Josh Dorfman, a well-known environmentalist and host of “The Lazy Environmentalist” TV and book series, is on a mission to make sustainability seamless, smart, and scalable. His journey began in the 1990s when he witnessed China’s transition from bicycles to cars and realized the environmental impact of global development. This realization inspired him to shift consumer culture towards greener living by providing practical, self-interested solutions that make sustainable choices attractive and accessible.
Dorfman now leads two groundbreaking initiatives: Plantd and Supercool. Plantd is a carbon-negative building materials startup that utilizes ultra-fast-growing grass to produce high-performance panels that outperform traditional plywood. Their electric, zero-smokestack production line locks atmospheric carbon into walls, floors, and roofs without the need to cut down trees. Recently, DR Horton, the largest U.S. homebuilder, placed an order for 10 million Plantd panels, showcasing the widespread interest in sustainable construction materials.
On the other hand, Supercool is a podcast and newsletter that highlights climate innovation across political lines. Dorfman’s storytelling focuses on the middle ground where sustainability intersects with health, economics, and lifestyle. The podcast features stories such as upcycled e-bike marketplaces, AI-optimized HVAC systems, and green retrofits of federal buildings. Dorfman believes that we already have the technology to combat climate change; what we need is faster adoption, which can be facilitated through storytelling.
Both Plantd and Supercool are paving the way for a more sustainable future by blending smart storytelling with practical solutions. To learn more about Plantd’s carbon-negative building materials, visit their website at https://www.plantdmaterials.com/. And to tune into the Supercool podcast, head over to https://getsuper.cool/.
In conclusion, Josh Dorfman’s innovative approach to sustainability is reshaping the way we think about environmental conservation. By making green choices appealing and accessible, he is driving positive change in the fight against climate change.