The Waterly
"The Waterly" is a weekly all-things-water newsletter we share with our community covering the latest innovations and investment deal flow in the water sector and recent news on climate change and water-related crises.
The US is only recycling 5% of its plastic but a plastic-eating enzyme could be the solution to this crisis. A concept boat is expected to set sail on molten salt. John Doerr gives $1.1B to Stanford to mitigate climate change. Drought reveals a dead body in Lake Mead. Child car seats contain PFAS. Chris Berkner is this week's highlighted WELL member.
Your weekly Bonus - How soccer can help fight climate change?
This week's water fact:
The world's longest mountain chain, the mid-ocean ridge is underwater
Tech & Innovation
Scientists are hoping to grow coral reefs at the base of wind turbines in Taiwan
The proof-of-concept trials in June 2022 will involve a bid to settle larvae and then grow corals at the Greater Changhua 1 Offshore Wind Farm.
A novel plastic-eating enzyme may solve our plastic woes once and for all
Gobbling up environment-throttling plastics in just a matter of hours.
Norwegian company unveils a vessel concept with a thorium molten salt reactor
Norwegian maritime solutions company, Ulstein, has unveiled a new vessel concept that holds the potential to deliver zero-emission cruises and other ocean industry applications, the company said in a press release.
Corporate & Deals
5 African climate-smart agriculture investors helping close a $106bn climate finance gap
According to a recently-launched ISF report, agri-SMEs in developing countries do not have sufficient funding and there’s a $106 billion financing gap in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
Venture Capitalist John Doerr Gives $1.1 Billion To Stanford To Fund Climate Research
Billionaire Silicon Valley investor John Doerr is donating $1.1 billion to Stanford University for the university used to establish a sustainability school.
EPA announces $308M WIFIA loan for Joliet, Ill.'s drinking water
EPA’s WIFIA loans will support Joliet’s Alternative Water Source Program, which will tap into Lake Michigan as a sustainable source of drinking water to benefit the city and neighboring communities.
Our Portfolio Companies
374Water Sponsors the Water Environment Federation, Residuals and Biosolids Conference from May 24-27, 2022
WEF will Feature 374water in a Technology Spotlight on PFAS Elimination While Showcasing Their Collaborative Partnership with the Merrell Brothers to Bring The AirSCWO™ Systems into the Municipal Market.
Water & the Environment
Drought-starved Lake Mead reveals a decades-old barrel with a body inside
“I would say there is a very good chance as the water level drops that we are going to find additional human remains,” Lt Ray Spencer of Las Vegas police told KLAS-TV on Monday.
US is recycling just 5% of its plastic waste, studies show
According to the Last Beach Cleanup and Beyond Plastics report, about 85% of plastic ends up in landfills with 10% incinerated.
Chicago mayor criticized for launching canned water brand amid lead crisis
Launch of Chicagwa met with criticism that the city hasn’t done enough to help thousands of residents drinking lake water through lead pipes.
PFAS & Chemicals
Over half of child car seats have toxic flame retardants and PFAS – US study
Analysis conducted by the Ecology Center also finds all car seats under $100 contain either PFAS or flame retardant.
Pentagon halts burning of ‘forever chemicals’
The Defense Department will temporarily stop burning toxic “forever chemicals” until it formally issues a guidance for how to dispose of the substances, according to a new memo.
Chris is founder and president of The Berkner Group, a consulting and executive placement firm. He was formerly Co-founder and Managing Director of One Earth Capital, an early stage cleantech fund that invested tens of millions of dollars in cleantech startups. Chris was CEO of PureSense, a cleantech hardware and software company that helped large farms save billions of gallons of water while participating in demand response programs with PG&E and SoCal Edison.
Thank you Chris for investing in the climate and the water. You are an inspiration to WIA and the WELL community.
Sport & Water
Football must do more to tackle climate change: this is how clubs and fans can help
We are in ‘Fergie time’ when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint but it is not too late to chart a path to sustainability.
