Not all green solutions are created equal. From corn-based biofuels to biodegradable plastics, many eco-friendly alternatives promise to save the planet—but do they really?In this engaging talk, sustainability researcher and Georgia Tech professor Patricia Stathatou shares a simple but powerful 3-question framework that helps cut through the hype and assess the true environmental impact of emerging technologies. Drawing on surprising case studies, like the unintended consequences of ethanol and the hard-won progress of electric vehicles, she reveals how to evaluate products and policies across their full lifecycle, from production to disposal and beyond. Patricia Stathatou is working to redefine how sustainable water and energy systems are designed and assessed.She is an assistant professor in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at Georgia Tech, specializing in sustainable water and energy systems.Patricia’s research, featured in Forbes and WSB-TV, integrates life cycle and techno-economic assessments with real-world data to drive sustainability. And, she has contributed to international standards, including marine fuel guidelines for the International Maritime Organization.Patricia earned her doctorate in chemical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and conducted postdoctoral research at MIT. Through her work, she is 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