From a scientist developing the world’s first lab-grown seafood to a designer who turns plastic bottles into jackets, here are five women in tech who are working to create a sustainable world
From the increase in temperature to single-use plastic, climate change is an issue that weighs heavily on everyone’s mind. With the recent surge of environmental awareness, the sustainability market is predicted to reach US$48.36 billion in the next six years. Because of this, many technology companies are pivoting to creating environmental solutions.
Within the last few years, there has also been a dramatic increase of women in tech. In 2016, women only accounted for less than a third (29.3 percent) of global tech industry workers. In Asia, the number is now at 48.2 percent.
Here are five Gen.T honourees in the tech and sustainability space who are using their knowledge to create sustainable long-term change.
Yzabell Palma
Company Yzabell Palma is the founder of AirDisc Cooling Technologies. She invented the AirDisc, an air conditioner that has low energy consumption and minimal chemical waste.
Founded 2016
Location The Philippines
Best known For Palma invented the AirDisc while she was a student at the Philippine Science High School in 2017. Now she is a Mechanical Engineering student at De La Salle University in Manila.
Need To Know She has received a number of awards for her work, notably winning the James Dyson Award in 2019.
What’s Next? With the help of the Department of Science and Technology in the Philippines, the AirDisc is currently registered at their local Intellectual Property Office and in the United States. Palma hopes to bring the product to the market within the next few years.
See also: These Co-Founders Created Hong Kong's First Sustainable Bar, Penicillin