Just ahead of New York’s Climate Week, 3M debuted their docuseries titled ‘Green Works‘ at the Fast Company Innovation Festival on September 18th. This docuseries follows the lives of five individuals from around the world who are actively working to address climate change. The series will be available on-demand for viewing on Google Play and Apple TV.
The film opens with Estefanía Pihen González, the former director of Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS) with over 15 years of experience in sustainability Estefanía added a level of outreach to the conversation. González focuses on climate action changes with marginalized youth in the California region, educating them on a greener tomorrow. She explains how she hopes to inspire students across the world to get into greener careers. She strongly believes that the more diverse and inclusive the green community becomes the more diverse and inclusive solutions can be found. Since the release of Green Works. Pihen has moved into the role of Chief of Education and Learning at the California Academy of Sciences further pushing her narrative.
Taking a step outside of the United States we meet Matthias Martensen, a finance consultant turned energy buff. Martensen is the co-founder and CEO of Ostrom, a German-based energy company whose mission is to make renewable energy more accessible and inclusive. You may be wondering how does a consultant turn to green energy, well Matthias switched careers when he noticed he couldn’t make the appropriate difference in the world of finance that his heart desired. During the pandemic, Martensen and Karl stepped out on faith and vision to create their company as we see it today.
Dov Rosenmann has served as the head of country for Earthworm Foundation since 2019 and brings over 19 years of experience to the green world. Rosenmann got his start working in labs throughout Brazil but found his true calling in promoting sustainability and enhancing organizational development. Dov is able to connect companies throughout the world based on the social actions they will be serving.
The film also follows Ka-young Hyun, an application engineer for 3M Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division, and Wang Yilei, Founder of Sportsinnov. Club and the Secretary General of China Outdoor Association.Hyun’sain focus is testing the limits of high-temperature flames ensuring the safety and performance of EV batteries. Yilei brings over a decade of green experience in the Chinese sports industry and works to improve sustainability.
From left to right: Nicole Sawyer, Eugene Kirpichov, Matthias Martensen, and Jayshree Seth
Upon the completion of viewing a private clip, we were met with a panel discussion. Nicole started strong asking Eugene about his outlook on green jobs within the next decade. Kirpichov responded that he believes over time all jobs will have some competent often energy. That despite companies having a sustainability team every team member plays a role in the green agenda of the company. He also believes that companies will start to reinvent current roles to become more green-friendly Nicole then moved on to Matthias where she asked him what the biggest challenges facing the industry?. Matthias from a German standpoint believes the economy focuses a lot on the supply but not on the demand. He believes that it’s best to shift demand into the hours we produce a lot of energy. When asked how we can change it, he expressed that disruption and innovation are the key driving forces in making change. Jayshree Seth explained that to her sustainability is about yesterday, today, and tomorrow. She expressed she teaches her children to think about yesterday’s choices and how today they can make them better for an impactful tomorrow.
Overall, 3M was able to depict the future of being green in this docuseries and how as a world we can aide in those changes. If you or anyone you know is interested in making a greener tomorrow start spreading awareness today.