With over 25 years specializing in climate solutions reporting, Tyler Hamilton bridges journalism and technology commercialization. As Director of Cleantech at MaRS Discovery District, he mentors startups while continuing to shape public discourse through:
Recent recognitions include steering the $1M Women in Cleantech Challenge and selection to Canada’s Clean50. His work continues to influence both boardroom strategies and grassroots climate action.
Hamilton’s career began with an unlikely foundation: a political science degree from the University of Toronto (1989–1994) followed by a Master’s in Journalism from Carleton University. This dual training equipped him to analyze both the technical and policy dimensions of environmental challenges. His early work at The Globe and Mail (1999–2001) focused on emerging technologies, foreshadowing his later specialization.
“Clean Break wasn’t just a column title—it became a rallying cry for reimagining energy systems.”
From 2001 to 2015, Hamilton’s work at Canada’s largest newspaper defined public understanding of renewable energy:
This 2008 series dissected smart grid technologies through case studies from Germany’s Energiewende to Texas’ wind corridors. Hamilton interviewed grid operators facing the “duck curve” challenge decades before it entered common parlance. His analysis predicted the need for energy storage solutions now being commercialized by companies like Hydrostor.
Hamilton’s 2011 book profiled 15 inventors tackling energy storage, wave power, and carbon capture. The chapter on compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems presaged recent advancements in underground hydrogen storage. Through vivid storytelling, he made arcane engineering concepts accessible while maintaining scientific rigor.
As Editor-in-Chief of Corporate Knights (2011–2015), Hamilton oversaw the development of the Clean Capitalism Index. This 2014 initiative tracked companies outperforming peers through sustainability-driven innovation, influencing ESG investment strategies adopted by major Canadian pension funds.
Hamilton prioritizes technologies with clear commercialization pathways. His coverage of CarbonCure’s concrete innovation exemplifies this—highlighting both the carbon sequestration potential and economic viability for construction firms. Successful pitches should include TRL (Technology Readiness Level) assessments and pilot project data.
With Toronto Zoo’s biogas project among his reported case studies, Hamilton seeks urban-scale solutions integrating waste management, energy production, and community engagement. Pitches should emphasize cross-sector partnerships, as seen in his analysis of Vancouver’s district heating networks.
As architect of the Women in Cleantech Challenge, Hamilton actively promotes diversity in climate tech. Stories about female-led startups or STEM education initiatives for underrepresented groups align with his advocacy work at MaRS.
Hamilton’s reporting often examines how carbon pricing and procurement rules accelerate adoption. Pitches should connect technological advances to regulatory frameworks, similar to his analysis of Ontario’s Green Energy Act impacts.
With Canada’s climate ambitions lagging behind European counterparts, Hamilton seeks stories about successful technology imports/exports. His coverage of Swedish district heating adaptations in Manitoba serves as a model for this angle.
Awarded for leadership in advancing sustainable innovation, this honor recognizes Hamilton’s dual role as journalist and ecosystem builder. The competitive selection process evaluates tangible impacts on Canada’s low-carbon transition.
This science journalism prize acknowledged Hamilton’s ability to translate complex cleantech concepts for mass audiences. His winning series on smart grid cybersecurity set new standards for technical reporting in mainstream media.
As lead architect of this national climate impact challenge, Hamilton has directed over $40 million to scaling proven climate solutions. The program’s focus on bridging the “valley of death” between pilot and commercialization reflects his career-long emphasis on practical implementation.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Environment, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
