Charlotte Michaluk – Sailing into the Future: Weaving Tradition and Modernity
Bioneers | Published: April 6, 2024 Ecological DesignYouth Video
What can fiber arts and rotor sails have in common? How can we create sustainable technologies that can be implemented in the near future while balancing interests of profit with public health and climate change mitigation? Charlotte Lenore Michaluk, an extraordinary 17-year-old scientist, researcher, biomimetic inventor and passionate eco-activist and conservationist shares her hopeful vision informed by a deep respect of the natural world and powered by brilliant, clean green technologies. Pulling insight from her experiences ranging from cargo ship systems to a novel constructed writing script for greater freedom of expression, she shares the possibilities unleashed by an interdisciplinary mode of thinking that leverages common ground and societal and technological inertia.
This talk was delivered at the 2024 Bioneers Conference.
Charlotte Lenore Michaluk, 17, is a brilliant young, award-winning, multi-disciplinary engineer, scientist and linguistics researcher, passionate about engineering sustainable solutions. Her development of technology for a hybrid wind and fossil fuel powered cargo ship has been widely recognized. Charlotte, who has been certified in freshwater bioassessment for over a decade (!), has been collecting and analyzing field data working with her state’s EPA to preserve ecologically critical wetlands and wildlife corridors in Central New Jersey. Through her organization, Acnestis By Wind, she has been researching using wind power to clean remote shorelines, developing curricula, and protecting wetlands.
EXPLORE MORE
Deep Dive: Biomimicry
With climate disruption upon us, transforming our food and water systems is paramount. Game-changing innovations in design and technology to address this crisis are surfacing constantly, as well as social innovations. At the forefront is biomimicry, the art and science of mimicking nature’s design genius. Explore our media collection of fascinating examples from leaders in the field.
Bioneers Youth Leadership and Education Program
Over the last 20 years, the Bioneers Youth Leadership and Education Program has served as an incubator for thousands of youth and educators to deepen their passion and power through self-expression, skills development, mentorship and deep relationship building within the broader community of Bioneers. The program has produced some of the most dynamic, engaging, and cutting edge programming within the Bioneers kaleidoscope and it continues to shape the work of youth movements, activism and education.