How Do You Scale a Climate Solution?

Happy New Year and welcome back to Pique Behind the Curtain! To kick off 2023, we’ll look at a startup funding the future of the climate revolution and appreciate some of the monumental moments that helped us reach today’s state of progress.

— Written by Shayna Berglas

Climate Finance Solutions

Solving the climate crisis is an urgent problem. Globally, we will need to spend about $5 trillion per year on climate by 2030 in order to solve it, but right now, we’re spending less than $1 trillion. 

We know we have to scale climate technology as quickly as possible, but securing funding continues to be a barrier for businesses. And even when they do find the capital, it may not fit the best model of funding for them. Research has shown that startups are 2x more likely to succeed when backed by non-dilutive funding (funding that doesn't require them to give up equity).

Climate Finance Solutions is now connecting companies around the world to the capital they need to help build a better planet. Click here to watch our micro-documentary on the startup financing the fight against climate change.

Good Climate News! 🌍

(Photo by Callum Shaw on Unsplash)

If you follow us at Pique, you know that we denounce doom and gloom when it comes to climate. It’s not an easy task, especially when most of the news surrounding climate change is so scary. It’s easy to feel helpless, we get it. But 2022 provided plenty to be hopeful for, too, when it comes to the future of the planet - both on the international stage and in our own backyards.

Globally, two landmark agreements were created by world leaders to assist nations  in addressing catastrophic effects of climate change and to safeguard the biodiversity of this planet.

At COP27, those who were hoping for a mandate to fully phase-out fossil fuels were disappointed. However, a first-of-its-kind agreement on "loss and damage" was reached by representatives from developing countries, which will help address the disproportionate economic and cultural losses brought on by climate change. Only a few weeks later, world leaders decided to safeguard 30% of the land and oceans by the year 2030 in a biodiversity agreement reached at COP15. Additionally, 175 nations concurred in March to cooperate in the fight against plastic pollution.

And let’s not forget about the United States’ landmark year for climate action!

The Inflation Reduction Act, largely regarded as the most comprehensive climate plan in American history, was signed into law by President Biden in August. The law intends to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half from 2005 levels by 2030. In addition to lowering emissions, it would also cut energy costs, provide financial support for climate-friendly improvements like solar panels, heat pumps, and electric cars, and it will generate millions of green jobs in the renewable energy sector. 

2022 was also the year that appeals for the return of unceded land taken from Indigenous peoples received some attention. Tribes received land from California to New York — a victory for the "land back" movement. The federal government also inked more than 20 new co-stewardship agreements, giving tribes a bigger say in how federal lands and water bodies are managed.

Looking back can be inspiring, and should serve as a reminder that the new year offers new opportunities to do good for both people and the planet. Let’s take advantage of them, today.

What We’re Watching 🎥, Reading 📚, and Listening to 🎧

Searching for more positive and informative climate content? Look no further!

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