
Rao and his wife Seshu support causes closely related to the impact they want to have on this world through their family foundation. To that end, he is working with RMI to create carbon markets that are more accessible, trusted, and transparent. Each mower is equipped with monitors and a 4G connection so users can analyze performance in real-time, and OSO can also help them with preventative interventions before things go wrong.Įven though Rao values the good that OSO Electric and his rewilding project are doing, he’s a proponent of more incentives for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs to realize benefits from their climate-friendly efforts. In keeping with his engineering background, the mowers are also smart.

Rao’s mowers are built to handle the nonstop schedules that lawncare professionals maintain, with warranties twice as long as his competition. His new company, OSO Electric, is dedicated to building commercial electric landscaping equipment. “I went to the California Air Resource Board website, and I was shocked: The mower that he was using for one hour was the same as driving a passenger car 300 miles.” “The first thing I read was the pollution data,” Rao says. When his landscaper, who had observed Rao's sustainable habits and EVs, asked for his help converting from gas-powered to electric equipment, he knew he had found that something. “I said to myself, I have to jump on right now.

He vividly recalls the surreal news images of orange skies as wildfire smoke blocked the sun in California’s Bay Area in 2020. But increasingly extreme and frequent climate impacts made him realize he had to do something, and he knew the window was closing. Rao’s original plan was to sell EZLynx in 2024 and use his early retirement to be more actively involved with nonprofits pushing climate-change action.
#Nag nag nag free#
At his former company, EZLynx, he offered generous incentives for employees to go green, including $10,000 interest-free loans for EVs, free Nest smart thermostats, and - in a nod toward what was to come - cash toward electric lawn equipment. He even downsized his gas-powered car to the first generation of the Chevrolet Volt to send the right signal to carmakers (he has since moved on to a Tesla). Before it took off, he participated in the beta-testing for Nest smart thermostats. He also believes in the power of blazing a trail with his investments and encouraging first movers. And lately, he’s been at work rewilding over 100 acres of farmland near his home on the outskirts of Dallas, Texas.

#Nag nag nag full#
Over the past ten years, he’s read many books on climate change and the environment to get the full picture of the challenge the world is facing. He takes great pride in his purpose-built, sustainable home outside Dallas, Texas. He’s a devoted vegetarian (even eschewing rice for its climate impact). Growing up in his native India, Rao tended to fruit trees and grew vegetables, a passion that sparked his interest in studying science. His love of the natural environment is lifelong. Rao’s all-in commitment wouldn’t have been much of a surprise to anyone who knows him. When my daughters are talking about not having kids - It just bothers me that we’ve brought the planet to this state.” I was part of the problem that created this, and I feel very guilty. When asked what led him to make this surprising shift, Rao says, point blank, “Climate change.”
#Nag nag nag software#
I've just added \RequirePackage (this is my current document class.A little over two years ago, engineer, entrepreneur, and RMI donor Nag Rao decided to sell his successful enterprise software company to build commercial-grade electric lawnmowers.
