SANTA BARBARA, CA (May 18, 2026) — World Business Academy Executive Director, Rick
Wayman, was a featured speaker at the inaugural International Academy of Astronautics (IAA)
Planetary Sunshade Workshop, held May 13 – 15 in Nottingham, England. Wayman presented
“The Earthshades Initiative: Disrupting the Methane Accelerator through Modular, Reversible
Solar Shading in Low Earth Orbit,” and shared the Academy’s research on a scalable, reversible
cooling strategy to combat rising atmospheric temperatures.
Since 1995, the Academy has been investigating a critical climate feedback loop they call the
Methane Accelerator. In this “snowball effect,” rising atmospheric temperatures trigger the
release of methane from vast undersea and permafrost deposits. This release further
accelerates warming, leading to even greater methane discharge. The Academy’s research
shows that the Earthshades Initiative is necessary to disrupt this cycle.
Wayman is a values-driven executive with two decades of experience navigating the
intersection of international policy, business operations, and social impact. With a career
defined by high-stakes leadership, ranging from the boardrooms of emerging startups to the
halls of the United Nations, he specializes in transforming visionary concepts into scalable,
globally recognized institutions.
“It is an honor to join the fellow innovators, engineers, scientists, and policy experts at the
Planetary Sunshade Workshop. By coming together, we’re one step closer to advancing the
sunshade solution,” said Wayman. “The severity of the climate crisis requires scalable solutions
that can be deployed rapidly and safely. Our Earthshades Initiative aims to provide just that.”
About World Business Academy
Founded in 1986, the World Business Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit think tank and action
incubator dedicated to redefining the role of business in addressing humanity’s greatest
challenges. Focused on climate change and energy security as the most urgent threats to both
human and economic survival, the Academy advances systemic solutions through research,
public engagement, and real-world projects like microgrids and renewable energy innovation.
By mobilizing leaders and shifting business consciousness toward long-term stewardship, the
Academy empowers a resilient, sustainable future.
Media Contact:
Shannon Albertelli
Trevi Communications, Inc.
Shannon@trevicomm.com