In honor of Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on some of the remarkable female founders within the Blue Climate Collective who are steering the helm of ocean-based climate solutions. Their innovation and dedication are not only inspiring, but pivotal to our shared mission toward a healthier planet and future.From biodegradable plastic alternatives to tackling greenhouse gas emissions, here are just a few trailblazers making waves for the future of our planet:
Alexia Akbay, founder and CEO of Symbrosia, is combating the challenge of livestock emissions with seaweed-based solutions. The company saw a 75% reduction of methane in their first commercial trial, held in partnership with Z Farms, a woman-owned organic cattle operation.
Neha Jain founded award-winning Zerocircle, based in Mumbai, with the mission to revolutionize materials with seaweed-based alternatives to single-use plastics. Zerocircle collaborates with seaweed farming communities along the Indian coastline, providing meaningful employment opportunities, particularly for women in fishing households.
Kelly Erhart co-founded Vesta, the first company with a federal permit to deploy a stand-alone carbon removal test in U.S. waters, utilizing olivine-enhanced sand that improves the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon from the atmosphere and lock it away for thousands of years.
Donna Lanzetta is the founder and CEO of Manna Fish Farms — on course to be the one of the first open ocean finfish farms on the east coast of the U.S. With a commitment to sustainable seafood production, Manna Fish Farms aims to alleviate pressure on wild fish stocks while driving economic growth of coastal and rural communities.
Alisha Frederiksson and Roujia Wen co-founded Seabound, a company helping to lead the maritime industry’s decarbonization efforts with their carbon capture technology for large cargo ships. The equipment sits adjacent to a ship's funnel and traps up to 95% of the CO2 from its exhaust, using patent-pending technology.
Julia Marsh leads innovative materials company Sway as CEO and co-founder, harnessing the power of seaweed to create home-compostable replacements for plastic, serving a wide range of applications and industries — from fashion and home goods to cosmetics and food.
Dr. Ulrike Pfreundt, Marie Griesmar, Hanna Kuhfuss, and Josephine Graf lead the team at rrreefs, combining artistic vision, scientific rigor, and the latest 3D printing technology to create modular structures that rebuild reef structure, regenerate reef life, and serve as coastal protection barriers.
As we celebrate this group of incredible individuals, we're reminded of the power of diverse leadership in advancing the solutions our ocean and planet desperately need. Beyond these changemakers, we’re encouraged by additional member updates and news at the nexus of ocean and climate:Member updates + what we’re reading
Member Cruz Foam has been recognized by Fast Company as part of the annual Most Innovative Companies 2024 list. The company develops certified compostable products that replace harmful styrofoam and single-use plastics common in protective packaging across industries.
Member Uluu was recently featured in Forbes Australia as one of the ocean changemakers leading the blue economy. Uluu produces biodegradable, seaweed-based pellets that represent the building blocks to be transformed into a broad range of plastic and fabric replacements.
Member CorPower Ocean has successfully tested its commercial-scale C4 wave energy converter off the coast of Aguçadoura, Portugal, showcasing its ability to adapt to varying sea states and efficiently harness wave power. The company's innovative technology showcases promising results toward the transition to renewable energy.
The Economist dives into the burgeoning role of women in the blue economy, highlighting that 40% of seaweed startups are female-led.
Bloomberg highlights how leading commodities company Cargill Inc. is exploring the addition of wind-power technology to future cargo ships, following successful trials with sails that enhanced the environmental sustainability of a bulk carrier in their fleet.
Thank you for your support and engagement with the Blue Climate Collective and for recognizing our members making incredible progress for our ocean and planet.
