"I used to hear a lot of despair and hopelessness around climate change, but lately I've been hearing more about concrete actions we could take, if we could only figure out how to navigate certain roadblocks." 

This newsletter features Kristi Kattapong, Communications Specialist at the Global CO₂ Initiative.

Kristi Kattapong describes her position at the Global CO₂ Initiative (GCI) as a communications bridge, helping forge connections between academia, research, industry and the world beyond. She has a PhD in Applied Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, as well as a BA and MA from the University of Chicago. She has worked in a variety research, program management, and communications roles. In her free time, she likes to travel and learn languages. She has lived in four different countries, visited dozens of other countries, and can say a few words in about 20 languages

What is your background, and how did you come to work for GCI?

I have academic training in social sciences, but eventually I realized that I was not interested in pursuing a career in academia. I wanted to be able to do something with practical benefits – something that would really make a difference. 

To answer how I came to work for the GCI – I got extremely lucky! I love what I do, and I really appreciate being on a team of people who care deeply about the environment and sustainability. I had never worked with engineers before, and I was a little surprised by how they did not conform to the STEM stereotype. Many of the people I work with are actually very funny, creative, and engaging. My boss, for example, is a German engineer who can also be quite funny. He would make a great guest on a late night talk show. Are you reading this Jimmy Fallon?

What sparked your interest in sustainability?

I think a better question might be, "Why wouldn't someone be interested in sustainability?!" Folks who live in areas prone to wildfire, air pollution, flooding, drought, or other natural disasters are definitely concerned about sustainability and the environment. Gen Z-ers are rightly concerned about what their future will be like. Anyone with children or grandchildren should also be thinking about what kind of world their loved ones will inhabit in the future. People who appreciate nature’s biodiversity should also be paying attention to sustainability issues. As I see it, anyone who is interested in the well-being of humankind or the planet should also be interested in sustainability.

As a communications professional, what changes have you seen in the ways we talk about climate action since you started at GCI?

I hear much less about climate change denial now than I have in the past. However, there is still much confusion around terminology, and misinformation about the environmental efficacy of different approaches. I used to hear a lot of despair and hopelessness around climate change, but lately I've been hearing more about concrete actions we could take, if we could only figure out how to navigate certain roadblocks. 

What do you think the future of carbon capture and utilization holds?

I think it holds tremendous potential. Carbon capture alone will not get us where we need to be; emissions reductions are imperative. However, we also cannot get where we need to be without carbon capture to eliminate the excess carbon already emitted into the atmosphere from our past use of fossil fuels. Utilizing captured carbon dioxide to make products has the potential to be a game-changing approach to sustainability because (1) it provides a revenue stream to help finance operations and (2) if done thoughtfully, it could help redress generations of past climate injustices.

What inspires you?

I'm inspired by the people that I have met. I have had the good fortune to meet and interact with some of the best and brightest minds in this field. I'm constantly amazed by how so many of these individuals with impeccable credentials, remarkable expertise and impressive titles are also incredibly kind and compassionate. 

What else should I have asked you?

You should have asked me what I’m grateful for in my job!

I am extremely grateful for the people that I work with. The people that I work with at Michigan Engineering are awesome. In particular, the person who is my assistant now is extraordinary, and I'm not just saying this because she's currently writing a feature story on me – she really is fantastic!

News in a Nutshell

Climate change: Can we really take CO₂ back out the air?

Microsoft signs carbon removal credit deal with CarbonCapture

Indonesia encourages oil and gas companies to develop carbon storage: Here's what you need to know about the global energy transition this week

Electrochemistry offers new way to tackle rising carbon dioxide – extract it from seawater

Carbon Clean expands into U.S. to meet booming demand for carbon capture technology

From Emission-made Shoes to Jet Fuels – Smart Innovations Make CO₂ the Feedstock of the Future

Imminent Events

SAF: An Unavoidable Pathway for Aviation Facing the Increase in Energy Prices

April 24, 2023

The TAKE-OFF project in collaboration with CO₂ Value Europe will hold its first webinar on the importance of SAF as an alternative solution for aviation amidst high energy prices.

TEA/LCA Workshop on Harmonizing CCUS Assessments

May 16-18, 2023

This fifth workshop in the series is planned and conducted by the International CCUS Assessment Harmonization Group with members from the USA (GCI at U-M, NETL, NREL, ANL), Canada (NRC), Germany (RIFS, formerly known as IASS), Switzerland (ETH Zürich), and Japan (NIAIST). We are looking forward to one-and-a-half days of intense dialog and work that will advance transparent and uniform assessments of CCUS technologies and products.

OpenAir Collective's Carbon Removal Challenge Finalist Showcase

April 21, 2023

The very best carbon removal approaches from student teams around the world were selected as finalists and will present at this in-person showcase at New York University. 

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