 – Supporting first pilots and public-sector partnerships
 34:15 – 80+ ventures launched—and what’s next for AquaAction
 39:00 – The mindset shift: Designing with water in mind
 44:10 – Staying hopeful in the face of environmental urgency
 50:45 – Kariann’s message to the next generation of innovators

📍 Learn more about AquaAction: https://aquaaction.org

🌊 Want to help shape Canada’s water future? Follow the AquaHacking Challenge or explore how to support their mission.

 🔗 More at ideasforimpactagency.com

Nearly two billion people still live without access to safe water—while billions of investment dollars sit on the sidelines. In this episode, we speak with Genevieve Edens from WaterEquity, the first impact investment fund focused entirely on solving the global water and sanitation crisis.

Backed by Matt Damon and Gary White, WaterEquity was built to fill a clear gap: channeling capital to underserved communities through market-based solutions. Genevieve walks us through how the fund evolved out of water.org, why microfinance is a powerful tool for access, and how they’ve structured investment strategies to serve both financial and social returns.

We discuss:

• How catalytic capital and blended finance can move the needle in overlooked sectors
• What it takes to de-risk water infrastructure projects in emerging markets
• Why impact reporting—and listening to the people most affected—matters
• What success looks like beyond traditional ROI

Whether you're in finance, development, or just want a clearer picture of how global water access can scale, this episode offers a grounded look at the intersection of money, infrastructure, and public health.

Behind the postcard views of British Columbia’s coastline lies a different story—one of plastic pollution, degraded marine infrastructure, invisible water contamination, and the quiet disappearance of public beach access. In this episode, we speak with Lucas Harris, Executive Director of Surfrider Foundation Canada, about what it means to protect the ocean when the threats are complex, systemic, and often unseen.

Lucas shares how Surfrider’s work in Canada—once focused largely on beach cleanups—has evolved into something much more ambitious: a strategy that blends grassroots organizing, environmental data collection, policy advocacy, and hands-on collaboration with Indigenous communities. From banning Styrofoam in marine infrastructure to driving youth-led campaigns on university campuses, Surfrider is building environmental leadership from the ground up.

We also explore ReSurf Gear Circularity, a new initiative addressing the end-of-life problem with surf gear—diverting neoprene and polystyrene waste from landfills and recycling it into new, usable materials. It’s an experiment in circular design with implications well beyond the surf community.

Ocean conservation in Canada isn’t just about pristine wilderness or protecting nature “over there.” It’s about what happens when people organize in their own backyards to shift policy, culture, and infrastructure—all while staying grounded in the realities of place.

What does the future of fishing look like when transparency, sustainability, and equity lead the way?

In this episode, we explore how one bold venture is shaking up the commercial fishing industry—using real-time data, tech-driven accountability, and a community-first mindset to rethink how we harvest from the ocean. At the center is Teem.fish, a company building digital tools to modernize fisheries monitoring, protect coastal livelihoods, and support smarter seafood systems.

From the wharfs of Newfoundland to global waters, we unpack how innovations like electronic monitoring are not just helping enforce fishing regulations, but redefining them. You'll hear how traditional fishing practices meet cutting-edge technology, how policy and innovation collide, and why Indigenous data sovereignty must be central to ocean governance.

This conversation surfaces tough questions: Who owns the data collected on our oceans? How do we balance economic growth with ocean health? And what does justice look like for small-scale fishers in an increasingly industrial system?

Whether you're working in climate tech, marine conservation, or just want to know where your seafood comes from, this episode offers a raw and hopeful look at the tools—and values—reshaping the future of sustainable fisheries.

We covered so much ground with Amanda including: 

• How data and electronic monitoring are transforming global fisheries
• The tension between quantity and quality in seafood harvesting
• Indigenous data sovereignty and the right to self-determined ocean stewardship
• Challenges facing small-scale and community-based fishers
• The role of innovation in building trust, transparency, and equity at sea

Timestamps:
01:52 – From Newfoundland to fisheries innovation
04:45 – The founding story of Teem.fish
07:00 – Scaling challenges and monitoring breakthroughs
10:27 – Local stories, global stakes
33:08 – Indigenous leadership and data sovereignty
39:42 – A message to the UN 

In this episode of Ideas for Impact, we dive into the world of seaweed and marine biologics with Patrick Griffin, CEO of Marine Biologics, and Spencer Serin, CSO. Together, they explore how seaweed—often overlooked and underutilized—is poised to transform the future of biomanufacturing.

From methane-reducing feed to bioactive compounds for food, cosmetics, and materials, Marine Biologics is building a scalable, science-backed approach to seaweed innovation. They’re not just creating products—they’re reshaping entire supply chains, one macroalgae strand at a time.

Patrick and Spencer share their journeys from tech and cheese-making to building a data-powered, global venture in the blue economy. They reveal what it takes to stabilize a fickle crop like seaweed, the challenges of global operations, and why collaboration is key to systems-level impact.

Tune in for a conversation on chemistry, circularity, and the power of building regenerative economies from the ocean up.

Learn more about Marine Biologics 

Visit us at www.IdeasforImpactagency.com

In this episode we dive into a conversation with ocean explorer turned entrepreneur Julie Angus, the visionary founder and CEO of Open Ocean Robotics.

Julie shares how her solar-powered, autonomous boats are transforming the way we understand and protect our oceans. From tracking illegal fishing to advancing climate research, her blue tech startup is pushing the boundaries of marine innovation — all while building a business rooted in impact.

We explore the tech, the team, and the tension between conservation and commercialization in the evolving blue economy. Julie also opens up about the role of AI in their work, the power of strategic partnerships, and what’s on the horizon for ocean intelligence.

If you’ve ever wondered how we can scale solutions without sacrificing stewardship — this is the episode for you.

Episode Breakdown:
 02:07 – The Mission and Technology of Open Ocean Robotics
 13:11 – Challenges and Innovations in the Maritime Industry
 15:06 – Partnerships and Global Expansion
 23:02 – Balancing Impact and Business Growth
 27:11 – Future of Ocean Intelligence and Final Thoughts

Visit Open Ocean Robotics 

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In this episode of Ideas for Impact: Disruption for Good, co-hosts Joanna Buczkowska-McCumber and Deborah Haust sit down with political scientist and sustainability leader Jenny Morgan to explore the nuances behind her new book, Cancel Culture in Climate. Together, they unpack what’s really happening when conversations about climate shift from constructive to combative—and why that matters for the future of innovation, sustainability, and leadership.

Jenny shares stories from her career, including her time at Microsoft and her deep involvement in the B Corp movement, offering a unique vantage point on how corporate and individual actors alike are navigating increasingly polarized conversations around climate action. She reminds us that solving environmental and societal issues requires more than just good intentions—it demands thoughtful language, a willingness to stay in dialogue, and a commitment to curiosity over judgment.

The episode explores:

• How climate cancel culture shows up in real-world systems—from tech to activism to boardrooms.
• Why empathy and open communication are critical tools in the sustainability space.
• The dangers of oversimplification and ideological rigidity in a world that requires complexity and nuance.
• Tangible ways businesses and individuals can stay engaged, even when the narrative gets difficult.
• The power of words in shaping policy, public sentiment, and pathways to climate justice.

Whether you’re a founder, a policymaker, a sustainability professional, or simply someone trying to make sense of the climate conversation in 2025—this episode offers insight, grounding, and inspiration to keep asking the right questions.

Tune in for a bold, honest, and deeply human conversation about what it means to lead with impact in an era of division—and how, sometimes, the most powerful move is to listen first.

00:58 – Meet Jenny Morgan: Cancel Culture in Climate
02:20 – Jenny’s Journey and Insights
11:13 – The Language of Climate and Sustainability
22:58 – Empathy and Communication in Climate Action
27:16 – Practical Steps for Climate Impact
30:36 – Looking Forward to 2025

Grab a copy of Jenny's book https://www.cancelcultureinclimate.com/book

Visit us at www.ideasforimpactagency.com

In this episode, we wade into the salty, untamed waters of the blue economy with Michael Williamson, co-founder and CEO of Cascadia Seaweed. Born from a bold idea and built with deep roots in Indigenous collaboration, Cascadia isn’t just farming seaweed — it’s scaling a climate solution.

Michael shares the origin story of a venture that’s part carbon drawdown strategy, part food security revolution, and all-in on reimagining how we work with — not against — the ocean. We talk startup grit, the path to Series A, and what it really takes to grow a regenerative business that doesn’t compromise its mission at scale.

From ocean farming to future-proofing our food systems, this conversation is a deep dive into what it means to build for the long tide.

00:51 The Power of Seaweed
01:40 Founding Cascadia Seaweed
02:49 Navigating Challenges and Growth
10:15 Commitment to Sustainability and Community
18:13 Collaborating with Indigenous Communities
22:16 Exploring Business Models with First Nations
26:43 Maintaining Mission-First as the Company Scales
30:00 Fundraising Journey and Investor Alignment
39:10 Future Vision for Cascadia Seaweed

Learn more about Cascadia Seaweed at  https://www.cascadiaseaweed.com/

Visit us at www.ideasforimpactagency.com

Did you know that over 1.5 million young people around the world participated in the Global Climate Strikes in September 2019, young people were demanding urgent action on climate change in countries all around the world.  Because of their actions, the world started to pay attention. 

Earth Rangers, an organization focused on youth, has mobilized over 250,000 young environmentalists to protect wildlife and habitats. Earth Rangers is a powerhouse in conservation, empowering youth to become stewards of the environment through education, hands-on initiatives, and groundbreaking research.

We are joined by Earth Rangers President Tovah Barocas to share the inspiring projects and the extraordinary young people driving positive change for our planet.

Learn more www.earthrangers.com

Follow Impact News and Support follow us at www.ideasforimpact.ca

The world of investing is changing, expanding into geniune impact. The focus has broadened to encompass investments in profit-driven ventures with an impact focus, social enterprises, cooperatives, and even non-profits. One of the funds pioneering hybrid models of investment is the Thrive Impact Fund based in Victoria Canada. It's a testament to the idea that impact doesn't need to be massive in scale to be profoundly effective.

Thrive Impact Fund stands out as a BC Benefit Company, a fund with a geographical focus, committed to financing and bolstering enterprises that address the pressing social, environmental, and cultural challenges of our time. In this episode,  we host Kristi Fairholm Mader, the co-founder, managing director, and visionary force behind the fund.

Learn more about Thrive Impact Fund www.thriveimpactfund.ca

Visit us at www.ideasforimpact.ca