Interview: former Reddit CEO and Terraformation founder Yishan Wong on planting a trillion trees and the value of community

John AdamaStaff - October 13, 2021

The startup Terraformation recently raised $30M as part of its quest to solve the climate crisis by rapidly reforesting 3 billion acres — which is m
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Wow John, thanks so much for this interview…it’s nice to get something that is upbeat.  So much of what I read is doom and gloom.  I worry that I focus too much on what’s wrong & not nearly enough on what can go right.  I am reminded that my wife & I invested in a solar heating company about seven years ago.  We merely provided some capital and are not involved in the operation.  For at least a few years it has struggled, but in the last year it has really started to hit its’ stride.  As many companies make commitments to reduce their fossil fuel footprint they are discovering this product.  Sorry, wandering off the topic, but just wanted to say that things can get better and innovative solutions are in production on a real scale.

 

Such a great note, thanks! That’s cool yall put money behind supporting solar tech. I too am an angel investor in such companies, and while some fail, the overall greater-good goals are met. For example, I invested in a company that made cheap DIY installation kits for rooftop panels (think Legos for solar installs), but it sadly folded last year. But now the team is already working on something new and they’re making a big impact! 

 

Very uplifting! Thanks for sharing. Hopefully this will encourage people to get out and plant some trees. It’s great to see them discuss the permaculture aspect of “grow things that work in your local ecosystem”, and that every little bit can help.

I have worked with a local tree-planting group to do volunteer plantings. It’s a great activity.

 

I LOVE this guy and his message! I’m in the non-profit sector working on environmental issues and the work being done is excellent, but there is sometimes such a doom and gloom, “people suck” attitude. When I talk to students I like to include the message that people are incredible problem solvers, that I have personally in my lifetime seen major environmental problems solved, and that they can be a part of solving problems that seem impossible right now. 

 

Excellent and informative article, one thing I dont understand about sunny places like SoCal is why schemes like PV Desal,  Water Vapour Netting and Evap Desal are not growing in popularity.

 

It boils down to too many incentives keeping the status quo in place. It will take more pain (eg. upper class folks in CA not having water in their tap) before things really change.

 

Gotcha, same big business doing the same over here.