🎙 So... you think consumer preferences will drive the green transition?
Not even close. In this episode of InnovEU – The EU Project Chronicles, we dive deep into one of the most dangerous myths in climate strategy: that consumers lead change.
🧠 I’m joined by Melanie Das, biotech grant writer from San Francisco, who’s on the front lines of a funding crisis in US research. Her stories about clinical trials halted mid-way and scientists being forced to pause life-saving research will shake you.
Then we move to solutions:
✅ How to redesign research projects for transformation—not just information
✅ Why HERITAGE-01 is not just about cultural preservation
✅ And how cities and institutions (not consumers) are the key drivers of sustainable transition
Melanie says it best:
“Innovation is only as good as the problem you’re solving.”
If you’re solving for preferences… you might be solving the wrong thing.
🎧 Listen or Watch the Episode:
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👤 Guest Contact: Melanie Das on LinkedIn
📬 Newsletter sign-up (grant writing & biotech): The Funding Beat
Let’s win the future—by solving the right problems. Like Melanie said “Pick a good problem!”
🗳 Last week’s poll results are in!
We asked: What’s the most ridiculous “green” claim?
Here’s how you voted:
✅ Zero-impact bottled water – 67%
Sustainable plastic glitter – 33%
100% eco diesel from dinosaurs – 0%
Carbon-neutral private jet – 0%
Apparently, most of you agree that some “eco” claims are so absurd they belong in satire, not policy.
The good news? The new EU Green Claims Directive is designed to crack down on exactly these kinds of claims.
(And yes, zero-impact bottled water was never a thing.)
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