The NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE is an international competition to turn CO2 emissions into valuable products. 

In a three-part series, Energy Examined interviews three of the ten finalist teams vying for the $20 million grand prize: to learn about their innovations, what got them interested in the battle against climate change, and the ups and downs of competing in an XPRIZE finals. For part 1, we chat with Air Company, a Brooklyn-based company that's found a way to turn CO2 into vodka--among other things.