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00:52 – Discovering biochar in the rainforest
03:27 – Scaling ancient solutions for modern farms
05:45 – Building technology for large-scale impact
08:33 – Recruiting a mission-driven team
09:27 – The green premium and business model
16:18 – Shifting from activism to pragmatism
00:52 – Discovering biochar in the rainforest
Jason shares how his soil science journey began at Princeton and led him to Panama, where he learned how indigenous practices turn crop waste into biochar, enriching soil and capturing carbon.
03:27 – Scaling ancient solutions for modern farms
Jason explains the challenge of scaling biochar production from small plots in Central and South America to the large fields of Iowa and Nebraska, highlighting the complexities of commercial agriculture.
05:45 – Building technology for large-scale impact
He describes Applied Carbon’s fifth-generation biochar reactors, which run 24/7, and the challenges of deploying advanced equipment in real-world conditions.
08:33 – Recruiting a mission-driven team
Beck and Jason discuss the hiring process at Applied Carbon. They highlight how personal networks, referrals, and mission alignment have attracted talent from SpaceX and the oil and gas sector more effectively than traditional recruiters.
09:27 – The green premium and business model
Jason addresses the economics of climate tech, explaining how carbon removal credits help Applied Carbon make sustainability financially compelling for commercial farmers.
16:18 – Shifting from activism to pragmatism
He reflects on his evolving view of climate change, emphasizing that pragmatic, scalable solutions like biochar are more important than activism as energy demand and industrial growth increase.
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