Meet the 2026 VISTA Award Winners

In this special episode of Climate Correction Podcast, we celebrate the power of student-led climate innovation and announce the 2026 VoLo VISTA Award Winners. The VISTA Award, created by VoLo Foundation, recognizes students who exemplify leadership, vision, innovation, sustainability, technology, and action-oriented climate solutions. This year's winning project does all of that and more. We are joined by an extraordinary research team from the University of Miami Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering. The team includes Jasmine Rodriguez, a first-year PhD student; Farzad Rezaeicherati, a second-year PhD candidate; Sevil Ozsut, also a second-year PhD candidate; and their advising professor, Dr. Ali G. Together, they are advancing a breakthrough solution at the intersection of materials science, climate mitigation, and Florida's natural ecosystems. Their winning project is called Functionalization and Pre-Carbonation of Florida-Native Algae Biochar for Carbon Negative Cementitious Composites. It reimagines one of the most carbon-intensive materials on Earth: concrete. Cement production alone accounts for roughly eight percent of global CO₂ emissions. This team is tackling that challenge head-on by replacing a significant portion of cement with algae-derived biochar sourced from Florida-grown algae. In simple terms, the team transforms algae into a charcoal-like material that naturally traps carbon. They then chemically treat, or "functionalize," this biochar so it bonds effectively with concrete, overcoming a major limitation seen in past biochar-concrete experiments where strength and durability were compromised. Their innovation doesn't just maintain structural performance; it enhances it. Even more importantly, the process permanently stores CO₂ inside the concrete itself, turning a traditionally high-emissions material into a carbon-storing one. During the episode, Jasmine walks us through the science behind the process, the climate and construction challenges they set out to solve, and how this novel idea emerged. The team explains how they measure success through rigorous lab testing at the University of Miami, evaluating strength, durability, workability, and long-term carbon storage. We also explore what large-scale, real-world application could look like, from infrastructure and buildings to broader adoption within the construction industry. The conversation turns toward what's next: scaling the research, refining the material, and moving closer to real-world deployment. The team shares how the $25,000 VISTA Award grant will directly support advanced testing, materials optimization, and the next phase of development needed to bring this solution closer to market. Then comes the moment no one saw coming. The interview was presented as a screening with "finalists." At the end, host Shannon Maganiezin reveals the truth. This team isn't just in the running; they are the 2026 VoLo VISTA Award Winners. The episode closes with a raw, joyful reaction that captures the heart of climate innovation, young leaders doing serious science, rooted in place, and driven by the belief that better solutions are possible. This episode is a reminder that the future of climate solutions is already being built in university labs, by students who refuse to accept the status quo, and by ideas bold enough to turn algae into carbon-negative concrete.

February 2026 | Season 6, Episode 131 The Road after COP30 Starts in the Ocean In this episode of the Climate Correction Podcast, we explore why the future of climate action, food security, and biodiversity is inseparable from the ocean. The conversation centers on the growing recognition that fish, seaweed, and other aquatic foods are not just economic resources, but climate-smart nutrition solutions with an outsized role in building resilient food systems. Our guest is Karly Kelso, Acting Senior Director of Global Ocean Strategies at the Environmental Defense Fund. Karly sits at the intersection of food, climate, and ocean policy, leading EDF's global aquatic foods work and serving as Secretariat for the Aquatic Blue Foods Coalition. She works closely with governments, civil society, the private sector, and UN climate processes to ensure aquatic foods are embedded in global climate and food policy conversations. With more than fifteen years at EDF, her work has helped shape sustainable fisheries management and ocean resilience efforts worldwide, including oversight of EDF's fisheries initiatives in India. The conversation reflects on a rare moment of global alignment in 2025, when major international convenings on ocean, climate, and biodiversity finally converged around a shared narrative. For the first time, aquatic foods emerged not as a side topic, but as a central solution linking climate mitigation, human nutrition, livelihoods, and ecosystem health. Karly explains why this alignment felt different, and how it opened the door for more integrated, systems-level thinking. We also dig into the growing momentum to recognize "blue foods" as a climate solution. Fish and seaweed provide high-quality protein and essential micronutrients with a significantly smaller climate footprint than most land-based foods. Yet, as countries look to scale aquatic foods in future food systems, Karly emphasizes that equity must remain core, ensuring coastal communities, small-scale fishers, and Indigenous Peoples benefit, rather than repeating patterns of industrial exploitation. A major focus of the episode is the deep ocean, particularly mesopelagic fish, a group of midwater species that most people have never heard of, yet which play a critical role in moving carbon from the ocean surface to the deep sea and supporting marine food webs. Karly explains why these species are essential to climate regulation and why growing interest in harvesting them for fishmeal and fish oil raises serious red flags. Drawing lessons from past ocean exploitation, she outlines why scientists and organizations like EDF are urging caution. Despite major data gaps about the deep ocean, EDF and partners successfully advanced IUCN Motion 035 to protect mesopelagic ecosystem integrity. Karly walks us through why acting now, before unregulated fishing begins, is so important, and how precautionary protections can safeguard climate benefits while science catches up. We close with a grounded discussion on agency and accountability: what consumers and voters can actually do to protect the ocean, support science-based decision-making, and push for food systems that are both climate-smart and fair. This episode makes one thing clear: The road after COP30 doesn't just run through land and policy halls. It starts in the ocean.  Learn more about Blue Foods:  https://aquaticbluefood.org/ https://fisherysolutionscenter.edf.org/resources/aquatic-blue-food-coalition  

In this episode of the Climate Correction™ Podcast, we're joined by Leneita Fix, founding leader and executive director of The Reef Institute, one of Florida and the Caribbean's most important hubs for coral rescue, restoration, and ocean literacy. Leneita shares how The Reef Institute's groundbreaking Rescue to Reef model is transforming the future of coral conservation through a full-spectrum approach that includes emergency rescues, long-term holding and biobanking, indoor coral spawning, juvenile rearing, and strategic outplanting back into the wild. With more than 8,000 corals from 28 Caribbean species under their care, the organization is safeguarding genetic diversity while supporting scalable, community-driven restoration efforts across the region.  Leneita breaks down the surprising biology and physiology of corals. Most people don't know that corals are animals whose "gut health" exists on the outside of their bodies. She explains why the biodiversity of a reef is inseparable from the survival of both stony reef-building corals and soft corals. She walks us through the world of coral reproduction, including IVF and land-based spawning, and shares what it takes to raise juvenile corals strong enough for outplanting in a warming, increasingly acidic ocean.  Together, we explore why coral reefs are essential not only for marine ecosystems but for human life. As carbon pollution overwhelms the ocean's ability to absorb it, reefs face compounding threats, from heat-induced bleaching to stronger wave energy that breaks down weakened structures. Leneita connects the dots between reef decline, coastal vulnerability, ocean oxygen production, and the health of life on land, reminding us that the ocean's stability is inseparable from our own.  This inspiring conversation highlights the urgent need for bold, collaborative conservation and the hope found in community-centered stewardship. Leneita's leadership illuminates how science, education, and local partnerships can rebuild resilience from the seafloor up.  Tune in for a powerful look at the interconnectedness of everything in the ocean and why restoring coral reefs is an essential step toward a livable future for all.  Links from the Show:  Connect with our Guest: https://www.reefinstitute.org/ Watch the Peanut Island Mini-Documentary by Walker Wildlife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIZLW0oK-h8 The Reef Institute Facility Update (2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvPpecrRl5I&t=10s   The Coral Tipping Point (Article): https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/13/coral-reefs-ice-sheets-amazon-rainforest-tipping-point-global-heating-scientists-report   Functional Extinction of Acropora Species (Research Paper): https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.adx7825

  In this special holiday episode of Climate Correction Podcast, we welcome Dr. Pablo Ribeiro Dias, co-founder and chief technology officer at SOLARCYCLE, a pioneering, tech-driven recycling company producing sustainable, domestic materials at scale for the solar industry. Dr. Dias is a world-renowned researcher in solar PV module and e-waste recycling technologies. He leads innovation in high-value, low-cost recycling processes that are shaping the future of renewable energy.  With dual PhDs from UFRGS (Brazil) and Macquarie University (Australia), and a master's in photovoltaics recycling, Dr. Dias has authored seminal papers, book chapters, and multiple patents that advance the field of photovoltaic recycling. His research and thought leadership have been featured in The Guardian, Cosmos, PV Tech and Solar Power World. In 2023, Business Insider named him among its Climate Action 30, which recognizes thirty global leaders building real climate solutions.  As we close the year, Dr. Dias shares insights from his new book, Climate Changed: The Science of Sustainability and How Each of Us Can Do Our Part. The book is a perfect stocking stuffer for the climate-conscious reader. He invites us to reimagine sustainability through systems thinking, circular design and a regenerative mindset that scales solutions without sacrificing justice or humanity.  Key Points:  Climate change isn't a mystery. It's a systems problem. We can redesign our economic, energy, and material systems to be regenerative rather than extractive.  Sustainability = Systems + Scale, leaving nobody out of the equation. True sustainability ensures scalability without exploitation.  Circular economy ≠ recycling. It's about reimagining products and industries for repair, reuse, and reintegration.  Individual action multiplies change. When people act collectively, through voting, investing, and innovating, the impact compounds.  Hope is a discipline, not a mood. The future remains unwritten, and data-driven optimism fuels transformation.  What does living sustainably in the 21st century really mean? It's about alignment across energy, agriculture, and materials to build a livable planet for all.  Episode Links:   pablodias.net  SOLARCYCLE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solarcycle-inc/   

Show notes for this episode come from an article that has been republished with approval from the author, Carlos Roa. See the original article here.   As billions of garments end up in landfills each year, Catherine Valdivieso's SwapCo app makes sustainable fashion simple by helping users "swipe, match and swap" clothes while curbing overconsumption this holiday season   By Carlos Roa   According to Earth.org, the fashion industry produces more than 100 billion garments each year, and an estimated 92 million tons of them end up in landfills. That is the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes dumped every second.   The same source states that if nothing changes, that figure could rise to 134 million tons by the end of the decade, while the industry's carbon emissions are projected to increase by 50 percent by 2030.   To help reverse that trend, Catherine Valdivieso, CEO and founder of SwapCo, created an app designed to make sustainable fashion social, local, and easy. SwapCo works like a "dating app for fashion": users upload photos of their clothes, swipe to find matches, and connect with others to swap items in person. No packaging, no shipping, no waste.   With record levels of clothing waste worldwide, Valdivieso's work comes at a crucial time. As the holiday season approaches, her message is simple: slow down consumption and rediscover joy in conscious fashion choices.   "I wanted to show my kids that small actions matter," she said.   Catherine, what gave you the idea to create SwapCo?   It began as a personal wake-up call. I watched The True Cost, a documentary about the dark side of fast fashion, and I was shocked. It made me question my own habits. I tried renting clothes, but everything came wrapped in plastic and shipped across the country. It just didn't feel sustainable. I thought, what if there was a local, people-driven alternative? That's how SwapCo was born.   You've mentioned that your children inspired you to pursue this mission.   Absolutely. I think about the world they'll inherit, one where climate challenges and waste are daily realities. I wanted to set an example. SwapCo is my way of showing them that small, individual actions can create meaningful change when multiplied by millions.   Every year, 92 million tons of textile waste are generated worldwide. In the U.S. alone, the average consumer discards 81.5 pounds of clothing, about 2,150 pieces per second nationwide. When you hear numbers like that, what goes through your mind?   It's staggering. But it also gives me hope. If we can extend the life of garments through systems like SwapCo, we can dramatically reduce that mountain of waste. Clothes shouldn't be disposable; they should tell stories and live many lives.   Why do people find it so easy to throw clothes away?   Because fast fashion made it normal. We're used to buying cheap items, wearing them once or twice, and tossing them. Social media reinforces that; people don't want to repeat outfits. SwapCo flips that script. Instead of discarding clothes, you can give them a second life and get something "new to you" in return. It's fun, social, and sustainable.   For those who haven't tried it, how exactly does SwapCo work?   Imagine if Poshmark and Tinder had a baby. You upload photos of your clothes, swipe right or left to find a match, and when both people agree, you chat to arrange a local meet-up. There's no shipping, which means fewer emissions and more community interaction.   "We're changing how people see secondhand fashion"   Some people still see used clothes as old or low-quality. How are you changing that mindset?   By reframing the experience. When you open SwapCo, you see beautiful, trendy items, treasures waiting for new stories. It's about style, not sacrifice. And because you're connecting with real people, swapping becomes social and meaningful.   We've seen incredible stories. One student swapped an outfit for her first job interview, and she got the job. Others have made new friends at swap events. Some users even suggested expanding the app beyond fashion to books or sports gear. That sense of community is what drives me.   Beyond swapping, what sustainable habits do you personally follow?   I try to buy less, choose natural fabrics like cotton or linen, and mend or upcycle what I already own. I also share clothes with friends. The key is progress, not perfection. Small changes add up when we all do them.   "During the holidays, give experiences, not just things"   The holidays are approaching, a time when consumption spikes. How can people make it more sustainable?   It's all about intentionality. Instead of buying new, consider giving experiences, like a trip or a meal together, or secondhand gifts that tell a story. A pre-loved item can carry more meaning than something new from a store.   And what would you say to those who still want to enjoy fashion and gift-giving while being mindful?   Focus on creativity. Swap an outfit for your holiday party. Gift something with a story. Conscious fashion isn't about deprivation; it's about finding joy in choices that are better for people and the planet. 

What if clean energy wasn't just about powering our homes, but about powering opportunity? My guest today believes renewable energy can be the bridge to economic justice, workforce empowerment, and a more inclusive future. On this episode of the Climate Correction Podcast, I'm joined by Erica Mackie, P.E., co-founder and Co-CEO of GRID Alternatives, the nonprofit that has turned solar into a tool for community transformation. From day one, Erica has led GRID's growth into a national force—bringing renewable energy technology and job training directly to underserved communities. Along the way, she's collected some of the most prestigious awards in environmental leadership, but her true focus is on impact: lowering energy bills, cutting carbon emissions, and opening doors to life-changing careers. We'll explore: Why clean energy and gender equity are more connected than you think. How GRID is doubling down on equity and inclusion even as those programs are being rolled back nationally. The ways workforce training in renewable energy is creating wealth-building opportunities that ripple through entire communities. Real stories of people whose lives have been changed when access to solar power and job training collided. The data that proves GRID's impact—from gigawatts installed to jobs created. And what's next: from localized solutions like transportation electrification to the bold plans GRID has for scaling across the country. If you've ever wondered how renewable energy can move beyond rooftop panels and into the heart of social and economic justice—this conversation will open your eyes.

In this episode of the Climate Correction™ Podcast, we open the door to a conversation typically held behind closed doors. I sit down with someone who has spent decades in the rooms where financial decisions are made and where the impact of climate change is becoming impossible to ignore.  Our guest is Steven M. Rothstein, the founding managing director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets. Steven brings more than 40 years of leadership across public and private sectors, with experience spanning local to global levels of government, nonprofit boards, and philanthropic coalitions. His work today focuses on transforming the financial systems that underpin our economy to address the climate crisis head-on.  In this candid recording, Steven and I discuss the mounting pressures facing the insurance industry and the communities already paying the price for climate inaction. He shares insight on the bold opportunities available if capital is moved in the right direction.  We start with the hard truth: in 2024 alone, there were 27 billion-dollar weather disasters in the U.S., causing more than $182 billion in damages. And yet, only 29% of the largest insurers have disclosed measurable climate targets. That gap between awareness and accountability costs lives, livelihoods, and local economies. One in 13 homeowners in the U.S. is now uninsured. An estimated $1.6 trillion in assets are exposed due to insurance gaps.  Steven outlines a path forward. From Ceres' 10-point plan for insurers to shift from reactive claims-paying to proactive risk prevention to the $8 trillion investment potential insurers hold to fund climate solutions, the message is clear: The insurance industry has the power to shape our future.   We also explore how AI, climate scenario analysis and forward-looking risk modeling can give insurers a competitive edge. And we ask: Where does the government come in? Steven makes the case for a federal climate risk reinsurance program, stating that if private insurers pull out of high-risk areas, we need public protections designed to endure, not disappear with every election cycle.  This is a conversation for homeowners, policymakers, and every person who's ever paid an insurance premium. It's about rethinking the system and empowering it to build resilience, not just reacting to ruin.  🔗 Explore Ceres' insurance research and resources at ceres.org/accelerator/insurance   

In this episode of the Climate Correction Podcast, we're joined by Lewis Pugh, the UN Patron of the Oceans, endurance swimmer, and founder of the Lewis Pugh Foundation. He joins us for an inspiring conversation about courage, the climate, and the power of the human spirit.  Lewis is known for his record-setting swims in the world's most extreme environments, from the North Pole to Antarctica and the icy waters near Mount Everest. Through his daring expeditions, he has brought global attention to the urgent need for ocean conservation, helping secure protection for more than 3.5 million square kilometers of marine habitat.  Recorded just after his highly anticipated 2025 JAWS 50th Anniversary Swim off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, this episode captures Lewis in a moment of reflection and deep motivation. He shares how he became both a swimmer and an advocate, the physical and emotional toll of long-distance swims in fragile ocean ecosystems, and what this latest mission means to him personally and for world leaders. We explore the shifting state of our oceans, what he's learned from swimming alongside nature's most powerful predators, and how he mentally prepares for uncertainty and danger in open water.  This episode isn't just about adventure. It's about action. Lewis reminds us that ocean health is human health, and we all have a role to play in protecting the blue heart of our planet.  🔗 Learn more at lewispughfoundation.org and get involved in the fight for the future of our oceans. 

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Climate Correction Podcast, we're joined by award-winning filmmaker Ashley Stokes, whose work stands at the intersection of storytelling, environmental consciousness, and emotional honesty. Ashley recently completed Good Natured, a powerful and personal documentary that invites viewers into her journey to understand the state of our planet and to find beauty, connection, and courage amid the uncertainty.  Introduced to us by our friends at WEDU PBS in Tampa Bay, Ashley brings a fresh and deeply human perspective to the climate conversation. Through intimate interviews with conservationists, innovators, and everyday environmental heroes, Good Natured shows us how climate action doesn't come in one shape or size. In fact, Ashley emphasizes the idea that the diversity of climate solutions is not only natural, it's essential.  Ashley shares how a quote from environmental activist and author Joanna Macy became the heartbeat of the film and the inspiration behind her journey:  "When we face the darkness of our time, openly and together, we tap deep reserves of strength. The gateway of despair opens to belonging. We think despair condemns us to isolation because it seems so taboo in our culture. But as we find, again and again, what despair reveals is the depth of our caring. We hurt because we care. We are liberated because at the heart of our despair is our love for the world and our love for life itself."  This perspective allows emotional honesty to guide action and is central to Ashley's direction. Rather than bypass the heaviness of climate grief, she invites us to feel it together. It's in our shared vulnerability that we reconnect to ourselves, to one another, and to the Earth.  Throughout the conversation, Ashley reflects on the healing power of community, the wisdom of nature, and the importance of reconnecting with both in our search for meaning and direction. Good Natured serves as a reminder that fear alone doesn't shape the future; creativity, love, and collective resilience do.  Whether you're deeply involved in climate action or just starting to explore your role, Ashley's insights will leave you encouraged, grounded, and more connected to the story we all share.  🎥 Watch Good Natured now at wedu.org/goodnatured  📊 Discussed: Pew Research on Americans' emotional responses to climate change  🌿 Explored: Emotional resilience, nature as teacher, diverse pathways to climate action 

In this special episode of the Climate Correction Podcast, host Shannon Maganiezin welcomes Thais Lopez Vogel, co-founder of VoLo Foundation, and TV host Zay Harding to celebrate the launch of The Visioneers with Zay Harding, now airing on CBS WKND and CBS.com. This groundbreaking new show is produced by Hearst Media Production Group in exclusive partnership with VoLo Foundation.   They dive into the inspiration behind the show, which spotlights extraordinary individuals and communities leading the way toward a more sustainable future. Thais and Zay share how powerful storytelling can spark real-world change, and why now is the perfect moment to amplify innovation, resilience, and hope.  Highlights from The Visioneers include:  Learn how oysters filter murky water in real time, and why it matters  Meet the 12-year-old prodigy revolutionizing tornado monitoring and alerts  Explore the sunny science behind surfing  Learn how a European city committed to clean energy is now profiting from it