Pointing a finger--at a solution

Much of the conversation in the communications industry around BP and the disaster in the Gulf has been fixed on the PR missteps the company, and its CEO, has made to make a tragic situation even worse. And while the list is long, and the response one that will be studied for decades to come, I’m sure everyone in the business would much prefer discussing a solution to the crisis. So with that in mind, I bring to you entrepreneurial mycologist, Paul Stamets.

During my four days at the recent Sustainable Brands conference in Monterey, California, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Paul, a man who for years has been touting the bioremediation effects of mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus (visible in the form of mushrooms), and who had everyone buzzing after his presentation, “6 Ways Mushrooms Can Save the World.”

This unfortunately ignored science is relevant because Paul has demonstrated how mycelium, specifically that from oyster mushrooms, can break down petroleum products, like that spilling into the Gulf right now. And indeed, the EPA has contacted Paul to discuss the possibility of using mycoremediation methods as a component in the clean up.

Paul was kind enough to explain to readers of Wolfe Tracking how mycoremediation can help in the Gulf. My interview with him is below. It can also be found on Cohn & Wolfe's YouTube channel.

It’s fascinating stuff. Enjoy.