Problem Packs Round 3: Climate Sprints

A new website, eight fresh packs to sign up for, and amazing work done by past sprint teams.

For those who are new here, I’ve been working for the last few months on a concept called problem packs, which are three-week long sprints in which teams of 4-5 people will dive deep into a very specific climate topic and meet regularly while brainstorming as a team, conducting interviews, and doing research. By the end of the sprint, teams complete a final deliverable and present at the final showcase event open to the public.

I’m excited to announce that problem packs now has its own website! At the new domain climatesprints.com, you can see not only upcoming problem packs to sign up for, but all of the hard work done and deliverables produced in completed problem packs during the February and April cohorts.

Beginning Set 3: Sign Up for New Problem Packs!

As you can see on the website, you can now officially register for eight new problem packs all beginning on May 24th. All problem packs require a time commitment of 10 hours / week for 3 weeks. Topics for the sprint groups include:

• How can blockchain and cryptocurrencies be used to advance carbon removal solutions?

• How much promise does regenerative grazing hold for decarbonizing livestock grazing and increasing soil carbon?

• Data Analysis: Where are the most promising regions for reforestation in the United States?

• To what extent should carbon removal companies build partnerships with the fossil fuel industry, and how should these partnerships be navigated?

• How can we increase production of seaweed for climate applications, both on coasts and in the open ocean?

• What are creative and effective ways to combat urban heat islands in frontline communities?

• How can we ensure that homeowners and landlords looking to purchase residential heat pumps can find HVAC contractors willing to sell and install them?

• What near-term opportunities are there for drawdown projects in NYC?

If any of these topics sound interesting to you, read the more detailed descriptions in the links above, and sign up using this form!

Amazing Projects in Cohort 2

Below are the links to the presentation videos and slides/reports from the last cohort of problem packs (view them all here):

• How can we build supply-cost curves to represent the emerging CDR industry? - Check out their awesome Github repository and super engaging presentation!

• How can we improve the processes for permitting and siting of Class VI Wells for carbon dioxide sequestration? - With a report weighing in at 18 pages, there’s a ton here to learn about sequestration well policy.

• What business models are feasible converting seaweed into non-biofuel products? - This group concentrated on seaweed as animal feed, and their slides are super detailed with background and new ideas on the topic.

• Why are long-term offtake agreements not yet materializing for CDR projects? - A new framework for thinking about carbon markets and financing mechanisms - check out their presentation!

• How can we increase adoption of biochar by city governments for exciting applications like urban forestry and stormwater management? - Some great background on where biochar usage in cities is right now, with interesting untapped opportunities surfaced for you to check out!

• How can we increase the rate of installation of residential heat pumps in the United States? - Check out their pitch for a new company, ForrestPump, that aims to solve problems across the heat pump value chain!

Plenty more to come from problem packs in the next few weeks!