Show Notes
Dr. Shimrit Perkol-Finkel is co-founder, CEO and chief scientist at ECOncrete, a company creating environmentally-sensitive concrete solutions designed to develop rich and diverse marine life and counter the negative effects of using concrete in coastal areas. Concrete is the second most consumed material on our planet. Second, only to water. At the moment, it is responsible for 8% of humanity's carbon emissions. By changing the composition, texture and designs of the concrete ECOcrete produces, the team has created products that can be used by ports, waterfronts, breakwaters and piers to reduce ecological footprint and be resilient while fostering and preserving biodiversity.
With over 20 years of experience in marine biology and ecology, as well as diving and exploring different environments, Shimrit is using her expertise in sustainable management and ecological engineering to inspire businesses, governments and project developers, to start using ecological products in coastal construction. You can find ECOncrete’s products in six countries, over six seas. They have been awarded #10 most innovative company by Fast Company and #13 of top 50 women-led companies by Forbes.
Shimrit holds a B.Sc. in Life Sciences, and a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Zoology. She was also one of five women entrepreneurs to win the We Empower UN SDG Challenge, a first-of-its-kind global business competition for female entrepreneurs advancing the UN SDGs
Website: https://econcretetech.com
SDG #14 Life Below Water
More from What If We Get It Right?
In our prep interview with Alison Taylor we hear about ethical organisations and including employee voice. Her interview was part of our full story on activists and innovators in business: whatifwegetitright.com/season-3-activists-and-innovators
With many businesses confused about what ‘doing good’ actually means, employees are stepping up and pressuring their organisations to act on behalf of an interest greater than their company’s profits. They want to see their leadership take action and are speaking up as a political act of resistance. Employee activism is increasing globally with people are voting on their feet, ready to leave their jobs when their companies don’t perform. Join us as we explore how employee activism can be a force for good.
Are employees the social innovators and intrapreneurs organisations now need to lead by example? One thing is clear, innovators alone will not be able to drive the systemic change we need to address climate change and achieve social justice. The corporate world is being challenged from within - by activist shareholders and employees - to play its part. Join us as we explore the world of business and how resistance is necessary to make business a force for good.
In the fourth and final episode of this series we see the bigger picture – and why these entrepreneurs feel they need to keep on trying. Despite dealing with complexity on a day-to-day basis, they are determined to work toward their greater plan. Patrick, Mike, Douce, Washikala and Chance might be on to something. By starting and supporting these businesses, they have created a new model for people in the region to take ownership of their future. What are the ingredients for long-term impact and building ecosystems that flourish? We revisit Mike and Patrick and find out whether their approach could become a model for others. Could they be getting it right?
Episode three takes us deeper into the intricacies of setting up a business in an uncertain and complex environment. If social entrepreneurs can offer ideas and business solutions for community value, what role should government play? And how can NGOs and other societal actors get involved? Besides the insights from Douce and Washikala, we meet Chance Rwezi, who runs a coffee co-op on the island of Idjwi. While Douce and Washikala need to test their assumptions within their communities, Chance has challenges that lie outside the country. How does he see the balance between local and global economies and community value?