Global efforts toward sustainability have reached a critical point, especially in industries that traditionally have a large environmental impact, such as chemical manufacturing and mining. These sectors, which are vital to the global economy, are also a significant source of carbon emissions and environmental degradation. But innovative approaches are starting to change the way these industries operate, making sustainability a driver of innovation rather than just a choice. On today’s show, you’ll meet and hear from Tara Karimi, our co-founder and chief scientific officer. Sembita. Tara and her younger brother, Moji, are taking on the challenge of converting CO2 into known raw materials as feedstock for new chemicals, materials and foods, drawing on their unique backgrounds – Moji in petroleum engineering and biochemistry. They use synthetic biology to convert greenhouse gases into useful resources. Cemvita’s innovation is just one of many CO2 capture and conversion strategies that could significantly reduce the carbon emissions of an industry often criticized for its environmental impact.
Cemvita applies biomimicry, the science of learning how nature works to produce a cornucopia of life-sustaining substances. The idea emerged in the early 1980s, and now, 40 years later, we are witnessing not only the occasional biomimetic innovation, but also potentially industry-changing shifts in strategy and environmental impact. As Tara explains, there is a long way to go before we can reach a carbon neutral and still thriving economy. Cemvita’s approach combines organic and inorganic chemistry with insights that can see biomimetic alternatives to heat-intensive chemical refineries. For example, we look at depleted oil wells and natural bioreactors to make gold hydrogen, or replacing leach ponds filled with toxic chemicals with sealed ponds. , the Non-Toxic Processing column points to just two of the pathways out of the planet-destroying industrial model. You can learn more about Cemvita here. https://www.cemvita.com.
Editor’s note: This episode originally aired on September 9, 2024.