Challenges, breakthroughs and big ideas in the race to protect our planet. SEE MORE

‘It’s not a lost cause’: Seattle Aquarium CEO Meg McCann on saving the ocean one visitor at a time

Meg McCann didn’t take the traditional path to leading a major marine science institution, moving from trial lawyer and state official to CEO of the Seattle Aquarium. Now, she’s using that policy and leadership background to tackle issues like kelp recovery, cut institutional fossil fuel use and position the aquarium as a global hub for ocean conservation. Read More

From school nuggets to insect kibble: How the next generation of faux meats aims to win over skeptics

As startups and researchers advance alternative proteins for both people and pets, the sector is working to overcome hurdles like high costs, consumer skepticism and concerns over processing. By leveraging continuous manufacturing and sustainable ingredients like plant proteins and insects, companies like Rebellyous Foods and Jiminy’s are striving to make eco-friendly alternatives accessible, affordable and mainstream. Read More

With a headcount topping 800, Helion opens Seattle office in pursuit of fusion energy

Helion Energy has opened a downtown Seattle office as its headcount hits 800 employees, adding to its five-building Everett headquarters and its Malaga, Wash., site, where the fusion startup is building its Orion generator facility. The company, which has raised more than $1.5 billion, is racing to get Orion operational within two years to meet a contract to supply fusion energy to a Microsoft data center. Read More

How a new $7.5M UW facility aims to spark U.S. battery innovation

The University of Washington has opened the West Coast’s first public, open-access battery manufacturing lab to help startups scale novel chemistries for grid storage, defense and transportation. Built with $7.5 million in state climate funding, the Seattle facility provides equipment and expertise for developing prototype pouch cells Read More

Why McKinstry leader Matt Allen is betting on clean nuclear, geothermal and smarter buildings

Matt Allen, chief client officer for the Seattle-based construction and energy services firm McKinstry, is hopeful. He’s betting that climate tech innovations including more efficient building operations as well as fusion and geothermal energy can help his company and its customers meet their carbon emissions goals. Allen shares his thoughts in this sustainability leader profile. Read More

The greenest goodbye: Human composting and the science of becoming soil

In 2020, Recompose was the first U.S. company to develop the technology needed for the commercial composting of human bodies, disrupting a funeral industry that had been largely unchanged for decades. Now 14 states have legalized the climate-friendly practice and more than a dozen others are considering it. Additional startups have launched to offer a greener goodbye and all are looking to scale. Read More