Stanford Doerr School advances climate innovations despite challenges

Students and scientists at Stanford University are working on new innovations aimed at solving serious environmental problems. This week, they showcased their projects at the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator. However, their efforts come amidst challenges from a shifting political climate that affects science funding. Arun Majumdar, the dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, highlighted the urgency of issues like climate change and resource distribution. He described the current global situation as a "human tsunami." Despite the federal government's budget cuts affecting environmental agencies, Majumdar remains optimistic about the mission and the people involved in sustainability efforts. Innovative projects presented at the showcase include a method to remove greenhouse gases using electricity and seawater, and a strategy to use abundant rocks for carbon removal. Researchers like Isabela Rios Amador and Jade Marcus believe these ideas could be scalable solutions to combat climate change. Another initiative involves turning plant waste into stable carbon through biochar, as explained by researcher Divya Chalise. This method aims to draw carbon from the atmosphere and store it safely. The common theme among these projects is a collaboration of ideas from various disciplines at Stanford. Majumdar emphasized that these initiatives represent a collective effort to overcome obstacles and make a positive impact on the planet's future.