Not all green solutions are created equal. Many eco-friendly alternatives, from corn-based biofuels to biodegradable plastics, promise to save the planet—but do they truly deliver? In this

Not all green solutions are created equal. Many eco-friendly alternatives, from corn-based biofuels to biodegradable plastics, promise to save the planet—but do they truly deliver? In this engaging talk, sustainability researcher and Georgia Tech professor Patricia Stathatou shares a powerful 3-question framework to cut through the hype and assess the true environmental impact of emerging technologies. Drawing on surprising case studies, such as the unintended consequences of ethanol and the progress of electric vehicles, she reveals how to evaluate products and policies across their full lifecycle, from production to disposal.

As an assistant professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech, Patricia specializes in sustainable water and energy systems, working to redefine their design and assessment. Her research, featured in Forbes and WSB-TV, integrates life cycle and techno-economic assessments with real-world data to drive sustainability. With a doctorate from the National Technical University of Athens and postdoctoral research at MIT, she has also contributed to international standards, including marine fuel guidelines for the International Maritime Organization, accelerating the transition to cleaner technologies and more sustainable environmental solutions.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx.