The beginning of the glass “industry” occurred at least 3500 years ago in places like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Syria. At that time, humans did not consider firing ceramics or melting glass a climate related issue; their struggle would likely have been in generating the heat that was required to fuse raw materials, make a homogeneous glass-forming melt, and form useful or aesthetic articles. Eventually, the creation and industrialization of glass articles such as vessels, windows, light bulb envelopes, and optical communications fiber were life-changing innovations. Today, with widely acknowledged global climate change, we in the glass industry are seeking new technologies that will combat climate change. More sustainable processes and glass products will lead to a new wave of life-changing innovations which are needed to sustain the planet and its inhabitants. Academia and industry have a unique capability, capacity, and responsibility to address this new challenge. The presenter will describe the underpinnings of the challenge in the glass industry and the means for us to work together, to provide life-changing innovations for our world yet again.