Today's guest is Phil Bredesen, Former Governor of Tennessee. This is a fascinating discussion because I haven't come across many people who have made the transition from entrepreneurship to politics back to entrepreneurship. But Governor Bredesen has danced back and forth in both of these areas quite successfully over a long illustrious career. We also have a great discussion about climate change, its impact, the best path forward and what levers we've got to solve it. And which ones governor B...
Jul 27, 2020•58 min
In today’s episode, we cover: The benefits of partnering with MIT in founding The Engine The mission and vision of The Engine The Engine’s focus on “tough tech” and the role it plays as a backer of it How The Engine compares with a typical VC firm and important differences that makes it unique How Katie landed at The Engine after a long career in technology and investing The role MIT plays at The Engine The relationship between The Engine and its portfolio companies The cross-functional resource...
Jul 20, 2020•58 min
Today's guest is Rebecca Henderson, John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard University. We also talk a lot about climate change, how to think about the problem, the path forward, and most importantly how Rebecca came to be doing this work to begin with. She has a fascinating journey, and I know it was helpful for me as I'm navigating my own journey. I hope you find it helpful too. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney....
Jul 13, 2020•54 min
Today's guest is Maggie Thomas, Political Director of Evergreen Action. I was very excited for this discussion, as Maggie is deep in climate policy and has done so on behalf of campaigns that have arguably the best climate policy around. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the key tenants of the Inslee policy plan, what it was like to be a part of the Inslee campaign and the Warren campaign, and where we find ourselves in this pivotal moment of the clean energy transition. In add...
Jul 06, 2020•59 min
Today's guest is Mindy Lubber, CEO and President of Ceres. She's been at Ceres’ helm since 2003 and, under her leadership, the organization and its powerful network have grown significantly in size and influence. I've had a couple of other Ceres people on the show: Alicia Seiger, who's on the board, and Barney Schauble, the Chair of the board. Both of them have raved to me about the work that Mindy and the organization does. I was also excited for this episode because Mindy is very plugged in wi...
Jun 29, 2020•57 min
Today's guest is Danny Kennedy, CEO of New Energy Nexus. We have a great discussion in this episode, covering a wide range of topics including Danny's background and experience, what led him to become an activist, his interest in climate change and how that interest has manifested over the years. In addition, we touch on how his views on the problem have evolved and also where he's spending his portfolio of time today. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at...
Jun 22, 2020•59 min
In today’s episode, we cover: What is Shopify What are its values Tobi’s thoughts on consumerism Tobi’s view that companies need to think of the world holistically Shopify’s journey and what it discovered purchasing carbon credits The misaligned incentives caused by poor quality carbon credits Tobi’s personal journey in learning about climate change and taking action on it The need to reform capitalism and the mechanisms to do so Where Shopify is currently on its climate journey Tobi’s reasons f...
Jun 15, 2020•52 min
Today's guest is Sonia Aggarwal, Vice President at Energy Innovation. I was excited for this episode because so many guests on My Climate Journey have said that policy is the biggest lever we've got, but we haven’t really double clicked on that and dug into what that means and how to bring it about. It just so happens that filling in those gaps and educating lawmakers on what needs to happen is what Sonya does for a living! We cover a lot in this episode, including a deep dive into the clean ene...
Jun 08, 2020•50 min
Today's guest is Davida Herzl, Co-Founder & CEO of Aclima Inc. This is the first episode that we're putting pollution front and center. It's an important topic and Aclima is one of the leaders in helping provide more visibility. Through Aclima’s data and reporting, we can better understand, measure and become more aware of the harm that pollution is having in our local communities and the world at large. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mycli...
Jun 01, 2020•51 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Varun’s wide-ranging background in academia, startups and public policy His career as a technologist beginning with Cleantech 1.0 How he moved from science to public policy How cooperation across sectors is critical to solve climate change. The need for aggressive increases in federal funding for energy innovation The lessons of Cleantech 1.0 How the missteps of VC cleantech investing offers insight into future funding models for climate companies How the complexiti...
May 25, 2020•52 min
In today’s episode, we cover: The focus and work of BNP Paribas Asset Management Mark’s role in sustainability research Sectors of focus for Mark’s team How ESG is used as a lens to analyze different sectors BNP Paribas Asset Management’s track record of Social Responsibility Investing Asset management industry’s shifting focus into more SRI and ESG investments The thesis that ESG investing will yield a greater return over the long term How his firm has applied ESG into how the firm and fund man...
May 18, 2020•48 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Origins of Scale Microgrid Solutions (SMS) What’s a “microgrid?” “Front of the meter” vs. “Behind the meter” microgrids The way utilities are setup in the U.S. How Tim found his way into the energy sector The value proposition of the microgrid How the company’s management software controls the grid components SMS’ modular solution SMS’ Energy-as-a-Service model The motives for customer adoption Microgrid’s role in contributing to a resilient energy infrastructure Th...
May 11, 2020•55 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Early learnings and thoughts on COVID-19 pandemic and parallels with climate change Alex’s role at BCG and his work in the energy industry His work with oil and gas companies in responding to climate change How oil and gas companies’ climate change strategies have evolved Oil and gas companies’ attitudinal change to accepting climate change as an existential issue Impact of the IPCC report on the oil and gas industry How stakeholders are demanding action on climate ...
May 04, 2020•51 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Carbon Lighthouse, its business, vision and clientele The genesis of the company The opportunity of improving energy efficiency The early challenges of driving sales Carbon Lighthouse’s non-profit arm The substantial role commercial buildings play in emitting GHG Misaligned incentives of the many stakeholders involved Factors that led to a tipping point in the sales challenge What is HVAC optimization How Carbon Lighthouse uses software to optimize commercial HVAC s...
Apr 27, 2020•52 min
In today’s episode, we cover: What is Kula Bio, its mission, and what it has developed The importance of nitrogen as an ingredient in fertilizer and agriculture The drawbacks and consequences of the Haber-Bosch process Kula Bio’s unique fertilizer and how it addresses carbon emissions The microbial process of developing the proprietary fertilizer Profile of customers, to which Kula Bio is catering Kula Bio’s value proposition to farmers Benefits of organic nitrogen-based fertilizer vs. synthetic...
Apr 20, 2020•49 min
In today’s episode, we cover: What is CalPERS, its origins and its mission? How its priorities and concerns about climate change is rooted in its fiduciary responsibility to pensioners current and future Anne’s career at CalPERS and early work focusing on corporate governance What CalPERS learned from the 2008 financial crisis and how it informs its perspective and priorities regarding climate change CalPERS’ ten “Pension Beliefs” that define its investment strategy How being a longterm investor...
Apr 16, 2020•57 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Ken’s journey from making money on Wall Street to making meaning as a scientist The perceived “information deficit” problem in public policy How Ken distinguishes his role as a concerned citizen from his work as a scientist How getting past social identities is a major challenge to effecting change Bill Gates’ support and patronage of Ken’s work The various climate change research, pursued by Ken’s post-doc graduate students The prospect and viability of a 100% rene...
Apr 13, 2020•1 hr 2 min
In today’s episode, we cover: KoBold’s team and its business Why cobalt is known as the “goblin metal” The collaboration of software engineering, data science and mineral exploration at KoBold KoBold’s “machine prospector” Kurt’s journey to taking action on climate change Why cobalt makes for a good ingredient in batteries Why cobalt is known as the “blood diamond of metals” KoBold’s technology and the “messy data problem” KoBold’s business model Investment from Equinor and reconciling working w...
Apr 09, 2020•36 min
In today’s episode, we cover: What is Deep Isolation and how it’s addressing the issue of nuclear waste disposal The half-a-century history of nuclear waste Genesis of Deep Isolation and Elizabeth’s earlier work founding Berkeley Earth Directional drilling as a solution for long-term storage of nuclear waste Partnerships with communities Pollution studies performed by Berkeley Earth The opportunity of using impermeable rock The importance of being able to retrieve waste stored in drill-holes How...
Apr 06, 2020•45 min
In today’s episode, we cover: The NAACP, its history and mission Why climate is integral to promoting civil justice and equity Climate change’s disproportionate impact on communities of color Examples of how the NAACP is taking action from a climate perspective Jacqueline’s journey that led her to climate justice Her role at the NAACP in addressing climate issues that affect vulnerable groups The intersectionality of the issues posed by climate change NAACP’s climate priorities Links to topics d...
Apr 02, 2020•47 min
In today’s episode, we cover: What is Blueprint Power and how its unique business model works Who’s its customers and what is their need How her early-career at Google was a springboard into a career in energy The genesis and inspiration behind Blueprint Power The current state of the renewable energy sector The role of the energy grid and its stakeholders How Robyn initially validated market demand for Blueprint Power Blueprint’s current geographic footprint and market focus How recent regulato...
Mar 30, 2020•45 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Her journey from Geologist to Historian of Science The genesis of her climate change awakening What led to her seminal book on climate change, “Merchants of Doubt” How the science showing fossil fuels impact on climate change go way backHer work inspiring the movie, "An Inconvenient Truth" The foundational work of Prof. Ben Santer, proving climate change How the fossil fuel industry led a disinformation campaign, intent on discrediting climate scientists Her views o...
Mar 26, 2020•48 min
In today’s episode, we cover: What is Elemental Excelerator Dawn’s journey to climate change Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Applying the startup accelerator model to energy and clean tech Investing focus and criteria Holistic support for portfolio companies Geographic focus for its projects Sources of funding for Elemental Excelerator Purpose of pilots Coaching support Links to topics discussed in this episode: Elemental Excelerator: https://elementalexcelerator.com/ Emerson Collective: https://...
Mar 23, 2020•51 min
In today’s episode, we cover: What is Carbon Tracker and what’s it role in the financial markets? How fossil fuels and carbon emissions play into the valuation of stocks, etc. How Carbon Tracker influence investors and their strategies The investment risk associated with not factoring in climate change The meaning and examples of a “stranded asset” How the energy transition to cleaner technologies can disrupt incumbent industries to the detriment of investors How inertia continues to drive the c...
Mar 19, 2020•42 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Jupiter and its mission Rich’s journey from data analytics to climate change Parallels between the opportunity around cybersecurity and climate change The importance of physical climate risk How Jupiter initially narrowed its focus on flood risk How Jupiter develops a “peril model” to assess the risk of flooding and fires Profile of Jupiter’s customers How critical infrastructure companies represent a major customer Why insurers are not the ones who bear the financi...
Mar 16, 2020•47 min
In today’s episode, we cover: What is CGC and its mission as a nonprofit? Why “green bank” is somewhat of a misnomer The history of green banks in the U.S. both on the federal and state level Where the CGC adds value in the clean tech financing ecosystem Customers served by green banks The role green banks have played in jump starting new markets for clean tech Comparing green banks with for-profit investment firms (e.g. Ultra Capital, Generate Capital) Sources of funding for CGC Opportunities i...
Mar 12, 2020•55 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Role, function and mission of IIASA The context around SR15 UN Sustainable Development Goals Dr. Huppmann’s work on the message integrated assessment model for environmental scenario planning Significance of selecting a decade as the timeframe for action Unpacking the meaning of publicly stated thresholds Implications of Dr. Huppmann’s modeling on humanity How new research affects older predictive models Dr. Huppmann’s view on carbon storage Delivering sustainabilit...
Mar 09, 2020•47 min
In today’s episode, we cover: Her journey to elected office and the challenges she faced in her campaign Her inspiration to run for state office What she discovered about the state of Albany politics How the campaign for state senator felt like a street fight Her upbringing in a politically-minded family How the existential problem of climate change underpins all other issues What other actions concerned citizens can take beyond voting to combat climate change The viability of bipartisan collabo...
Mar 05, 2020•42 min
In today’s episode, we cover: How Zahra landed at Buzzfeed covering climate The Trump Administration and how its policies have affected climate Her audience and readership The positioning of her news room and editors Journalism’s role Her journey from studying geology at Brown to the world of climate journalism What she learned at Inside Climate News How climate change has become increasingly topical and relevant Editorial decisions around what stories to cover Delivering impact vs. ad revenue J...
Mar 02, 2020•46 min
In today’s episode, we cover: David’s influential career in tech His advocacy of various causes DHH’s view that, regardless of one’s background, one should become versed in climate change How his attention first peaked with the California drought How the fires near Malibu made the crisis feel personal and urgent “The Uninhabitable Earth” by David Wallace Wells helped inform him of the catastrophe brought about by a temperature rise above 2 degrees centigrade How it’s remarkable to think that, si...
Feb 27, 2020•57 min
