Tackling Climate Change with Andrew Benedek

Andrew Benedek is the Chairman and CEO of Anaergia. Before founding Anaergia, he was a professor at McMaster University and the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of ZENON, where he developed cost-effective membrane technologies for recycling wastewater. Under his leadership, ZENON invented, developed, and commercialized many of the key membrane technologies used for water and wastewater treatment and became a global leader in this field. In June of 2006, ZENON was sold to General Electric Company for $790 million. Andrew then worked for Scripps Institute of Technology in San Diego where he furthered his interest in climate change.  He received his chemical engineering degree from McGill University in Montreal and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Washington in Seattle with a focus in wastewater treatment. In 2008, he was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Prize, a prestigious award for contributions to solving water problems. In this episode… Climate change is no small matter, so how can we focus on net zero when fossil fuels keep increasing? Is it possible for things to change? Advocacy and education are crucial pieces of the environmental puzzle. While advances are being made, 75% of the energy we use comes from fossil fuel. Andrew Benedek focuses on the creation of renewable natural gas. He wants to take the impact that organic waste has on the atmosphere and turn it into fuel. This can help future generations fight climate change and make the earth more sustainable.  In this episode of Access To Anyone, Michael Roderick sits down with Andrew Benedek, Chairman and CEO of Anaergia, to discuss the complexity of fighting and reversing climate change. Andrew talks about how research and education can create an impact, the governmental requirements at home and abroad, and empowering future generations with necessary tools.