CSAA IG 2023 Impact Report 0424 Rev1 - Flipbook - Page 18
From Our Interim CEO
CLIMATE RESILIENCY CHALLENGE WINNERS
Planet
Our Impact
2023
People
Practice
C LI M ATE R E S I LI E N CY C H A LLE N G E W I N N E R
C LI M ATE R E S I LI E N CY C H A LLE N G E W I N N E R
[ Emerging Solution ]
[ Emerging Solution ]
Reef Rocket
Synthetic Bio-Shields
Community Resilience Against Coastal Natural Hazards
Breathing Buildings for Climate and Wildfire Resilience
Reef Rocket is a bio-inspired reef
module that seeks to decarbonize
cement production by employing
nature in the manufacturing process
while engaging frontline communities
in fabricating natural reefs that
reduce coastal flooding and erosion,
promote biodiversity, and filter water.
Globally, rising sea levels pose
substantial threats to human and
ecological health. In New York City,
with its vulnerable coastal areas and
densely populated infrastructure,
these risks are particularly
pronounced. That’s why the creators
of Reef Rocket developed naturally
resilient materials in tandem with
vulnerable communities capable
of withstanding extreme weather
conditions that can be grown
locally without burning fossil fuels.
They believe their solution can
disrupt cement production while
democratizing climate-positive
technology.
After piloting Reef Rocket in NY
Harbor, they plan to expand the
Reef Rocket system beyond citizen
science modules to include largescale reef structures, construction
blocks, and more.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WINNING SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE > HERE
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Planet
Synthetic Bio-Shields are an innovative
approach to transforming building
structures, enabling them to sequester
carbon dioxide directly from the
atmosphere and supply fresh air during
wildfire events. This system uses a
novel integration of microporous
polymers with Azolla, an aquatic fern
known for its superior CO2 absorption
rate and oxygen production.
propose a decentralized, blockchainenabled mechanism to accurately
track each building’s carbon-capture
contributions. This smart contract
framework may facilitate datadriven decision-making and offer
the potential for tax incentives,
contributing to the democratization
of carbon credits, including within
low-income communities.
Beyond the essential carbon
capture function, the Azolla biomass
harvested from the bio-shield opens
new avenues for revenue streams,
including hydrogen fuel, biodiesel,
chemical refineries, and high-protein
animal feed. Furthermore, the
creators of Synthetic Bio-Shields
The strategic use of Azolla as a
biological carbon sink not only
reinforces the system’s sustainability
but also metamorphoses buildings
into multifunctional entities that serve
as carbon sinks, disaster resilience
fortifications, and hubs for renewable
energy production.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WINNING SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE > HERE
