Parker Parent Geoff Trukenbrod Talks Carbon and Climate Impact

Sedron Technologies Chief Financial Officer and Parker parent Geoff Trukenbrod brought his expertise in carbon capture, utilization and sequestration to the Upper School Climate Science and Environmental Justice class this week. Trukenbrod described how his company’s work in liquid waste management is making a difference in climate change.

Sedron works with municipalities and agriculture to help reduce their carbon footprint. Using the example of a dairy farm, Sedron explained that their technology transforms cow manure into electricity and clean water through a boiling and cleaning process that ultimately reduces the farm’s carbon output, thus diminishing the negative environmental impact that comes with agriculture. 

Trukenbrod also spoke about the work of his previous company, which uses bioreactors to recycle steel mills’ carbon outputs into ethanol and protein. These byproducts have been used in creating new brand name items such as Gucci perfume, On shoes and Zara clothing. Their work has also led to the jet fuel produced from carbon waste gases. 

This climate-focused work is groundbreaking, but also very expensive. Trukenbrod said the realities of working in this field comes with high costs, long runways of time for development and uncertainty from an investing standpoint. However, there is also a large opportunity to make a real difference if these concepts can break through the markets and become more common practice. 

During a question-and-answer session, Trukenbrod shared his path into this industry and that he was inspired by then-11-year-old daughter Naia, now a senior in the CSEJ class, who questioned him about what he was doing to support climate change. Today, he is doing a lot!

Parker is grateful to have parents like Trukenbrod bring their experiences to the classroom and serve as real-life connections to the curriculum.

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