Disrupting Climate Change: 13 Tech Innovators Helping to Save the Planet

by Meghan Gunn, Kerri Anne Renaulli and Ned Potter (Newsweek) ...These disruptors are pushing the boundaries of technology in creative ways to find solutions to the climate crisis and other, often related, environmental challenges. And they are often doing so in ways that not only help protect the planet but also make life a little easier, safer and more affordable for the people living on Earth as well.

On the following pages you will meet 13 of these visionaries, the first group in a Newsweek series focusing on Great Disruptors—our name for innovative agents of change who are using technology in new and creative ways that have the potential to profoundly impact and, hopefully, improve our lives.

Twelve wants to make a whole host of products greener by changing where the carbon used in their production comes from—taking it from carbon dioxide captured in the air instead of from the ground in the form of fossil fuels. "If we can take the fundamental carbon molecule and put new atoms around it, such that it can be useful in industry," says co-founder Etosha Cave, "we can fundamentally shift what's happening with our atmosphere and what's happening with climate change."

Or, as her fellow co-founder Kendra Kuhl puts it: "Changing carbon changes everything."

To accomplish this transformation, the company created a catalyst that breaks down carbon dioxide captured from the air into smaller atomic bits, such as carbon and oxygen, using water and electricity to recombine the elements and form other carbon compounds that make up the basis of a wide range of chemicals and fuels. Co-founder Nicholas Flanders likens the technology to an industrial form of photosynthesis, the process by which plants use carbon dioxide, water and sunlight to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar.

Twelve's carbon transformation system can be added to existing manufacturing processes and its end products used as a direct replacement for standard petrochemicals. That allows other companies to cut their reliance on fossil fuels in production with little modification to their existing methods of operation.

"By sourcing carbon from carbon dioxide instead of fossil fuels, we can drastically reduce our emissions while keeping the products we know and love," says Cave.

Brands are taking note. Twelve's chemicals are currently being used to produce Mercedes-Benz car parts, ingredients in Tide detergent and a line of Pangaia sunglasses. Twelve also created its own sustainable aviation fuel, E-Jet, which has been tested and backed by the U.S. Air Force. Thanks to a partnership with Alaska Airlines and Microsoft, it is also working on bringing that fuel to use on commercial flights. Meanwhile, Twelve's sustainable marine fuel, E-Marine, has a similar deal with Virgin Voyages cruise line to explore using it to power their ships. —K.R.