The Human Element in Exponential Growth
Our Winner: Enapter
Born on a climate-change affected South Pacific Island, Vaitea Cowan co-founded Enapter to change things for the better. Just three years on, its green hydrogen technology is already changing the way we power our world.
We have made huge advances in renewable energy, but we can still go further. With 30% of our energy already renewable, we need to focus on the 70% that remains: non-renewable energy that powers everything from industry to transport.
Enapter provides a clean alternative. Its AEM Electrolyser technology turns renewable electricity into emission-free hydrogen gas. Developed quicker and cheaper than once thought possible, the technology already fuels cars and planes, powers industry and heats homes.
This is just the start. In 2021, Enapter was successfully nominated by PDIE for the Fix Our Climate Earthshot. Funding from winning The Earthshot Prize has helped scale mass production, beginning in 2022, while growing the team faster and funding further research and development. By 2050, Enapter’s vision is to account for 10% of the world’s hydrogen generation.
Enapter shows us that, even when faced with the greatest of challenges, we can turn back the tide.
Fix Our Climate Winner 2021
Enapter's AEM Electrolyser uses renewable energy to make green hydrogen.
Our Finalists
WOTA
Pristine Seas
Pristine Seas
Nearly 40 percent of the world’s population is on track to experience water stress by 2050. Water stress occurs when the water resources in a region or country are insufficient for its needs. Climate change and population growth are already driving shortages across the world.
WOTA, a Japanese start-up, wants to improve water security by helping people reuse wastewater. Founded in 2014, the company’s first product, WOTA BOX, is the only solution of its kind, turning more than 98 percent of water waste into clean fresh water.
A fraction of the size of a typical water treatment plant, and over 50 times more efficient, WOTA BOX can be delivered at scale. Plus, installation requires no existing infrastructure.
The solution has already had an impact. In recent years in Japan, more than 20,000 people used them after floods, typhoons, and earthquakes cut off water supplies.
WOTA are looking to expand operations across the world, while lowering costs for developing countries. WOTA hopes to make its technology as commonplace as power generators. If it succeeds, it could save the world from a water stressed future.
Pristine Seas
Pristine Seas
Pristine Seas
The ocean covers 70% of the Earth. It provides food for billions and over half the oxygen we breathe. Devastating human impact, however, is pushing the ocean towards a tipping point beyond which we may never recover. Pristine Seas, a global ocean conservation program, is leading the charge to avert catastrophe.
The project was founded by Dr. Enric Sala, National Geographic’s Explorer in Residence. A former university professor, Sala grew up by the Mediterranean Sea, where he saw the destruction wrought on the marine world first-hand.
In 2008, Sala founded Pristine Seas, bringing together an expert team of scientists, filmmakers and policy experts, with the aim to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030. It has produced over 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 30 documentary films to inspire others to action.
So far, Pristine Seas has helped establish 24 marine reserves worldwide, across an area over twice the size of India. Pristine Seas aims to lead a global movement to protect 30% of our ocean by 2030. They need to scale their conservation mission, boost visibility of ocean issues, help educate a new generation of leaders, and transform economies. If Pristine Seas succeeds, our oceans, and the life they sustain, can be saved.