Climate change is a looming catastrophe, yet it presents an enormous opportunity for humanity to direct its creativity towards developing energy solutions that are abundant, cheap and clean. The Foundation supports invention-led activities to address the climate crisis, with funding focused on engaging key stakeholders to develop, introduce and deliver transformative technologies.

Smart Garage Summit

The Lemelson Foundation provided support for the Rocky Mountain Institute’s October, 2008 collaborative design summit. Held in Portland, OR, it brought together car manufacturers, battery companies, utilities, government entities and other industry players to identify and discuss the breakthroughs that could make plug-in vehicles a reality. For more information visit: Smart Garage Summit or Rocky Mountain Institute

Project Get Ready

With funding from the Foundation and others, the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Project Get Ready initiative is developing a menu of incentives that will be used by selected cities to become pioneers in the push for plug-in electric cars. For more information visit: Project Get Ready

Climate Solutions

Foundation support for Climate Solutions includes a grant to support the organization’s New Energy System Project. This is a coordinated effort at city government and local business levels in the Pacific Northwest to promote adoption of new technology for energy production and efficiency. For more information visit: Climate Solutions

In addition to the above activities, a number of the Foundation’s grantees address energy issues and global warming as part of their work. See the Enterprise Development projects listed under “Energy,” and read about Ecovative Design, a start-up company that began as an NCIIA E-Team.

Go to Resources Page for a list of all Programs and Grants that receive our support.