In a region particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis, digital entrepreneurs are rising to the challenge, driven by a desire to enact tangible environmental change.
Leo Prieto’s deep-rooted connection to nature, cultivated since childhood by the sea, has evolved into a fervent mission. As a trailblazer in Chile’s digital landscape, Prieto’s journey from web pioneer to environmental advocate epitomizes the fusion of technology and conservation.
“We’re in an era where the potential of science and technology is boundless,” Prieto reflects. “Yet, we often squander these resources on trivial pursuits. It’s time to redirect our focus towards real-world challenges.”
Prieto is part of a burgeoning cohort of visionaries across Latin America and the Caribbean who are spearheading initiatives dedicated to conservation, sustainable economies, and climate justice. Frustrated by the inadequacy of global climate funding, they are taking matters into their own hands, leveraging innovation to address pressing environmental issues head-on.
The urgency for transformative action amplifies as the region’s 33 nations grapple with heightened susceptibility to the reverberations of the climate crisis, both economically and physically.
Experts herald environmental innovation as an untapped reservoir of growth potential for Latin America and the Caribbean. A recent analysis by the Inter-American Development Bank underscores the burgeoning value generated by the green economy — encompassing renewable energy, environmental technologies, and the bioeconomy. Yet, a formidable barrier looms: the challenge of securing sufficient funding. In response, a diverse array of initiatives is emerging, aiming to ignite the sector by forging connections between investors and ventures prioritizing environmental stewardship and social impact.
In the heart of Chile, Prieto’s brainchild, Lemu, emerges as a beacon of innovation, employing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to curate a digital marketplace. Here, prospective investors embark on a journey to discover and champion initiatives dedicated to climate resilience, biodiversity preservation, water conservation, and human development.
With its name derived from the Mapuche language, meaning “forest,” Lemu meticulously vets each project for tangible results before featuring it on its platform. Users are invited into a world where they can delve into comprehensive project profiles, filter by geography or the species under protection, navigate immersive maps and 3D renderings, and witness progress through captivating visuals and updates.
Among the showcased endeavors are campaigns to safeguard the cotton-top tamarins, a vulnerable monkey species in Colombia threatened by deforestation and wildlife trafficking, alongside initiatives defending rhinos from poachers in South Africa’s Sibuya Game Reserve.
The platform offers a spectrum of giving options, allowing users to contribute on a recurring basis or through one-time donations, all while receiving regular updates and impact assessments. Notably, 80% of each donation flows directly to the featured projects, with Lemu retaining 19% to support operational needs and fuel expansion. The remaining portion is directed to 1% for the Planet, an alliance committed to channeling a percentage of annual sales from member companies into environmental causes, ensuring a sustainable flow of support and impact.
In Brazil’s thriving agricultural sector, Krilltech emerges as a game-changer, harnessing cutting-edge technology to drive sustainable farming practices. Developed within the confines of the University of Brasília’s laboratories, Krilltech introduces Arbolina, an innovative organic nanostructure poised to revolutionize crop cultivation.
Under the visionary leadership of Diego Stone, Krilltech’s chief, Arbolina showcases remarkable efficacy in enhancing nutrient absorption and stimulating plant growth. Rigorous testing reveals impressive results, with soybean yields experiencing a remarkable 20% increase, wheat productivity rising by 12%, and tomato growth achieving an astounding up to 40% improvement.
Beyond its remarkable yield enhancements, Arbolina offers a multitude of benefits, including reduced environmental impact, minimized agrochemical residues, and heightened resilience against environmental stressors like drought. As Brazil’s agricultural landscape evolves, Krilltech stands at the forefront, driving innovation and sustainability to ensure a prosperous future for the nation’s farming communities.
Brazil faces the challenge of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, with agriculture accounting for nearly 30% of the country’s emissions. NoCarbon Milk is a company working to make dairy farming more sustainable. They’re focused on finding ways to reduce carbon emissions in the dairy industry by improving farming practices.
In the world of farming, cows produce methane as they digest food. To tackle this, a company developed a supplement that reduces methane emissions by up to 40%.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, Kilimo helps farmers save water by providing them with tools to optimize irrigation. Their software, powered by AI, can cut water usage by up to 20%. Over the past two years, it’s saved 72 million cubic meters of water.
In Argentina, Nativas, established in 2022, spearheads funding for ecosystem regeneration endeavors. Their approach encourages farmers to integrate native trees into their plantations, fostering biological corridors for wildlife.
Utilizing blockchain technology, Nativas verifies the positive impact of regeneration projects and facilitates connections with interested investors. Co-founder Gaspar Mac emphasizes the potential for these activities to be financially rewarding. Nativas is currently in its early stages, with pilot initiatives across Argentina, including the Gran Chaco biome. Projects range from regenerative agriculture to biodiversity conservation and raising awareness about the socio-environmental benefits of wetland restoration. Mac emphasizes their overarching goal: to heal the land.
Meanwhile, in Honduras, Sustenta Honduras, a youth-led nonprofit, champions innovative solutions for “climate empowerment.” Fueled by the recognition of Honduras’s vulnerability to climate change, the organization focuses on circular economy initiatives to address environmental challenges.
“In 2019, when I found out Honduras was the most vulnerable to climate change, Sustenta was born,” recalls Ricardo Pineda, co-founder of the initiative.
Sustenta has two main projects: turning waste animal fats into pet soap and collecting used cooking oil to make eco-friendly soap. “Honduran households use a lot of cooking oil, which often ends up polluting rivers and forests. We want to create a better cycle for these products,” says Pineda.
Another project, recently honored in the Youth4Climate Challenge, aims to bring renewable electricity to 45% of schools without power in Honduras. “We use big data to find affordable ways to light up remote communities through schools,” explains Pineda.
Looking ahead, Leo Prieto emphasizes the need for better ways to verify environmental projects’ results in Latin America and the Caribbean. “We need clear metrics to make sure our efforts have a lasting impact,” he says.