Over the last eleven years, The Net Zero Conference, produced by the Verdical Group,  has brought together climate leaders, industry professionals, and organizations who are passionate about creating a sustainable future. Since its beginning, the conference has hosted over 100 speakers, 80 global partners, 40 sessions, and over 1,000 attendees. Whether in the keynotes, education sessions, or expo hall…it was obvious that the focus of the Net Zero Conference was to bridge the gap between disciplines and industries within the climate solutions space. Effective climate solutions require different sectors to collaborate - from community organizing, arts and design, architecture, engineering, and energy - and this conference is a great example of that in action. Here are some of the organizations doing incredible work that I had the pleasure of learning about during the Net Zero Conference!

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Verdical Group

The Verdical Group is a leading sustainability consulting firm focused on protecting the environment by decarbonating the built environment and inspiring a net zero future. They are also the producers of the Net Zero Conference! Founded by Drew Shula in 2012, the group has remained true to their core values of social enterprise, educating the market, environmentalism, inspiration, community, and adventure. With a diverse and passionate team, Verdical Group has brought together changemakers from across industries to inspire, collaborate, and bridge knowledge gaps to move us closer to a more sustainable future. Their signature and most significant educational contribution to the community - the Net Zero Conference- truly embodies their mission! As a B Corp certified organization, The Verdical Group is constantly working toward achieving their goal of a net zero future! I was inspired by the group’s dedication to their values and the efforts they are making to foster a community of collaboration with, learning from, and uplifting changemakers.

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Plastic Beach

Plastic Beach is a San Diego based non-profit that is dedicated to facilitating the responsible recycling of soft plastics! By working closely with over 40 commercial and community supply chain partners to create custom collection plans, they have been able to successfully recycle soft plastic waste materials into durable composite decking products that can last up to 50 years. “It is a way to create a sustainable material with a sustainable plastic solution” stated Morgan from Plastic Beach. Because most materials recovery facilities are not equipped to recycle soft plastics, unfortunately more often than not they end up in landfills. Plastic Beach has worked to find a solution to this problem. Through their innovative approach, the organization has been able to divert over 120,000 pounds of plastic from landfills and counting!

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Cool Jacket Productions

Cool Jacket Productions is an independent production company that communicates serious topics and issues through a joyful, comedic, and educational approach. Their work spans across climate change, educational training, and storytelling that makes science and sustainability accessible and approachable. I was first introduced to Cool Jacket Productions by Sophie (better known as Science with Sophie) at the Net Zero expo hall, where she shared about her latest project “The Great American Electric Roadtrip.” In this documentary series, Sophie chronicles her journey driving an electric vehicle from Los Angeles to Boston and back, highlighting the feasibility of sustainable travel and a fun approach toward clean energy. By combining humor, science, and media, Cool Jacket Productions creates content that invites audiences to connect with climate action in a positive way.

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Re:Wild Your Campus

I was happy to see Walking Softer Young Leaders Award recipient, Re:Wild Your Campus in the expo hall and learn more about their curing and upcoming projects. Re:Wild Your Campus is an organization that helps campuses to become climate resilient and biodiverse spaces. The organization is on a mission to eliminate synthetic pesticides from all college campuses in the U.S. by 2030, starting with places of living and learning…campuses. Through working closely with campus administrators, faculty, students, and local organizations Re:wild has been able to eliminate or reduce synthetic pesticides and move toward climate resilient land care practices at over 10 schools and counting!

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Paddle for Peace

It is widely accepted that for people to care about the environment, they first need to feel connected to it. Since 2020, Paddle for Peace is doing just that by connecting local children to the ocean by creating equitable access to surfing, marine science, and coastal conservation. The San Diego based organization envisions a future where “every human feels a deep connection to the coast and is inspired to protect and preserve marine environments.” What started as a small gathering of friends has blossomed into a movement with thousands of people across Southern California making it their mission to diversify the coast and make it a welcoming space where people can learn about ocean conservation in a more connected way.

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The Net Zero Conference does such an incredible job of bringing together a diverse community of professionals, creators, and activists who are approaching climate solutions in their own unique ways. From the keynotes to the expo hall, I was reminded that progress happens when people with different skills, passions, and backgrounds share knowledge and come together. From engineers creating durable materials from soft plastic waste to an organization teaching ocean conservation through surfing- each changemaker and organization at the Net Zero Conference is helping build the bridge to a more sustainable future through community and innovation.

-Allyssa Salcedo

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