Beyond Climate Tech: The Evolution of Sustainability Innovation
The Challenge of Naming a Movement
Humanity loves labeling concepts, but our terminology often falls short. Take “climate tech”—a broad category encompassing technologies that mitigate environmental impact while helping society adapt to climate change. While imperfect, it’s a marked improvement over its predecessor, “clean tech,” which could ambiguously refer to anything from renewable energy to robotic vacuums.
Why Climate Tech May Be Outgrowing Its Name
Despite its clarity, the “climate tech” label faces two key challenges:
- Age Factor: After a decade of use, the term loses its cutting-edge appeal
- Scope Creep: The sector has expanded beyond pure climate solutions to broader planetary impacts
Emerging Alternatives in the Lexicon
Several new terms are vying for dominance:
Planetary Health
- First coined in The Lancet (2014)
- Encompasses technologies addressing humanity’s broader environmental impact
- Gaining traction but still niche
American Dynamism
- Popularized by a16z VC firm
- Includes clean energy alongside defense, housing, and education
- Too organization-specific for widespread adoption
Frontier Tech
- Overly broad (includes AI, quantum computing, etc.)
- Lacks specificity for environmental focus
Growth Tech
- Recently proposed but overly generic
- Fails to capture environmental mission
The Political Dimension
The 2024 U.S. election accelerated the shift away from “climate” terminology, with some stakeholders actively distancing themselves from the term. This trend suggests the current label may become obsolete within five years.
A Proposed Solution: Resilience Tech
While no term is perfect, “resilience tech” offers several advantages:
- Comprehensive: Addresses both environmental and societal adaptability
- Forward-looking: Emphasizes solutions rather than problems
- Inclusive: Captures climate adaptation and broader sustainability innovations
The Path Forward
The naming evolution reflects the sector’s maturation. As environmental innovation expands beyond carbon reduction to holistic planetary solutions, our terminology must adapt. While “resilience tech” may not be the final answer, it represents progress toward language that better captures this vital field’s ambitions.
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