There are some pressing global problems where Greenheart could have a small, but significant effect. Below is a list of these issues and the partial solutions that Greenheart hopes to contribute.

Environment

Development

Education
Green Technology
The Challenge   Greenheart Contribution
The damage to our environment from the extraction and burning of fossil fuels is cumulative and in many cases irreparable. The fuels themselves are not replaceable, and their combustion damages the biosphere and threatens the delicate gas balances in our atmosphere. Renewable energy sources are being identified, but are rarely available to people in remote and pristine habitats. The need for affordable and appropriate energy sources and development technologies is a major obstacle for people struggling against poverty. Often, they are faced with the choice between preserving their natural resources and meeting their basic human needs. There is a dire need to rediscover means of exploiting our surroundings without destroying them, while unleashing human potential on both sides of the economic divide.   Greenheart ships provide a technological alternative to fossil fuel consumption in specific sectors of the maritime industry. Although we employ technologies that cannot yet be used effectively by the bulk of the world's fleet, our ships will find ready applications in sectors of the world's economy that have been left behind in the course of development. They will immediately benefit small shippers in regions that cannot afford the costs of conventionally fueled ships, as well as artisanal fishermen, and marine eco-tourism. We will also be at the vanguard of experimentation with increased applications of green technology in the field, as technological developments bring solar and wind energies within the reach of large carriers. We expect that a successful fleet of clean, cheap small ships will help impel green maritime innovation and inspire appropriate technology development.
Ocean Preservation
The Challenge   Greenheart Contribution
Our planet's ocean is under increased threat as its temperature and acidity rise, and its shallow coastal sea habitats are degraded by effluent from human agriculture, industry, and lifestyle. Reefs, grassy shallows, marine wetlands and mangrove forests are all vital to the biodiversity of the seas because of their critical role in the life-cycles of so many species. Yet these are the very regions suffering most intensely from human activities. Overfishing to the point of species extinctions and incurring dangerous imbalances in marine ecologies, is epidemic. We must find ways of utilizing our rich interface with the sea without destroying it.   Our vessels are clean, green alternatives with little impact on the fragile ecosystems in which they operate. With their innovative shallow keel design and the ability to load and unload over both sides, over the bow and stern of the vessel, and through a RO-RO hatch in the transom, Greenheart ships will not require the dredging of channels and harbors, nor the construction of wharves or quays. This will render even remote beaches and undeveloped estuaries capable of becoming cargo terminals without damaging delicate ecosystems. Our ships can navigate shallow rivers close to producers which decreases the need for road construction. Zero emissions operation means no oil pollution and no threat of spillage -- minimum impact on the marine environment.