Impact at Scale Hosted by Zal Dastur and Produced by Michael Waitze Media

Impact at Scale had an engaging conversation with Charlie McGill, the CEO of ElectraLith, a company specializing in sustainable lithium extraction. ElectraLith's membrane technology offers a cleaner and more cost-efficient method of lithium extraction, reducing the environmental footprint. This is vitally important as the demand for lithium is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.



We discuss the challenges of current lithium extraction methods and the need for more environmentally friendly solutions. Charlie explains the unique membrane technology developed by ElectraLith and its potential to revolutionize the lithium extraction process. They also explore the growing demand for lithium and its applications in batteries. The conversation delves into the process of productizing academic ideas and the importance of embracing failure and experimentation in startup culture.



ElectraLith's groundbreaking work has earned them a spot in the prestigious 2024 APAC Cleantech 25 List. They are set to participate in the CleanTech Forum Asia, a significant event in Singapore scheduled for the 7th and 8th of May 2024.



Some of the Topics Charlie Covered


Membrane Technology and Lithium Extraction
Importance of Sustainable Lithium Extraction
Challenges of Productizing Academic Ideas
Embracing Failure and Experimentation



Other Titles We Considered


Just because you have a solution does not mean there is a problem
Teaching academics that it's okay to fail.
If we don't push hard enough, we won't know when we've pushed too far.

Impact at Scale had the privilege of speaking with the remarkable Sharona Shnayder, founder of Tuesdays for Trash and recipient of the National Geographic Young Explorer Award. Sharona shared her inspiring journey and the remarkable expansion of her grassroots environmental movement.



Tuesdays for Trash, born out of the COVID-19 lockdowns, became a beacon of hope for Sharona and her friend to make a difference in the world. What began as a local initiative swiftly transformed into a global force, spanning an impressive 40 countries.



Sharona's narrative is a testament to the belief that each of us holds the power to address environmental challenges. She candidly shares the obstacles and victories she's encountered in her activism, underscoring the urgent need for policy shifts and educational campaigns to effectively manage waste.





Some of the topics Sharona covered


Starting Tuesdays for Trash
Manifesting the Movement
Using Social Media to Spread Awareness
Unexpected Growth and Becoming a Movement
Some Incredible Moments



Other Titles We Considered


How to start a movement
It's an act of respect
We're making it seen and visible so people don't feel like they're alone in this fight
It's so simple and easy it makes it accessible to anyone

This episode of Impact at Scale features Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, fresh off the heels of the recent awards ceremony in Singapore. Founded by Prince William, the Earthshot Prize draws inspiration from President John F. Kennedy's moonshot challenge, aiming to tackle seemingly impossible environmental goals within a decade.

Hannah's conviction and passion during the conversation is infectious, and you can feel her enthusiasm for what the future holds and how we will get there.



Our discussion with Hannah shed light on the Earthshot Prize's global impact, instilling a sense of hope for a sustainable future. Hannah's extensive experience at Nike, where she championed sustainability and innovation, prepared her well for her current role as CEO of Earthshot.



We explored the prize's function as a platform for a worldwide movement of optimism and action on sustainability, the meticulous search and selection process that uncovers countless potential solutions, and her aspiration to create a World Cup moment for environmental solutions, sparking global action. We even talk about what it is like to work with Prince William and his passion for the prize.





Some of the topics Hannah covered


Earthshot Prize's Mission
Search and Selection Process
Journey to the Earthshot Prize
Social Tipping Points
Green Growth in Singapore:



Other Titles We Considered


We have to turn anger into action and a sense of agency.
We are the Google search engine for all environmental solutions."
Climate change is going to make COVID look easy.
It always seems hard until it isn't

Impact at Scale got to have an insightful conversation with Dale Rickert, Global Head of Product, GREENTECH FESTIVAL and Jan Willem Bolderdijk, Professor of Sustainability & Marketing at the University of Amsterdam.



This was a wide-ranging conversation that covered many different topics. We examined cultural tipping points and their importance in the fight against climate change. There was also a lively discussion on the ethical and cultural aspects of marketing and consumption in a sustainable future.



This conversation was a fantastic melding of theory and practical application of behavioral change as they see it in the real world. It was an insightful discussion for anyone interested in how we change the global mindset on sustainability.



Some of the topics Dale and Jan covered:


Social Tipping Points
Storytelling and Marketing
Intention-Behavior Gap
Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Change



Some other titles we considered for this episode


Culture eats strategy for breakfast
Change instigated by those who don’t have a lot of power
People will speak out when they feel there’s institutional support

Impact at Scale had the opportunity to meet and discuss all things food with Vikas Garg, founder of abillion. abillion serves as a social media platform, consumer review platform, and marketplace focused on sustainability. Vikas discusses the platform's mission to inspire a billion people to make sustainable choices. The platform focuses on food, injecting purpose and values into consumer choices.



Vikas explains that the inspiration behind abillion stemmed from his observation of the misinformation and data misuse on social media platforms, leading him to create a platform where every action creates a positive impact. He highlights the platform's community-driven approach and efforts to ensure accurate and reliable information. Garg emphasizes the importance of sustainability in food choices, noting meat production's inefficiencies and environmental impact.



Some of the topics that Vikas covered




Being Mission Driven
Sustainability in Food Choices
Power of Community and User-Generated Content
Educating Users on Impactful Choices



Other Titles We Considered


Inspire a billion for the planet
Help people make responsible decisions
I'm a big believer in movements
Red meat is a type one carcinogen right up there with tobacco

Impact at Scale sat down for a coffee with Matthew Howe, Founder of Grobrix. Grobrix offers an innovative urban farming service for businesses. Grobrix is a Lego-inspired, modular growing system that seamlessly integrates into any office environment. The company takes care of everything, from installation and maintenance to harvesting the crops, allowing employees to enjoy the benefits of fresh, local produce without the hassle.



Matthew, a former banker who turned his passion for sustainability into a thriving business, sees that Grobrix is more than just a convenient source of greens. It's a powerful tool for promoting sustainability, health, and employee engagement. In a world increasingly disconnected from our food source, Grobrix fosters a sense of connection with where our food comes from.



Some of the topics that Mathew Covered:


From Finance to Farming
Design inspiration from Lego
Beyond Convenience: Sustainability and Impact
The Future of Urban Farming



Some other titles we considered for this episode:


A cross between a gardener and a personal trainer
Making everyone an urban farmer