Joshua Kearns holds bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and environmental engineering from Clemson University and a master’s degree in environmental biogeochemistry from the University of California-Berkeley. He is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Colorado-Boulder in environmental engineering. His research explores the applicability of locally-produced charcoals and biochars as low-cost sorbents for drinking water treatment in developing communities. Josh has worked as a researcher and activist in the fields of ecological economics and sustainability science both in academia and in the non-profit NGO sector. Josh is certified in permaculture design, and has studied and practiced a variety of sustainable and self-reliant living techniques throughout the US and Asia including natural building and ecological agriculture. His interest in local self-reliance and appropriate technologies led him to found Aqueous Solutions in June of 2007 – a non-profit organization dedicated to scientific research, development and promotion of inexpensive, low-tech and sustainable drinking water and eco-sanitation systems.