"It’s important that people understand some of the science behind sustainability in order to avoid greenwashing. If you want to get into this field, you need to first make sure you are educated and aware."

This newsletter features Sindhu Ranganath, Sustainability Intern at the Global CO₂ Initiative.

Sindhu holds a BA in architecture from SJB School of Architecture and Planning and M.Tech in GIS and Remote Sensing from CEPT University She is currently pursuing her MS in Environment and Sustainability from SEAS at the University of Michigan (U-M). Prior to Ann Arbor, she practiced and taught architecture and interior design for several years at her native in India. Although both of her parents are coffee aficionados, Sindhu has never had any coffee in her life.

How did you become interested in sustainable architecture?

Hailing from India, a land steeped in the wisdom of Vastu Shastra, a traditional architectural system, I was amazed at how its principles intertwine with climatology. Consider the kitchen's placement as an example–positioned in the Agni (southeast) corner, with expansive windows opening up to the northeast, it brings in the subtle yet powerful gift of natural antibacterial effects from the sunlight while cooking. As the first space that springs to life with the dawn of a new day, orienting the fenestrations toward the north or east bathes the kitchen in a gentle, low-radiation daylight, creating a comfortable environment for cooking.

Most of my clients chose Vastu-compliant designs and favored conventional materials like concrete and steel. Their durability, familiarity, and most often the fact that the conventional materials do not have an additional “green premium” play a significant role in this preference. While many explored vernacular options like clay blocks or rammed earth, concrete still maintained its supremacy in the eyes of my clients. It's precisely this paradox that ignited my passion for sustainability in the built environment. The quest for a building that marries design with eco-conscious materials became a personal mission.

My journey at U-M led me to a pivotal discovery: carbon capture technology, a potential game-changer in the quest for greener concrete. This revelation inspired my involvement in the research undertaken by GCI, driving me to explore sustainable construction materials and the broader vision of a net-zero built environment.

What do you do at GCI?

I’m working on a built environment sustainability project. More specifically, I am working on comparing the environmental impact of a conventional house and a sustainable one. 

How did you hear about GCI?

When I started classes at U-M, I took a Center for Entrepreneurship class with Professor (Volker) Sick–Innovation for Impact: Climate Change. My team in that class worked on building a price model for a company called Blue Planet, which makes greener carbon aggregates. This opportunity sparked my interest in building materials made from carbon capture. Eventually, I asked Professor Sick if there were any opportunities to continue working in this field, and he graciously offered me an opportunity to work with GCI.

Did anything surprise you about working at GCI?

I am surprised by how much the world of CCU is progressing. I am the only non-engineer on the team, so every week I get to learn a lot of new things. At every team meeting I write down at least one new term to look up later. For instance, I recently learned about Fischer Tropsch, a collection of chemical reactions that converts syngas into liquid hydrocarbons.

Do you have any advice for people who are interested in getting into this field?

Sustainability is an up-and-coming field, and everyone is talking about it. It’s important that people understand some of the science behind sustainability in order to avoid greenwashing. If you want to get into this field, you need to first make sure you are educated and aware. Education doesn’t necessarily mean formal training. I believe good places to start could also be free training, certifications, interning at nonprofit organizations to get hands-on experience, or extensive reading. Things keep evolving in this industry, so it is necessary to stay on top of things in order to keep up with all the new developments.

News in a Nutshell

Rapid progress of key clean energy technologies shows the new energy economy is emerging faster than many think

Pipelines Touted as Carbon Capture Solution Spark Uncertainty and Opposition

Assessing carbon capture progress during climate week

Imminent Events

Carbon to Value Initiative Year 3 Final Showcase

November 30, 2023

Hear from the 8 Year 3 Cohort startups shaping the future of the carbontech industry as they each present their unique solutions, the progress they’ve made throughout the past six months of the C2V program, 

OpenAir Carbon Removal Challenge

Applications close December 2023

The OpenAir Carbon Removal Challenge is a worldwide challenge for students to create new processes, approaches and prototypes to remove carbon from the land, waters, or air.

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