For decades, agriculture has used synthetic nitrogen fertilizer to replenish nutrients in soil. But the chemical, used in half of all food production, can have devastating environmental and health effects. Berkeley, Calif.–based Pivot Bio is combatting that with the world’s first microbial biofertilizer for cereal crops like wheat, rye, rice and barley. Dubbed PROVEN, the product replaces synthetic solutions with nitrogen-fixing microbes, which capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form that plants can use. For $20 per acre, compared to nearly $100 for existing fertilizers, farmers gain a more consistent harvest while eliminating 1 gigaton worth of carbon-dioxide-equivalent emissions. —Mariah Espada
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
- Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
- Why We're Spending So Much Money Now
- The Financial Influencers Women Actually Want to Listen To
- Breaker Sunny Choi Is Heading to Paris
- Why TV Can’t Stop Making Silly Shows About Lady Journalists
- The Case for Wearing Shoes in the House
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time