Clever Carbon has been part of the SXSW conversation on climate and carbon literacy since 2022 — our founder Michelle Li has taken the stage year after year to help audiences understand what a carbon footprint actually is, and why measuring it is the first step toward changing it. Below is a recap of our sessions so far.
Arctic: An Urgent Call for Climate and National Security
Tucked away at the top of the Earth, the Arctic plays a central role in stabilizing the global climate through the polar vortex and reflection of the sun's heat back into the atmosphere, among other key mechanisms. The current rapid loss of Arctic sea ice is not only an urgent climate matter but a key national security matter, as geopolitical conflict will result over newly accessible resources, shipping lanes, and seabed rights. Action or inaction by individuals, corporations, and governments will determine the fate of the Arctic and, by extension, our planet and next generations.
Speakers:
- Sherri Goodman | International Military Council on Climate & Security
- Sally Ann Ranney | Global Choices
- Kishla Askins | Polar Pangea
- Michelle Li | Clever Carbon (moderator)
Climate Repair, Ocean Health, and Carbon Removal
In 2023, our founder, Michelle Li, returned to SXSW to raise awareness on the topic of oceans and climate, moderating this panel on climate repair and carbon removal.
Our planet is 30% land and 70% oceans. Climate change represents the greatest collective challenge of our time, and is a direct result of excess carbon emissions to the tune of 2,000 gigatons. The removal of carbon dioxide is critical, if humanity is to have a chance to turn the tide on climate change. While land-based solutions are well known and discussed, Earth's oceans provide the best pathway for permanent gigaton-scale carbon removal (CR) that can be deployed quickly. Oceans naturally remove CO2, cycling it to the deep ocean in a safe and permanent form. Blue carbon, iron fertilization, electrochemistry, and alkalinization represent a few ocean-based CR pathways. Maximizing ocean productivity and reducing ocean acidity through protection and conservation efforts will also be key.
Speakers:
- Brad Ack | Ocean Visions
- Kathryn Moran | Ocean Networks Canada
- Marti Odlin | Running Tide
- Michelle Li | Clever Carbon (moderator)
Carbon Footprint and the Future of Consumer Brands
Our founder, Michelle Li, spoke at SXSW 2022 on the topic of carbon footprint literacy and the future of consumer brands. Check out the recorded session below!
You've probably been hearing the word carbon footprint a lot in the past year, but you may not yet know what it is and how it applies to our everyday actions. A cup of coffee, an apple, a 5 mile drive, watching TV or attending a virtual meeting – everything we do has an impact (or carbon footprint). Carbon footprint literacy is important because knowing the impact of our everyday actions can help us make better choices for ourselves and the planet. Advocacy for carbon labels, similar to nutrition labels but with carbon emissions data, will grow, and lead to transparency and accountability.
This panel is suitable for all audiences. Attendees will learn about carbon footprint, how brands are carbon labeling, and the future of carbon footprint literacy.
Speakers:
- Michelle Li | Clever Carbon
- Emily Ewell | Pantys
- Sandra Noonan | Just Salad
- Cristina Mittermeier | Sea Legacy (moderator)
