> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://content.konfab.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Talking Climate Tech 006 redux - URL: https://content.konfab.io/talking-climate-tech-006-redux/ - Published: 2025-01-16T15:36:14.000Z - Updated: 2025-03-14T16:08:46.000Z - Description: Wildfires, USA Startups, DJT, Guest Authors, the Angry Sea and Pylon of the Month! - Author: Kane Watkinson - Tags: Newsletter, Wildfires, Geothermal, AgTech, Steel, Electrification, Konfab News, Marketing, Business Development, Ocean *Issued to subscribers 10th January 2025.* 3.2.1, and you're back at the desk! And like that, it's gone, although to be fair it was a good long festive break for most people. Except those with kids. πŸ˜„ Has much been going on since we were last here? Well, yep, there is quite a lot going on in the world, obviously, not least of all massive climate change-induced wildfires in January \[!!?\] across California. The largest of which is 31sq miles. For a bit of perspective, see the map from NBC News as of 9 Jan. What to expect next? More of the same, this is climate change ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-10-at-10.21.02.png) Right, onwards, what's the format again? **πŸ’Έ Startup News** **πŸ”Ž Deeper Dive** **🏑 Konfab News** **πŸ˜ƒ Other Stuff** Let's go, oh and don't forget to tell your friends! Give it a forward, a like, pass it on, repurpose it, recycle it, find a second home... you get the picture! --- ### πŸ’Έ Startups to Watch What's happening in startup land? Here are 3 I have been taking a look at recently. A pick and mix across sectors this week, all from the US coincidentally: πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ **Zanskar -** AI analytics for geothermal exploration, raised **$30m in May 2024 with** Obvious Venturesplus Munich Re Ventures, Union Square Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital, Safar Partners, First Star Ventures, and Clearvision Ventures. Followed by a **Series A $12m** in [August 2024](https://www.zanskar.com/blog/zanskar-seriesa?ref=content.konfab.io) with Grantham Environmental Ventures joining. ❓ Why it matters - Finding the right locations and geologies for geothermal suited to power generation is challenging and expensive. Fast, accurate discovery is key to cost-effective scaling. A carbon-neutral grid may require up to 1TW of baseload clean power. ⚑ πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ **Inari Agriculture** \- raised $144M in funding, bringing their [total raise to date](https://inari.com/inari-raises-144-million-paving-path-to-long-term-growth/?ref=content.konfab.io) to $720m, for their advanced breeding technologies to create nature-positive seeds for a more sustainable global food system. ❓ Why it matters - Using technology to advance seed productivity and sustainability. Think ⬆️ 20% in yield, ⬇️ 40% in nitrogen use, ⬇️ 40% in water use. Then think about climate change - flooding, drought, biodiversity loss, population migration - and the pressure on our future food supply. 🌱 πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ **Electra** \- has raised $180.4 million to develop a [novel electrowinning process](https://www.electra.earth/?ref=content.konfab.io) \[borrowed from copper/nickel processing\] for extracting pure iron from low-grade ores, aiming to reduce carbon emissions in the steelmaking industry. ❓ Why it matters - Iron production today is highly polluting, responsible for the majority of emissions for steelmaking, which itself generates 7% of the world’s carbon emissions. ⚫ We need Green Steel, electric-arc furnaces, instead of fossil fuel-fired are coming online. Europe's green knight in this market is Stegra, more on them [here](https://stegra.com/green-steel?ref=content.konfab.io). --- ### πŸ”Ž Deeper Dive Got some more time, well you might if you aren't fully back in the swing of things. Interesting breakdown from data analyst Ben James who you can follow [here](https://climate.benjames.io/?ref=content.konfab.io), with his UK electricty bill breakdown. We have some of the most expensive electricity in the world - find out why. [Electricity Bill Breakdown | 2024-2025 Average, historical dataUK electricity bill split between wholesale generation, network charges, subsidies and policy costs. Includes historical data on BSUoS, DUoS, TNUoS, CfDs, FiTs, Renewables Obligation and more.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/icon/logo192.png)2024-2025 Average, historical data](https://www.electricitybills.uk/?ref=content.konfab.io) What's Your Bill All About? As you know I like to keep an eye on Donald J Trump in general, and his likely environmental policy changes, not least of all the pending expansion of US 'drill baby drill' - last thing we need is more oil and gas. See California Donald. πŸ”₯ Why 'drill baby drill' is not actually the sound economic policy he thinks it is [here](https://news.oilandgaswatch.org/post/why-trumps-drill-baby-drill-policies-will-not-reduce-u-s-oil-and-gasoline-prices?ref=content.konfab.io). In the meantime, my prediction after the elcetion that DJT would bid for Greenland might be coming to fruition soon, although [he might just take it](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/08/politics/trump-greenland-canada-panama-analysis/index.html?ref=content.konfab.io), along with Panama and Canada. 🀯 We are in for a rocky ride people. πŸ˜” ### 🏑 Konfab News Whats been happening at HQ? Well some eating, drinking and lounging, but beyond that, we've kept the lights on! \[via 100% renewable electricity\] New colour theme on the website, to match our dark winter mood! 😎 Next interviews are in planning, lined up in the coming weeks; πŸŽ™οΈ Jack Lewis of [Ada Mode](https://ada-mode.com/?ref=content.konfab.io), data, AI and energy system modeling πŸŽ™οΈ ex-CEO of European Thermal Energy Storage scale-up ♨️ πŸŽ™οΈ Founder of an EU rail freight decarbonisation startup πŸš† More guest articles on the way, next up; **Geothermal and the UK Opportunity to Decarbonise Heat** \- Simon Todd of UK Geothermal specialists [Causeway Energies](https://causewaygt.com/?ref=content.konfab.io). πŸ’‘ --- ##### New Guest Post I'm reasonably confident there aren't many market strategists and content writers out there who have both Mechanical and Chemical Engineering qualifications. πŸ¦„ Luckily we have one as friend of the show πŸ˜‰ Adam Kimmel gives us an overview on how to be seen and heard as a climate tech startup, with his overview and some snippets from me, on 'Climate Tech Engineering Marketing.' [Climate Tech - How to be Seen and Heard?Marketing plays a crucial role in modern climate technology, promoting innovative solutions to address global environmental challenges.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/icon/Icon-15.png)konfabAdam Kimmel![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1453738773917-9c3eff1db985)](https://content.konfab.io/climate-tech-how-to-be-seen-and-heard/) --- ### πŸ˜ƒ Other Stuff Not all climate tech innovation is made equal. Can't see this one making the cut to be honest πŸ˜† [My other solar-powered cloak is at the dry cleaner.Anker is showing off a concept that it calls the β€œworld’s first wearable solar panel.” Like its solar umbrella product, the cloak uses perovskite solar cells, with 30W maximum input and USB-C output to charge your phone. The LED strips make it very Blade Runner chic, and I can confirm that it’s quite warm. Not sure how much use I’d get out of it in Seattle though…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/icon/apple_touch_icon.png)The Verge![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/thumbnail/DSC01982.jpg)](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24337991/my-other-solar-powered-cloak-is-at-the-dry-cleaner?ref=content.konfab.io) A Harry Potter Solar fashion-future? ##### Raising Engagement We need to win 'hearts and minds' as they say, to raise global awareness on climate change. Like it or not, celebs resonate. Sometimes all you need is a voice... If its Harrison Ford as the angry sea, everyone should listen πŸ‘‚ Harrison Ford is the Ocean --- ##### Pylon of the Month Decembers beauty is finally up! November seemed to be a rest month. More details [here](https://www.pylonofthemonth.org/2024/12/pylon-of-the-month-december-2024.html?ref=content.konfab.io), in the meantime feast your eyes on this snow angel, from Yorkshire again. ![132 kV line near Huddersfield](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/2025/01/pylon-dec-1.jpg) 132 kV line near Huddersfield That's it for this week! Thanks as always, stay warm/cool and safe, where ever you are πŸ™ Kane 🌱 ---