How CES companies are tackling climate change (or pretending to)
Can't get it out of my head: a huge Caterpillar sign that read, "JOIN US TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD". The digital recruitment billboard at CES 2023 followed promotions for an autonomous compactor and excavator, and proceeded with another caption: “CHECK OUR BIG AUTONOMOUS TRUCK ⬇.”
I did, and always have.
A "better world" can mean anything in corporate parlance, but in this case the company specifically talks about sustainability and uses ambitious language to distance itself from the role of fossil fuels in carving up the world. earth. Like Caterpillar, many of the exhibitors I saw as I roamed the tech show seemed to be rinsing their brands via earth slogans, photos of crops and sunbeams, plastic trees and/or AstroTurf. I find this sort of thing particularly entertaining now that climate is my main beat, and it's a shame, because there were still plenty of intriguing (and adjoining) climate tech on display this year, nestled among vague evocations of nature.
When I arrived in Vegas, my colleague Ingrid asked me if the show would mainly feature adaptive technologies (to deal with the consequences of climate change) or mitigation technologies (for direct reduction of emissions) . I saw a mix of the two, but much of what caught my attention was geared towards the adaptation. And to that end, this year CES has been pretty much overflowing with portable batteries and solar gear for campers and preppers. Truly, there was no escape.
Highlights included EcoFlow's "whole house" backup power box and Jackery's new solar generator, but I'm sure it's no leap to say we should expect looking forward to more amenities like this in the years to come as more and more people deal with climate anxiety and extreme weather events.
There was also a ton of conservation-focused tech. Moen launched a smart sprinkler with soil sensors and Rachio announced a $100 smart hose timer, both aimed at helping lawn owners save water and cut bills. (Climate change is exacerbating water scarcity and driving droughts around the world.)
Can't get it out of my head: a huge Caterpillar sign that read, "JOIN US TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD". The digital recruitment billboard at CES 2023 followed promotions for an autonomous compactor and excavator, and proceeded with another caption: “CHECK OUR BIG AUTONOMOUS TRUCK ⬇.”
I did, and always have.
A "better world" can mean anything in corporate parlance, but in this case the company specifically talks about sustainability and uses ambitious language to distance itself from the role of fossil fuels in carving up the world. earth. Like Caterpillar, many of the exhibitors I saw as I roamed the tech show seemed to be rinsing their brands via earth slogans, photos of crops and sunbeams, plastic trees and/or AstroTurf. I find this sort of thing particularly entertaining now that climate is my main beat, and it's a shame, because there were still plenty of intriguing (and adjoining) climate tech on display this year, nestled among vague evocations of nature.
When I arrived in Vegas, my colleague Ingrid asked me if the show would mainly feature adaptive technologies (to deal with the consequences of climate change) or mitigation technologies (for direct reduction of emissions) . I saw a mix of the two, but much of what caught my attention was geared towards the adaptation. And to that end, this year CES has been pretty much overflowing with portable batteries and solar gear for campers and preppers. Truly, there was no escape.
Highlights included EcoFlow's "whole house" backup power box and Jackery's new solar generator, but I'm sure it's no leap to say we should expect looking forward to more amenities like this in the years to come as more and more people deal with climate anxiety and extreme weather events.
There was also a ton of conservation-focused tech. Moen launched a smart sprinkler with soil sensors and Rachio announced a $100 smart hose timer, both aimed at helping lawn owners save water and cut bills. (Climate change is exacerbating water scarcity and driving droughts around the world.)
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