Tithi

Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. While governments, companies, and researchers are all working toward solutions, innovation is also happening among students who are beginning to explore how technology can contribute to cleaner energy systems.  In a recent conversation with students Esha Bhatnagar and Katelyn Thilak, I learned about their […]

Behind the headlines of climate change lies a complex technical question that shapes nearly every climate policy and corporate sustainability strategy:  How do we actually measure emissions?  Unlike traditional pollutants that may be observed, greenhouse gases are largely invisible. Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide disperse through the atmosphere, mixing across regions and continents. Determining

Much of the actionable work of climate action happens inside spreadsheets, city offices, utility databases, and project management systems. It is detailed, technical, and often invisible to the public. And increasingly, it is being carried out by early-career professionals who are learning the field not just through coursework but through hands-on problem-solving.  In my conversation

When we talk about environmental careers, we may imagine a degree in environmental science, a job in conservation, and a lifetime spent in the field. But in reality, many of the most impactful paths are nonlinear, shaped by personal experience, evolving interests, and a willingness to translate passion into practical tools.  In my conversation with

Air pollution is often discussed at national or global scales, annual averages, country rankings, and international targets. But the air people actually breathe is shaped much closer to home: by traffic corridors, fuel choices, land use patterns, and industrial activity unfolding block by block within cities.  To understand how air quality science becomes actionable at

When we talk about climate solutions, we often picture sweeping policy changes, massive clean-up operations, or complex new technologies. Rarely do we think about the objects we interact with every day, the small, forgettable items we replace without much thought.  An umbrella is one of them.  But for Deirdre Bird, founder and CEO of Dri

Six months is not a long time in the health tech industry.  It’s not enough time to solve air pollution, rebuild cities, or undo decades of environmental harm. But in a startup, six months can be transformative. It can be the difference between an idea and an engine, between early traction and real momentum.  When

When I first began exploring the world of air quality and climate technology, I envisioned it as a field primarily driven by scientists and researchers. However, the more conversations I had, from global conferences to interviews across continents, the more I realized that climate solutions emerge from every corner of society, including policymakers, engineers, activists,

In the last blog, we mapped the landscape of air data, exploring its origins, collection methods, and the significance of each source. But measurement is only the beginning. Data becomes meaningful when it informs decisions, drives accountability, and ultimately, shapes the air we breathe. This is the story of how air data becomes policy, and

We breathe over 10 kilograms of air every single day, far more than the food and water we consume (Pleil et al., 2021). And yet, air is invisible, intangible, and often taken for granted until it makes us cough, wheeze, or stay inside due to smoke. But the air we breathe is a personal experience