Ben Hubbard is CEO and Co-founder at Nexus PMG, an infrastructure advisory and project development organization dedicated to reducing carbon intensity and enhancing resource efficiency. Ben co-founded Nexus PMG in 2013 after multiple years of working on complex metal refining facilities in locations including Mongolia and Saudi Arabia.In this episode, Cody and Ben cover how Nexus PMG got started, what key risks the firm explores when assessing a project for development capital, Ben's advice for infrastructure-heavy startups as they scale, and how he sees the next five years of infrastructure deployment playing out. And they cover a whole lot in between, including the criticality of feedstocks, the role of insurance, opportunities for private equity, and first-of-a-kind project finance.In this episode, we cover: [01:56]: Ben's early mining experience in extreme climates during the 2007 recession[05:24]: Nexus PMG's founding story[11:51]: Abandoning all fossil-fuel projects and full transition to low-carbon focus[17:01]: Observations on declining investment returns in wind and solar projects[20:39]: Challenges in variability and quality of sustainable materials[27:15]: Turnaround of a distressed biomass plant in British Columbia[30:08]: Launch of Nexus Development Capital for scaling businesses[36:04]: Recent shifts from strategics investing to meet ESG goals[38:17]: Why team dynamics are critical to project success[42:50]: Trend forecasting in sustainable projects: hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuels[46:01]: Ben’s optimism about capital deployment in the next decadeEpisode recorded on Jan 8, 2024 (Published on Feb 5, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Roy Mittleider is the director of training for CalCERTS. CalCERTS is one of California's Home Energy Rating System providers (or HERS), which is an acronym we use a lot in this episode. They operate in the state under the conditional approval of the California Energy Commission, or the CEC. CalCERTS provides specialized HERS training and certification, performs quality assurance on all HERS Raters they certify, and maintains an online data registry of permits and records of energy efficiency work for each home in California. In this episode, we deep dive into what a HERS rater does, who they work with, what their training is like, and what career paths they can take. We also talk about different types of energy specifications a structure needs to meet in order to be up to the latest energy code. And we end with talking about the role that technology can play in optimizing the workflow in the home energy efficiency auditing space.In this episode, we cover: Introduction to CalCERTS and the Home Energy Rating System (HERS)History of the HERS industry and its development in CaliforniaCompliance rating and verification process for existing homes and new constructionEnergy specifications and standards for buildings in CaliforniaThe importance of air sealing and insulation in home energy efficiency The role of technology in optimizing workflow and improving efficiency in home energy efficiency auditingCareer paths and opportunities for HERS ratersImportance of data registry and record-keeping for energy efficiency work in CaliforniaPotential for technology to improve data transfer, streamline paperwork, and enhance the HERS rating processEpisode recorded on Aug 17, 2023 (Published on Nov 2, 2023) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Dr. Denise Baden is Professor of Sustainable Business at the University of Southampton and founder of Green Stories. At Green Stories, Dr. Baden has run 16 writing competitions since 2018, focused around sustainability and storytelling. She is herself also the author of multiple eco-fiction novels, including Habitat Man and is the editor of a collection of short stories called No More Fairy Tales: Stories to Save Our Planet. She's working with BAFTA, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, on a project about the role of screenwriters in consumer culture. And she's co-created the #ClimateCharacters campaign with them to highlight TV and movie characters who take on climate positive lifestyle behaviors.Dr. Baden and Cody have a wide-ranging conversation about the role of storytelling as a lever for climate action, her work in researching how characters who demonstrate positive behaviors tend to drive better outcomes than fear mongering via disaster scenarios, and how the climate attitudes amongst her students have changed during her time in academia. In this episode, we cover: [02:37]: Dr. Baden's realization about the impact of storytelling while teaching ethics[04:35]: Her findings on the impact of positive vs. negative storytelling[09:50]: The concept of Thrutopias and Dr. Baden’s Green Stories competitions[12:31]: #ClimateCharacters collaboration with BAFTAs[17:35]: How fictional narratives shape subconscious value adoption[19:01]: Concerns about dystopian themes in climate storytelling[22:54]: The role of humor in climate-related storytelling[26:33]: Promoting sustainability through Green Stories competitions[31:25]: Personal carbon allowances for sustainable behaviors[34:00]: Positioning climate change stories for broader audience engagement[37:50]: Techniques for making climate change stories broadly engaging[41:59]: Leveraging existing movements like minimalism and other trends[45:12]: How climate attitudes amongst students have changed over timeEpisode recorded on Jan 4, 2024 (Published on Jan 29, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Sarah Lamaison is the CEO and Co-founder of Dioxycle. Dioxycle is developing technology to produce sustainable ethylene from recycled carbon emissions. Ethylene is the world's most used organic chemical and it's a precursor to many everyday products including construction materials, plastics, and textile fibers. Indeed, it's a core feedstock for polyester.Ethylene is also an enormous market at well over $100 billion. We were excited to learn from Sarah about Dioxycle as an example of a startup leveraging electrolysis to convert electricity, water, and carbon emissions into low carbon chemicals. Dioxycle announced a Series A of financing earlier this year with investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital and Gigascale. In this episode, we cover: [02:00]: An overview of Dioxycle[04:37]: Sarah's background in CO2 electrolysis[06:41]: Ethylene's role in everyday products, including polyester fabrics [11:02]: Dioxycle's novel carbon electrolysis technology for converting emissions into ethylene[17:53]: The challenge of decarbonizing ethylene's embedded emissions[23:14]: Dioxycle's goal of cost-competitive production below fossil prices[25:24]: Current trends and challenges in sustainable ethylene production[28:26]: The need for renewable power sources for Dioxycle's electrolysis process[30:19]: Dioxycle's focus on deploying an industrial pilot and team expansion[33:49]: Key global centers for ethylene production[34:36]: Dioxycle's vision as a trusted tech provider in emissions recyclingEpisode recorded on Dec 14, 2023 (Published on Jan 25, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

This episode is part of our Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Bruce Niven is the Head of Strategic Venturing at Aramco Ventures. Aramco Ventures is the corporate venturing arm of Aramco, a world-leading integrated energy and chemicals company. As of 2022, it was the second-largest company in the world by revenue. It also has both the world's second-largest proven crude oil reserves at more than 270 billion barrels and largest daily oil production of all oil producing companies. Bruce joined Aramco Ventures 11 years ago to build the corporate venture program. He led the design of its first $500 million fund and has since expanded to include three funds totaling 3 billion in assets under management. The venture unit has done close to 200 transactions, deployed more than 30 technologies, and have three exits. Late last year, it launched a $1.5 billion sustainability fund that Bruce manages. Jason and Bruce have a great discussion about Aramco's history and future, plus Bruce's personal venture journey. We talk about Aramco Ventures, what they look for in investments, how they think about strategic fit versus returns, the types of technologies that Bruce and Aramco Ventures find exciting, and what founders might expect from working with Aramco post-investment. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [3:31] Overview of Aramco and Aramco Ventures[6:18] Bruce's personal journey and background in venture capital[8:42] Aramco Ventures' investment focus and priorities[10:31] The role of fossil fuels in past, present, and future energy systems[14:22] The importance of energy abundance and the transition to cleaner technologies[21:54] Aramco's priorities in the energy transition and the role of venture in fulfilling its objectives [23:30] Aramco Ventures' interest in disruptive technologies[28:15] Strategic fit versus returns in Aramco Ventures' investment decisions[30:52] Aramco's role in the capital gap for early-stage startups and the need for project financing[39:34] Addressing concerns and criticisms of the oil and gas industry[42:28] The need for a mature accounting system for measuring emissions and the challenges in the current regulatory environment[46:47] Ways for listeners to engage with Aramco VenturesEpisode recorded on Nov 29, 2023 (Published on Jan 24, 2024)  Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Scott Gale is Executive Director at Halliburton Labs. Halliburton is a complex company. It’s a 100-year-old oil field services giant, known for its extensive fracking operations and infrastructure expertise in the oil and gas sector. It is not an oil and gas distributor like Chevron or Exxon, but it is a powerhouse nonetheless. With their Halliburton Labs program, Scott and team are actively investing in and supporting the innovation ecosystem around clean energy and climate tech. They specifically focus on technologies that are outside the purview of Halliburton's core businesses.Cody and Scott attempt to address all of this. The conversation covers Halliburton Labs' startup collaborations, the interplay between its core business and these ventures, Scott's views on Halliburton's past controversies, hydrocarbons' economic role, and the energy transition's trajectory. They conclude with reflections on Houston's evolving innovation ecosystem.In this episode, we cover: [04:00]: Scott's role and the founding of Halliburton Labs in 2020[05:18]: Halliburton Labs supporting diverse energy sector startups[07:01]: Unique engagement and equity model with startups at Halliburton Labs[09:00]: Strategic differences between Halliburton Labs and typical corporate venture[11:36]: Halliburton Labs' approach to IP rights and founder-centric model[13:10]: Halliburton Labs' stance on supporting geothermal energy startups[14:06]: Scott's vision of a diverse future energy system[17:47]: The strategic origins of Halliburton Labs[22:18]: Scott's perspective on Halliburton's evolution and its impact[27:11]: The difficulty of eliminating industries in energy transition[33:18]: The balance of cost, reliability, and sustainability in energy systems[36:19]: Scott's outlook on the oil and gas sector's future[39:28]: Challenges of reliability in transitioning to renewable energy[41:56]: Various technologies' roles in the future energy landscape[44:17]: The changing energy and climate tech ecosystem in Houston[50:24]: Challenges in early-stage infrastructure finance[53:47]: Scott's additional activities beyond Halliburton LabsEpisode recorded on Dec 19, 2023 (Published on Jan 22, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Eloa Guillotin is the Co-founder and CEO of Beyond Aero.The topic of aviation emissions is complex. Flying is in many ways a crucial part of our global society, and although COVID lockdowns temporarily reduced frequent flying, the reliance on air travel in modern society is indisputable. Aviation accounts for over 2% of global emissions. Lithium-ion batteries are heavy, which doesn't really pair well with flight. Sustainable aviation fuel is one potential solution and has promise as a drop in replacement for kerosene. But what about hydrogen? Beyond Aero, under Eloa's leadership, is exploring hydrogen as a fuel source for small business or private jets. This episode dives into the potential of hydrogen for this aircraft category, France's commitment to hydrogen aviation, how Beyond Aero has designed its solution and how Eloa sees the market evolving.In this episode, we cover: [03:48]: Beyond Aero's hydrogen-based electric aviation mission[04:51]: Designing an aircraft from the ground up[06:28]: Hydrogen as an energy vector in aviation[07:47]: Hydrogen tanks' weight and efficiency vs. jet fuel[09:47]: Beyond Aero's design focus on fuel cell, not combustion[10:48]: Market potential of a thousand-mile range hydrogen aircraft[12:27]: Complexities of aircraft compressor systems in hydrogen-powered planes[15:21]: Cooling system challenges for hydrogen-powered aircraft[18:02]: Comparing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) usage in commercial aviation to Airbus's hydrogen initiatives[20:54]: France's role in advancing hydrogen-powered aviation[23:33]: French government investment in low carbon aircraft and startups[25:04]: Role of pink hydrogen (from nuclear energy) in France's aviation strategy[29:24]: Future flight behaviors and electric aircraft's environmental impact[31:36]: Environmental concerns and potential of hydrogen in private jets[33:21]: Shift in business jet market towards hydrogen[35:45]: Certification timeline for hydrogen-powered aircraft[38:19]: Differentiating hydrogen-powered from battery-powered aircraft[41:17]: Eloa's journey to founding Beyond Aero[49:10]: Beyond Aero's next steps and long-term vision in electric aviationEpisode recorded on Dec 13, 2023  (Published on Jan 18, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Barbara Burger is the former president of Chevron Technology Ventures and describes herself as a "corporate graduate." She now spends her time advising and helping startups and venture funds working on the energy transition, including Greentown Labs, Energy Impact Partners, Emerald Technology Ventures, Syzygy Plasmonics, Heliogen, and many more.In this episode, we discuss her multifaceted career journey and her current role in guiding startups and venture funds in the energy sector. The conversation covers the technological advancements driving the energy transition, the dynamics between large energy companies and startups, and the specific roles of natural gas and hydrogen. Barbara also sheds light on generational shifts in the energy industry, global energy geopolitics, and offers valuable advice for women in the sector. In this episode, we cover: [03:45]: Barbara's book recommendation, "The West Texas Power Plant That Saved the World"[06:47]: Barbara's career journey, starting at Chevron after graduate school[07:41]: Learning and growing in the energy sector, from industrial chemistry to energy economics[09:26]: Shift to Chevron Technology Ventures, focusing on biofuels, renewable fuels, and digitalization[11:14]: Evolution of Chevron Technology Ventures' investment focus[14:46]: The potential of renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel[17:07]: Barbara's insights on the emerging hydrogen value chain[20:21]: Innovations in shale exploration and their impact on the energy industry[22:23]: The integration of oil and gas companies in the clean tech venture space[27:21]: Post-Chevron activities: advising startups and venture funds in the energy transition[31:54]: Advice for large companies working with startups and vice versa[35:00]: The critical role of speed in energy transition[40:11]: Geopolitical aspects of energy in different regions: China, India, Africa[42:11]: Future of natural gas, role of CCUS, and economic factors[47:10]: Generational shifts impacting the energy industry[50:35]: Barbara's career advice for women in energy and tech[53:04]: The necessity of affordable, reliable, and low-impact energy solutionsEpisode recorded on Dec 18, 2023 (Published on Jan 15, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Chris Higgins works for the city of Vancouver, British Columbia as a building planner, where he spearheads the development of energy-efficient building codes that contribute to Vancouver's ambition of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050. Chris works on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through rezoning building policies for new buildings to be on all renewables, the “sticks,” and creating incentives for existing homes to switch to renewables, the “carrots.”On the “stick” side, Chris was responsible for driving and helping to get Vancouver City Council to pass a sweeping policy to mandate that heating systems in new low-rise residential buildings be zero-emission, specifically using electric heat pumps. We discuss the complex process it took to get there. On the "carrot" side, we examine how strategically timed short and long-term incentives can align the economic interests of developers, manufacturers, and Vancouver residents, motivating a shift to renewable energy. We also talk about the similarities and differences between the US and Canadian markets on shaping policy and incentives in this area.  In this episode, we cover: [02:28]: Chris's background and current role [07:56]: Vancouver vs. other cities and its unique features[09:12]: Vancouver's climate leadership and influence on other cities[11:23]: What it means to be a Charter City[15:08]: The 2022 update to Vancouver's building bylaw and shift to heat pumps[18:29]: The smooth transition and industry adaptation to the new heating regulations[22:22]: Balancing environmental goals with job protection [25:56]: The ripple effect of Vancouver's policies on other municipalities[31:20]: Potential for Vancouver's policies to influence provincial and national levels[35:02]: The role of 'carrots', or incentives, in shaping city policies[39:41]: The importance of economic alignment in policy success[41:35]: Drawing inspiration from other cities and countries for urban planning[45:46]: Vancouver's strategies for resilience against natural disastersEpisode recorded on Oct 31, 2023 (Published on Jan 11, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Tom Ferguson is founder and managing partner at Burnt Island Ventures, which is an early-stage venture capital fund focused on technologies related to water. Burnt Island's website notes that climate change is water change. And that water is the medium through which we will feel the effects of a warming earth.Tom has been working in water for over a decade, first at the sustainability consultancy, ERM, then at Imagine H2O, a non-profit startup accelerator for water startups. He’s been at Burnt Island Ventures since 2020. Tom and Cody have an in-depth conversation about the categories in the water tech space, the types of startups that are emerging, how incumbents are navigating the rapidly changing environment in which they find themselves, and the types of investments he targets with this firm. There are whole episodes to be recorded in each of Burnt Island Ventures' focus areas, but for now we appreciate learning about water from Tom’s perspective.In this episode, we cover: Importance of water in the context of climate changeChanging global water systems and the need for infrastructure upgradesBurnt Island's approach to different water categories The role of software and hardware in water tech solutionsCorporate water pledges The importance of embracing entrepreneurial innovation while balancing production successBurnt Island's portfolio breakdown The need for improved storytelling and lobbying efforts in the water industryFirst-of-a-kind projects in the water spaceTom's climate journey and how he ended up at Burnt IslandThe investment focus and criteria of Burnt Island Ventures The launch of the podcast "The Fundamental Molecule" by Burnt Island VenturesEpisode recorded on Dec 7, 2023 (Published on Jan 9, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Stanley Janicki is the Chief Revenue Officer at Sedron Technologies. Sedron is on a mission to revolutionize how waste streams can be processed to eliminate disposal costs and destroy pathogens while capturing valuable energy and recycling water. Their Varcor system takes liquid waste slurries and recovers nutrients for beneficial reuse. Their primary go-to-market implementations today are in three areas: dairy and animal agriculture, wastewater treatment and distillery waste. The company launched in 2014 as a spinout of a business called Janicki Industries which was founded in the 1990s by Stanley's parents. Janicki Industries, primarily focused on aerospace engineering. But in 2011, they were selected by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop solutions for sanitation challenges in the developing world. They developed a product that created electricity and clean drinking water based on an input of human biosolids, AKA poop, which they deployed in Senegal. Sedron is featured in a video of Bill Gates famously drinking clean poop water out of the system. We mentioned Sedron briefly in an earlier episode we recorded with Bill Caesar at Generate Upcycle as the two companies have an active partnership, which Stanley also touches on. We’d like to thank former MCJ podcast guest Steve Simon for introducing us to Stanley. While it's tempting to make poop jokes, Stanley helps shine a light on just how much chemical value there can be in it and waste in general, and how harnessing it can move us away from several challenged environmental practices that have become mainstays of modern society.In this episode, we cover: [3:14] Overview of Sedron[5:15] Sedron's Vapor Recompression and Concentration and Recovery (Varcor) technology[7:15] Pitfalls of current waste processes[13:29] Sedron's technologies: the omniprocessor and Varcor[15:56] Waste processing in the dairy industry[20:11] Sedron's go-to-market and sales process with dairy farms[27:42] Janicki Industries, Sedron's parent company, and its origin story[33:05] Sedron's current status and future plansEpisode recorded on November 28, 2023 (Published on January 4, 2024 ) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Tisha Schuller is the founding CEO of Adamantine Energy. At Adamantine, Tisha consults with clients ranging from Fortune 100 energy companies to nonprofit environmental organizations on topics related to energy policy, business strategy, politics, and community engagement. With a background as the former president and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association and as a strategic advisor for Stanford University's Natural Gas Initiative, Tisha offers valuable insights into the energy sector. She's a member of the Natural Petroleum Council and has been on the advisory board to the Secretary of Energy under the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. She has authored three books, most recently, Real Decarbonization: How Oil and Gas Companies Are Seizing the Low-Carbon Future, as well as The Gamechanger's Playbook: How Oil & Gas Leaders Thrive in an Era of Continuous Disruption, and Accidentally Adamant, her own story of her time running the Colorado Oil & Gas Association.MCJ exists to break down silos and to help people understand climate change, and in some ways, it feels like Tisha at Adamantine is doing the same thing with a different orientation. She comes from oil and gas and she's focused on the energy transition and how to help oil and gas leaders navigate their companies through it. Not all listeners will agree with Tisha's perspective, but a big part of her message is in trying to start from a shared vision of the future and work backward. We enjoyed hearing about how she uses this approach today and the perspectives she's gained in doing so.In this episode, we cover: [03:05]: Tisha's podcast Energy Thinks[05:10]: Different mindsets on energy and climate and how to speak to an oil and gas audience[06:57]: Climate “personas” and how Tisha finds common ground among them[10:12]: The assumption that everyone thinks they're doing good[13:07]: Lessons from a DAC project community engagement[16:01]: Perspective on youth activists opposing projects[18:18]: Challenges permitting any new energy projects[21:27]: Tisha's personal journey on fossil fuel use views[23:38]: Consequences of US stopping oil and gas production[32:02]: Oil and gas company evolution archetypes[34:04]: No option but to change from status quo[36:00]: Entering era of climate action execution[37:20]: Role of startups vs large companies in the energy transition[40:07]: Improved community benefits from new projects[42:07]: Industry population shift driving change[45:13]: Making space for oil and gas in climate solutionsEpisode recorded on Nov 20, 2023 (Published on Jan 2, 2024) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Cameron Halliday is the CEO and Co-founder of Mantel. Mantel is developing a point source carbon capture solution, which means they're developing technology that can sit next to industrial equipment and capture its emissions. Mantel's key innovation lies in their utilization of a high-temperature liquid-phase material for carbon capture, enabling operation at temperatures as high as 600 degrees Celsius. Allegedly, this material can cycle between capture and release without experiencing deterioration or decay.Point source carbon capture is somewhat controversial, as detractors argue that it extends the life of high-emissions processes. Promoters argue that we need all solutions on the table to reduce emissions in hard-to-abate sectors. Cameron and Cody discuss this at the start of the episode, before diving into his technology and go-to-market solution. He articulates a unique approach to go-to-market, wherein he's determined a way to minimize the integration dependency that his industrial customers would have to take on in order to get a pilot up and running with Mantel. Cameron maintains a close affiliation with MIT, having earned both his PhD and MBA there. In 2022, Mantel secured a seed round of funding, led by The Engine—a venture fund founded by MIT with a focus on tough tech.In this episode, we cover: [02:06]: An explanation of point source capture[04:12]: Controversy around its use[09:20]: An overview of Mantel, their mission, and their tech[12:37]: Cost impact for companies, early adopters, and motivations[16:47]: Introduction to amine technology[18:18]: General overview of carbon capture concepts[21:16]: Mantle's molten salts technology[25:42]: Their "crawl, walk, run" approach to commercializing[31:17]: Potential to apply Mantel's tech to biogenic sources of carbon[33:05]: Physical configuration of Mantle's systems which connect to smokestacks [34:20]: Cameron's background and his dual PhD/MBA from MIT[39:46]: Mantle's founding team and investors like The Engine[41:39]: Process of identifying and mitigating risks for Mantle's technology[43:30]: Customizing Mantle's system for different industrial use cases[46:05]: Parting words on the urgency of deploying point source captureEpisode recorded on Nov 13, 2023 (Published on Dec 21, 2023) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

John Melby is CEO at Xpansiv. Xpansiv operates what they claim to be the largest carbon offset exchange in the world, purportedly covering 40% of the voluntary carbon market volumes and 90% of exchange traded volumes. Beyond carbon, Xpansiv provides global market infrastructure for registering, managing, trading, settling, retiring, analyzing, and reporting a wide array of data-driven environmental commodities, from water to renewable energy to digital fuels and more. John and Cody have an in-depth conversation about what it means for something to be an environmental commodity, how these environmental commodities are bought and sold, how registries exist, how commodity marketplaces work, and a lot more. At the end of the day, our conversation is about incentives and the role that financial services can play in enablement of environmental outcomes. In this episode, we cover: [02:11]: An introduction to Xpansiv[03:04] How registries and marketplaces differ[05:46] How standards ensure offset quality[08:28] Offset buyer preferences beyond carbon impact[10:00] Xpansiv's standardized offset contracts[11:49] How standardization enables market efficiency[15:41] Pricing offsets based on special attributes[18:26] Xpansiv's institutional customer base[23:42] The role of traders in providing market liquidity[29:09] A comparison of voluntary and compliance markets[32:35] Preventing double counting at the international level[34:00] How startups can use bilateral and exchange trading[37:00] Xpansiv's portfolio management system[39:22] Water rights trading in Australia[41:16] Using markets to efficiently allocate resources[46:19] The origins of XpansivEpisode recorded on Nov 14, 2023 (Published on Dec 18, 2023) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today we're talking about the US Department of Energy’s strategy on what it takes to create a successful and sustaining energy workforce. Our guest is Betony Jones, who was appointed by President Biden as the DOE'S Director of the Office of Energy Jobs. This means she oversees jobs and workforce development strategies across the DOE as well as engagement with organized labor to ensure that the department's policies and programs implementation result in high-quality jobs. We hear about Betony's career through the Clinton administration, working at the University of California Labor Center, and founding a research group called Inclusive Economics and her decision to join the current administration to build an equitable energy workforce for the next decade.We break down what energy jobs mean, why there's a focus specifically on manufacturing and construction jobs within that definition, and we talk about the key elements needed for high-quality jobs, above average wages, predictable hours, short and long-term benefits like retirement and healthcare, jobs that give workers a voice, plus the importance of unions in enabling all of the above and how unions form. In this episode, we cover: Betony's background and career pathHow she leveraged policy research to demonstrate employment and economic impactsBetony's work in inclusive economicsDenver's sales tax case study successThe need for energy jobs in construction, manufacturing, engineering science. and R&DBetony's focus on the deployment workforceThe DOE's approach to quality jobs with good pay and benefitsThe importance of workers having a voice and the role of unionsHow a union is formed, how they gain power, and the impact on the clean energy transitionThe role of the private sector in building the energy workforceHow Betony measures success over the next 5 yearsEpisode recorded on Oct 11, 2023 (Published on Dec 13, 2023) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Dr. Carlos Nobre is a Nobel Laureate and co-author of the IPCC AR4 Report that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He’s also one of Brazil's top climate scientists. Dr. Nobre is a member of the Brazil Academy of Science and a founding member of the World Resources Institute Brazil. He is known for his work on the risk of the savannaization of the Amazon rainforest due to deforestation and climate change, and most recently he's promoted a series of solutions that he refers to as Amazonia 4.0. Today's episode was meant to focus on the Brazilian context of emissions, energy and climate change, and we do indeed cover these topics. But first, Dr. Nobre takes some time to set important context about the progress, or relative lack thereof, that the world has made on decarbonization since his Nobel Prize-winning contributions. And he sounds alarm bells, that global insecurity and war in Ukraine and Israel, create risk of escalating fossil fuel exploration and production in the name of national sovereignty.From there, we spend time on the Brazilian context, which as Dr. Nobre points out, is unique among industrialized nations, in that land use rather than energy production is the bulk of Brazil's emissions. He shares his roadmap for how deforestation can be halted and some of the challenges in doing so, which he ties back to organized crime and drug trafficking. Lastly, we discuss his vision for Amazonia 4.0 in which the country leans in via policy and infrastructure development to support the production and export of many of its natural resources rather than exploiting its land for cattle production.In this episode, we cover: Lack of progress since the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report in 2007 and the global challenge for humanityGlobal instability as a result of recent warsThe concerning speed of the transitionEmissions breakdown in Brazil and deforestation reductions in 2023Potential for emissions reductions with regenerative agriculture as the 2nd largest exporter of foodDeforestation in the Amazon and main drivers, including cattle ranches, gold mining, and organized crimeDr. Nobre's Amazon 4.0 proposalEpisode recorded on Oct 30, 2023 (Published on Dec 11, 2023) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Chris Tolles is the CEO and Co-founder of Yard Stick PBC, which stands for Public Benefits Corporation. Yard Stick is aiming to be the measurement backbone for soil carbon. Their handheld hardware enables onsite measurement of soil carbon in agricultural fields, and their software package provides data and analytics that help stakeholders in a soil carbon project to measure and track progress. As Chris tells it, the Yard Stick co-founders got to know one another in the MCJ member community during the pandemic lockdowns in 2020. MCJ is a proud multi-time investor in Yard Stick. Even so, we still learned a ton from Chris during this conversation. Chris highlighted that while MRV technologies are often associated with carbon credit sales, the voluntary carbon market is just one avenue for soil carbon project development. Another that is seeing strong early traction is insetting, where food and agriculture companies are beginning to measure an attempt to reduce the carbon intensity of their own agricultural supply chains. They aren't selling credits; rather, they're starting to make progress on directly reducing the emissions of how their food is grown, which is great news. Chris charts his background and experience and then explains what soil carbon is and why it matters, helping to put the efforts that Yard Stick is making into the context of the broader global carbon cycle. Episode recorded on Oct 13, 2023 (Published on Dec 7, 2023)In this episode, we cover: [02:38]: Chris's background and pivoting from consumer products to climate[08:43]: Origins of Yard Stick in the MCJ Community[11:59]: How Chris and co-founders came to focus on soil organic carbon[14:43]: Cristine Morgan's research background as Yard Stick CSO[18:50]: Overview of soil organic carbon and key drivers of soil carbon stock losses[27:46]: Issues with how claims have been measured historically[33:39]: Why remote sensing technology is insufficient[35:29]: Yard Stick's technology and approach[42:50]: The company's business model[46:00]: Addressing criticism of soil carbon and other nature-based solutions[51:49]: Soil carbon support in Inflation Reduction Act and future policy[56:00]: Yard Stick's $18 million grant from the USDA[58:19]: Their recent $12M Series A round led by Toyota Ventures[01:00:00]: Reckoning with racial injustice and land theft in agriculture[01:02:04]: Encouraging climate companies to address complex social issuesResources mentioned:Demo Carbon Stock Report“Yard Stick lands 10.6M Series A to measure soil carbon” (TechCrunch) Get connected with MCJ: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInYin Lu X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a review! You can also reach us via email at content@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Shashank Sane is the Executive Vice President for Transmission at Invenergy. Invenergy is North America's largest, privately held renewable power generation company. They have developed more than 200 power generation projects around the world and are responsible for more than 31 gigawatts of power on four continents, with the majority of that being renewable energy projects, including wind and solar. In his role as EVP of Transmission, Shashank is responsible for the company's efforts to create connectivity between solar and wind farms and end customers, and he's particularly focused on large-scale interstate transmission projects. Transmission is a topic that climate and energy experts will say is critically important. Our transmission infrastructure in the US has been built over more than a century. And yet, the Department of Energy recently estimated that the US needs to increase our transmission capacity by over 50% by the year 2035. That's a monumental jump. We're grateful to Shashank for volunteering to come on the pod and talk with us about transmission, how it works, why it's needed, and how projects get done.In this episode, we cover: [02:22]: Shashank's journey to Invenergy[04:46]: His early experience at the company, Invenergy Edge, and acquiring Grain Belt Express[08:11]: Shashank's experience at Lehman Brothers in 2008[10:05]: Overview of Invenergy's approach to developing projects[13:51]: Definition of "transmission" [22:21]: Why more transmission is needed to enable renewable growth[26:40]: Transmission issues in the U.S. and the need to improve grid resilience [35:04]: The lack of federal oversight of the national grid[37:02]: Modifying the Grain Belt Express project to better serve Missouri[46:49]: Other major transmission projects Invenergy is developing[48:24]: Working with community and landowners before routing transmission lines[52:23]: The need to recognize the value of inter-regional transmissionGet connected: Shashank Sane X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / YouTube*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 16, 2023 (Published on Dec 4, 2023)

Julie Willoughby serves as the Chief Commercialization Officer at Circ, and in this episode, we are talking about fast fashion, the clothing industry, and Circ's role in bringing circularity to the world of polyester and cotton. According to statistics from The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the equivalent of a garbage truckload of clothes is burned or buried in a landfill every second, and clothing production in the world has doubled in the last 15 years, with each garment being used only half as much as before.Our conversation with Julie explores the environmental challenges posed by polyester and cotton, including the contribution of polyester laundering to ocean microplastics and the significant water consumption of cotton cultivation and textile dying. Julie, a chemical engineer, shares her journey from academia and Nike to joining Circ, emphasizing the urgent need for change in the fashion industry.Circ, a post-series B company, employs innovative technology to transform textile waste into recycled thread. Notable investors include Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Patagonia's Tin Shed Ventures, and Inditex, the parent company of Zara. The conversation concludes with an examination of the fashion industry's progress toward sustainability, questioning whether mainstream practices are transitioning actively or if circularity and sustainability remain primarily in the realm of research and development.  In this episode, we cover: Julie's background in chemical engineering Her return to academia at NC StateJulie's experience at Nike and transition to CircSocietal and environmental impacts of fast fashion Circ's process of recycling (upcycling) polyester and cottonThe rising market demand for recycled materials and reasons for this shift Circ's investors and partnershipsThe tipping point for sustainability in the fashion industryWhy customer experiences and stories are critical Resources mentioned: Walmart sustainability scorecardGet connected: Julie Willoughby LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 23, 2023 (Published on Nov 30, 2023)

This episode is part of our Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Michael Bruce serves as the Senior Director of Venture Investing, Environment and Energy at Emerson Collective. Emerson Collective, founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, is a game-changer in education, immigration reform, the environment, media and journalism, and health. We were excited for this one because Emerson Collective is an interesting organization operating holistically across these areas. They also happen to be doing a lot in climate at a surprising scale, but they have not spoken too frequently about what they're up to publicly. So this was a special opportunity, and Michael does not disappoint.In this episode, we cover: [2:14] An overview of Emerson Collective [4:08] Michael's journey and what led him to work in climate[11:08] His thoughts on energy vs. climate change [16:56] Emerson's early climate efforts [19:26] The firm's dedicated pool of capital and team structure[22:29] Emerson's approach within climate and how it's evolved over time [25:41] Thoughts on philanthrocapitalism [27:15] Types of risk Emerson is comfortable taking [32:11] Emerson's criteria for selecting climate investments [37:31] Michael's thoughts on the future of oil and gas [40:21] His views on the carbon market[45:28] Why market sources alone aren't enough to address the climate crisisGet connected: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInMichael Bruce LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 26, 2023 (Published on Nov 29, 2023) 

Dr. Jen Wilcox serves as  Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM). Dr. Wilcox, an expert in carbon capture, authored the seminal textbook 'Carbon Capture' in 2012. Currently on leave as the presidential distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, she also serves as a senior fellow at the World Resources Institute, leading their carbon removal program.In this conversation, we dive into Dr. Wilcox's transition from academia to the Department of Energy and explore the changing mandates under the Biden and Harris Administration. Key topics include direct air capture technologies, underground sequestration, and CO2 storage. The episode also touches on point source capture, technology advancements, tax credits, and incentives for carbon capture, including the extension of 45Q tax credits. Dr. Wilcox provides insights into the commercialization progress for carbon capture, market evolution, and the recent FECM carbon dioxide removal purchase pilot prize.The discussion covers the power and heat requirements of direct air capture (DAC) and point source capture, along with solutions for reducing atmospheric levels of other greenhouse gases, including methane. This is a jam-packed episode that at times, hits topics at a macro level and at other times swoops down deep into technical descriptions of DAC chemistries. Whether you're exploring a career in carbon capture or actively developing technology solutions, there's something for everyone in this episode. In this episode, we cover: [04:13]: Origins of Dr. Wilcox's 2012 book, Carbon Capture[06:16]: Progress of carbon capture technology over the past decade[12:32]: The transition from the Office of Fossil Energy to the Fossil Energy and Carbon Management[24:32]: Overview of direct air capture technologies and chemistries[32:29] Comparison of liquid vs solid sorbents for direct air capture[37:37]: Description of EPA's well classification system[44:36]: Point source capture and the state of carbon capture tech for industrial emissions[53:00]: Extension of 45Q tax credits to incentivize carbon capture[56:21]: DOE's first carbon dioxide removal purchase pilot[58:34]: Considerations around power needs for direct air capture[01:02:10]: Tech for direct air capture of methane and other non-CO2 GHGs[01:05:28]: Dr. Wilcox’s parting words on the need to rapidly scale up durable carbon removal solutionsGet connected: Dr. Jen Wilcox  X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 24, 2023 (Published on Nov 27, 2023)

Tom Price is the founder and CEO of EcoSafi, and in today’s episode, we're diving deep into the challenge of access to clean cooking fuels in developing economies. EcoSafi builds cook stoves and biomass fuel pellets that aim to reduce deforestation, improve in-home air quality and health outcomes, and reduce emissions. They work in Kenya, Zambia, Malawi, and Uganda. The challenge at hand, as Tom discusses at length, is that as of 2020, Project Drawdown estimated that 43% of families in low and middle-income countries worldwide cook food at home using stoves fueled by wood or coal. The gas and induction stove debate is not even relevant. This phenomenon drives all of these earlier outcomes from direct emissions to negative health implications to deforestation.Before we dive into this topic, we get to know Tom a bit. He's been working on this problem in Africa since 2017, first with a company called Inyenyeri, and now with EcoSafi since 2020. Our MCJ Collective venture funds are proud to be investors in EcoSafi. But, as you'll hear him describe, his path to working on this problem has been full of incredible zigs and zags that have given him a wealth of life experience and the confidence to be able to navigate and build a business with the complexities that EcoSafi demands. In this episode, we cover: Access to clean cooking fuels in developing economiesTom's background in communications and journalismHis experience in disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina and environmental management at Burning ManTom's time on the Environmental Advisory Committee for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter OlympicsHis work in clean energy in Africa, starting with solarImpact of cooking with wood or coal on emissions, health, and deforestationEcoSafi's cookstoves and biomass fuel pelletsBarriers to clean cooking in AfricaThe importance of carbon credits in the clean cooking marketIssues with existing carbon offset methodologiesEcoSafi's focus on verifiability and impact measurementVertical integration and technology in EcoSafi's business modelPotential for significant market growth in the clean cooking sectorImpacts of deforestation, drought, and additional topics to continue the conversationGet connected: Tom Price X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 12, 2023 (Published on Nov 16, 2023)

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today, we're taking a slightly different spin. Instead of focusing on what it'll take to electrify homes, as we've heard in past episodes, we're talking about why it's currently not working as well as it should and the key barriers preventing us from moving faster on the home decarb adoption curve.Many of you know our guest as Nate "the House Whisperer.” Nate Adams is a longtime HVAC insulation and sealing contractor who lives in West Virginia and describes himself as "a bit unusual in the climate community," coming from the right side of the political spectrum. And he is one of home electrification's fiercest and most consistent advocates.Yin and Nate cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the dangers of positioning policy rebates and savings to consumers at the beginning of their purchase journey. We uncover that OEMs can convert most air conditioners in factories and warehouses into heat pumps, addressing the current market supply shortage, along with exploring the reasons behind the hesitation to do so. Finally, we discuss how going all-electric is not the solution that gets us to scale and that hybrid systems are the actual silver bullet. There are some controversial and counterintuitive bits coming up and if you want to ask Nate more questions after you listen, stay tuned for an upcoming AMA session with him on the MCJ Slack.In this episode, we cover: [04:01]: Nate's background and how he became "the House Whisperer"[06:58]: Issues with oversized furnace design and sizing[10:55]: The concept of definite optimism and indefinite optimism in relation to the future of electrification[13:12]: Friction between conservative contractors and climate-focused homeowners[16:32]: The importance of positioning policy rebates and savings to consumers[24:46] How IRA performance requirements disqualify 80-85% of equipment models[29:18]: Overview of the biggest barriers to electrifying homes[32:06]: Upstream vs. midstream and potential of converting all ACs to heat pumps[34:36]: Mandated heat pumps in Vancouver, BC[38:31]: Psychology as a barrier to electrification[41:02]: How hybrid systems can reduce fear of heat pumps for both contractors and homeowners[47:26]: Nate's HVAC 2.0 business model improves contractor and homeowner experience[49:57]: The launch of Nate's air sealing course and Home Comfort BookGet connected: Nate Adams X / LinkedInYin X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sep 13, 2023 (Published on Nov 15, 2023)

Kunal Sinha is the Global Head of Recycling at Glencore. Glencore ranked number 21 on the Fortune Global 500 in 2023. As one of the world's largest commodities trader and one of the world's largest natural resource companies, they have a very substantial role in the energy transition and in climate change. Over one-third of Glencore's 2022 revenue came from coal, so from a climate perspective, the company has a substantial impact. Today, they also have a significant oil and gas business. In Cody’s conversation with Kunal, we touched a bit on that, but we focus mostly on Glencore's mining and metals activities. This piece is part of what makes Glencore unique from most energy companies when it comes to the energy transition. Yes, it's in the business of fossil fuels, but it's also deeply in the business of extracting and processing a majority of key metals that will help us transition to an electrified future. In his role as Global Head of Recycling, Kunal not only works to understand how Glencore's primary mining business operates but also is driving its initiatives around circularity and reuse. Mining has a reputation as a dirty business, and Glencore has had its share of environmental issues and controversies in the past. We appreciate Kunal for not shying away from these challenges and also helping us understand the important role that mining and Glencore have to play in the future and the importance of natural resource circularity as part of it. In this episode, we cover: [3:02] Kunal's background and experience [7:43] His work with sulfuric acid at Glencore[13:54] An overview of Glencore and its recycling business[25:03] Glencore's collaboration and partnership with startups[29:49] An overview of Glencore's copper production and recycling [37:26] An overview of Glencore's process for cobalt [42:27] Kunal's predictions for recycled battery metals in EVs[52:27] An overview of battery passports and Glencore's commitment to high ethical social governance standards[1:01:13] Call for startups and mature companies to collaborate with Glencore in driving circularityGet connected: Kunal Sinha LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sept 27, 2023 (Published on Nov 13, 2023)

Hannah Sieber is the CEO and Co-founder of Artyc, a refrigerant-free battery powered cooling company. In this episode, we cover the cold chain. In short, the cold chain is how goods are transported if they need to be kept in certain guaranteed temperature ranges, with different logistics mechanisms that can maintain goods such as food or medicines, anywhere from room temperature to deep freeze. There are a few reasons why the cold chain is important for climate change. First, you can imagine that all of the refrigerated trucks, warehouses, and storage lockers use a lot of energy. Second, the refrigerants that are used to power the air conditioning or freezers that the cold chain uses are very potent greenhouse gasses with global warming potential that can be many times greater than CO2. Dry ice itself, which is often used to keep things cool, is basically pure CO2.Third, the cold chain today is pretty broken. A significant amount of food is wasted due to spoilage during transport, which itself can generate methane emissions if it's not properly disposed of. Not to mention the embedded emissions in our agricultural processes required to grow it in the first place. Hannah is going to tell us about all of this and how her product at Artyc aims to address these challenges while improving the traceability and accountability of goods in the cold chain. MCJ is proud to be a multiple time investor in Artyc via our venture capital funds.In this episode, we cover: [02:23]: Hannah's background living and working in China[07:44]: Founding EcoFlow with team from DJI to improve drone battery life[10:36]: Hannah's return to school for an earth science degree[12:10]: Her thesis on California power shutoffs and intersection with cold chain[16:06]: Overview of the cold chain, how it works, and where it breaks down[19:29]: Four different cold chains: ambient, refrigerated, frozen, and deep freeze cryo [22:29]: High global warming potential of refrigerants and tradeoff with ozone depleting refrigerants[29:33]: Artyc's mission of building refrigerant-free battery-powered cooling devices[31:26]: Their focus on durability, precise temperature control and stability[33:43]: Imagining an "infrastructureless" cold chain[41:38]: Use cases in healthcare and beyond[43:51]: Artyc's funding journey from grants to recent Series A[45:13]: Hiring and partnerships in developing new productsResource mentioned: After Cooling: On Freon, Global Warming, and the Terrible Cost of Comfort  by Eric Dean WilsonGet connected: Hannah Sieber LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sep 28, 2023  (Published on Nov 9, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Jeff Johnson is managing director at Temasek, where he leads the US-based Sustainable Investing team. Temasek was incorporated in 1974 and is an investment company headquartered in Singapore. Supported by 13 offices across nine countries, Temasek owns about $382 billion or US$287 billion portfolio as of March 31st, 2023, mainly in Singapore and the rest of Asia. We have a great discussion in this episode about what the charter of the Sustainable Investing Team is, how Jeff found himself doing the work that he's doing today, what criteria they look for when they make investments, and, of course, how their investments fit into the broader climate tech landscape and the energy transition overall.Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [2:10] An overview of Temasek [4:13] Different lines of business at the firm and where sustainable living sits [8:44] Jeff's background and career history [18:58] The CEO's mindset for Temasek's approach[21:44] Jeff's role at the firm [24:22] Lessons he learned about the space and future projections for Temasek's impact [26:26] The balance between thesis-driven investments vs opportunistic ones [33:55] Temasek's direct and fund investments [38:39] The firm's performance measurements and market entry points [46:51] Temasek's role in debt financing [51:07] The types of companies and projects best suited for Temasek's capital[56:48] Jeff's response to folks who are worried about the risk of investing in climate tech [58:51] The need for a balance between experience and beginner's mindset in picking winnersGet connected: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInJeff Johnson LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 13, 2023 (Published on Nov 8, 2023) 

Todd Paglia serves as the Executive Director of Stand.earth, an advocacy organization renowned for its strategic communication and research initiatives, challenging both corporations and governments to prioritize the well-being of communities, the environment, and climate. Notably, Stand.earth ranks fourth on Fast Company's 2023 list of innovative nonprofits.Although Stand.earth has been active since the early 1990s, they came to our attention in a LinkedIn article titled "Climate Groups Call On Health Systems to Divest Fossil Fuel Holdings." This article referred to a report from the Climate Safe Pensions Network, a campaign orchestrated by Stand.earth.As we've learned more about the organization, we've come to appreciate that Stand.earth embodies a contemporary form of activism, one that leverages data, social media, and virality to drive accountability and achieve tangible results. Enjoy the conversation with Todd as he sheds light on their impactful work.In this episode, we cover: [02:03]: Introduction to Stand.earth's history and activism approach[03:45]: Stand.earth's campaign pushing healthcare systems to divest fossil fuels[05:14]: Health impacts of fossil fuels show why healthcare divestment is needed[09:12]: Todd's perspective on engaging with fossil fuel companies[15:24]: Stand's work exposing who is buying Amazon oil and the banks funding it[16:23]: Origins of Stand.earth in 1990s and "War in the Woods" campaign[20:09]: Success of viral Starbucks "Cup Monster" and Victoria Secret campaigns[27:46]: Causes for recent growth of Stand.earth' staff[30:12]: The power of employees in influencing their companies' decarbonization[34:11]: Very few big retail brands doing relatively well (IKEA, Maersk)[35:15]: Using satellites for instant forest logging transparency[37:10]: Empowering local advocates through the Safe Cities campaign[40:12]: The "Amazon Prime Polluter" campaign to push Amazon.com for electric last mile delivery electrification[43:38]: Todd's lifelong connection to nature as motivation for activism[44:49]: How to follow Stand.earthGet connected: Todd Paglia LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 31, 2023 (Published on Nov 6, 2023)

This episode is part of our Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. On today’s MCJ Capital Series, we have two guests: Mark Berryman, Managing Director of Impact Investments, and Nick Flores, Managing Director of Impact Investing and Client Advisor for Caprock. Caprock is a multifamily office that provides customized, comprehensive and strategic financial solutions for a select number of families and foundations. They advise over $8 billion in assets of which over $2 billion has been allocated to impact investments. Caprock is a founding B corporation, which certifies that they meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. In this episode, we cover: [2:05] An overview of Caprock[3:07] The roles and collaboration between the client advisory and investment research teams at Caprock[5:38] Caprock's approach to impact, due diligence and monitoring[8:48] The firm's emphasis on privates[18:21] Client demand for deeper and more niche impact investment opportunities[25:19] How Caprock thinks about return profiles[30:51] Criteria for manager and fund selection[34:13] Tracking specialists vs generalists[38:23] Nick and Mark's concerns and what excites them in the climate space[41:35] Caprock's interest in deep tech[45:00] Thoughts on first of its kind (FOAK)[47:31] Evolution of LP base and barriers holding it back[51:31] Continuous learning and knowledge sharing as a key aspect of Caprock's approach to impact investingResources mentioned: Caprock's Impact Investment Case StudyCorrection: In this episode, Jason mistakenly refers to Caprock as having over $8 billion in assets under management. Caprock advises over $8 billion in assets. Get connected: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInMark Berryman LinkedInNick Flores LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 12, 2023 (Published on Nov 1, 2023) 

Elise Joshi, 21, is the executive director at Gen-Z for Change. She first gained widespread attention a few months ago when she interrupted a White House press conference being held by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. In the viral video, a visibly nervous Joshi asked about the Biden administration's approval of ConocoPhillips' $8 billion Willow Pipeline project in Alaska, despite over 1 million young people requesting President Biden halt the project. The video has been viewed tens of millions of times across news outlets and shows.In this episode, Elise makes the point that the Biden administration has done many wonderful things for climate, including the Inflation Reduction Act. However, she noted that for many young people, Biden's climate record will be defined by Willow. The months-long Stop Willow movement was significantly influential across social media. She pointed out that in Biden's first two years, the Bureau of Land Management approved more oil and gas permits than during Trump's first two years, despite Biden's pledge and executive order to halt federal land drilling. This highlights the need to incentivize renewables and electrification while weaning the economy off fossil fuels. For many, progress on the latter has seemed lacking.Elise and Cody have an insightful conversation about these climate policy dynamics and her work at Gen-Z for Change. It's an exciting discussion that provides perspective on how she believes millions of young people view current climate policies.In this episode, we cover: [03:30]: Elise's personal journey to climate advocacy starting in high school[06:10]: Origins and evolution of Gen-Z for Change during COVID[08:32]: Elise's role growing from member to executive director of Gen-Z for Change[10:04]: Tools and activist techniques used by Gen-Z for Change[13:26]: The viral Stop Willow campaign against Arctic oil drilling[15:20]: Gen-Z for Change's role in amplifying the Stop Willow movement[18:47]: Messaging that resonates most with young people on climate[22:57]: Elise's recounting of the moment she stood up to Biden's Press secretary [26:42]: Critique of Biden climate policy as too focused on carrots vs sticks[31:06]: Hopes for bolder climate platform and Green New Deal in 2024[33:33]: Gen-Z for Change's focus on bottom-up organizing for 2024 elections[34:30]: Distrust of the current system and political candidates among Gen-Z [39:01]: How to support Gen-Z for Change[39:44]: Distinction between 502(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) [41:00]: Open resources created by Elise to educate people on climate issues[42:34]: Parting words on public transit and reducing car dependency Get connected: Elise Joshi X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sep 29, 2023 (Published on Oct 30, 2023)

Peter Light is the CEO and Co-founder of Lumen Energy. Lumen Energy's software enables commercial real estate portfolio managers to identify the optimal clean energy mix for their buildings, then deploy via their marketplace. Lumen's Auto PPA product automatically generates power purchase agreements via software, eliminating the drudgery of bespoke underwriting. In this conversation, Peter notes that many companies want to improve portfolio emissions for competitiveness but don't know where to start or invest in building-by-building analysis.  He explains how energy responsibilities vary by lease and tenant type, and touches upon the motivation behind pursuing clean energy projects, all while drawing from his extensive experience in the clean energy sector.In this episode, we cover: [02:38]: Peter's perspective on addressing climate problems[05:37]: His background in clean energy[14:44]: How he met his Lumen co-founder Dave through the MCJ community[18:22]: Overview of difference in energy billing structures by building type[20:43]: Increasing demands from investors and tenants to decarbonize buildings[28:45]: Key actors in commercial real estate decarbonization[30:00]: Lumen’s customer base[37:32]: Details of Lumen's financial modeling software for buildings[40:05]: Lumen's use of public data to provide initial analysis for customers[41:45]: The company's AutoPPA product for streamlined PPAs across portfolios[47:39]: Lumen's Series A and current prioritiesGet connected: Peter Light LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 6, 2023 (Published on Oct 26, 2023)

Chris Hook is the Global Sustainability Strategy Lead at Uber. Earlier this summer, Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, wrote a piece on Uber's corporate blog where he outlined a wide array of product features, partnerships, and initiatives at Uber designed to reduce emissions and waste from their footprint, including pulling Uber Eats into their sustainability roadmap for the first time.It's an interesting challenge. Famously, Uber doesn't own any cars on the road. The individual drivers do. And with Uber Eats, they don't own the restaurants on their platform or control what choices they may make around packaging and waste. They just dispatch drivers for food delivery. It would be easy for Uber to say that the emissions generated via their platform are not their problem, and yet they've done the opposite.Uber also has a lot of influence. They're able to use their scale to negotiate better EV rental, lease or purchase rates for drivers or better pricing on compostable packaging for restaurants. They're also a leverage point in introducing new products to people. They estimate that over 30 million riders to date have had a chance to experience riding in an EV via Uber, many of whom did so for the first time.Many folks tried EVs first by renting one via the partnerships that Uber has formed with leading rental companies and almost universally they enjoyed driving EVs more and it works out economically for them. And some, not all, have really done the math on that. We’re grateful to Chris for joining us and hope you enjoy this conversation.Have any questions for Chris? He’s spent the last decade working with businesses and institutions on sustainability topics. Join Chris for a special Ask Me Anything session on November 1, 2023 in the MCJ member Slack! Details here.In this episode, we cover: [4:20] Chris' background and his journey to working at Uber[9:00] Uber's sustainability commitments and company culture[13:20] Challenges of reducing emissions and waste from Uber's platform[16:45] Uber's efforts to make EV adoption more accessible and affordable for drivers, including partnerships with car manufacturers, rental companies, and financing providers[25:04] The Uber Green rider experience[27:17] The importance of charging infrastructure and the need to make it more convenient and affordable for drivers[33:02] Rider incentives[35:27] Sustainability efforts for Uber Eats[29:49] Opportunities for startups to help Uber in their missionGet connected: Chris Hook LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 4, 2023 (Published on Oct 23, 2023)

Shreya Mishra is the CEO and Co-founder of SolarSquare, a venture-backed startup dedicated to driving the growth of residential rooftop solar installations in India. In late 2022, they successfully secured a series A funding round led by Elevation Capital, with participation from Lowercarbon Capital and others.In this episode, Shreya and Cody discuss the elements necessary for market adoption of rooftop solar in India, including consumer sentiment, financing options, permitting, government subsidies, net metering policy, system maintenance, and even the form factor of the panel installation setup itself, due to the unique nature of many Indian rooftops. And she recounts the ways in which SolarSquare is supporting or innovating in each of these areas. She's building an ambitious company and we enjoyed learning about the Indian context surrounding rooftop solar.  This is a big topic, and this episode covers a lot of ground.  In this episode, we cover: [01:48]: Shreya's journey from fashion tech founder to solar entrepreneur[04:07]: How Shreya learned the ins and outs of the solar industry [07:22]: The evolution and key inflection points of the Indian solar market[11:33]: India's policies for residential solar[13:46]: How India is streamlining processes with a National Solar Portal[16:31]: The permitting process for homeowners with a solar setup[21:50]: Sectors and regions with the highest solar adoption rates[25:43]: How SolarSquare addresses challenges unique to the Indian market, including roof architecture, cyclone risk, and lack of professional solar service providers[28:03]: A deeper dive on SolarSquare's modular prefabricated solar pergolas[35:59]: The emergence of financing options for residential solar in India[43:08]: SolarSquare's staffing and focus on operational excellence over marketing [46:07]: The role of large corporate players in the solar market [48:34]: SolarSquare's financing history[52:02]: How India's economic growth is driving increased electricity consumption and Shreya's vision for the future[55:10]: SolarSquare is hiring!Get connected:Shreya Mishra LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Oct 3, 2023 (Published on Oct 19, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Rebecca Carland serves as the Chief Investment Officer at Builders Asset Management, where she leads a growing impact-oriented team investing globally across public and private markets. Builders Asset Management is the asset management team at Builders Vision, which is Lukas Walton's family impact platform that offers versatile philanthropic and investment tools to people and organizations building a more humane and healthy planet. Jason and Rebecca have a great discussion in this episode about Rebecca's journey to doing the work that she does, her work at Builders Asset Management, how that fits in to the overall Builders Vision umbrella, and where Builders Vision fits into the broader clean energy transition. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: Introduction to Builders Vision and its asset management armRebecca's background and journey to impact investingThe role of market forces in driving change and the need for collaborationBuilders Vision's focus areas: renewable energy, sustainable food and agriculture, and healthy oceansThe shift from family office to impact platformBuilders Asset Management's mandate The importance of ESG integration and standardizationThe gap between venture and infrastructure investment and the need for more capital in the missing middleChallenges and opportunities of company net-zero commitmentsThe launch of Builders Vision's inaugural impact reportGet connected: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInRebecca Carland LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sept. 22 (published on Oct. 18, 2023) 

This episode of My Climate Journey features two guests: Tobias Ruckstuhl, Managing Partner at Persistent, and Bim Adisa, CEO at Beacon Power Services, which is a climate tech company providing data and software solutions for Africa's power sector.Bim joined the MCJ pod previously for an in-depth episode on Beacon in February 2021. If you're interested in a deeper dive on his business in particular, check out that episode from the archives.In today's conversation, we talk about the evolution of the startup funding landscape in Africa and the sources of capital that are available, the geographic startup hubs that are growing across the continent, the role model companies that are emerging, and the advice that Bim and Tobias have for founders looking to build in Africa.Africa is huge, and the diversity of business needs, policy environments, economic mobility, capital availability and opportunity varies greatly from country to country. But in general, there's a sense of rising tides floating all boats in Africa at present, and the numbers seem to back this up. While global venture capital funding has seen significant year-over-year declines of 50% or more according to Crunchbase, VC funding in Africa is up slightly according to recent reports, accounting for $6.5 billion in financings in 2022. The capital stack also looks quite different than in the US and Europe.In this episode, we cover: [03:38]: Overview and mission of Beacon Power Services[07:49]: Tobias's background and his work with Persistent[11:21]: Persistent's investments, exits, and locations[13:04]: How Bim and Tobias connected[15:50]: Bim's experience with the fundraising process and growth after Persistent's investment[18:17]: Overview of venture funding and climate tech startups in Africa[23:42]: Breakdown of the capital stack available to African startups[30:41]: Evolution of the venture market and examples of active venture funds investing in African climate tech[33:53]: Geographic hubs of entrepreneurship across Africa[39:14]: Challenges specific to the Francophone Africa market[41:12]: Bim's advice for foreign and local founders building in Africa[43:54]: What sectors are currently booming and Persistent's criteria for evaluating new climate tech sectors[48:52]: Leading climate tech companies in Africa that can inspire founders[51:25]: Balancing urgency and realism in deploying climate solutions at scale[53:31]: Persistent's LP fundraising process and investor prioritiesGet connected: Bim Adisa LinkedInTobias Ruckstuhl LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sep 14, 2023 (Published on Oct 16, 2023)

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.David Holtzclaw is the founder and principle of Transduction Technologies, a small engineering firm based out of Omaha, Nebraska that provides science analysis, testing, and energy consulting services to residential and small commercial clients. In this episode, we are talking about weatherization and home energy efficiency.David and his team perform a number of services including energy evaluations, duct leak testing, ventilation testing, pressure mapping, combustion testing, infrared imaging and cost benefit analysis of implementing renewable energy systems as a whole. We discuss how the home energy efficiency market has grown over the past few decades, the top things you can do to your home to improve your energy efficiency, and both the tail and headwinds the IRA bill is bringing to consumers and contractors alike in Nebraska.In this episode, we cover: [03:11]: Origin of home energy auditing in the 1980s and creation of ResNet[05:29]: Home Energy Score (HES) for existing homes, Home Energy Rating System (HERS) for new homes[07:23]: ResNet's relationship with BPI (Building Performance Institute)[09:04]: Emergence of the first energy code for new construction, the IECC (International Energy Conservation Code)[11:17]: The impact of high interest rates on the demand for energy audits[14:47]: David’s transition from aerospace and NASA to founding an energy efficiency company[20:43]: An overview of his customer base[24:27]: The main culprits of an energy-inefficient home[29:45]: David's approach to customizing homes during the design process[32:11]: Insights into mechanical ventilation[34:30]: How upfront investments like triple pane windows pay off[38:50]: Why cheaper heat pumps may be pushed over better models with the IRA[42:08]: The impact of politics on state energy efficiency funding[49:22]: Advice and cautions for listeners planning to electrify and weatherize their homes.Get connected: David Holtzclaw LinkedInYin X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 17, 2023 (Published on Oct 12, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. David Helgason is a partner at Transition. Transition is a venture firm that partners with Seed and Series A founders to accelerate the climate transition. They've come together as founders, investors, operators, engineers, and scientists from across the world with a single mission: building an abundant and resilient society that can thrive within our finite planet.Prior to starting Transition, David was Co-founder of Unity Technologies, and served as the CEO until 2014. He's still on their board of directors. With his background in the gaming industry, David took interest in green gaming, before stretching that interest into mitigating and adapting to climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy. We have a great discussion in this episode about David's journey, the work that he's doing at Transition, how he got started in climate, what types of companies and projects are most interesting to him and his team, and how he sees transition evolving and playing out for all of us.In this episode, we cover: [02:43]: Introduction to Transition[05:07]: David's background in the video game industry[07:01]: His journey into climate tech investments, starting with angel investments[10:47]: His decision to focus on climate, and the choice of venture for climate impact[14:07]: Challenges faced by generalist venture firms when investing in climate tech[17:03]: Transition's approach to impact measurement using the Planetary Boundaries framework[19:08]: Risk assessment and capital intensity in Transition's investment process[23:10]: Exploration of the future of climate tech and the potential for every company to be a climate company[26:54]: The role of incumbents and collaboration in the energy transition[28:50]: The challenges and opportunities of working with oil majors[31:59]: The role of individuals in the transition[33:15]: Advice for those interested in working on climate tech problems.Resource Mentioned: Planetary boundaries - Stockholm Resilience CentreGet connected: David Helgason LinkedInJason Jacobs X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sep 28, 2023 (aired on Oct 11, 2023) 

Ari Matusiak is the founder and CEO of Rewiring America. Rewiring America is a driving force in the movement to electrify everything. As our homes transition to using heat pumps for heating and cooling, induction stoves for cooking and electric vehicles for transportation, Rewiring America has established itself as the go-to expert resource to help us navigate this transition.Ari boasts an impressive background that informs his leadership of the organization. He has experience in affordable housing, philanthropy, and the Obama White House, where he served as a special assistant to the president and director of private sector engagement. In this role, he managed the administration's relationships with Fortune 500 CEOs, Wall Street firms, and other business leaders. He then held the position of Chief Strategy Officer at Renovate America, the largest residential energy efficiency and renewable energy financing platform at the time. He was also a co-founder and chairman of Young Invincibles, a national nonprofit focused on creating economic opportunities for young adults.In addition to leading Rewiring America, Ari is the managing partner at Purpose Venture Group, an advisory firm and incubator focused on launching community-centered ventures to tackle climate change and economic inequality.In this conversation, Ari discusses Rewiring America's origin story, core work, and the home electrification measures in the Inflation Reduction Act. He provides perspective on the current status of US electrification progress and how each of us can contribute to advancing Rewiring America's mission.In this episode, we cover: [03:03]: The founding story of Rewiring America[11:51]: Hurdles of electrifying homes[15:58]: Tax credits available to homeowners through the IRA[20:27]: Stackable rebates and tax credits through federal, state and local programs[22:00]: Using Rewiring America's IRA Calculator to estimate benefits[26:40]: Empowering people to electrify their homes and become active community guides[30:50]: Countering the fossil fuel lobby with local storytellers and validators[33:49]: Insights from Rewiring America's Pace of Progress Report on electric product adoption[40:31]: Challenges and solutions to boost EV adoption[43:04]: State of rooftop solar in the Pace of Progress report[44:05]: Why rooftop solar remains essential [46:28]: Electrification options for renters and apartment incentives [50:16]: Ari’s outlook on electrification progress over the next decadeGet connected: Ari Matusiak LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 24, 2023 (Published on Oct 9, 2023)

Andy Moon is CEO and co-founder of Reunion, and in this episode, we're diving into clean energy tax credits. Tax credits may not be the most exciting topic, but they play a crucial role in financing clean energy projects. The Inflation Reduction Act has given a significant boost to tax credits in two key ways.First, it has expanded tax credits to cover various project types, including solar, wind, battery storage, biogas, hydrogen, and carbon sequestration, among others. This broadening of eligibility creates more opportunities for tax credits. Second, it has made tax credits transferable, which means they can change hands. This change is expected to bring more capital into play, making it easier to finance these projects. Andy and Reunion estimate that the pool of clean energy tax credits in the U.S. currently stands at around $20 billion per year and could grow to $75-80 billion per year in the next five years.Reunion serves as a marketplace for clean energy tax credits. They connect buyers and sellers, making it easier to purchase and sell transferable tax credits to support various clean energy projects, such as solar, wind, battery, biogas, and more. During our conversation, Andy discusses his extensive background in clean energy, starting with his work at SunEdison in 2009 and founding SunFarmer in 2014. Most importantly, we explore how tax credits function and how transferability can boost the clean energy financing market.In this episode, we cover: [02:48]: Andy's background in renewable energy finance[06:28]: Overview of investment tax credits (ITCs)[11:52]: Overview of production tax credits (PTCs)[13:07]: Other types of tax credits opened up by the IRA[14:19]: What tax credit transferability means[16:21]: Diverse group of potential buyers interested in tax credits[17:49]: Example of a $100M solar project with $50M in ITCs[21:29]: Market size and growth projections for tax credits, new buyer profiles[23:36]: Using tax credit savings to fund corporate sustainability initiatives[29:24]: Reunion's role connecting buyers and sellers, streamlining diligence process[32:25]: Reunion's growth and the volume of credits on the platform[35:49]: The role of tax credits in corporate finance and potential buyers[38:02]: Expansion into different clean energy technologies[39:17]: Reunion's financing and future business model[40:46]: Who Andy wants to hear fromGet connected: Andy Moon X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sep 15, 2023 (Published on Oct 5, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Christian Hernandez is a partner and Co-founder at 2150. 2150 is a venture capital firm focused on the built environment. They're building businesses that are changing how our cities are designed, constructed and powered for good. They hunt for “gigacorns,” which they define as the technology champions of the coming decades with the potential to benefit billions of people, create billions in commercial value, and lower gigatons of emissions. Jason and Christian have a great discussion in this episode about Christian's journey from being a technology operator to a generalist technology VC, and then his awakening about the magnitude of the climate crisis and his path to building 2150, from meeting his co-founders to the initial thesis to their approach to the different twists and turns on the way to getting that first fund raised, and of course where they're heading in the future. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [2:16] An overview of 2150 and Christian's background [8:51] Early days of starting the firm and its focus on the built environment [16:22] Christian's views on structure, stage, et.c plus how they evolved at final close [20:34] His thoughts on portfolio construction generally [23:39] 2150's reserves and follow on [26:57] Christian's thoughts on extensions, down rounds, and pay to play [30:22] How he measures impact and the balance between hardware and software [33:49] Advantages of being Article 9 Fund [35:08] Christian's early LP targets and how they played out[37:47] Risks and what 2150 is comfortable with [42:22] The firm's impact framework [44:31] The role of brand building and how Christian thinks about deal flow [46:26] The launch of Urban Partners[52:37] An overview of "gigacorns"Get connected: Christian Hernandez X / LinkedInJason Jacobs X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sept 26, 2023 (aired on Oct 4, 2023) 

Julia Souder is the CEO of the LDES Council. "But what's LDES," you might be wondering? LDES stands for Long Duration Energy Storage, encompassing technologies capable of storing significant energy from 10 hours to weeks. The LDES Council, a global nonprofit membership organization, is dedicated to propelling the decarbonization of the energy system with a focus on affordability. They drive innovation, commercialization, and the implementation of long duration energy storage technologies, uniting technology and equipment providers, renewable energy firms, utilities, grid operators, investors, and end consumers. Julia's career is rooted in the crossroads of renewable energy and energy resilience. Her experience includes roles such as Director of Intergovernmental relations at NERC, the North American Energy Reliability Corporation, director of Western Renewable Grid planning at NRDC, and most recently, executive director of the Long Duration Energy Storage Association of California.We've previously explored various long duration energy storage solutions on the show, making this conversation with Julia even more intriguing. Often we hear the phrase, "The sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow," in the context of renewables, leading to economic fluctuations and service intermittency. This is a challenge that LDES aims to confront directly. Although many long duration energy storage solutions are currently trailing renewable energy technologies in development and deployment, Julia explains that this is expected to change significantly in the coming years. In this episode, we cover: [02:51]: Julia's journey in renewable energy[04:19]: The 2003 Blackout Investigation[05:35]: The North American Electric Liability Corporation (NERC) [09:38]: The emerging need for energy storage[11:10]: Overview of the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Council and their goals[13:43]: Long duration energy storage vs. short duration energy storage[15:51]: Overview of historical and new categories of LDES solutions [18:23]: Deep dive into thermal solutions[24:59]: Types of electrochemical batteries for LDES[27:44]: Chemical solutions[29:59]: Buyers and use cases of LDES solutions[35:27]: How LDES projects are sold and deployed globally[40:29]: Areas Julia is optimistic about, what needs attention, and evolution of capital for LDES[44:18]: Julia's parting words on the importance of LDESResources Mentioned:Net-zero heat, LDES Council24/7 Clean Power Purchase Agreements, LDES CouncilGet connected: Julia Souder X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 23, 2023 (Published on Oct 2, 2023)

In this episode, Sandeep Nijhawan and Quoc Pham, founders of the startup Electra, talk to Cody about tackling the complex issue of steel decarbonization. Steel production is a formidable contributor to global emissions, accounting for nearly four gigatons annually, equivalent to approximately 8-10% of total global emissions. To put it in perspective, if steel were its own country, its annual emissions would rank third globally, following only China and the USA.The conversation dives into the intricacies of current steel production, shedding light on how the US approach differs from much of the world. The US has a head start on the path toward steel decarbonization, featuring fewer coal-based blast furnaces and substantial installed electric arc furnace capacity. The episode also explores various pathways for steel decarbonization, including point-source carbon capture and hydrogen utilization, and introduces Electra's pioneering electrochemistry method. Electra announced an $85 million funding round in Q4 2022, with participation from renowned climate tech investors and industry leaders, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Amazon, and many more. Sandeep and Quoc are tackling one of the hardest problems in climate change head on. Time will tell if it works, but they certainly aren't shying away from the challenge.In this episode, we cover: [03:44]: Sandeep's background[08:01]: Quoc's background[15:38]: Overview of steel production and emissions[22:20]: Overview of supply chain and integrated steelworks concept[25:09]: Why the US is a leader in low carbon intensity steelmaking[30:50]: Contrasting McKinsey's roadmap with Electra's approach  [34:22]: Environmental and safety risks of traditional iron tailings[37:10]: Electra's unique approach to the steel decarbonization problem[44:24]: How low-cost renewable electricity is crucial for Electra's solution [46:26]: Challenges in electrifying ironmaking vs. copper and zinc[48:39]: Hydrometallurgy for iron ore dissolution to minimize waste and extract value[49:05]: Core principles: decarbonization, sustainability, and circularity[55:59]: Electra's go-to-market strategy and commercial vision[58:42]: The company’s capital stack evolution and local project financing[01:02:51]: The importance of collaboration in this space[01:04:41]: Invitation for listeners to join Electra's teamGet connected: Sandeep Nijhawan  LinkedInQuoc Pham LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sep 12, 2023 (Published on Sep 28, 2023)

We kicked off New York Climate Week with a live podcast recording with Kim Zou and Sophie Purdom, co-founders of CTVC. CTVC’s data-driven insights have been featured in channels including NYTimes, Bloomberg, Reuters, Financial Times, and TechCrunch.Kim serves as the CEO of CTVC. She was previously a climate tech investor at Energy Impact Partners. Prior to joining EIP, Kim was part of JPMorgan's Tech M&A investment banking team and graduated from Johns Hopkins University.In addition to her work with CTVC, Sophie Purdom invests in and supports early-stage climate tech founders and their companies via her venture capital fund Planeteer Capital. Prior, Sophie launched an ESG fund at a major endowment, learned to make pretty slides at Bain & Co., published a book on sustainable investing, and helped found an agricultural technology company that makes carbon-negative ammonia fertilizer.Special shout-out to everyone who came out to the live recording, and to our hosts at P&T Knitwear for lending their beautiful space in the Lower East Side. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [2:33] How Kim and Sophie met and the early days of CTVC[6:37] Kim's background [10:14] The pair's early venture experience[13:22] Sophie's background[17:05] The origins of Planeteer Capital [20:18] CTVC's evolution into a market intelligence company [25:42] CTVC's Climate Tech Capital Stack: https://www.ctvc.co/the-sophisticating-climate-capital-stack/[28:51] Early stage dry powder[31:36] Project finance and infrastructure financing [36:56] Public funding and philanthropy [40:06] Trends in philanthropic catalytic capital [43:45] Corporate strategics[46:34] The role of banks[50:08] Insurance [51:18] Sophie and Kim's predictions for the market in the near termGet connected: Kim Zou X / LinkedIn Sophie Purdom X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 18, 2023 (Published on September 25, 2023)

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Mary MacPherson, a program manager in the Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the DOE, oversees energy efficiency and electrification workforce development programs funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the IRA.In this episode, Mary and Yin discuss residential energy efficiency training programs, addressing crucial challenges in the skilled labor workforce. They explore the underlying reasons for the workforce gap, from an aging labor force to accessibility barriers in education and certification processes.Funding is a significant lever to address these bottlenecks. In mid-July of 2023, the US Department of Energy announced that states and territories could apply for a pool of $150 million to train the next generation of residential efficiency and electrification contractors. These include electricians, energy auditors, HVAC contractors, plumbers, and more. The ultimate goals include lowering training costs, enhancing certification support, fostering diversity in the energy efficiency workforce, and providing economic mobility opportunities while promoting high-quality contracting in the residential sector.In this episode, we cover: [02:46]: Contractor Training Grants in the IRA[04:23]: Mary's clean energy background[07:08]: Overview of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)[09:39]: The role of State Energy Offices [13:00]: Skill and accessibility gaps in the energy efficiency trades[15:27]: Challenges in the residential heat pump workforce[18:11]: Reducing barriers to entry[20:10]: The significance of certification and testing[22:56]: State examples: Maine and Illinois[25:24]: How DOE allocates funds to states[28:34]: How to help funds flow to your state[30:52]: Community benefits and advancing Justice40 goals[33:55]: Mary's vision for success in 2030Get connected: Mary MacPherson X / LinkedInYin X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 11, 2023 (Published on Sep 22, 2023)

This episode is part of our Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Fabian Heilemann is the founder and CEO of AENU. Fabian is a long-time entrepreneur, and after several successful exits, he became very concerned about climate. He started with his personal carbon footprint and then evolved to looking at what he could do internally when he was a traditional, financially-oriented venture capitalist. He looked at the footprints of the portfolio companies of that firm and then ultimately came to realize that he wanted to build a new kind of investment firm that puts impact front and center without being concessionary in any way from a return standpoint.Jason and Fabian have a great discussion about his journey to starting AENU, some of the core principles the firm stands for and how they go about it, where they are on that journey, how they got going, and where Fabian sees AENU going in the future. And of course how that fits into his thoughts on the broader transition and what we can do collectively to accelerate progress. In this episode, we cover: [4:21] An overview of AENU [5:59] Fabian's decision to work on climate [12:58] His firm's early structure and evolution [19:26] AENU's initial vision and its current strategy [28:50] The relationship between new technologies, sustainability, and their impact on established industries, corporations, and policymakers[39:10] Fabian's experience trying to start a climate sleeve in traditional VC [50:07] AENU's check size, portfolio construction, and the firm's scope [54:23] Fabian's thoughts on the need for collaborationGet connected: Fabian Heilemann X / LinkedIn Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Sept 6, 2023 (Published on Sept 20, 2023)

This episode of My Climate Journey features three guests: Lissie Garvin, Ayakha Melithafa, and Dysmus Kisilu, and we are diving into youth empowerment around climate.The IPCCs AR6 synthesis report from earlier this year includes a heartbreaking graphic that shows the extent to which current and future generations will experience a hotter and different world. It should come as no surprise that younger generations today will face a world that changes more dramatically than any generation has previously experienced. And yet, according to Lissie, less than 1% of all money going into climate change is going to youth movements.Lissie Garvin serves as the Foundation and Fellowship Program Director at 776, an early-stage venture fund founded by Alexis Ohanian, co-founder and former CEO of Reddit. The 776 Fellowship, which Lissie manages, awards $100,000 grants to exceptional individuals under 23 working on innovative climate change solutions.Ayakha Melithafa, a 21-year-old Pan-African climate justice activist, has represented youth voices from the Global South on prominent global platforms, including the World Economic Forum and COP26. She holds the distinction of being the youngest commissioner on the South African Presidential Climate Commission.Dysmus Kisilu, 24, is the founder of Solar Freeze, a company specializing in solar-powered cold storage units for smallholder farmers in Kenya, significantly boosting agricultural productivity. He also founded "Each One, Teach One," an initiative within Solar Freeze that mentors young agricultural leaders in Africa in renewable energy solutions, benefiting over 100 young people.Ayakha and Dysmus are among the first 20 recipients of 776 Fellowships. Together with Lissie, we explore the program's purpose, operations, and its impact. We also hear from Ayakha and Dysmus about their stories and the work they're doing to affect change.In this episode, we cover: [08:36]: Overview of the 776 Fellowship[10:42]: Youth activism's big impact [15:00]: How 776 funding allowed Ayakha to maintain her authentic voice[17:52]: How speaking up led Ayakha to the South African Presidential Climate Commission [22:10]: Ayakha's personal experiences during the "Day Zero" water crisis in 2017 that ignited her climate activism[29:07]: Her reflections on becoming an activist [33:38]: Her vision for South Africa to be a global leader in the energy transition[37:33]: Dysmus' experience with Ag Tech at UC Davis and origins of Solar Freeze[40:01]: Recent historic drought in Kenya[41:18]: Overview of Solar Freeze's solution and services[45:09]: The company's rapid growth and work with Kenyan farmers [47:35]: Dysmus' Each One, Teach One program[50:21]: How Dysmus and Ayakha learned about the 776 Fellowship[52:01]: Lissie's reflections on selecting the first 776 cohort[54:18]: Ayakha's experiences in the program and highlights from other 776 fellows[59:50]: Ayakha's advice for other young people in the climate space  [01:03:06]: How people in the Global North can support youth in Africa working at the forefront of the climate crisisGet connected: Ayakha Melithafa XDysmus Kisilu X / LinkedInLissie Garvin X / LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 7, 2023 (Published on Sep 18, 2023)

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Robert (Bob) Blake is a tribal citizen of the Red Lake Nation, which covers 1200 square miles in northwestern Minnesota. He's the founder, owner and CEO of a solar company called Solar Bear, which has a nonprofit associated with it called Native Sun Community Power Development.Solar Bear focuses on solar project development and installation for commercial real estate. Whereas Native Sun focuses on workforce development, K-12 education and exploring ways to build infrastructure beyond solar to improve energy reliability on tribal land. Robert believes that the true power of clean energy transition is to tackle multiple systemic issues at once: diminishing poverty and mass incarceration with employment opportunities, strengthening tribal and energy sovereignty by ending a reliance on fossil fuels, and of course, mitigating climate change. In this episode, we learn what has shaped Bob’s thinking and why he's so hopeful for the future. In this episode, we cover: [02:30]: Introduction to Red Lake Nation and impact of federal policies[05:34]: The concept of tribal sovereignty[08:05]: Bob's background and racism in Minnesota[10:37]: Unique opportunities within tribal nations for innovation and energy sovereignty[13:49]: Reversing colonial capitalistic systems[15:48]: Origins and overview of Solar Bear[20:01]: Examples of Solar Bear's customers[23:37]: Solar Bear's nonprofit counterpart, Native Sun Community Power Development[25:33]: Working with K-12 and college students [28:57]: Solar workforce development for incarcerated people[31:04]: Funding sources for Bob's work[34:43]: Policy work and the Tribal Energy Advisory Board [38:48]: Reimagining how energy is distributed in the transitionResources Mentioned: From Prison to a Career in Solar Sierra ClubGet connected: Robert Blake LinkedInYin X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jul 5, 2023 (Published on Sep 14, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. John Tough is Managing Partner at Energize Capital, a leading climate software investor. Energize partners with best-in-class innovators to accelerate the sustainability transition, and they have both an early-stage traditional venture vehicle as well as a growth vehicle.In this episode, Jason and John delve into the firm's origins and John's motivations for co-founding it. They explore his early career at Kleiner Green Growth and his pivotal role as employee number three at Choose Energy. The discussion also covers Energize's approach, LP composition, evolution, and the alignment between LPs and the venture and growth vehicles.They then examine the shifting macro environment's impact on LP investments in climate tech, company criteria, check sizes, leadership roles, diligence procedures, thesis-driven aspects, and the comprehensive post-company support offered by Energize.In this episode, we cover: [02:34]: The origin story of Energize Capital (formally Energize Ventures)[07:26]: John's insights from being both a VC and an entrepreneur[09:01]: His decision to anchor in the Midwest[12:35]: Launching an early-stage venture firm[15:30]: The pitch to GMs[17:34]: Impact and thesis-driven vs. opportunistic approaches[19:53]: Traditional venture vs. growth strategies[22:31]: Energize Capital's current thesis [25:15]: Value for founders working with Energize [27:28]: LP base evolution[30:43]: Tailored corporate engagement strategy[31:59]: John's answer to "why software only?"[35:55]: Current climate tech observations the role of international deal flow[40:28]: Current (late 2023) LP sentiment amidst market uncertainty[44:39]: Rise of dedicated institution-based climate capital pools[46:38]: Energize Capital’s evaluation criteria  [50:42]: Controllable and uncontrollable factors in this space[52:59]: Who John and Energize want to hear fromGet connected: Jason Jacobs X / LinkedInJohn Tough X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 16, 2023 (aired on Sep 13, 2023) 

Janelle Kellman is the former mayor of Sausalito, an active member of the Sausalito City Council, and the founder and CEO of the Center for Sea Rise Solutions. Janelle's career spans environmental and policy roles, including leadership positions at the Environmental Protection Agency, PG&E, and advisory roles for organizations like Project Drawdown, Marin Clean Energy, and San Francisco Baykeeper. She chaired the Sausalito Planning Commission from 2016 to 2020, before joining the City Council in 2020.In this episode, Janelle discusses recent initiatives she's been prioritizing, what coastal resilience means, and how she collaborates with neighboring cities and coastal cities around the world to prepare for the inevitability of rising sea levels.On top of that, Janelle is an ultra-marathoner and a two-sport Division I athlete with degrees from Yale, Oxford, and Stanford. She also makes an exciting announcement at the end of the episode about her political future in California. You'll have to listen to the end to hear what it is!In this episode, we cover: [04:06]: Janelle's background in sports and leadership[08:39]: Navigating the challenges of 2020 as a mayor [10:45]: Origins of Center for Sea Rise Solutions and climate risks in Northern California[16:14]: Distinction between "sustainability" and "resilience"[19:34]: Key priorities and needs around sea level rise resilience[24:32]: Similarities between wildfire and sea level rise resilience[26:18]: Janelle's international collaborations and knowledge sharing on sea level rise [28:30]: International conferences like COP vs working with subnational leaders around the world[31:14]: Janelle's tips on getting involved local government, climate work, and finding your "ikigai"[39:01]: Natural overlap between outdoor athletes and climate activism[41:17]: An exciting announcement from Janelle on her political future[44:26]: How folks can follow and connect with Janelle [45:07]: Shinrin-yoku, Friluftsliv and other conceptsResources mentioned:Toxic Tides, UC Berkeley Sustainability And Health Equity LabKatrina: A History, 1915–2015, by Andy HorowitzGnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad by Steven KolterGet connected: Janelle Kellman  LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 11, 2023 (Published on Sep 11, 2023)

Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz is the CEO and co-founder of Andes, a startup that employs microorganisms to tackle CO2 removal. Specifically, they introduce microorganisms into soil alongside agricultural seeds. As these microorganisms grow with plant roots, they expedite the transformation of CO2 into minerals, which contributes to soil inorganic carbon.The MCJ pod has featured startups exploring methods to amend soil for carbon removal, including biochar and enhanced rock weathering. It’s intriguing to hear how Andes utilizes microorganisms to achieve a similar result.Gonzalo and Cody delve into the company's origins, revealing their initial focus on enhancing crop resiliency, and their transition to carbon removal. Beyond the concept of microbial carbon mineralization, Andes also harnesses a different microorganism, one they genetically modify, to increase corn's ability to affix nitrogen into the soil and thus reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. There's a lot to unpack in this one.In this episode, we cover: [02:08]: An overview of Andes and its origins[05:45]: Current challenges in crop resiliency[07:52]: Natural history of microbes and their relation to plants and humans[12:37]: Andes' two programs: microbes for nitrogen and CO2 capture[15:22]: In-depth look at Andes' nitrogen program[20:41]: Andes' second program and overview of organic carbon[24:57]: Soil inorganic carbon and the role of lime in farming and carbon capture[29:25]: How Andes' solutions are applied on farms and economics of business model[34:54]: Andes' Microbial Carbon Mineralization (MCM) methodology and potential for carbon credits[39:49]: How Gonzalo thinks about scaling and fundraising[43:48]: His advice for entrepreneurs looking for opportunities in this spaceGet connected: Gonzalo Fuenzalida-Meriz LinkedInCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 29, 2023 (Published on Sep 7, 2023)

This episode is part of our Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Ian Smith is the Director of Investments at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), where his primary responsibilities include managing due diligence, research and portfolio oversight across public equity, fixed income, and impact and diversity offerings. TNC is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. They were founded in the US through grassroots organizing in 1951, and they've grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. As a formidable force in the NGO world, TNC also has a pretty big endowment and they're investing that endowment as good fiduciaries to generate market-beating returns, but they also have this broader mission to reckon with as an organization. This makes for a fascinating conversation that digs into how TNC handles balancing impact and profit, and how they think about climate investing, private investing, and investing in general. In this episode, we cover: [2:21] An overview of TNC and its investments[5:59] TNC's endowment asset allocation[7:47] Ian's background[11:55] Benefits of TNC's transition from outsourced investing to in-house portfolio management[16:46] Diversification of TNC's endowment capital[19:40] The org's decarbonization strategy[24:29] Integrating sustainability without sacrificing market-grade returns[26:38] TNC's criteria for evaluation[28:49] Ian's assessment of the state of climate tech venture as an investible asset[34:34] How he views and measures impact[37:06] An overview of TNC's privates' portfolio[40:51] Ian's suggestions for balancing investible assets and grant-making[44:25] His thoughts on how the transition is going to pan out[48:09] Why this time is different than Cleantech 1.0[50:53] Ian's thoughts on the term 'impact investor'[52:04] TNC's perspective on carbon capture and the role of big oil in the transition[57:58] How Ian thinks about direct investing[1:02:58] His concerns about climate tech innovation and what he's excited aboutGet connected: Ian Smith X / LinkedInJason Jacobs X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 9, 2023 (Published Sept 6, 2023) 

Mario Molina is the Executive Director of Protect Our Winters (aka POW). POW was founded in the late 2000s by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones. They've grown to 130,000 supporters that consist of passionate outdoor athletes motivated to protect the places they live and love from climate change. POW's goal is to give a voice to the outdoor sports community (or the Outdoor State, as they call it) and channel it into political will to help get energy transition and related climate change policies passed.Mario has been working in climate for many years. Prior to POW, he was the international director of the Climate Reality Project, which was created by former Vice President Al Gore. Before that, Mario led strategy and programs as deputy director at the Alliance for Climate Education.Politics generally follows culture, not the other way around. In other words, political movements grow from cultural movements. By harnessing people's love of outdoor recreation and helping them share stories of how they directly observe the world changing around them, POW is helping to channel the cultural agenda around climate change. And by giving their supporters tangible things to do, policies for which to advocate and candidates to support, they're seeking to influence actual outcomes that can make a difference. You'll want to listen to this one in its entirety as Mario has a bit of a surprising announcement at the end. Enjoy the show!In this episode, we cover: [2:38] An overview of Protect Our Winters (POW) and its origins [5:36] Athlete stories that highlight the impact of climate change [8:22] POW's theory of change and applications to the 'Outdoor State'[14:44] Examples of athlete engagement in policy[17:39] How POW determines which projects to support[21:44] The org's 501(c)(4) arm that allows POW to endorse or campaign for certain candidates[23:50] Challenges POW faced in getting brand partnerships[26:21] What has proven effective in bridging cultural awareness with political action, and where tension still lies[30:06] Mario's background and accomplishments[36:42] Where POW needs help and how listeners can get involvedGet connected: Mario Molina LinkedInProtect Our Winters X / LinkedIn / InstagramCody Simms X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 2, 2023 (Published on Sept 5, 2023)

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Alyssa Thomas oversees the workforce development program at SunPower, a residential solar company, that services all 50 states in the US and has been around since the mid-1980s.The transition to clean energy is expected to generate 10 million net new jobs globally by the year 2030. Most of the anticipated job gains will likely be in the power generation, automotive, and electrical efficiency sectors. How we develop the talent to meet the job demands falls under the category of workforce development, which we've talked about before on the show. Today, we'll dive deep into what it means for the solar industry. In this episode, Yin and Alyssa discuss what workforce development encompasses for a private-sector solar company, and why more private companies are focusing on it now as a part of their business model. We also talk about the three key levers that the US should focus on to address labor shortages in the clean energy sector, bringing back career technical education curriculum into every American high school, building a stronger social services net to provide support for people transitioning into the trades, and investing more into building and maintaining apprenticeship programs. In this episode, we cover: [1:43] Alyssa's background and role at SunPower[7:23] How she landed in the solar industry[9:25] Differences between Alyssa's work in the public vs. private sector[13:46] Non-obvious things pushing us to think about workforce development[20:01] Where new talent in the trades might come from[23:06] Successful partnerships for moving folks into solar[28:59] Internal and external pathways for hiring[33:10] SunPower's work on policy[37:19] The role of community colleges in workforce development[39:11] Addressing diversity and inclusion[44:49] Programmatic barriers and key levers to getting more people in the tradesGet connected: Alyssa Thomas LinkedInYin X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on July 7, 2023 (Published on Aug 31, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Jonah Goldman was a longtime managing director at Bill Gates' firm, Breakthrough Energy. Breakthrough Energy is dedicated to helping humanity avoid a climate disaster through investment vehicles, philanthropic programs, policy advocacy, and other activities. They're committed to scaling the technologies that we need to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Jonah helped establish the firm in 2015 and served as primary architect for all of the programs and funds. Currently, Jonah serves as the founder and Principal at North Cascades Strategies where he works with clients and partners to creatively commercialize critical climate technologies.  He also serves as a Senior Advisor for Public Affairs at Generate Capital and a Senior Advisor at the Boston Consulting Group. We have a great discussion in this episode about the origin of Breakthrough, how Jonah found himself doing this climate work to begin with, how Breakthrough is set up, the different areas in which they operate, how they've evolved over time, and how that fits into the broader problem of climate change and the broader solution set. We then cover the nature of the problem of climate change, the best ways to address it, and some of the biggest opportunities and challenges with accelerating the transition.In this episode, we cover: [03:28]: Jonah's background[04:50]: The focus on traditional climate solutions at the 2015 Paris COP[06:56]: Breakthrough Energy’s inception as a bridge between public research and private capital[08:34]: Bill Gates' commitment to real capital and the challenge to the public sector[09:49]: Factors that contributed to people saying "yes" to Breakthrough Energy[11:56]: Bill Gates' leadership and the global commitment to addressing climate change[13:12]: Differences between Breakthrough Energy One and traditional venture capital[14:12]: Need for purpose-built investment vehicles for climate technologies[16:04]: The firm's goal of creating a commercial environment for hard technologies[17:56]: Distinguishing climate-focused investments from general investments[19:19]: Integrating climate considerations into all sectors[22:10]: Perfecting purpose-built vehicles for climate investments[23:52]: Aligning financial incentives and solving challenges to drive investments[30:08] The need for existing players willing to take new models[36:52] Government’s role in the clean energy transition[41:24] Need for a multifaceted approach to solving climate[45:15] BEV's focus on investing in hard tech[47:41] Jonah's thoughts on company climate commitments[52:34] His feelings about carbon markets[55:55] The role of behavior change[1:00:17] Jonah's current projects and who he wants to hear fromGet connected: Jonah Goldman X / LinkedInJason Jacobs X / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 4, 2023 (aired on Aug 30, 2023) 

Dr. Vanessa Kerry is the co-founder and CEO of Seed Global Health, a nonprofit organization focused on health system strengthening and transformation through long-term investments and training of the health workforce. Under her leadership, Seed has helped educate more than 34,000 doctors, nurses, and midwives in seven countries, helping to improve healthcare for more than 73 million people. Dr. Kerry was also recently appointed as WHO Director-General Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health. She'll play a pivotal role in amplifying WHO's climate and health messaging and undertake high level advocacy. The intersection of climate change and health is important, and a topic that doesn't get talked about enough. Dr. Kerry has such a unique perspective and there's no one better to learn from on this important topic. In this episode, we cover: [02:43]: Dr. Kerry's background in healthcare[05:08]: Origins and overview of Seed Global Health[06:20]: Climate change's impact on global health  [09:09]: The healthcare sector’s role in climate change response[12:03]: Healthcare viewed as a cost, not an investment, despite potential ROI[16:03]: Valuing health and wellbeing over GDP  [18:38]: The role of leadership, private sector, and individuals in the transition[22:37]: Dr. Kerry's role at the World Health Organization (WHO)[28:45]: WHO's climate change policies, strategies, and funding[30:24]: Overview of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH)[32:04]: Funding sources for WHO and challenges of operating like a nonprofit[33:39]: Balancing energy access in developing nations with sustainability[35:34]: The private sector's role in shifting from shareholder to stakeholder value[36:59]: Exploring greener alternatives and the need for a systemic shift[37:41]: Balancing pragmatism and urgency in the transition[41:31]: Finding common ground on climate change in a partisan society[43:01]: How individuals can help change the conversation  [44:30]: The need for more time, funding, and team building at WHO [45:38]: Seed Global Health's current priorities [47:12]: Embracing the butterfly theory of impact[48:51]: Jason's key takeaway from the conversationGet connected: Dr. Vanessa Kerry Twitter / LinkedInJason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 7, 2023 (Published on Aug 28, 2023)

Toby Kraus and Ben Parker are co-founders of Lightship, an all-electric RV. Their first model, the L1, is a tow trailer with a sizable solar array on top, electric heat pump HVAC, an induction stove in the kitchen, an 80 kilowatt hour battery and an EV range extending or gas mileage boosting feature wherein the tow trailer provides some on-road power to the vehicle that's pulling it. Ben is a former mechanical design engineer at Tesla who contributed to the Model 3. Toby also worked at Tesla, first in finance then as product manager for the Model S. He later assumed an executive position at Proterra, an electric bus company. Despite Proterra's recent bankruptcy, it played a pivotal role in advancing large vehicle electrification. In 2020, Toby and Ben teamed up to establish Lightship and unveiled the L1 for pre-orders in March 2023.This conversation not only covers the founders' backgrounds and the L1's feature set, but also how they have sized the RV market, how the electrification of the RV will help drive the electrification of the pickup truck sector overall, and how the L1 can serve as a power source to a home when it's not in use as an RV. MCJ Collective is proud to be a multi-time investor in Lightship via our venture capital funds, and we still learned a lot during this conversation. In this episode, we cover: [03:06]: Ben's background and Tesla experience[05:43]: How electrifying food trucks led Ben to work on RVs[09:07]: Ben's experience in Formula 1 student racing[10:37]: Toby's background: finance, Tesla, Proterra, and Eclipse[16:46]: RV categories and the market landscape[20:30]: The role of aerodynamics in trailer design [23:08]: Potential for Lightship L1 to unlock electrification in pickup trucks[25:05]: The hodgepodge of fossil fuel systems in legacy RVs[27:20]: Prioritizing a game-changing product with sustainability as a bonus[28:24]: An in-depth overview of the Lightship L1 trailer's sleek design[30:58]: Details of the L1’s solar paneled roof, HVAC, and stove[34:51]: Pricing and target customer demographics [40:23]: Addressing range anxiety with existing RV campground infrastructure[42:25]: Lightship L1’s battery and potential as a home backup power source[49:50]: Tackling the problem of embedded emissions with durability[53:51]: How Lightship finances their businessGet connected: Toby Kraus LinkedIn / Ben Parker LinkedInLightship LinkedIn / XCody Simms LinkedIn / XMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 10, 2023 (Published on Aug 24, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress.David Aronoff is Chairman and General Partner at MCJ Collective. David has been in the venture space for nearly 28 years and joined MCJ a few years ago. His role has transitioned from LP to advisor to executive chair, and finally the last two years plus to his current role and chairman and general partner. Jason and David go in-depth, not only into David's journey, but also into the transition he made after a long career in traditional VC towards seeking more purpose, how he combines purpose and profit more squarely in this next chapter, plus his journey to finding MCJ. Then we have a fun grilling session where Jason gets to role play and ask David all the questions we get asked from LPs as the partners have been out raising the fund.Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [3:56] David's background and decision to join MCJ Collective[9:42] His journey exploring climate and solutions [13:00] David's thoughts on MCJ's early rolling funds [20:02] His mission-driven transition back to full-time work and building MCJ Collective the firm [24:01] The thought process behind the launch of MCJ's traditional fund structure [29:32] David's previous fundraising role vs. his role at MCJ [33:00] His thoughts on MCJ's stack, data room, and preparation[38:48] MCJ's overall strategy [44:33] David's perspective on ownership and MCJ's portfolio math[49:04] The diligence process[55:21] Time allocation of MCJ's five partners[58:38] MCJ's decision-making process [1:00:16] David's views on how the team will scale [1:02:32] MCJ's fundraising status to date, investor breakdown, and closing plans[1:08:36] David's thoughts on the future of MCJ's venture fund [1:20:10] The "why" behind his work at MCJ and who he wants to hear fromGet connected: David Aronoff Twitter / LinkedInJason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 14, 2023 (Published on August 23, 2023) 

Bill Caesar is President at Generate Upcycle, a subsidiary of Generate Capital. Generate Upcycle reduces the environmental footprint of businesses, farms, cities and consumers by diverting organic waste from landfills and producing renewable fuels, electricity, and organic fertilizers. Bill's journey from the CIA to McKinsey to waste management, culminating in his role at Generate, is fascinating.Cody and Bill talk about his journey and break down Generate Upcycle's key businesses, including anaerobic digestion, composting and mechanical vapor recompression, a relatively new method of wastewater management. Lastly, the conversation touches on areas that Bill is eyeing as disruptive technologies on the horizon. As the world population continues to grow, so will our waste footprint, and by finding profitable and lower emissions means of harnessing and reusing our waste, Generate Upcycle is betting that they can turn trash into treasure.In this episode we cover: [02:08]: Generate Upcycle's relationship with Generate Capital[04:30]: Bill's background: Russian studies, CIA, McKinsey, waste management[07:11]: His experience in waste management and recycling[14:01]: Moving from waste to Generate Capital[17:50] Bill's confidence in the anaerobic digestion business[23:08] His "waste to value" work at Generate Upcycle[26:21] An overview of anaerobic digestion[27:22] Generate's composting business[28:55] The company's wastewater treatment business[31:57] Logistics challenges in anaerobic digestion[37:47] Tipping fees[39:52] The percentage of waste going to landfills and the climate impact[43:44] Landfill diversion incentives[46:54] The energy outputs of Generate's digesters[50:44] What's on the horizon for Generate Upcycle and how folks can get in touchGet connected: Bill Caesar Twitter / LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jul 26, 2023 (Published on Aug 21, 2023)

Josh Silverman is the CEO and founder of Windfall Bio, which transforms methane into nitrogen-rich organic soil nutrients using naturally occurring methane-eating microbes. With a strong background in biotechnology, Josh has founded multiple successful ventures in the field, raising over $300 million in equity financing and generating a cumulative exit value exceeding $1.7 billion.After co-founding Calysta, a cellular agriculture company that converts methane into sources of protein for livestock and other food ingredients, Josh turned his attention to other ways to tackle the problem of atmospheric methane, which led him to start Windfall. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) gets the bulk of attention in the greenhouse gas removal space, but methane is responsible for a significant portion of the planetary warming that we are experiencing. Methane is up to 80 times more potent than CO2 from a heat-trapping perspective and is significantly more diffuse than CO2 in the atmosphere, making it challenging to capture or remove it once released. While there are growing sources of anthropogenic methane released via natural gas infrastructure, livestock, rice cultivation, as well as landfills and waste processing, there are also significant naturally occurring pockets of methane released in the oceans and arctic tundra, which are likely to only increase on a warming planet, a case study in feedback loops leading to climate change tipping points.Josh and Cody dive into the problem of methane, as well as Windfall's solution and how Josh has grown the business. They also cover Josh’s background and experience in the space. The MCJ Collective Venture Fund is a proud investor in Windfall, and we’re grateful to Leron Gidig at EDF for introducing us to Josh as part of EDF's Climate Tech Convening event in the fall of 2022.  In this episode, we cover: [03:41]: CO2 vs. methane attention and short-term impact[06:03]: Methane breakdown into CO2 over time[07:18]: Sources of methane: natural and human-created[09:16]: Challenges with methane release and feedback loops[11:49]: Diffuse methane release sources like rice farming[12:58]: Connections to biological CDR solutions[14:46]: Windfall's work with methane-eating microbes (MEMS)[18:24]: Energy value and economics of methane capture[20:36]: Windfall's digester use on farms for methane reduction and fertilizer production[25:18]: Potential for branding "Low Greenhouse Gas" ag products[26:37]: Market for methane removal[28:05]: Decrease in natural MEMS despite methane increase[30:53]: Josh's biotech background and methane work[34:20]: Windfall's branding and company status[35:27]: Where the company stands today, scaling, and low technology risk[37:01]: Windfall's patented natural MEMS[38:58]: Scaling MEMS for diffuse methane sources[41:27]: Following and connecting with WindfallGet connected: Josh Silverman LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Aug 8, 2023 (Published on Aug 17, 2023)

This episode is part of our Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Ben Kortlang is a partner at G2 Venture Partners, or G2VP. Ben, alongside his partners, Brook Porter, David Mount, and Daniel Oros founded G2 Venture Partners in 2016 while working together as senior partners at Kleiner Perkins Green Growth Fund. Ben and Jason have a great discussion in this episode about Ben's path to venture capital and his path to climate investing, his thoughts on the Cleantech 1.0 wave and some of the lessons learned, the formation story of the firm, their investment approach, how that's evolved over time and what they look for when they make investments. They also discuss the broader investment landscape and the clean energy transition overall, some of the blockers and some changes that Ben thinks could unlock faster progress. In this episode, we cover: [02:13]: G2 Venture Partners’ origin story and overview[04:10]: Ben's initial interest in alternative energy[06:11]: Takeaways from his experience at VC firm Kleiner Perkens[14:51]: G2VP’s 2016 spinout during the darkest hour of the "cleantech winter" [18:13]: Key lessons from cleantech investing[20:25]: Examples from Tesla's 20-year journey to success [22:30]: Cleantech's hardware challenge, software vs. hardware dynamics[24:34]: The need for resilience after Cleantech 1.0 skepticism[26:54]: G2VP's fundraising process and "inflection point investing" strategy[30:13]: Their fund structure and expansion across verticals[33:27]: LP composition changes and other differences between Fund 1 and Fund 2[35:22]: Geography, capital intensity, and regulatory risk considerations[39:32]: Balance between thesis-driven and opportunistic investments[40:48]: How the firm and their LPs approach impact [46:23]: Importance of deep research to identifying winners in B2B contexts[50:32]: Ben's thoughts on valuing companies and confidence in exits[53:43]: Addressing the "capital gap" for first-of-a-kind projects[55:38]: Climate's potential integration across sectors, similar to mobile tech[57:08]: "Additionality" in climate investing[59:24]: Ben's take on institutional capital's hesitance to invest in climate[01:03:10]: His take on whether we'll solve the climate crisis and how the world has to change  [01:06:31]: Ben's messages to CIOs of university endowments, founders of successful companies, and independently wealthy peopleGet connected: Ben Kortlang LinkedInJason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jul 25, 2023 (published on Aug 16, 2023) 

Danielle Deiseroth is the Executive Director of Data for Progress. Data for Progress produces polling, database messaging, and policy generation for progressive causes, campaigns and candidates. Danielle joined in 2020 and built the climate and environmental polling practice. She became interim executive director in December 2022 and was named executive director in June 2023.We have a robust conversation on what polling is and how it works, and then we dive into what polls are revealing about climate change from a messaging perspective and from a policy perspective. Cody and Danielle touch on trigger words in climate messaging and talk about popular policies related to climate change and policies that still concern folks. Spoiler alert: range anxiety with EVs is still very real. Lastly, we talk about some focus group work that Data for Progress recently conducted to get local insights from community members in a handful of geographies that are being considered for the Department of Energy's direct air capture (DAC) hubs program. Political polling can feel like a dark art, but we're grateful to Danielle for taking the time to help demystify it.In this episode, we cover: [2:40] An overview of Data for Progress and Danielle's background[7:38] The organization's earned media success[9:02] How Data for Progress is structured and the skill sets that contribute to its rapid response[13:02] Polling results regarding climate messaging and trigger words[21:00] Polarization around electric vehicles[23:36] The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and popular electrification rebates[26:10] Polling results from states that are receiving financial benefits from the IRA[27:32] The role of resiliency messaging[30:46] Direct air capture (DAC) hubs and regional differences in sentiment[35:42] The importance of environmental justice and workforce development in the clean energy transition[37:29] What's next for Data for Progress leading up to the 2024 election[40:53] How people can helpResources mentioned:New Bluegreen Alliance Data Visualization Identifies Hard-Hit Areas of the Country That Stand to Benefit from Federal Investments ShareYale Program on Climate Change CommunicationsGet connected: Danielle Deiseroth Twitter / LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 3, 2023 (Published on August 14, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Steve Simon is the founder of Simon Equity Partners and owner of the Indiana Pacers. Steve is not the ordinary guest you'd expect on a climate podcast. Beyond his professional pursuits, he has become more involved in climate-related matters behind the scenes for quite some time. This involvement spans various domains, including investment, advisory roles, and philanthropy. In this episode, Jason and Steve have a great discussion about Steve's journey to caring about climate, how he got started, how his thinking and activities have evolved, and where he'd like to see them go directionally, both for him and his family generationally. In this episode, we cover:[03:52]: Steve's real estate roots and early investments in retail and conscious consumer brands[06:43]: Transitioning from a traditional family office approach to impact investing with aligned values and returns[08:21]: Family office structures and how generational dynamics influence investment decisions[12:16]: Steve's early awareness of climate change and his involvement in conscious consumerism [15:02]: Flexibility in investment flavors, ranging from returns-focused to impact-driven investments[17:19]: Opportunistic climate investing across various sectors, focusing on regenerative ag, waste, electrification[18:51]: Optimizing learning, accountability, and data-driven impact assessment in investments [20:34]: The iterative process of investments driving learning, and learning influencing investments[24:23]: Leveraging family assets and competencies for positive impact on investments [24:49]: How insights from Pacers Sports & Entertainment ownership inform impact strategies[25:31]: Mentorships and partnerships (Scott Jacobs at Generate, Nat Simons the Energy Foundation)[27:35]: Merging policy advocacy with investments for impactful outcomes, focusing on regenerative ag opportunities in Indiana[28:26]: Balancing short-term self-interest (sports and entertainment) with planetary well-being [33:16]: Dealing with generational guilt and maintaining a positive mindset amid climate anxiety  [39:26]: Exciting opportunities in Indiana: wind/solar growth, coal retirement, ag reinvention [41:13]: Why Steve became a MCJ Collective LP[45:26]: What Steve hopes to accomplish in the next 10 years [46:25]: Who Steve wants to hear from  [47:13]: Steve’s call to action for other family offices  Get connected: Steve Simon Twitter / LinkedInJason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on July 13, 2023 (Published on August 9, 2023) 

Alan Leung is SVP of Threat Intelligence on the Global Security team at Macquarie Group, a global financial services firm. They're one of the world's largest infrastructure asset managers. Alan is an active MCJ community member who a year or so ago started writing his own personal newsletter on climate and geopolitical risk at securingclimate.substack.com. The conversation in this episode is inspired by much of what Alan has written and shared there. Cody and Alan cover a range of topics, starting with a framework for how to think about systemic climate risk, to climate change-influenced conflict, to national responses to the energy transition, and lastly to how Alan thinks adaptation and resiliency responses will evolve.In this episode, we cover: [02:01]: Alan’s framework for defining “hazard” and “risk”[04:23]: Examples of climate hazards and impacts[06:19]: Understanding climate's nuanced impact on security and conflicts[09:18]: Early warning signs and triggers for conflict; climate's role in exacerbating risks[10:25]: Water scarcity's role in conflicts in different regions (e.g., Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uruguay, India, South Africa)[14:52]: The need to accommodate for more extreme swings in weather[18:01]: Rebuilding with resilience and new tech after conflict[21:10]: Global cooperation vs. local protectionism and “geopolitical realities” in the energy transition[27:03]: The need for more investment in resilience and adaptation strategies[30:03]: How insurance companies are reacting to increasing climate risks[33:56]: How organizations can connect risks with opportunities[37:43]: Advice for other risk professionals looking to develop knowledge in the climate space[40:25]: COVID-19's impact on risk thinking, agility, and value of actionable insights[42:50]: An overview of Macquarie Group and Alan’s role in the firm[44:47]: Areas where Alan sees opportunities for risk analysis and security in climate solutions[46:39]: How traditional ecological practices especially among indigenous cultures may offer the most resilient solutions[48:41]: Water security and innovation in cooling systemsResources mentioned: Chatham House climate change risk assessment 2021Get connected: Alan LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jul 28, 2023 (Published on Aug 8, 2023)

Leopold Spenner is CEO and Co-founder of alcemy, which is accelerating the decarbonization of cement and concrete via software. Concrete is one of the most abundant manmade materials on earth, and it's exceedingly hard to decarbonize. Most of its emissions footprint comes from the production of cement, the materials that provide concrete with its strength. By most estimates, cement is responsible for upwards of 8% of global emissions. Cement production generates emissions in two major ways. One is from a chemical reaction during the cracking of limestone that's used to produce cement. And the other is from the extreme heat that this process requires. Many cement plants around the world have begun employing carbon capture technologies on premises to get to net-zero. Beyond that, there are companies working to lower cement emissions by changing the ingredients mix or by trying to take away the need for extreme heat. It's a hard problem, but alcemy introduces another possible solution: efficiency. Their software helps cement and ready-made concrete producers to create product more efficiently, which should result in less waste and in less limestone that needs to be heated and cracked. Enjoy the show!In this episode, we cover: [2:07] Leo's background and how he got involved in decarbonizing cement[5:57] Innovation in the cement and concrete industry [10:39] The production challenges of cement and concrete [13:34] An overview of limestone[16:28] The 28-day quality sampling process for cement and concrete [18:58] Emissions reductions potential for both [21:24] alcemy's predictive analytics software [23:35] How the company's tech improves quality, cost, and emissions reductions [25:09] alcemy's results to date [26:03] How the company helps to create concrete mixes[29:30] The scaling hurdle of integrating with legacy software systems [33:55] The role of clinker efficiency and what it entails [37:02] alcemy's traction to date and funding milestones [38:12] Who Leo wants to hear from and what's next for alcemy [41:20] How the market is evolving around lower carbon cement, including the carbon market Episodes mentioned: Startup Seres: Sublime SystemsStartup Series: Enhanced Rock Weathering w/ Lithos Carbon & Eion CarbonEpisode 224: Rebecca Dell, ClimateWorks FoundationGet connected:Leopold Spenner LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on July 27, 2023 (Published on August 3, 2023) 

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. James Lindsay is a principal on the Builders Initiative Investment Team, which is part of Builders Vision. In late 2021, Walmart heir Lukas Walton publicly launched Builders Vision, a platform that combines philanthropy, direct investment, and advocacy in four key areas: food, ocean health, energy transition, and community building. At Builders Initiative, James leads an investment vehicle focused on the energy transition and climate justice, in addition to co-leading a key effort to promote innovative funding in the ocean space. Both platforms attempt to provide innovative solutions and invest in emerging venture capital and private equity fund managers, accelerators, and emerging startups. We have a great discussion in this episode about James' journey, the important work that they're doing at Builders Vision, and most importantly, how to get other significant family offices to pursue similar work, putting impact front and center.In this episode, we cover: [02:13]: An overview of Builders Vision (BV), its mission, and origin story[07:18]: Collaboration among BV's teams and programs[08:25]: BV’s involvement in the 1000 Ocean Startups coalition tracking ocean sector investments[11:29]: How BV is distinct among family offices[13:10]: James’ transition from oil and gas to impact investing[18:04]: Overlaps and distinctions between BV and Seed 2 Growth (S2G) [24:18]: BV's core fund size preference [26:33]: How the company measures impact and thinks about returns[32:23]: BV's distinct strategies for oceans (opportunistic) and energy (thesis-driven)  [36:33]: Accelerating adoption of new technologies in hard-to-abate sectors [39:35]: Potential for market-rate investors with creative structuring[44:08]: Barriers holding back other ultra-wealthy families from impact investing, including generational divides and reluctance towards hard tech  [47:53]: BV's approach to the built environment, with a focus on retrofits and microgrid improvements[50:50]: BV’s involvement in policy discussions and the need for clearer federal and regional policies[54:35]: The importance of investing in harder tech solutions to accelerate the transition[55:40]: Parting words: Builders Vision is hiring!Get connected: James Lindsay LinkedInJason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jul 3, 2023 (Published Aug 2, 2023) 

Antti Vihavainen is the Co-founder and CEO of Helsinki-based Puro.earth, a leading crediting platform and registry for engineered carbon removal. In 2021, NASDAQ acquired a controlling stake in Puro, helping further establish its credibility in the marketplace. Puro is actively offering engineered carbon removal credits today for a few dozen projects that primarily consist of biochar and bio-construction initiatives.In addition, Puro has an initiative called Puro Accelerate that enables buyers to purchase essentially futures credits for other forms of carbon removal that still need to produce at scale, but which Puro has deemed highly credible and likely to produce in the near term. Puro Accelerate’s projects include efforts in direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (or BECCS) geologically stored carbon, woody biomass burial, and additional biochar projects.Antti and Cody trace how Puro came to be, and cover the details of their current registry offerings and futures offerings. They discuss Puro's business model and how they compare to other carbon credit and offset registries. Additionally, Antti shares his thoughts on how he sees carbon removal scaling in the years to come. In this episode, we cover: [02:46]: Antti's background and climate journey[04:14]: Starting Puro.earth and creating a new asset class [06:29]: Puro's focus on projects with measurable atom-level carbon removal[07:26]: The company’s initial methodologies, including biochar, carbonated building materials, and woody elements[10:52]: Collaboration with NASDAQ [11:56]: How Puro issues CO2 Removal Credits (CORCs)[14:52]: How Puro Accelerate supports emerging carbon removal technologies[17:34]: Risks and benefits for companies buying pre-CORCs[21:18]: Qualification process for pre-CORC futures credits[23:02]: Early demand for pre-CORCs from pioneers and future market expansion[25:25]: Potential for third-party innovation to address verification, payment, and capitalization bottlenecks[29:36]: Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)[31:41]: Speculative buying in pre-CORC space and innovations in bottleneck problems[34:59]: Potential for blockchain-based solutions in this space[37:05]: Research listings and supporting R&D for emerging technology, like enhanced rock weathering [39:08]: Antti's invitation to large companies and capital deployers to engage with PuroGet connected: Antti LinkedInPuro.earth Twitter / LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jun 14, 2023 (Published on Jul 31, 2023)

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Christof Franzsen is head of the Apprenticeship Program at Forge, a residential construction company based out of Boston, Massachusetts. In this episode, we learn how this novel program is being designed to meet the growing job demands in the residential construction industry through small cohort-based learning versus the traditional one-on-one model. They do this through a super intentional focus on mastering four skills: windows, cabinet, trim and door installations. Forge uses video technology to help apprentices get more face time with seasoned mentors while on the job. We also learn about Christof's journey leaving his job as an actuary to take a risk in becoming a carpenter and finding his way to becoming an instructor of woodworking. Enjoy the show!  In this episode, we cover: [01:53]: Overview of Forge and its focus on workforce development[02:58]: Forge’s services[04:18]: Forge’s Apprenticeship Program[05:46]: Joining a crew as an apprentice and on-the-job training[08:55]: The traditional path to becoming a carpenter and drawbacks of one-on-one training[11:29]: The diversity of applicants to Forge’s Apprenticeship Program[12:44]: Christof’s background and connection to carpentry[16:01]: His transition from a white-collar career to woodworking[17:06]: How Forge measures success: crew contribution, financial performance, and a happy workforce[20:45]: How Forge supports apprentices financially during their training[22:50]: Key elements of Forge’s apprenticeship curriculum[26:23]: How climate change figures into Forge’s work[27:49]: The company’s aim to reduce climate impact through reduced drive time, accurate measurements, technology, and creating a trained skilled labor forceGet connected: Forge Instagram / LinkedInYin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jun 28, 2023 (Published on Jul 27, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores various capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Irena Spazzapan is Managing Partner at Systemiq Capital, the climate-tech VC spin-off from the world's largest pure-play climate advisory firm, Systemiq. Irena built the current team and led most investments in Fund I, including companies like Charm Industrial and Brimstone. And in 2022, she led the spin-out of Systemiq Capital from Systemiq with the launch of Fund II, which continues to back early-stage companies across the UK, EU, and North America. In this episode, Irena and Jason have a great discussion about the origin story of Systemiq Capital, their approach to climate investing, and how they evolved over time. We also cover a bevy of related topics, including what's been happening in the macro, some of the bottlenecks that are holding up progress, what we can do to accelerate progress and, of course,  where Systemiq Capital and early-stage climate tech innovation generally fit in. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [2:17] An overview of Systemiq Capital [3:17] The fund's origin story spun out of McKinsey [5:17] Irena's background and professional journey [7:26] The impetus for Systemiq's investing efforts[10:49] The fund's investing matrix and their rationale for it[14:42] The role of family offices in Systemiq's pilot fund [16:43] Systemiq's goals for its pilot fund [18:36] Systemiq's views on impact vs returns [21:21] Why are LPs mostly climate folks? [24:36] The working relationships and collaboration between Systemiq and Systemiq Capital[27:27] How learnings from Systemiq's Fund I informed Fund II[31:27] The importance of timing and impact on returns [33:38] Irena's thoughts on regulation and upcoming directives [35:45] Risks Systemiq is comfortable taking vs. non-starters [37:13] FOAK projects and Irena's views on how they should be funded [40:06] Differences between real assets experts vs. Silicon Valley founders [44:19] Differences between climate tech innovation in Europe vs. the US [47:05] Challenges of getting financially-driven institutional capital allocators to invest in climate[52:32] Systemiq's current deployment status and returns [54:05] Types of capital Systemiq doesn't take and Irena's thoughts on the topic generally[59:21] How Systemiq measures and tracks success[01:01:16] Irena's theory of changeGet connected: Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInIrena Spazzapan LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on July 11, 2023 (Published on July 26, 2023) 

Giana Amador is Executive Director at Carbon Removal Alliance. Carbon Removal Alliance was announced earlier this year in February 2023 as a trade organization focused on advancing policies that support a diverse set of carbon removal technologies. Its membership consists of 20 plus companies in the carbon removal space, including technology startups like Charm Industrial, Heirloom, and Noya, as well as carbon removal purchasers and investors. Giana has been working on carbon removal since 2015 when she co-founded Carbon 180, a leading NGO focused on carbon removal. In this episode, we trace Giana’s journey from university at UC Berkeley to founding Carbon 180, her leap to start Carbon Removal Alliance, why carbon removal matters, what Carbon Removal Alliance aims to achieve, and what policy pathways she hopes to see. Lastly, for the policy wonks in the house, we conclude with a conversation on four specific pieces of budding federal legislation and one state level item that Carbon Removal Alliance is engaging on at present. In this episode, we cover: [02:19]: Giana's climate journey and realization of carbon removal's potential [05:13]: Her transition from Carbon 180 to Carbon Removal Alliance [10:01]: Carbon Removal Alliance's focus on US federal policy[11:00]: Overview of why carbon removal is necessary to reach targets [13:45]: The current state of carbon capture and how much carbon has been captured to date [15:10]: Distinction between land-based and engineered solutions[18:34]: Carbon Removal Alliance’s technology-neutral approach [20:25]: Membership growth and vetting process for new members[22:14]: Need for standards and protocols to ensure market integrity and boost confidence for carbon removal purchasers[24:36]: Decarbonization challenges in hard-to-abate sectors [25:24]: Cost barrier for traditional industries adopting carbon removal vs. cheaper offsets[26:15]: The need for internal climate teams to vet carbon removal projects[26:54]: Incentives and market structures to encourage technology development  [27:28]: The tendency to emphasize tech solutions over regulation in US climate policy[28:32]: Near-term priorities for federal policy[30:00]: Challenges in securing first-of-a-kind project finance for carbon removal companies[34:12]: Ensuring equitable support, standards, and incentives for technologies through federal policies[49:40]: Important upcoming federal legislation: Create Act, CREST Act, Federal CDR Leadership Act, Farm Bill[53:27]: How folks can get involved: Open Air Collective and Carbon 180's policy trackerGet connected: Giana Amador Twitter / LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jun 28, 2023 (Published on Jul 20, 2023)

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Aubrey Streit Krug is the Director of the Perennial Cultures Lab at the Land Institute in Salina, Kansas. The Land Institute is a nonprofit and one of the global leaders in sustainable agriculture research and education. Aubrey grew up in a small town in Kansas where her parents farm wheat and raise cattle. She is a writer, teacher, and researcher who studies stories of relationships between humans and plants. Aubrey gives us a crash course in understanding the perennial grain ecosystem, its history, the research behind how to develop new crops, and the labor needs to sustain production. We also cover the education required to introduce new crops for human consumption, equity considerations on access to crops, and why the ability to grow grains year-round is key to sustaining global food stability. In this episode, we cover: [03:03]: Aubrey's background and connection to farming[05:27]: Her interest in community and diverse perspectives in agriculture[07:19]: The semi-arid grassland ecosystem of the Great Plains[08:28]: The Land Institute's focus on developing sustainable alternatives, including perennial grain crops[12:26]: Paradigm shifts in food and agriculture throughout human history [15:00]: The need to undergo another paradigm shift, from annual grain crops to diverse perennials [17:45]: Two pathways to creating perennial crops: hybridization and domestication [22:21]: Domestication as a process of human co-evolution and interdependence with plants [23:41]: Perennial rice and Kernza perennial grain success stories[27:07]: The diverse skilled labor roles needed to sustain perennial grain agriculture[29:55]: Ensuring just and equitable distribution of perennial crops with inclusive research processes [32:11]: The Land Institute's civic science program and community participation[35:17]: Challenges posed by climate change and the need for resilient agricultural systems[37:27]: What gives Aubrey hope and joy Resources Mentioned:The next era of crop domestication starts nowGet connected: Aubrey Twitter /The Land Institute TwitterYin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 4, 2023 (Published on Jul 20, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Vikram Raju is Managing Director, Head of the 1GT Platform and Head of Climate Investing for the private credit and equity division of Morgan Stanley Investment Management.Morgan Stanley, of course, is a big player in the investing world, and seeing that they are entering climate tech and doing so at the growth equity stage is intriguing. Jason and Vikram cover a lot in this episode, including Morgan Stanley's journey to standing up this 1GT Platform and also Vikram's journey to doing the work that he does. We also discussed the energy transition generally, barriers holding it back, and changes that could unlock faster progress. In this episode, we cover: Morgan Stanley and Vikram's role within the firmMorgan Stanley's 1GT strategy for private capital in the climate spaceVikram's personal journey and professional background that lead him to his current role in climate investingMorgan Stanley's focus on CO2 emissions and how it came aboutHow the firm assesses carbon reductions and the transparency of its methodologyWhere impact assessment kicks in during the deal processSources of capital for Morgan Stanley's 1GT strategySome of the areas that Vikram spends most of his time on, including mobility, energy, circular economy and food and agricultureSome of Morgan Stanley's investments to dateOpportunities for Morgan Stanley to provide crucial capital to promising climate tech companies during a challenging investment landscapeVikram's thoughts on the gap between venture capital and project financeHis skepticism toward the regulatory landscapeThe importance of working with incumbents while also disrupting the system to make progressVikram's perspective on fossil fuels and the role of asset owners and big banks in helping steward the clean energy transitionWho Vikram wants to hear fromESG and the politicization of the wordGet connected: Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInVikrum Raju LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on June 28, 2023 (Published on July 19, 2023) Disclaimer from Morgan Stanley: This a general communication, which is not impartial and all information provided has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell any particular security or to adopt any specific investment strategy. The views and opinions and/or analysis expressed are those of the author or the investment team as of the date of preparation of this material and are subject to change at any time without notice due to market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Forecasts and/or estimates provided herein are subject to change and may not actually come to pass. Information regarding expected market returns and market outlooks is based on the research, analysis and opinions of the authors or the investment team.

Adam Minter is an opinion columnist at Bloomberg covering Asia, technology and the environment. He's written two books, Junkyard Planet: Travels in the Billion-Dollar Trash Trade, and Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale. Adam is a global expert on the circular economy, and we spend the first chunk of the conversation covering the recycling market and the role of China therein. We then go into the reuse market and talk about textiles and clothing. Lastly, we cover some of his recent reporting, which spans water and agriculture before bringing it back to climate and China. Adam is deeply knowledgeable about a lot of topics, and he has a knack for uncovering the global market forces that shape local economic situations and trends. This conversation is rapid-fire and covers a lot of ground.In this episode, we cover: [02:00]: Adam's background and family history in the scrap metal business[03:28]: The existing circular economy as a theme in Adam's work[05:33]: The role of recycling in China's rise in the industrial economy[08:51]: The U.S. investment in recycling EV batteries[10:25]: Adam's thoughts on "green protectionism"  [11:15]: The global market for used consumer goods[13:26]: The role of secondhand clothing in developing countries and the impact of South and East Asian apparel manufacturers[19:22]: The pros and cons of big U.S. brands engaging in recommerce [21:02]: The true environmental value of extending product lifespan[25:10]: Challenges of mining and recycling rare earth minerals[27:44]: An overview of plastics recycling, the role of consumer demand, and limitations of recycling technology[34:25]: Adam's shift into the water and agriculture topic space[36:09]: His recent pieces on water scarcity due to groundwater depletion[42:07]: The complexities of water rights and regulation in the U.S.[45:57] Adam's thoughts on why the 2023 Farm Bill should support climate-positive farming practices[47:45]: How crop insurance policies can sometimes exacerbate food crises[51:36]: Adam's thoughts on China and the climate crisisGet connected: Adam Minter Twitter / LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 11, 2023 (Published on Jul 17, 2023)

Dr. Steve Davis is the head of Climate Science at Watershed. Watershed is a leading provider of carbon accounting software. They help large companies such as Walmart, Airbnb, Sweet Green, BlackRock, and many others measure, report, and reduce their emissions. They announced a $70 million series B financing on a $1 billion valuation co-led by Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins in February 2022. And Steve joined Watershed shortly after that in July 2022.Steve spent the last decade as a professor in the Department of Earth System Science at the University of California Irvine. At Watershed, he works to help close the gap between science and business, ensuring that the pathways that Watershed offers to its customers are scientifically viable. He's also a contributor to the Energy Systems chapter of the most recent IPCC report and the lead author of the National Climate Assessment mitigation chapter.In this episode, Steve and Cody dive into his background, why he jumped into a startup from academia, what Watershed is and does, an overview of carbon accounting, the decisions Steve sees companies make around decarbonization priorities, and the advice he has for startups hiring their first climate scientist and vice versa. In this episode, we cover: [2:18] Steve's climate journey from law to science and climate [3:57] What makes the Rocky Mountains particularly unique (Steve's Ph.D. focus)[5:28] Steve's decision to transition to work on climate [7:13] His primary research focus at the University of California Irvine: international trade and its effects on emissions [10:22] Steve's transition to the private sector at Watershed [13:19] Challenging areas for decarbonization[15:10] The National Climate Assessment and Steve's work on it [17:28] An overview of Watershed and its mission[19:40] Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions [21:47] Reporting standards and requirements for company disclosures [24:32] Watershed's acquisition of Vital Metrics [26:02] The data challenge of Scope 3 emissions [27:50] Creating roadmaps for how companies can reduce emissions over time [29:17] The lowest-hanging fruit of direct decarbonization[31:56] Advice for companies considering emissions reductions and some examples including Sweet Green, Imperfect Foods, etc.[36:26] How data usage factors into a company's footprint[40:49] Opportunities for scientists to get involved in climate tech and solutionsGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInDr. Steve Davis Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on June 26, 2023 (published on July 13, 2023)

This episode is part of our Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Sebastian Heitmann is a partner at Extantia Capital. Extantia Capital is a platform to invest in breakthrough technology solutions that address the climate crisis via mitigation and adaptation. The 300 million euro platform includes Extantia Flagship, which backs scalable deep decarbonization companies; Extantia Allstars, which partners with mission aligned climate tech, venture capital fund managers; and Extantia Ignite, a sustainability hub, advancing knowledge and competence in climate innovation and ESG practices.In this episode, we cover: [02:02]: An overview of the Extantia platform and its investment strategies[03:03]: What Extantia looks for when evaluating opportunities[05:14]: Sebastian's background and the origin of Extantia[08:32]: The changing market and political environment that created opportunities for Extantia[12:19]: The unique skillsets and expertise within the Extantia partnership[16:10]: The evolution of Extantia, starting with a pilot fund[18:06]: Extantia's extension projected impact calculation (EPIC) methodology for measuring impact[19:43]: The current fund structure and status of fundraising for Extantia's Flagship fund[20:18]: Extantia's focus on B2B tech solutions that address the "energy trilemma"[22:25]: Investment opportunities in the hydrogen economy and breakthrough cooling tech[25:29]: How Extantia thinks about returns and why Sebastian doesn't like the term "impact fund"[27:44]: The kinds of LPs the firm targets, including pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, and corporates[31:14]: The need for successful exits in the climate tech space[33:00]: How current energy models underestimate the impact of innovation[38:56]: Alignment between the US and Europe in climate tech innovation and investment[43:43]: The types of clean energy tech Sebastian is most excited about[45:54]: Advice for people seeking a career transition into the climate sector[47:24]: Who Sebastian wants to hear fromResources mentioned:Speed & Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now (John Doerr)How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need (Bill Gates)Get connected: Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInSebastian Heitmann LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on June 20, 2023 (published July 12, 2023) 

Dr. Scott Moore is the director of China Programs at the University of Pennsylvania, and the author of the book, China's Next Act: How Sustainability and Technology are Reshaping China's Rise and the World's Future. China is a complicated climate topic: on the one hand, China is the largest solar energy producer in the world and has the largest EV industry in the world, each of which rose from being nearly non-existent 15 years ago. On the other hand, China generates more than 60% of its electricity from coal and is the world's largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases. Scott and Cody cover a lot of ground, including how the Chinese economic and political system operates, how the solar and EV industries came to be, China's climate policies, global commitments, and the country's current climate, tech and innovation priorities. Given China's role and impact in just about everything, we probably should do another 100 or more MCJ episodes on topics related to China. Hopefully this initial primer can help us all get oriented.  In this episode, we cover: [02:36]: Scott's background and climate journey[06:08]: An overview of China's economy and its "two big bets"[08:11]: The nationalist, protectionist, and authoritarian approach to policy in China[10:24]: An overview of target-setting and policymaking[14:55]: The role of "corporate innovation parks" and local government in innovation[17:47]: China's role in technological development versus deployment[19:53]: Four big factors that led China to go all in on solar PV manufacturing[26:00]: The emergence of the EV industry[29:15]: Two distinct advantages China has in the clean tech ecosystem[30:38]: China's current energy mix[32:38]: The country’s emissions sources and intensity[35:35]: China’s two headline policy goals regarding emissions[38:19]: The country's compliance carbon market, the China Emissions Trading Scheme[39:39]: Entrepreneurial activity and emerging tech innovation in China[43:48]: China's current climate tech priorities, including hydrogen and thorium fission[45:16]: Scott's thoughts on competition and cooperation during the global energy transitionGet connected: Dr. Scott Moore Twitter / LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on June 2, 2023 (released on July 10, 2023)

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Mark Martin is the regional director for advanced manufacturing for the Bay Area Community Colleges. He works with community college manufacturing programs to help build upon and develop innovative approaches to train students in meeting the needs of the local manufacturing industries. A veteran of the industrial manufacturing sector, Mark also sits on the boards of the Association of Manufacturers Bay Area and the Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence. We've talked about labor force needs in solar, HVAC, electrical work on the show in the past, but today we touch upon another critical sector of the skilled trades: manufacturing jobs. This means machining, welding, technical maintenance jobs, programmable logic control jobs, etc. We talk about why these jobs are so critical to climate tech solution scaling and how the State of California, through a role like Mark's, is helping match the talent supply to the growing demands for these skill sets. In this episode, we cover: [02:11]: Mark's background in engineering and manufacturing[03:27)]: An overview of Mark's current role and the California Community College system[05:02] Overview of career technical education paths (CTEs)[08:01]: Why Mark's role exists[10:19]: The process of creating a new program at a community college[15:48]: The knowledge gap and building awareness of skilled trades career pathways[18:44]: The importance of exposing more young people to skilled trades[21:22]: Mark’s vision for a career exploration class for young students[23:35]: The intersection of climate and manufacturing jobs[28:45]: Anticipated needs in climate tech manufacturing, the role of automation, and generational gaps in manufacturing labor[31:27]: International case studies of "earn and learn" apprenticeships[34:38]: Current tailwinds and opportunities driving innovation in manufacturing tradesGet connected: Mark Martin LinkedInYin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 3, 2023 (released on Jul 6, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Rob Day is Partner and Co-founder at Spring Lane Capital. Spring Lane Capital provides hybrid project capital with equity for small-scale systems and projects across food, water, energy, transportation, and waste markets. They also bring experienced tools and capabilities to help developers and entrepreneurs succeed with their project deployments. Rob has been around the block in climate tech even before it got its name, and he’s learned a lot of useful lessons. Not to mention, Spring Lane has an innovative approach that plays in the capital gap, that so many people talk about between early-stage venture capital and project finance. In this episode, we cover: [2:36] An overview of Spring Lane Capital and the firm's origin story [4:49] The large gap between venture capital and project finance[8:05] Spring Lane Capital's broad approach to different areas of climate [10:52] Capitalizing early-stage companies, scaling, and the role of equity and debt[13:42] Advice for entrepreneurs thinking about different types of capital at various stages of a company's lifecycle [16:06] Triggers for founders to understand when equity is optimal vs debt (Rob's Atlas Organics example)[22:22] How terms vary with Spring Lane Capital's deals vs more traditional lenders [24:43] Where first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects fit in [30:41] Spring Lane Capital's fund two and its institutional investors[33:19] Skillsets required to be successful in Spring Lane's capital allocation[38:23] Success milestones and Spring Lane's role[40:46] Changing macroeconomics and their impact on Spring Lane's corner of the industry [43:48] Spring Lane's process, key steps, diligence, etc. [50:17] Issues with financing FOAK projects and Spring Lane's plans to address themGet connected: Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInRob Day Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jun 14, 2023 (aired on July 5, 2023) 

Sara Harari is the Associate Director of Innovation and Strategic Advisor to the president at Connecticut Green Bank. Connecticut Green Bank was established in 2011 and was the first Green Bank in the USA, of which there are now dozens that are live or in formulation. They look to accelerate the green economy by using public dollars to catalyze private investment into clean energy and other environmentally positive solutions. CT Green Bank started with a focus on residential solar deployment, and at 2021 expanded their model to include new areas of environmental infrastructure including climate adaptation and resiliency, land conservation, parks and recreation, agriculture, water, waste and recycling, and environmental markets, including carbon offsets and ecosystem services. In this episode, we cover: [01:56]: The concept of a green bank[06:45]: The origins of CT Green Bank[10:07]: How CT Green Bank determines its priorities[12:32]: Sara's background and early interest in clean energy[15:31]: Her work at National Grid[17:13]: The Green Bank's EV charging carbon credit program[20:45]: How their scope expanded to include broader environmental infrastructure[23:05]: Innovative financial incentives and structures to support parks and land conservation[25:32]: What Green Bank looks for when hiring[27:30]: Green Bank's open rolling RFP for project ideas and investments made to-date[32:28]: Areas of innovation Sara is excited about, including the Innovative Energy Solutions program[34:58]: Federal funding opportunities, including the EPA's Clean School Bus Program and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund[39:54]: How Green Bank hopes to support the contractor community with workforce development training and pre-apprenticeship programs[42:52]: Environmental justice at the core of the Green Bank's mission, and examples of working with low and moderate-income homes[45:56]: How the Green Liberty Notes program works[47:08]: What Sara is most excited about right nowGet connected: Sara Harari LinkedinCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on June 20, 2023 (aired on July 3, 2023)

Anastasia Volkova is the CEO and Co-founder of Regrow, which was named Fast Company's number one most innovative company in agriculture in 2023. They empower the world's largest brands such as Kellogg's, Cargill and General Mills to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across their supply chains. Their product began as a data and analytics offering to agronomists and farmers to help build a localized growing roadmap, identifying what crops to plant, what fertilizer and other inputs to use, how much of it to use, and an irrigation plan. By building this roadmap for growers, Regrow realized that it could then help food brands and processors have a much deeper knowledge of how the food they source is grown. Beyond expertise, Regrow's product helps companies proactively lower their supply chain emissions by incentivizing best practices across their grower network. In this conversation, Anastasia traces her journey from starting Regrow to the company it has become and discusses the agricultural practices that can make the biggest difference in emissions mitigation. The company raised a Series B of financing last year from Galvanized Climate Solutions among others, and is a leader in driving regenerative agriculture practice changes at scale.In this episode, we cover: [02:30]: Anastasia's personal climate journey[04:43]: Discovering the potential of satellite imagery for agriculture during her PhD[07:24]: Agronomists' crucial role as "crop doctors"[10:05]: Regrow's initial focus on providing agronomists with data[10:40]: How satellite imagery fits into Regrow's software[13:10]: Regrow’s product evolution[15:38]: Lack of visibility as the main challenge in understanding the agri-food supply chain[17:08]: Deep dive into the nuances of Regrow's product[19:30] Regrow's business model: Brands paying farmers for emission reductions[23:48]: The agri-food industry's significant contribution (31%) to global emissions[26:52]: Key emissions factors on farms, including machinery and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers[32:08]: Topsoil degradation and the regenerative agriculture movement[39:04]: Challenges with creating a carbon credit methodology around soil organic carbon[43:41]: Systemic challenges to scaling regenerative agriculture[45:09]: The need for financing the transition to regenerative practices[47:09]: Predictions for upcoming farm bills[48:04]: What's next for Regrow[49:34]: Who Anastasia wants to hear from and career opportunities at RegrowResources mentioned:Kiss the Ground DocumentaryGet connected: Anastasia Volkova LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jun 15, 2023 (aired Jun 28, 2023)

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Temple Fennell is the Co-founder and Managing Partner at Clean Energy Ventures, an early-stage venture firm that funds disruptive capital-light technologies and business model innovations that can reshape how we produce and consume energy.Temple has been investing in climate tech (or "Cleantech" as it used to be called) for a long time, and has the learnings to show for it. This episode covers the origin story of Clean Energy Ventures, their approach, the mix of limited partners that back their fund, and their criteria for investment from an impact standpoint and a financial standpoint. A broader discussion follows about the climate tech capital stack, some of the learnings from Cleantech 1.0, why Temple believes this time is different, the state of institutional capital as it relates to climate tech fund investing, as well as what it will take to get more capital flowing in this direction.In this episode, we cover: [02:56]: Origins and overview of Clean Energy Ventures[04:50]: Distinction between Clean Energy Venture Group (CEVG) and Clean Energy Venture Fund[07:20]: Temple's background, family investments, and the clean energy space in Charlottesville, VA [11:11]: Overview of CREO (Clean Energy Renewable Environment Opportunities) syndicate[13:25]: Key learnings from Cleantech 1.0 [18:15]: CEVG check sizes, portfolio, and support for entrepreneurs[20:01]: History of CEVG's fund one and their use of SPVs (special purpose vehicles)[22:12]: Current investment focus and fund status[25:59]: Approach to impact measurement[30:20]: Approach to financial returns and causal link to impact[31:19]: Approach to selecting LPs[34:15]: Pension fund hesitance due to previous losses in Cleantech 1.0[38:18]: Why Cleantech 1.0 failed and how this time is different[41:02]: How limited DPI (distributed paid-in capital) poses challenges in attracting institutional investors [43:23]: Pricing, exit analysis, and the need for top decile returns[46:17]: State of the broader market vs. climate tech market, risk assessments, and team dynamics [48:56]: Gaps and opportunities in the capital stack, preference for capital-light companies, and importance of milestones   [52:21]: Who Temple wants to hear from [54:58]: Closing thoughts on the differences between "Tech-tech" and CleantechResources mentioned:Simple Emission Reduction CalculatorVenture Capital and Cleantech: The Wrong Model for Clean Energy InnovationGet connected: Temple Fennell Twitter / LinkedInJason JacobsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 26, 2023 (released on June 28, 2023)

Michael Liebreich is the host of the podcast Cleaning Up, focused on leadership in the age of climate change. Michael was previously the CEO and founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance. He has been involved with the organization for 20 years, still serving as a senior contributor. Michael also runs an advisory firm, Liebreich and Associates, focused on clean energy and sustainable development, and he's an advisor to the UK Board of Trade. All of this is just scratching the surface of Michael's background, which also includes having been a member of the British Ski Team and a participant in the 1992 Winter Olympics.This episode explores Michael’s accomplishments and how he came to focus on climate and clean energy topics, how he started New Energy Finance and the decision to sell the business to Bloomberg, as well as the legacy that he created with the business. Michael and Cody then cover a hit list of topics, including recent climate legislation in the US and the EU, the topic of green protectionism and Michael's “five horsemen” of big challenges the world faces as we try to decarbonize.This conversation merely grazes the surface of Michael's climate-related interests, including his deep focus on hydrogen. So, for more from Michael, you'll need to check out his conversations on the Cleaning Up podcast.In this episode, we cover: [01:58]: Michael's unique background[06:49]: Transitioning to journalism in the early internet era[08:48]: Michael's personal climate epiphany in the Swiss Alps[12:34]: Starting a data-driven media company to fill the clean energy information gap[18:05]: Pivoting to insight services[18:57]: Bloomberg's acquisition of New Energy Finance (NEF)[22:21]: Running Bloomberg NEF as CEO[25:27]: Stepping away from NEF and growing his professional network[26:53]: Paid speaking engagements and transitioning to podcasting during COVID[28:10]: Michael's approach to the Cleaning Up podcast[36:31]: The struggles and advantages of being generalists[38:34]: Europe's energy situation over the winter of '22-'23 and the urgent need to address dependence on Russian energy[40:54]: The role of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in Europe[42:58]: European response to the Inflation Reduction Act and "Green Protectionism"[48:08]: Caution around the practice of recycling and re-exporting items for credits[51:22] Michael's main concerns for clean energy deployment, including rare metals and recycling[52:38] Addressing the speed with which societies can approve and build transmission[56:43]: Limited access to capital in developing countries[01:00:41]: Resilience and intermittency issues[01:03:49]: Closing thoughts and how to follow Michael's workGet connected: Michael Liebreich Twitter / LinkedInCody SimmsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 10, 2023

John O'Donnell is the Co-founder and CEO of Rondo Energy. Rondo is tackling the massive emissions problem of industrial heat. Almost everything around us requires heat to be made, from chemicals, to paper, to cement, to steel, and historically, nearly all of that heat comes from burning fossil fuels. Renewable energy is now becoming cheaper to procure than fossil fuels, but as we know, it's intermittent, and a factory needs access to heat for its processes when it needs it. So how do we harness the fluctuating availability of renewable power and let industry turn it into a reliable and extremely high temperature heat as needed?John believes that figuring this out is the opportunity of a lifetime and one of the biggest levers to unlock decarbonizing our economy. The Rondo heat battery, in simplest terms, takes electricity and turns it into heat via an electric heating element, like those found in a toaster, and then circulates that heat across a condensed package of bricks that can currently achieve heat of up to 1500 degrees Celsius and store it at high efficiency for extremely long periods of time.It's a surprisingly low-tech sounding approach for a very complex problem. In this episode, John discusses the problems of industrial heat, how industry has historically solved them, some emerging technologies competing to decarbonize heat, and how Rondo works. We also talk about how project financing is evolving to consider not just the power generation capabilities of a renewable energy project, but how an end-to-end system such as renewable energy plus heat or storage can change costs for an industrial heat and power consumer. In this episode, we cover: [03:13]: John's background in computer science, building companies, and working in the solar thermal space[06:08]: Introduction to global industrial heat needs[08:17]: Why it's challenging to harness renewable energy for industrial heat[11:30]: Why using electricity off the grid isn't feasible[13:05]: Falling cost of renewables and policies driving decarbonization of industrial heat[14:58] Carbon capture and the concept of a “green premium”[17:12]: The new class of electric thermal energy storage technologies[19:14]: Pros and cons of alternative energy storage options[24:09]: Overview of Rondo's tech[37:26]: How Rondo can convert stored heat back to electricity for grid supply[39:03]: How John sees the evolution of Rondo[43:11]: Rondo's projects in operation today[45:24]: Partnering with manufacturers and exploring zero-emission cement manufacturing[51:32]: The size and makeup of Rondo's products[53:53]: How the project financing space has evolved[59:12]: John's closing thoughts and opportunities in the spaceGet connected: John O’Donnell LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 24, 2023

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Melissa Cheong is the managing partner of Blackhorn Ventures. Blackhorn Ventures funds companies that are using technology to create unprecedented resource productivity in areas like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, water, and energy. In this episode, Melissa discusses her journey from being an LP in a private family office to a general partner in a venture firm. We also talk about her sustainability journey, how, and why, and when she came to care about this problem, and when that intersected with her professional pursuits.In this episode, we cover: [01:49]: Origins and overview of Blackhorn Ventures[08:31]: How Melissa thinks about climate and climate equity[12:58]: Joining Blackhorn as a GP after being an LP[18:29]: How Blackhorn evaluates opportunities: IMP Framework, ESG and DEI policies[21:12]: How the LP base has diversified over time[26:15]: Blackhorn's four primary verticals: transportation, built environment, energy, and supply chain logistics[28:36]: Considering impact in parallel to the commercial thesis[30:40]: Frustration with the market and institutional capital allocation[32:09]: Optimism about new market entrants, particularly from Europe and Asia[33:28]: How traditional investors evaluate climate opportunities[36:14]: Melissa's views on, and experience with, placement agents[39:27]: AI and other areas Melissa is particularly excited about right now[41:14]: Melissa's parting advice to LPs and companiesGet connected: Jason JacobsMelissa Cheong LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on June 5, 2023

Narendra Taneja serves as chairman of the Independent Energy Policy Institute, a think tank based in New Delhi, and is a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies. He presides over the World Energy Policy Summit and was president of the World Oil and Gas Assembly from 2001 to 2011. With expertise in energy policy, transition, geopolitics, governance, and energy security, Taneja is recognized as a powerful voice on energy and climate, especially in the context of the Global North and the Global South. Currently surpassing China as the world's most populous country, India is the world's fifth-largest economy and the third-largest electricity producer. Despite the country's vulnerability to climate change impacts, its historical cumulative emissions account for a relatively small portion, standing at 3.4%. This places India as the seventh highest emitter among nation states, according to Carbon Brief, with the United States and China leading at 20.3% and 11.4% of emissions, respectively. Taneja sheds light on India's energy landscape, leading our discussion from statistical insights to a dynamic exploration of global collaboration for the energy transition and climate change. His compelling arguments are highly engaging and thought-provoking, and will likely cause almost every listener of this podcast to stop and think.In this episode, we cover: [03:13]: Recent developments in India's energy economy[04:49]: How India views climate and energy as two sides of the same coin[07:02]: Overview of India's energy grid infrastructure[08:29]: India's energy mix and new government incentives[10:05]: The current grassroots solar revolution[12:52]: India's history with coal and energy security challenges[18:46]: The Global North bias in climate narratives[25:15]: Risks of excluding developing nations from global climate conversations[31:13]: The need for a new democratic climate governance order[33:45]: The risks and reasons for a lack of global energy governance[36:16]: The International Energy Agency (IEA)’s exclusion of India and China[39:59]: The need for a new global bank for climate finance[46:32]: What it takes to create a new global organization[48:01]: India and China's history and return to the global center of gravity[52:15]: The Global North’s resistance to change and how global power dynamics will shift in the next 30 years[54:42]: Narendra's thoughts on the European Union as a project[57:56]: India's investments in Russian oil[01:04:00]: Decentering the US and the "us or them" worldviewGet connected: Narendra TanejaCody SimmsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 12, 2023

Kate Henningsen is Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Arcadia. Arcadia is a tech company empowering energy innovators and consumers to fight the climate crisis. Arcadia started as a way for consumers to gain access to premium renewable energy credits for their home energy consumption. They now claim to be the leading manager of community solar projects in the United States. They've expanded on that with the launch of the ARC platform in late 2021 and the acquisition of Urjanet in the spring of 2022, which together allow Arcadia to offer developer API access to data from over 10,000 utilities globally across electric, water, gas, and waste.Kate has scaled the business to hundreds of global employees, significant revenue, and hundreds of millions of dollars in capital raised. We talk about how she's managed her own transition from startup to scale and the advice she often gives to women looking to work in climate tech. We're thrilled to be multiple time investors in Arcadia via our MCJ Collective Venture funds. To us, they represent one of the standout success stories in terms of being a high growth digital company that's driving real impact on decarbonization.In this episode, we cover: [01:55]: Kate's background[05:08]: Arcadia's beginnings: Premium RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates)[07:48]: Arcadia's billing relationship with customers[09:41]: Arcadia's first core proposition: Matching everyone who wants it with clean energy[10:55]: Becoming the largest manager of community solar projects in the US[12:22]: Building relationships with utilities[14:40]: The popularity of community solar projects[16:46]: How the energy market has evolved in the last five years[18:34]: Sign-up process for community solar[23:00]: The savings benefits of community solar and its role in the market[26:16]: Origins and overview of the ARC platform and role of EV manufacturers[31:00]: Arcadia's acquisition of Urjanet[34:01]: How Kate manages as COO of two large businesses[36:47]: How to maneuver within the "monopoly system" of the energy market[39:31]: The need for humility and adaptability while scaling[41:12]: Kate's advice for women breaking into climate[45:42]: Advice for founders navigating today's market environment[49:33]: The future of Arcadia and how folks can get connectedGet connected: Kate HenningsenCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 31, 2023

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Sandy Guitar is the managing director of HX Venture Fund. HX Venture Fund is a fund investing in venture capital funds and they are seeking to transform Houston into a world-leading hub for innovation by bringing together key players in the ecosystem, linking investors to startups and startups to capital. In this episode, Jason and Sandy discuss Sandy’s background and the origin story of HX Venture Fund. They delve into the fund's inspirations from various regions, highlighting the key factors contributing to its success elsewhere and the rationale behind applying their model to Houston. They also talk about the current standing of the firm, their investment criteria, and notable examples of their investments. Looking ahead, Sandy provides insights into the future direction of HX Venture Fund and her aspirations for Houston's future.In this episode, we cover: [3:03] An overview of HX Venture Fund [5:00] The firm's origin story [10:17] Sandy's background in venture capital [15:03] HX Venture Fund's portfolio split [15:47] Key learnings from the firm's first fund[18:52] Early VC focus on strategy compared to returns [20:20] How HX sources deals [21:28] The firm's energy transition investments [23:39] Venture Houston event on September 7, 2023[25:20] Houston's role in the energy transition and major players in the city [31:10] Criteria for evaluating funds in energy transition vs other categories [33:41] Traditional vs non-traditional portfolio construction and HX's position on the two [34:51] Generalists vs specialists in the energy transition category [36:34] Importance of impact tracking [39:12] How strategic LPs engage with HX Venture Fund and its portfolio companies [46:45] Sandy's thoughts on growth vehicles [51:13] Advice for emerging funds working with fund of funds vs directly with strategics [56:55] What success looks like for HX Venture Fund and measuring it beyond financial returns [59:43] How HX Venture Fund sets itself apart [01:03:29] Who Sandy wants to hear from and where HX needs helpGet connected: Jason JacobsSandy Guitar / HX Venture FundMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 18, 2023.

This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Brandon Smith is a wildland firefighter and the co-founder and CEO of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program. Brandon graduated with a Bachelor's from UC Berkeley in Interdisciplinary Studies and Black Studies. After graduation, he worked in education and eventually found his way to wildland firefighting. We previously talked with a hotshot firefighter named James Sedlak to understand the day-to-day details of the job itself. In this episode, Yin and Brandon's discussion focuses on building the firefighting talent pipeline, bringing more awareness to this field of work, and getting more people into it.  In this episode, we cover: Brandon's background and experience at “fire camp” while incarceratedFounding the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP)The recruitment processThe challenges FFRP facesFire prevention vs. suppression and indigenous burning practicesRecertification after incarcerationHistory of incarcerated people in firefightingThe skilled labor shortageHow folks can support FFRPCross-functional partnerships and breaking down silosGet connected: Brandon SmithYin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Feb 3, 2023

Dr. Julie Pullen is founding partner and chief scientist at Propeller, an early-stage venture fund focused on the intersection of the oceans and climate change. It recently announced that it had raised $100 million for its first fund. Coincidently, today (June 8) is also World Oceans Day, globally recognized by the UN as a day to foster public interest in the protection of the ocean and the sustainable management of its resources.Today's conversation is about the ocean, its critical role in regulating our climate, how humans have been damaging this balance, and what we can do about it. Julie's work is at the intersection of humanity and the oceans, and her expertise spans climate, weather, and hydro science, with a particular focus on high-resolution coastal urban prediction for flooding, heat waves, and other perils.Prior to her role at Propeller, Julie was most recently the climate strategist at Jupiter Intelligence, a startup delivering hyper-local projections of climate impact and business risk. And she's an adjunct research scientist at Columbia's Climate School. She was previously an associate professor in civil, environmental, and ocean engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, where she organized field studies globally to improve our understanding and prediction of the Earth's system. And we could go on further about her amazing credentials at the Naval Research Laboratory and more, but let's jump into learning from her about our oceans.In this episode, we cover: [2:39] World Ocean Day activities and awareness[4:22] An overview of Propeller and Julie's work[6:16] The reason behind the firm's ocean focus and its scope[8:00] Propeller's ocean investment categories including,  carbon, organics, and industrials[10:04] Major challenges and concerns with oceans today[13:00] Implications of warming ocean waters[15:43] Transition points in ocean health that could lead to cascading effects[19:09] The role of venture capital in supporting ocean-based solutions[20:53] A brief overview of marine biogeochemistry[22:52] Solutions aimed at ocean carbon sequestration[25:36] Challenges with measurement and verification[28:43] The role of data simulation[34:13] Fisheries and food security solutions[35:40] Alternative proteins on the market[38:44] Julie's time at Jupiter Intelligence[41:32] Emissions reductions as a wedge to drive necessary change for our oceans[43:30] Ocean-specific pledges like 30x30[44:39] The importance of benthic environments and vital ecosystems[45:59] What Julie's excited for in the ocean industrials space[47:53] How people can get informed and involved in ocean preservationGet connected:Dr. Julie Pullen LinkedIn / TwitterCody SimmsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on June 1, 2023

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series will explore a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we'll take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Rick Zullo is co-founder and general partner at Equal Ventures, a firm that is purpose-built to deploy technology across society and industry. And as they say on their website, they back the non-obvious founders before it's obvious. There are a few categories where they spend most of their time in: retail, insurance, supply chain, care, and climate. Rick and Jason have a great discussion in this episode about the origin story of the firm, what makes them different, their strategy, their approach, what it was like to raise Fund I, where they're at today, what criteria they use when they make their investments, what their process is, and how their firm fits into the broader investment landscape in climate and beyond. In this episode, we cover: [00:00]: Intro[02:46]: Overview of Equal Ventures[04:23]: What sectors and stages Equal invests in[06:09]: Origins of Equal Ventures[08:35]: Rick's thoughts on the "conviction gap"[11:02]: Three big questions he asks for every opportunity[17:40]: Overview of Equal's Fund I[18:13]: Rick's thoughts on reserves[24:16]: Equal Venture's differentiators[28:07]: Their views on disciplined pricing and founder alignment[32:33]: Domain expertise, portfolio balancing, and power law dynamics[39:52]: Bandwidth constraints and scaling[44:44]: How the climate playbook differs from other sectors[51:01]: What Rick's most excited about in climate[54:13]: Who Rick wants to hear fromGet connected: Jason JacobsRick ZulloMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Apr 20, 2023

Jessica Morse is the Deputy Secretary for Forest and Wildland Resilience at the California Natural Resources Agency. Our topic in this episode is wildfires, in particular, megafires. Jessica leads California's statewide response to wildfire resiliency. Since 2019, she has secured billions of dollars for wildfire resilience programs, such as community home hardening, forest fuel management (including healthy thinning and fuel break establishment), and watershed health initiatives.Jessica coordinates and collaborates with state and local agencies, conservation groups, and public and private stakeholders. She works to streamline collaboration for quick and effective problem-solving, addressing the scale and urgency of the issue. Additionally, she navigates the state legislature's budgetary cycles to secure the necessary funding for these programs. For those living in California or other fire-prone areas, wildfires are one of the ways that climate change feels most tangible, and it's heartening to hear how strongly the state has responded to the escalation of extreme mega fires since 2018.  In this episode, we cover: [00:00]: Intro[02:02]: Jessica's background in war zones and wildfires[03:37]: Her run for Congress[05:01]: Firsthand experience with the Camp Fire in 2018[07:53]: Joining the Newsom administration as Deputy Secretary for Wildfire Resilience[09:01]: Overview of California National Resources Agency (CNRA)[11:11]: Overview of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)[13:50]: The natural and cultural history of forest fire in California[16:13]: The legacy of the Forest Service's fire suppression policy[18:44]: Compounding crises of clear-cutting, drought, and pests creating mega fire conditions[23:02]: The three fronts of wildfire resilience[24:04]: Home hardening and community resilience[27:06]: Fuel breaks[31:34]: Landscape-level resilience[34:34]: Fire's impact on soil chemistry and reduction of water storage[38:18]: Securing significant funding for CAL Fire[46:52]: Scaling workforce development for wildfire projects[48:39]: How goats are helping to mitigate wildfires[49:45]: Challenges with woody biomass from slash piles[54:02]: Overview of California Vegetation Treatment Programmatic Impact Review (Cal VTP) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process[58:00]: Streamlining regulations to tackle environmental projects more efficiently[59:53]: Collaborating with diverse partners to drive reforestation[01:02:05]: Confronting seed shortages and biodiversity loss caused by fires[01:03:39]: How to get involved in wildfire mitigationRecommended Resources:Ready for Wildfires websiteCAL FIRE Ready for Wildfire AppGet connected: Jessica Morse Twitter / LinkedInCody SimmsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 18, 2023

McGee Young is the founder and CEO of WattCarbon. WattCarbon knows the hour-by-hour carbon intensity of the grid for every building in the USA, and it helps identify the real-time carbon savings of distributed energy resources, such as heat pumps, rooftop solar, and storage in commercial buildings. This empowers project developers to sell these carbon savings as building decarbonization credits to companies and organizations with net-zero commitments, helping to accelerate the adoption of these more efficient technologies and speed up the decarbonization of the built environment.McGee started his career as an associate professor of political science at Marquette University, where he studied the history of political action groups in America. This led him to learn more about environmental movements. As part of his classes, he started having his students hack their way into political action by pulling publicly available data, making sense of it, and publishing their findings. This led McGee down an entrepreneurial journey that eventually saw him leave academia and go all in on a climate tech career. Rather than spoiling any more of his story, listen to hear it directly from McGee himself. In this episode, we cover: [2:22] McGee's background in academia [8:09] Early entrepreneurial pathways he explored with students [11:45] McGee's transition to starting MeterHero and its evolution to STEMHero[16:45] His time at Open Energy Efficiency and MRV learnings [20:09] The origins of WattCarbon [25:22] Challenges with how we think about carbon accounting today [26:42] An overview of WattCarbon's software solution [30:43] The process for companies using carbon credits as part of their toolkit [34:47] How WattCarbon works with new energy companies [42:04] The role of the IRA in accelerating local regulations[44:39] Tenant implications for building owners [46:34] WattCarbon's ideal customers [47:57] The company's status today [48:56] How listeners can get involved [49:52] McGee's takeaways from the recent Clean Energy Buyers Association SummitAdditional resources mentioned in this episode:Developing Interests: Organizational Change and the Politics of Advocacy by McGee YoungSilent Spring by Rachel CarsonGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMcGee Young / WattCarbonMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 15, 2023

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Amy Francetic is Managing General Partner and co-founder of Buoyant Ventures. Buoyant Ventures partners with early stage companies that can rapidly deploy and scale bold solutions, homing in on software and simple hardware. They invest for financial results with a commitment to measure climate impact across their portfolio.Amy and Jason have a great discussion in this episode about Amy's journey to becoming a venture capitalist, the origin story of Buoyant Ventures, why it came about, how it came about, and some of the behind the scenes details of the process of raising their first fund. They also talk about their strategy for deployment, some examples of investments they've made to date, and how their work fits into the broader climate tech capital stack. In this episode, we cover: [01:28]: Updates since Amy was on the pod in 2020[03:54]: An overview of Buoyant Ventures[07:06]: Amy’s transition from consumer tech to climate[08:20]: Founding Evergreen Climate Innovations and Energized Ventures[10:48]: Challenges with fundraising for “deep tech” vs. software[12:33]: Amy’s views on sectors in climate and her focus on digital[15:44]: Measuring diversity, impact, and returns[23:31]: Young climate entrepreneurs[24:43]: Seeking investors who share Buoyant’s vision[30:40]: The role of supportive advisors, including placement agents[32:02]: Using sidecar investments and special purpose vehicles (SPVs) to balance fund size[34:15]: Evaluating investment opportunities based on deep dive research and market map[42:52]: Amy's collaboration with generalist venture firms, especially in software and AI[46:04]: Evaluating reserves, product-market fit, and long-term commitment[49:12]: Buoyant's key differentiators and "in the trenches" expertise[53:44]: Amy's vision for the future of Buoyant and ESG in general[57:06]: Who Amy wants to hear from and job opportunities at Buoyant’s portfolio companies[58:44]: Jason's updates on MCJ 2023Get connected: Jason JacobsAmy Francetic LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 11, 2023

Michael Thomas is making a name for himself in independent investigative climate journalism. One of his earliest pieces saw him immerse himself in dozens of Facebook groups, organized around opposing local clean energy legislation. He used that exploration to pen a series on climate misinformation, which can be found on his newsletter at distilled.earth, and has recently started creating content on YouTube. He also created Carbon Switch, a Wirecutter-like guide to help people navigate home electrification, which he donated to Rewiring America.Michael is also a co-founder of Campfire Labs, a tech-focused content marketing agency that donates 50% of its profits to climate action. This has included a significant contribution to Climate Changemakers, a climate action platform co-founded by Cody in 2020.We started by discussing Michael's motivations for starting his investigative journalism efforts and his climate journey. We then delved into the stories he's written and the investigations he's done. Michael also shared his advice for anyone feeling the itch to get started with something that they might not have prior experience in. Spoiler alert, it involves a strong willingness to embrace and learn from failure.At MCJ, none of us had prior climate experience, but we believe that as long as you're willing to dive in and do the work, there's so much impactful progress to be made in the climate space. We're seeing more and more people like Michael being called into action every day.In this episode, we cover: [03:24]: Michael's background and early journalism career[06:16]: Moments that catalyzed his climate journey[10:02]: His interest in home electrification and founding of Carbon Switch[14:14]: Investigating the alarming health impacts of gas stoves[17:35]: The origins of Campfire Labs and marketing climate tech companies[20:49]: Rewiring America's acquisition of Carbon Switch[25:09]: Takeaways from his immersion in clean energy opposition Facebook groups[32:05]: Influencers in the clean energy opposition space and their misinformation playbooks[37:52]: Clean energy misinformation in right wing cable news and links to big oil[45:19]: How anxiety about mining is weaponized against clean energy[49:11]: How collective action transformed Amsterdam into a bike-based beacon of hope[54:24]: Michael's process for finding topics and publishing his writing[57:10]: Potential legal ramifications and dealing with online harassment[58:51]: How Michael funds his work, the generosity within the climate creator space, and advice for anyone wanting to jump in[01:05:20]: The essential role of popular movements in shaping climate policyGet connected: Michael Thomas TwitterCody SimmsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Apr 26, 2023

Brad Hartwig is CEO and founder of Arbor, and today’s topic is BiCRS. No, not the people in black leather jackets cruising down the highway, but rather the acronym for the process of biomass carbon removal and storage, BiCRS. Arbor is developing a process that transforms organic waste from forest thinning to prevent wildfires. The company’s process converts the carbon in the waste into stored CO2, while also producing clean energy and freshwater as byproducts. Specifically, Arbor's process runs wood waste through a light thermal treatment known as torrefaction, which is somewhat akin to roasting coffee beans. They take this torrefied biomass and gasify it into syngas and then combust it with pure oxygen to produce clean water and high purity CO2, which they then run through a highly dense turbine to create carbon negative electricity while injecting the CO2 into permanent sequestration.The plants that they will build to operate this process end to end will be significantly smaller than existing biomass energy facilities. And Arbor has an audacious vision to own and operate these carbon capture plants in a distributed nature near carbon injection wells and sequestration facilities, selling the excess power that they generate back to the grid or to the facilities themselves. We start the conversation going into Brad's inspiring background, which includes time as a rocket engineer at SpaceX and nearly a decade on the USA National Swim Team, while also volunteering for Marin County Search and Rescue and the California Air National Guard. We cover how he surveyed the entire carbon dioxide removal space before landing on the idea for BiCRS and how his aerospace background seemed particularly well suited for Arbor's specific approach.In this episode, we cover: [2:51] The movement of talent from the aerospace industry into climate [6:28] Brad's volunteer work with the California Air National Guard Rescue Operations and Marin County Search and Rescue[8:37] His personal background in aerospace and work at SpaceX[15:24] The importance of meaningful service work [19:57] Brad's motivations for getting into the carbon removal space and the thesis for Arbor[25:21] Differences between BiCRS and BECCS[27:47] How and where Arbor sources materials[31:49] Arbor's process for transitioning forest materials into biocarbon[35:07] An overview of torrefaction [40:37] The "trilemma" of biomass, CO2 storage, and load demand[43:38] How the company plans to scale based on organic waste feedstock availability[45:38] Arbor's integrated carbon sequestration and power generation business model[50:49] The carbon capture side of the business [51:38] Funding to date and plans for Arbor's future capital [54:27] The challenges of processing biomass[56:52] Who Arbor wants to hear fromGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInBrad Hartwig / ArborMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 5, 2023

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Hampus Jakobsson is General Partner at Pale Blue Dot, a seed-stage venture capital firm that backs the most exciting climate tech startups across Europe and the United States.We were excited for this one because Hampus is a software engineer, turned founder, turned angel investor, turned VC. He also grew up working in areas of more traditional tech that didn't involve climate, and only recently pivoted to devoting all of his professional attention to building a climate investment firm, a story that's relatable to many.In this episode, we cover: [2:42] An overview of Pale Blue Dot [5:01] Hampus' feelings about the climate problem and how they've evolved [9:19] The early days of Pale Blue Dot's first fund [13:08] How Hampus balanced his time getting the first fund closed vs. planting the seed directionally with LPs [18:14] His strategy and thesis before going to market compared to where Pale Blue Dot is today[22:43] The firm's approach to the first check vs. follow on[27:50] Different areas of climate Pale Blue Dot invests in [31:02] The Pale Blue Dot founder [35:03] The firm's decision process on potential investments [43:23] Sector expertise and Pale Blue Dot's diligence process[52:57] Hampus' thoughts about impact and how Pale Blue Dot measures it[57:08] Reporting and important metrics[01:03:24] Pale Blue Dot's geographical footprint [01:06:31] The firm's mix of LPs [01:10:19] Hampus' thoughts on the role of fossil fuel companies in the energy transition [01:19:06] An overview of The Drop conferenceAdditional Resources: The Overstory by Richard PowersGet connected: Jason JacobsHampus Jakobsson / Pale Blue DotMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on April 17, 2023.

Lori Lodes is the executive director of Climate Power, a strategic communications operation focused on building the political will and public support for bold climate action. It was founded going into the 2020 US presidential election and played a key role in establishing climate as core messaging pull through for the Biden campaign and Build Back Better agenda. Before stewarding Climate Power, Lori spent a handful of years in corporate communications at Apple. She was deputy director of communications for Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016, and she spent many years working on communication initiatives for the Affordable Care Act and healthcare.gov.We were looking forward to talking with Lori to hear how she's taking her learnings from managing communications efforts at the highest levels of corporate and political initiatives, and applying them to climate. In the few short years that Climate Power has been active, it's shifted from helping place climate on the Biden campaign agenda, to supporting the passage of landmark federal climate legislation, to now highlighting stories of successful policy implementation at the state and local level. It's an ever-shifting chess board, and our chat with Lori helped us recognize just how much the conversation on climate has evolved in the national discourse in a few short years.  In this episode, we cover: [02:39]: Lori's background and initial reluctance to engage with climate[05:19]: Lori's move to Apple after working on the 2016 Clinton campaign[06:55]: How her experiences in government and at Apple have informed her communication strategy[11:49]: Lori's work with John Podesta and the origins of Climate Power[16:42]: Transitioning the climate conversation to the mainstream[18:38]: Climate Power's strategy to make climate a political issue and the urgency of the 2020 election[24:52]: The rise of climate as a "kitchen table issue" during the COVID crisis in 2020[26:40]: Aligning stakeholders and messaging to create favorable conditions for climate action[29:33]: The Inflation Reduction Act and clean energy job creation, particularly in Republican districts[32:03]: The challenges of the "implementation" phase of policy, and the importance of highlighting the benefits of climate action[36:34]: Climate social media influencers at the White House and "surround sound" communications[40:16]: How to get connected with Lori and Climate PowerGet connected: Cody SimmsLori LodesClimate Power WebsiteMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on April 27, 2023

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Nathanael Johnson has spent the past 18 years as an award-winning journalist who has written features for Harper's Magazine, New York Magazine, Wall Street Journal, and produced stories for the likes of NPR and This American Life. Recently, Nathanael has switched career paths and now is training to become an electrician. In the past, we've chatted with folks on the show who've spent decades in the trades, but we wanted to hear the story of someone who's earlier in their journey in the field. More interestingly, we wanted to understand the motivations behind someone's decision to make the switch from a computer job to a skills trade job, and the joys, misconceptions, challenges and rewards that come with it.In this episode, we cover: [01:26]: How Yin and Nathanael got connected [02:37]: Nathanael's early exposure to nature and the “aesthetics of environmentalism”[05:13]: His liberal arts education and cutting through jargon in academia[07:43]: Starting his career as a newspaper reporter in rural Idaho[13:13]: Nathanael’s journey to becoming a climate reporter for Grist[15:01]: Falling out of love with journalism and discovering electrical work [17:51]: The clear and immediate impact of electrical work vs. uncertain impact of writing[21:18]: Fears about switching careers and dealing with internalized class stigma [25:29]: How we can “dewire” cultural stigmas about skilled trade careers[28:26]: The need to rebuild the educational pipeline and infrastructure for trade careers[30:33]: The issue of representation and redefining what an electrician looks like[32:20]: Nathanael’s advice on testing new career paths[35:41]: Pay, schedule, job security, and work-life balance as an electrician[41:47]: Nathanael's favorite moments as an electrician so farRecommended Resources: Scott Brown Carpentry (YouTube Channel)Get connected: Nathanael TwitterYin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 28, 2023. 

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress.Mohammad Barkeshli is the Vice President of Full Consequence Investing at Hall Capital Partners. Hall Capital Partners has a singular focus on building and managing large investment portfolios. Their clients include families, endowments, and foundations with over $40 billion under management. Mohammad focuses on the firm's impact investing efforts which they’ve coined Full Consequence Investing or FCI. He's responsible for research, identification, due diligence, and ongoing monitoring of investments across asset classes. Jason and Mohammad have a great discussion in this episode about Hall Capital's strategic  approach, where it fits in the climate tech and capital stack, the criteria they use when making investment decisions, what they're hearing from their clients now, and how that's evolved.In this episode, we cover: [3:00] The benefits of increasing transparency across the capital stack and why Mohammad agreed to come on the show[4:35] An overview of Hall Capital[6:48] The firm’s approach known as Full Consequence Investing (FCI)[8:25] The average asset class for its clients[11:38] Hall Capital’s different investment vehicles[16:26] How the firm’s investing teams are divided across asset classes[21:00] Mohammad’s background[22:25] Where FCI fits into Hall Capital’s story and brand[28:06] FCI as a key diligence effort for the firm’s investment strategy[29:38] What falls within FCI and how Hall Capital evaluates opportunities across categories[34:00] The role of ESG across industries and investments[36:00] Hall Capital’s process for working with clients who are interested in building a portfolio that’s geared toward climate solutions[42:46] Balancing investments for profit, impact, and the public good[46:23] Limitations and challenges with time horizons[47:57] How Mohammad thinks about team and track record[52:55] Concessionary impact investments[1:00:57] Hall Capital’s involvement with philanthropic capital[1:04:36] Areas Mohammad would like to improve for his clients and their investments[1:06:51] Who Hall Capital would like to hear from and how people can helpGet connected: Jason JacobsMohammad Barkeshli / Hall CapitalMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on April 5, 2023.

Katrina Erwin and Glennys Navarrete are program managers at the CLEO Institute and co-hosts of the House on Fire Podcast.The CLEO Institute is a 501C3 nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, exclusively dedicated to climate education and advocacy. Founded in 2010, CLEO, which stands for Climate Leadership Engagement Opportunities, works with communities across Florida to build climate literacy and mobilize climate action.Katrina focuses on helping youth activists leverage their power most effectively in state and local political settings. And Glennys leads CLEO's efforts at schools to educate students on climate issues and be more effective advocates.We jump into a number of different topics about youth climate activism, including what climate education programs look like in schools, how parents can be most effective at supporting youth climate action, when youth activists should focus on collaboration or on resistance, the role of social media in climate action, and lastly, how to inspire kids to care about climate change in the first place.In this episode, we cover: [02:32] Glennys’s background and climate journey[06:40] Katrina's background and climate journey[12:36] The history and goals of the CLEO Institute[16:03] Integrating climate curriculum into schools in an overly-politicized environment [18:15] Avoiding "Trigger words" and misinformation [19:25] How parents can play a role in youth climate activism[25:49] Creating spaces where young people can be heard, not tokenized[30:18] Empowering young people to engage in local politics[35:25] "Power mapping" and using social media to research and contact local politicians[39:22] Katrina's and Glennys's favorite climate influencers on social media, and the role of activists on social platforms[40:44] Shifting climate conversations from “doom and gloom” to solutions-oriented, and from “polar bear” imagery to local reality[45:08] The House on Fire podcast, and how to get involved with the CLEO InstituteGet connected: Cody SimmsCLEO InstituteKatrina ErwinGlennys NavarreteMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on April 11, 2023

Henrik Langeland is the Co-founder and CEO at Enode. Enode is building digital infrastructure to enable a coordinated, smart, and flexible energy system. In particular, Enode's software API connects over 400 smart devices like EVs, solar panels, and thermostats, so that they can work together to help a home run as efficiently as possible, both within itself and as a node in a larger energy system. The idea of energy demand response relies on the ability of each node in an energy system to be as smart as possible. And Enode is this digital glue layer between them.Cody and Henrik spend time talking about his background and the electrification progress made in Norway, where Enode is headquartered. They also talk about the role of software, climate, and energy systems, plus what Enode is and how it works. Henrik compares Enode's role in energy systems to Plaid's role in the banking world, as a service solution that creates more efficiency for all and solves a common problem that all actors in the system would otherwise need to build themselves. We're happy to be multi-time investors in Enode via our MCJ Collective Venture funds and hope you enjoy hearing from Henrik about what they're building.In this episode, we cover: [2:54] Henrik's background and early interest in energy [7:04] EV adoption in Norway and the inspiration for Enode's software solution [12:05] Enode's role in connecting and integrating different energy devices [16:58] The company's product offering [18:14] Enode's consumers including OEMs, energy retailers, etc. [23:08] Henrik's perspective on how software can make a difference in climate [26:22] Risks of deregulation of the energy system (e.g. ERCOT)[27:17] How Enode uses AI [31:51] Henrik's predictions for energy interoperability and his company's role in itGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInHenrik Langeland / EnodeMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on May 4, 2023

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series will explore a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we'll take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Will Tickle is a partner, senior investment advisor, and director of impact investing for Ballentine Partners. Ballentine Partners is a wealth management firm that prioritizes the needs of its clients while maintaining integrity and independence. The firm offers customized investment solutions and planning expertise to a wide range of clients, from individual professionals and entrepreneurs with liquid assets of $3.5 million to multi-generational families with assets worth over a billion dollars.In this episode, Jason and Will discuss his process for defining impact and which areas are important for his client’s portfolios. They also cover the balance of impact between the firm's contributions and those from the clients directly. Will shares how his clients' impact investments have evolved since the firm's first involvement in 2005. Lastly, they explore where climate and climate tech fit into all of this. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [2:49] An overview of Ballentine Partners[4:25] How the firm's clients inspired its approach to climate investing[7:09] Will's background and focus on impact[9:27] The firm's ethos to serving clients[11:58] How Ballentine Partners applies an impact lens to its existing portfolio of assets[14:10] What Ballentine is hearing from clients[17:01] Challenges of assessing impact across an entire portfolio[19:23] How Ballentine balances impact with returns[23:55] Capitalism and its role in the future of the clean energy transition ahead[29:24] Changes to inspire widespread adoption of impact investing[32:40] The role of shareholder activism[34:17] Ballentine's impact reports[37:35] Who Ballentine wants to work withGet connected: Jason JacobsWill Tickle / Ballentine PartnersMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on April 4, 2023.  

Dr. Jay Taneja is an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and the director of the STIMA Lab (Systems Towards Infrastructure Measurement and Analytics) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Taneja is a world-class expert on the clean energy economy of Kenya, which is our topic for today's discussion.Kenya's story is fascinating from a clean energy and climate change perspective. The country has made remarkable progress in expanding electricity access, with renewable sources providing the majority of its electricity supply. In 1990, only one million Kenyans had access to electricity. However, in the past few decades, Kenya has made impressive strides, doubling access to electricity from 30% of households in 2013 to approximately 75% in 2022.Despite being the least responsible from a cumulative emissions perspective, the African continent is likely to be the most impacted by climate change. Currently, the Horn of Africa, where Kenya is located, is experiencing a multi-year drought. Tune in to learn more about Kenya's clean energy economy, its impressive transition, and some hurdles ahead. Enjoy the show!In this episode, we cover: [2:46] Jay's background and expertise[7:35] His work at the STIMA Lab at UMass[12:39] An overview of life and electricity usage in urban vs rural communities throughout Kenya[20:46] Challenges with solar home systems and accessibility[23:57] Kenya's new president and his sentiments toward clean energy[27:20] The realized impacts of climate change throughout the country[30:38] Geothermal expansion in Kenya[35:12] The balance of nationalized priority and commercial capital in driving the region's clean energy transition[38:24] Kenya's blueprint and lessons for other countries[40:07] How Kenya could leverage COP27's Loss and Damage Fund for vulnerable countriesGet connected: Cody SimmsJay TanejaMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 31, 2023. 

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series will explore a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we'll take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Today’s guest is Sarah Hinkfuss, a partner at Bain Capital Ventures. Bain Capital Ventures is a multi-stage VC firm investing across four core domains, fintech, application software, infrastructure, and commerce tech.Leveraging the unique resources of Bain Capital, they deploy targeted support at every stage of company building. For over 20 years, they've helped launch and commercialize more than 400 companies, and they also recently announced $1.9 billion in new funds.This is an insightful conversation as Bain Capital Ventures has not historically been a climate-focused investor, but they're increasingly paying attention to and getting active in this area, and Sarah's leading the charge.In this episode, we cover: [3:23] An overview of Bain Capital Ventures and Sarah's focus in the firm[5:35] BCV's exploration of climate tech and the firm's motivations[12:04] How the allocation of resources is influenced by time horizons[15:22] BCV's areas of focus through a climate lens[17:04] Sarah's climate journey from environmental justice and public service to early-stage startups and investing[23:07] Her experience leading the effort and formalizing BCV's climate approach[28:07] An example of the evolution of BCV's funds[31:37] The relevant types of expertise needed to make confident investments [35:45] BCV's insights into the role software plays in solving the climate problem [38:18] The firm's 6 areas of focus [44:48] Founder market fit and the importance of deep market strategy and commercial experience[50:00] How climate-focused investors should approach a company's more profitable opportunities in other markets[53:31] BCV's climate investments to date and other related efforts across its portfolio [57:12] The role of a changing climate in a company's evolution and BCV's approach [1:05:05] The value of authentic experiences and deep expertise[1:08:44] Founders BCV wants to hear from Get connected: Jason JacobsSarah Hinkfuss / Bain Capital VenturesMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on April 19, 2023. 

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series will explore a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we'll take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Today’s guest is Lucas Joppa, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Managing Director at Haveli Investments. Haveli Investments is a new and rapidly growing investment firm led by Brian Sheth, former president of Vista Equity Partners. Prior to Haveli, Lucas was the longtime Chief Environmental Officer at Microsoft where he was responsible for Microsoft's overall environmental sustainability vision, strategy, and program execution. In this episode, Jason and Lucas have an in-depth discussion about Lucas's journey to becoming aware of and caring about climate change, how his views have evolved on the nature of the problem, and the best path forward from when he first started doing this work to today. They also talk about Microsoft's journey when it started caring about sustainability and its evolution to being one of the leaders in driving net-zero ambitions for big corporations. And finally we cover Lucas's decision to switch from wildlife conservation to the private equity world, his motivations and of course, Haveli's approach.In this episode, we cover: [2:10] An overview of Haveli Investments and Lucas's role at the firm [4:29] How Lucas came to work in climate and what got him to care about the problem [11:09] His experience at Microsoft[14:08] What inspired Microsoft to address the climate problem [16:32] The company's internal process[21:51] Influencing factors that led to climate action at Microsoft [28:57] Lucas's thoughts on corporate net-zero commitments[32:52] Weighing the implications of GHG reductions on biodiversity loss[38:40] Radical transformations vs. replacing current systems with sustainable alternatives[42:09] Challenges with private equity embracing sustainability [49:17] Haveli's internal net-zero operations [50:53] How founders should evaluate Haveli's portfolio management relative to other private equity firms[53:30] Lucas' work on sustainable softwareGet connected: Jason JacobsLucas Joppa / Haveli InvestmentsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 20, 2023. 

Today's guests are John Bissell and Rich Riley, co-CEOs at Origin Materials, a carbon-negative materials company that turns carbon found in biomass into chemical outputs.John co-founded Origin Materials as an undergraduate at UC Davis in 2008. Rich became an investor in Origin in 2010, and joined as co-CEO in 2020 after a successful tech career, including most recently as the CEO of the music startup Shazam, which he sold to Apple in 2018. So what kind of opportunity brought a wunderkind chemical engineer and a seasoned software technology executive together? The way they tell it, it's the once-in-a-century opportunity to rebuild the world's material stack from one built on petrochemical inputs to one built on biomass.Recently, Origin Materials went public through a SPAC merger and is now finishing its first commercial plant, Origin One, in Canada. In this podcast episode, Cody delves into John and Rich's backgrounds, how they met, Origin's theory of change, its technical processes, the market it operates in, and the chemical outputs its customers purchase. They also discuss their vision for scaling the business. Almost everything we use in our lives is reliant on fossil fuel-based chemicals. However, Origin Materials is striving to change this by transforming the industry, as the world moves away from fossil fuels. Tune in to discover how they plan to achieve this goal.In this episode, we cover: [2:44] John's time at UC Davis and what prompted his idea for Origin Materials [6:23] Rich's story and how he got involved with the company [10:52] The decision process behind John and Rich's co-CEO structure[12:49] Original insight behind the company's focus[19:13] How Origin Materials fits into the value chain [20:26] Challenges of working with biomass and Origin Materials' process [23:52] The company's different product streams[27:22] Use cases and how Origin Materials works with partners and customers[35:09] The infrastructure side of the business[38:39] How the company raised funds for its first plant and the evolution of talent they're bringing into the company[42:43] Origin Materials' unit economics strategy and what's nextGet connected: Cody SimmsJohn Bissell / Rich RileyOrigin Materials  MCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 17, 2023. 

Scott Case is the CEO and Co-Founder at Recurrent, which provides EV battery reports for used EVs, helping consumers and dealers understand the residual health of the battery in a prospective purchase. Think of them as a Carfax report for EVs.New EV sales have boomed since the launch of the Tesla Model 3 in 2018. A year later, roughly 1% of new sales in the US were EVs. And in 2022, that number had increased to over 5%. The used EV market therefore logically will follow a similar trajectory, with a 3-4 year delay. In this discussion, Scott points out that a car can only be sold new one time but can be sold used many times over. Most of us have no experience buying a used EV because there just hasn’t been enough inventory.  As that changes, so too will our used car buying experience.  And when it comes to which factors to pay attention to, the battery's health rises to the top of the list.Scott and Cody have a great conversation about what impacts an EV battery’s health, how Recurrent gets the data to make health assessments, how Scott sees the used EV market evolving, and even what make/model EV he drives. It’s a jam-packed episode with information that’s sure to be personally relevant to many of us in the coming months and years ahead. In this episode, we cover: [3:02] Scott's background and how he got started in the used EV market[9:25] How Recurrent came to be[13:51] The early days of figuring out the company's approach and business model[17:54] An overview of the used EV market[19:97] How to determine the quality of a used EV battery[20:24] Recurrent's solution and battery assessment process[24:49] Battery issues associated with EVs and environmental factors that influence performance[30:11] Battery quality and price discrimination for used EVs[32:48] Recent volatility and future market predictions[35:19] How Recurrent's business model is adjusting and its plans for growth[40:19] The dealer's role in EV sales[44:45] Recurrent's progress to date and what's aheadGet connected:Cody SimmsScott Case / RecurrentMCJ Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on April 21, 2023.

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series will explore a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we'll take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Today’s guest is Mark Robinson, Founder and Managing Director at WAVE Equity Partners, an impact investing firm that seeks to maximize returns for investors, growth for portfolio companies, and impact for all. WAVE achieves this goal by investing in sustainability innovators that tackle our greatest environmental challenges on a global scale. Jason and Mark discuss the origins of WAVE, the timing of its launch, and some of the key lessons that Mark learned from Clean Tech 1.0. They also delve into why WAVE took a contrarian bet when it started and how its approach differs from other firms. Mark explains the company's investment stage, check size, sector focus, diligence process, and value-add post-investment. The episode also covers the industrial market landscape, where WAVE spends a lot of time. Jason and Mark explore various topics such as the ecosystem of founders, the regulatory and policy landscape, and the current capital environment. In this episode, we cover: An overview of WAVE Equity PartnersThe firm's origin story and path to focusing on clean energy, food, water, waste and recyclingEarly fundraising challenges for industrial solutionsKey lessons from Clean Tech 1.0Changes in the ecosystem since WAVE got started and how the firm addressed themWhat gets Mark up every day and the underlying decision to start the firmThe firm's investor makeup and LP shifts over timeWAVE's fund structureNon-starters and the types of risk WAVE is comfortable takingThe balance of fundraising vs domain expertise when building a companyThe role of the regulatory landscape and government funding when making investment decisionsWAVE's 6-month or longer diligence processThe firm's approach to defining and measuring impactMark's thoughts on doing things cleaner vs. reforming entire systemsThe role of government supportMark's wishlist for the future of the industrials marketGet connected: Jason JacobsMark Robinson / WAVE Equity PartnersMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 7, 2023. 

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today’s guest on Yin Lu’s Skilled Labor Series is Alana Guzzetta, a 15-year veteran of the concrete-making business. Alana started as an intern, worked her way up to being a lab technician, and now runs the R&D lab at Vulcan Materials. She has both a bachelor's and master's of civil engineering. In this episode, Yin and Alana delve into the history of cement and how new technologies are disrupting an industry that dates back to the fourth century BC. They also discuss the environmental impact of cement, which is responsible for approximately 7% of total global CO2 emissions, a staggering number that highlights the significance of concrete as a material in the world and its carbon footprint.Alana shares her insights on the latest innovations in concrete-making, including the use of alternative materials and carbon capture technologies. She also sheds light on the crucial role that research and development play in the industry, and what her job as an R&D lab manager at Vulcan Materials entails. In this episode, we cover: [3:06] Alana's academic journey getting into the concrete industry[7:32] The difference between cement and concrete[8:57] An overview of concrete and supplementary cementitious materials[11:22] The carbon-intensive cement-making process[17:53] Alana's role managing the concrete lab at Vulcan Materials[19:30] An overview of Vulcan Materials[23:29] A few example projects Alana has worked on with architects and startups[25:00] What success looks like for Alana and her team[29:38] Her experience working with CarbonCure[32:04] A direct air capture project with Heirloom[35:54] New technology in the cement industry including zero carbon cement and utilizing waste products[41:07] Advice for people interested in working in the concrete industryGet connected: Yin Twitter / LinkedInAlana Guzzetta / Vulcan MaterialsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 8, 2023. 

Today's guest is Jeff More, President and CEO of MineSense. MineSense provides real-time, sensor-based ore sorting and data analytics for mines. The company recently announced a $42 million Series E round led by JP Morgan's sustainable Growth Equity Group. MineSense technology platform includes a set of sensors that go into a shovel bucket, and at the moment of extraction, help identify the makeup of ore and rock with each new scoop. This helps mines reduce the amount of low-quality rock sent to milling and processing, which also helps mining operations use less power and water. Jeff and Cody dive into the state of mining today, MineSense's technology and how it's increasing efficiency. They also cover the company’s business model, and the adoption curves of software in the mining industry generally. And lastly, they talk about how mining is changing and how sustainability and climate factor into purchasing decisions around innovation. We've had a number of conversations on the pod recently about the state of metal supply chains, metal recycling, and related topics. But this is an excellent primer for how mining works generally and how MineSense is helping to drive optimizations into processes that have been in place for decades.In this episode, we cover: Jeff's backgroundThe state of mining today and its challengesSite selection and permitting processThe logistics behind setting up a new mine and long-term planWhat happens to wasteEnvironmental impact of the mining processAn overview of MineSenseThe company's hardware and softwareMineSense's focus on copper and other base metalsThe company's value proposition of increased profits and sustainabilityMineSense's business modelJeff's predictions for the future of the mining industryAdvice for founders/CEOs as they navigate their go to marketMineSense's funding to date and how the business plans to capitalize moving forwardGet connected: Cody SimmsJeff More / MineSenseMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 20, 2023.

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series will explore a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we'll take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Today’s guest is Grant Mulligan, a Vice President at Alvarium Tiedemann (AlTi). AlTi is a global wealth and asset manager that's in the business of turning powerful ideas into high-performing strategies and solutions. Whether they are individuals or institutions, foundations, or family-led businesses, AlTi offers its clients a connected ecosystem of advice, solutions, and investment opportunities from across their global network. As an institutional investor, AlTi is serious about impact. And Grant focuses specifically on the firm’s net-zero strategies and nature-based solutions. This conversation takes a fascinating dive into their approach, their origin story, how they measure impact, and how they allocate capital across many different asset classes. We also discuss the types of clients who prioritize impact investing and how this landscape is evolving over the past few years and into the future. Tune in to learn more about AlTi's mission to create enduring value. In this episode, we cover: [3:00] An overview of Alvarium Tiedemann (AlTi) and where Grant sits in the firm[7:12] The role of impact in AlTi's clients' decision making [12:23] Grant's theory of change and work in wildlife biology[17:56] What inspired him to transition upstream and join AlTi's mission [20:45] A deep dive into the forthcoming wealth transfer [25:21] How AlTi structures capital allocation[29:39] AlTi's theory of change for overall climate sustainability, decarbonization tech, and nature-based solutions[33:45] The role of changing perspectives on impact and asset allocation as a result of recent market fluctuations [39:26] AlTi’s impact assessment process[44:45] How Grant balances servicing existing client demand vs generating new demand [53:34] The role of client recommendations in deploying capital[57:12] Grant's thoughts on what's missing in impact investments [1:00:37] Where philanthropic capital fits in Get connected: Jason JacobsGrant Mulligan / Alvarium TiedemannMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 8, 2023. 

Today's guest is Lucy Piper, Director at WorkForClimate. WorkForClimate is a not-for-profit that provides individual employees with clear step-by-step playbooks to help influence and accelerate a company's decarbonization initiatives. Lucy and Cody discuss how climate change can be an intimidating topic and pushing for change inside your company can be risky. And yet it's clear that if the world's corporations don't change quickly to reduce emissions, the effects will be worse.So how do we quickly help employees feel educated and empowered to push for change? WorkForClimate solution comes from its playbooks and programs. They've identified four key areas of change that employees can impact: energy, emissions, money, and influence. Lucy and Cody chat about each of these, why they matter, and some of the steps that WorkForClimate recommends employees take to maximize their collective influence. And one thing that isn’t covered, but nonetheless important is that when we take personal agency around climate change, it inspires more people to do the same, encouraging more and more. As organizations realize that these well-informed asks aren't coming from some radical minority, but rather from a significant amount of their employee base, that's ultimately what drives change. In this episode, we cover: [4:22] Lucy's climate journey[7:39] Employees as influential stakeholders to drive climate initiatives within corporations[12:45] The power of strength in numbers despite risks[14:44] An overview of green teams[15:57] How formally organized groups and sustainability professionals factor into WorkforClimate's playbook[18:00] The areas WorkforClimate focuses on, including energy, emissions, money, and advocacy[23:04] The issue of greenwashing[25:46] An overview of WorkforClimate's playbooks[29:12] Pros and cons employees have to grapple with to inspire corporate action[33:00] WorkforClimate's emissions framework[40:05] The type of companies best suited to collaborate with WorkforClimate[47:15] The money category WorkforClimate addresses, including bank accounts, treasury, and retirement funds[54:28] The role of corporate influence on policyGet connected: Cody SimmsLucy Piper / WorkforClimateMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 22, 2023. 

Today's guest is Trevor Best, CEO and Co-founder at Syzygy Plasmonics. Syzygy is rethinking how chemicals are produced and pioneering a new technology that energizes chemical reactions via light. Their photocatalyst technology came out of the lab at Rice University. Toward the end of 2022, the company announced a $76 million Series C financing led by Carbon Direct Capital and a number of significant strategies in the energy, oil and gas, and automotive sectors.During the episode, Trevor and Cody delve into various topics, including Trevor's background, traditional petrochemical methods of chemical production, and the fortuitous discovery that led him and his co-founder to commercialize their cutting-edge technology at Syzygy. The discussion also covers the various chemical pathways that Syzygy is currently pursuing, such as zero-emissions hydrogen, low-emissions hydrogen, syngas, and methanol.In this episode, we cover: [2:46] Trevor's background and Syzygy's origin story [7:37] The relationship between fossil fuels and the chemical industry [9:48] Other emerging alternatives in the space[11:39] Origins of Syzygy's photochemistry technology and its implications [20:59] Syzygy's decision to focus on hydrogen pathways [24:32] An overview of dry reforming [27:40] The company's business model [30:14] Sygyzy's scale-up progress and plans for the future[36:47] How Syzygy balances adding new capabilities to its reactors [42:09] Trevor's thoughts on the future and where Syzygy needs helpGet connected: Cody SimmsTrevor Best / SyzygyMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 6, 2023. 

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by MCJ partner, Jason Jacobs. This series will explore a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we'll take a deep dive into the world of capital and the critical role it plays in driving innovation and progress. Today’s guest is Jacqueline van den Ende, founder and CEO of Carbon Equity. Carbon Equity pools capital to provide individuals with access to world-class private equity funds, while their team of experts handle the research, management, and investment work. Their approach allows investors to build a diversified portfolio of climate startups and scaleups. In this episode, Jacqueline and Jason delve into Carbon Equity's origin story, their unique approach, and what sets them apart in the industry. They discuss the firm's journey so far, the challenges they've encountered, and the exciting trends that they believe will drive progress in the field. They also examine how Carbon Equity fits into the broader climate capital stack, as more funds and limited partners enter the space.In this episode, we cover: [2:20] An overview of Carbon Equity [4:41] How Jacqueline's original idea for climate investing came about [9:19] Carbon Equity's focus on the mass affluent market today [13:55] How they raised early funds and who they targeted [17:50] Differences between US vs Europe investor limitations [21:27] Carbon Equity's diligence process [28:12] The firm as a diversification provider [30:57] Jacqueline's thoughts on sector expertise and mission alignment [35:25] Carbon Equity's milestones since January 2021 [39:59] The firm's plans for thematic funds [46:02] Some of Jacqueline's key learnings from her journey and the difficult questions she's asking[50:31] An overview of MCJ's journey and funding progress to date[53:22] Who Jacqueline wants to work with and her parting words, including job opportunities with Carbon EquityRecommended Resources:The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth KolbertGet connected: Jason JacobsJacqueline van den EndeMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 23, 2023. 

 Today's guest is Will Steger, an educator, activist, photographer, and polar explorer. Will is a prominent spokesperson for the preservation and understanding of the Arctic and is the creator of the Will Steger Foundation, which exists to educate and empower people to engage in solutions to climate change.Will was the fourth person ever to have reached both Earth's poles. He led the first confirmed dogsled journey to the North Pole in 1986. In 1989 and 1990, he led the first dogsled traverse of Antarctica, a 3,471-mile journey, to raise awareness of the need for international cooperation to ban mining and oil exploration in Antarctica. This journey became a worldwide media phenomenon, leading to meetings with multiple global heads of state.Will and Cody talk about how he built and leveraged his platform, the current priorities of his foundation, his childhood, how he started exploring, and how he's seen the world change in his lifetime, both physically and in terms of the understanding of and support for climate action. Lastly, they talk about survival, how Will manages to do it in the bleakest moments of an expedition, and how he thinks humans will do it in the face of climate change. In this episode, we cover: [2:15] Will's early expedition to Antarctica which gained global recognition in 1986[7:45] An overview of the Antarctic Treaty and Will's experience with diplomacy and building awareness and cooperation among global leaders[10:15] Reflections on his first trip to the Antarctic and landing on the Larsen A Ice Shelf[12:40] An overview of the Will Steger Foundation[15:58] His work to bring climate into school curriculums and the shifting youth attitudes toward the topic[20:58] Will's upbringing and early interest in exploration[26:40] How he got involved with dogsledding and an overview of working with dogs[29:30] Will's first journey to the North Pole in 1986[33:16] An overview of Will's new Steger Center for Innovation and Leadership[34:28] Observations that have been most effective in helping people understand the implications of climate change[42:14] How to follow Will's travels at https://stegercenter.org/Get connected: Cody SimmsWill StegerMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 13, 2023. 

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today's guest is Dylan Welch, Plant Manager at AMP Robotics. Dylan grew up in the foothills of California and Arizona, before going to school in Colorado. He’s had quite a non-linear career path. Dylan started his career building custom motorcycles out of his garage and then became a carpenter and subcontractor, before joining the team at AMP Robotics, where he oversees facility operations. AMP Robotics develops and deploys AI and robotics technology that enables a recycling facility to drive efficiencies across its sorting process, lower the cost of its operations, and produce higher-value commodities. As proud investors of AMP Robotics via our MCJ venture funds, we’ve excited to share yet another perspective from the company and learn about Dylan’s personal journey. In this episode, we learn a lot from Dylan the recycling industry, and how Dylan applied his interest towards a career addressing the waste problem.In this episode, we cover: Dylan's early interest in machinery and his professional backgroundHis career path as a carpenter, contractor, and running a recycling plantAn overview of AMP Robotics and how Dylan landed his current role A deep dive into recycling and its shortcomings Dylan's day-to-day experience running a secondary MRF (materials recovery facility)How he interacts with folks outside of the plant Dylan's perspectives on how automation can close the staffing gap in the recycling industryHow Dylan combined his personal interests with his role at AMP Robotics Advice for people interested in learning how systems work but aren’t sure where to startGet connected: Yin Twitter / LinkedInAMP RoboticsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 11, 2023.

Today's guest is John Kinney, Founder, CEO and Managing Partner at CleanFund. CleanFund specializes in PACE financing, an innovative way for property owners to finance public good improvements to their buildings, including clean energy, efficiency, and resiliency through their property taxes. CleanFund got its start in Berkeley, California in 2009 and initiated the first privately funded PACE transaction focused on solar power. Since then, PACE financing options have taken hold in dozens of states across the USA, and CleanFund serves as an enabling mechanism in all of them. CleanFund specifically focuses on C-PACE or Commercial PACE, which means that it's wholly focused on commercial buildings. C-PACE can be applied to new construction or building retrofit projects, and the types of projects that qualify for C-PACE vary by state or locality. It's going to take new ways of thinking about things for us to drive the decarbonization of our economy as fast as possible. With CleanFund, John is focusing on the huge emissions footprint of the built environment and is helping property managers and lenders unlock new tools to finance needed clean energy upgrades. In this episode, we cover: John's transition from fitness into climateAn overview of PACE or “Property Assessed Clean Energy”Difference between residential and commercial PACEImpacts of building regulations and penaltiesNew Hyatt construction example in Salt Lake CityAn overview of CleanFund and its role in PACEWho's on the capital side of PACE productsHow CleanFund interacts with green banks at the state levelForecasting the future of energy efficiency in the built environmentInnovative approaches to addressing emissions in the spaceThe challenges of working in commercial real estateHow to engage with CleanFund and learn more about PACE at CleanFun.comCleanFund's plans for expandingGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInCleanFundMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on February 24, 2023. 

Today's guest on the My Climate Journey Startup Series is Jack Morrison, Co-founder and CEO at Scythe. Scythe recently announced a $42M Series B round of financing led by Energy Impact Partners to grow and scale their product line of autonomous electric commercial lawnmowers. When discussing the need to electrify everything, we tend to focus on electric vehicles and home efficiency. But over the next 5-10 years most of us will be surprised by just how many things in our daily lives will move from loud, smelly, gasoline-powered engines to quiet, odorless electric motors. This podcast has featured electric solutions for pleasure craft boating, motorcycles, passenger buses, semi trucks, and even cargo shipping. And in most cases, the business models of the electric versions of these things are innovative in some way or another too.The Scythe team is pioneering a new usage-based model for their mowers and the company believes it offers a more sustainable way for landscaping companies to manage their cashflows and help their employees get the job done. In this episode, we cover: [2:00] Jack's background in programming and robots [4:00] His transition from 3D scanning to landscaping [6:48] Climate impact of the landscaping business and Scythe's role in helping curb the emissions footprint[11:03] Scythe's M.52 mower product [13:17] Why Scythe chose an electric and autonomous solution [18:16] The safety side of the company's tech[22:36] Impacts on landscapers' day to day [27:45] Technology barriers for incumbent mowing companies [30:18] Scythe's early traction, progress to date, and market shareGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInJack Morrison / ScytheMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on March 7, 2023.

Today's guest is Robert Piconi, CEO and co-founder at Energy Vault, which develops and deploys utility-scale energy storage solutions. The company's offerings include proprietary gravity, battery, and green hydrogen energy storage hardware technologies supported by a technology-agnostic energy management system software layer. They can deliver short- and long-duration energy storage with the goal of helping carbon-free energy be as cost-effective as possible at all times of the day and night. Robert and Cody have a great conversation about why energy storage matters, the different types of energy storage today, and some unique insights from Bill Gross at Idealab that led to the earliest version of Energy Vault. They talk about the rapid iterations Energy Vault has done on its gravity storage model, and how they've raised capital. Energy Vault went public via SPAC one year and one day before Rob and Cody had this conversation. It's incredible to see such an infrastructure-heavy company grow and iterate so quickly. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [2:41] Robert's background and interest in the energy sector [6:55] Challenges of energy storage[10:19] Energy Vault's history as a company and exponential growth [15:16] The energy storage space broadly and its shortcomings [19:09] How Energy Vault landed on its solution and a description of its tech[26:17] Feedback from customers and the evolution of the company's tech [29:04] An overview of the company's EVX platform [30:55] Differences between long vs short storage [34:36] Energy Vault's latest project announcements [42:25] Tailwinds from the Inflation Reduction Act [45:45] The 24/7 carbon-free energy market [49:40] Talent and partner opportunities with Energy VaultGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInRobert Piconi / Energy VaultMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on February 15, 2023

Today's guest is Heidi Kujawa, founder and CEO at ByFusion. ByFusion is solving the global plastic waste crisis by turning unrecyclable plastics into building materials.Plastics are lightweight, durable, strong, low-cost, and built to last. Those qualities are fantastic in reducing the cost and weight of shipping and packaging items. And those qualities are equally terrible when it comes to waste. Not to mention, virgin plastics come from fossil fuels and are providing an increasing amount of the value of a barrel of oil. ByFusion is looking to take advantage of plastic's positives while obviating its negatives by turning waste plastic into durable building blocks.Heidi and Cody have a great conversation about her background, the different types of plastics, and what's recyclable and what's not (side note: we can all probably do better when it comes to recycling). They also talk about how ByFusion works with municipalities and waste management companies to source materials, what the company’s ByBlocks look like, who is building with ByFusion and what they are building, the evolution of plastic waste credits (which are similar to carbon credits) and how Heidi is financing the company and its product development. This is a jam-packed episode and we hope you enjoy it! In this episode, we cover: [2:09] Heidi's background and how it fed her experience building ByFusion [4:31] How she decided to focus on plastic waste[6:58] An overview of ByFusion and the company's ByBlock product [9:44] Recyclable vs non-recyclable plastics [13:34] Different use cases for ByFusion's construction materials [17:14] ByFusion's municipalities customers, unit economics, and who's paying [21:36] The company's business model [23:51] The plastic diversion/credit market [25:43] ByFusion's upcoming projects [28:34] State and country-wide policies around plastic and their implications [30:50] The company's financing to date [34:37] Where ByFusion needs help todayGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInHeidi Kujawa / ByFusionMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 18, 2023

Today's guest is Martin Wainstein, Founder and Executive Director of OpenEarth Foundation, a California-based nonprofit that creates and supports the deployment of open-source software at the intergovernmental level to further climate understanding and action.When we think of blockchain, our brains are mostly wired to think of cryptocurrencies and for-profit schemes. OpenEarth Foundation, however, is applying blockchain principles to United Nations-scale carbon accounting efforts to aid in the understanding of and deployment of software that can support an open and accountable data layer for critical carbon accounting. As carbon offsets are retired, as renewable energy credits are traded, and as compliance and voluntary carbon markets grow in prominence, how do we ensure that these systems can understand each other across borders, governments, and methodologies?After all, a ton of CO2 should be a ton of CO2, and yet orchestrating agreement and dialogue across major stakeholders including governments, markets, and corporations, is never an easy task. Martin and Cody have a great conversation about his journey into the climate space and the origins of OpenEarth Foundation, which was inspired in part by his time at Yale Open Lab and his work on digital currencies at MIT Media Lab. We also cover the state of carbon accounting at the nation-state level today, the innovative ways that OpenEarth Foundation has raised money to date, and some of the big ideas that they're thinking about for the future. In this episode, we cover: [3:01] Martin's climate journey [9:38] An overview of the OpenEarth Foundation[14:25] Leveraging technology for the common good [17:32] Carbon accounting and where the data comes from today [24:10] Openclimate.network and other digital tools [29:48] Transparency challenges on the national and subnational levels[34:25] How OpenEarth is helping large global entities with consensus building [40:44] OpenEarth's initial funding via NFTs and plans moving forward [49:38] Some of OpenEarth's current projects [55:07] Where OpenEarth needs helpGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMartin Wainstein / OpenEarth FoundationMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on February 2, 2023.

Today's guest is Megan O'Connor, CEO and Co-Founder of Nth Cycle. Nth Cycle uses a metals processing technology that allows battery manufacturers to convert lower-grade critical metals into EV-battery grade on-site. The company’s approach obviates large portions of cumbersome and dirty metal supply chains for crucial EV battery metals like nickel. Megan claims that Nth Cycle's technology can be applied to existing batteries just as it can be to newly mined ore, thus accelerating circularity for the lithium-ion battery and battery recycling.One significant component of the Inflation Reduction Act is the formalization of US EV tax credits, and a qualification requirement that automakers must source at least 40% of their EV battery components - by value - in the United States or countries with which the US has a free trade agreement starting this year, with escalation to 100% by 2029.With this change in the backdrop, Megan and Cody have a great conversation about the state of EV battery metal supply chains and battery recycling today, how Megan started working on this problem in the first place, how Nth Cycle works, and what her plans are for the company. We have focused quite a bit recently on EV batteries and the underlying metals that power them on the podcast. If you want to learn more about the topic, check out past episodes with Simon Moores, Jigar Shah and Ajay Kochhar, and Impossible Metals. Enjoy the show!In this episode, we cover: [2:18] How a molecule of metal turns into a battery [7:18] The embodied carbon in an EV [10:03] Different refining mechanisms, their limitations and environmental justice concerns[17:55] The origin of Nth Cycle [23:21] How Megan gained the confidence to change her PhD and focus on battery metals[27:23] Megan's entrepreneurial journey as a grad student [29:36] An overview of Nth Cycle's solution [33:12] A description of the company's system [35:20] How the Inflation Reduction Act is changing the supply chain for nickel and where Nth Cycle fits in [37:35] How the technology can be applied to all critical metals [41:56] The company's capital history [43:40] Job opportunities with Nth Cycle [46:14] Megan's predictions for the futureGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMegan O’Connor / Nth CycleMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 23, 2023.

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today is Zach Gallant, Head of Maritime Operations at Fleetzero. Zach grew up in Maine and attended the Maine Maritime Academy after high school. He spent 15 years on board ships of all types and sizes. His career started on freighters carrying bulk cargo such as iron ore in the Great Lakes. Then Zach worked at Transocean, the world's largest offshore drilling contractor, for over a decade. He recently transitioned to Fleetzero, a startup building a fleet of electric ships to help address and reduce the carbon emissions from the shipping industry, which accounts for about 3% of total global emissions. As investors in Fleetzero via the MCJ Collective venture funds, we’ve also spoken to co-founders, Steven Hendersen and Mike Carter, in a previous Startup Series episode (listen here).  In this episode, we cover: [2:00] Zach's background and experience as a marine engineer[7:42] A career working on the deck side of ships vs the engineering side [11:13] Different types of maritime ships and propulsion systems [15:33] Zach's firsthand experience witnessing the impacts of climate change[18:41] The process of setting up an exploratory drill well [24:33] Zach's decision to transition out of oil and gas into a climate tech maritime company [27:51] Technological shifts in the maritime industry[30:05] Shortage of maritime workers and how to encourage more people to get involved[32:23] What keeps Zach optimistic Get connected: Yin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on December 21, 2022. 

Today's guest is Harry Tannenbaum, Co-founder and President at Mill. Mill developed a household bin that not only collects uneaten food but also shrinks and deodorizes it. The company’s solution aims to keep food in the system and prevent it from ending up in landfills or waste systems, which would otherwise generate significant emissions. Mill recently exited stealth and we're proud to be multi-time backers of the company through our MCJ Collective venture funds alongside other leading climate tech funds such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Lower Carbon Capital, Prelude Ventures, Energy Impact Partners, and John Doerr. In this episode, Cody and Harry delve into the issue of food waste and what inspired him to tackle it. They discuss the qualities of a successful consumer product and how Harry and his co-founder, Matt Rogers, applied the lessons they learned at Nest to their work at Mill. Additionally, they examine Mill's product and logistics framework, and the intersection between consumer behavior change and systems change. They also explore the network effect that Mill hopes to create between the two. Finally, the conversation covers the pros and cons of building a company in stealth, as Mill did during the product development process.In this episode, we cover: [2:42] An overview of the food waste problem[6:04] The life cycle of food waste and the role of city municipalities[11:15] Harry's journey and experience with Nest[14:13] How he met his co-founder and decided to focus on waste[20:00] The genesis for Mill's hardware solution and how it evolved[25:28] Critical team members and how the company's final produce came to be[29:47] Mill as a systems change company[30:35] An overview of the Mill bin and membership experience[37:07] Where chickens fit in[45:19] The theoretical debate of systems change vs. personal responsibility[54:00] The company's partnership with the city of Tacoma, Washington[57:27] Where the company is looking to hire talent[59:06] Pros and cons of building in stealthGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInHarry Tannenbaum / MillMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on February 10, 2023.

Today's topic is ERCOT (The Electric Reliability Council of Texas), and we have two guests. Eric Goff is President at Goff Policy, an infrastructure consulting firm focusing on ERCOT market energy transition issues. Eric serves as the sole representative for residential consumers in the ERCOT stakeholder process. Jaden Crawford is director of policy at David Energy, a modern energy retailer that operates in multiple markets, including Texas. David Energy is also an MCJ Collective portfolio company. From an electrons perspective, the Texas energy grid is unique because it's relatively isolated from the rest of North America. It's also a deregulated market, which means that energy retail or selling power to end consumers is separate from energy generation or the act of creating power. Therefore, there's a robust B2B market between retailers and generators in addition to a direct-to-consumer retailer market. All of this has created a vibrant entrepreneurial energy ecosystem in Texas.Companies in Texas are relatively free to experiment with new models and technologies, and the open market rules the day. But when Texas suffered wide-scale energy outages after Winter Storm Uri in 2021, the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, declared that ERCOT reform would be an emergency priority for the state legislature. In late January of this year, news about some of the ERCOT reform proposals brought Eric and Jaden to our attention, and we’re so grateful for their time in shedding light on this topic. Enjoy! In this episode, we cover: Eric's background in ERCOTJaden's experience and transition to focusing on energyAn overview of ERCOT and its membersHow it fits into the broader energy and electricity picture in the U.S.How Texas deregulated its energy marketDeregulation's influence on driving the adoption of renewables, entrepreneurialism, and innovationEnergy failures during Winter Storm Uri and changes that are being madePricing caps and market dynamicsAn overview of the Performance Credit Mechanism (PCM) and ancillary servicesThe role of gentailorsDoes Texas need more energy generation?How people living in Texas can get involvedGet connected:Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInEric GoffJaden CrawfordMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on February  17, 2023. 

Today, we have two guests, Sonia Kastner, Founder and CEO at Pano, and Bill Clerico, Founder and Managing Partner at Convective Capital. Both Sonia and Bill are keynotes in the emerging category of fire tech and in the subcategory of climate tech that's referred to as adaptation solutions, technologies that can help deliver resiliency in the face of an increasingly unstable planet. At Pano, Sonia is developing technology that creates actionable intelligence for wildfire management. They're deploying a network of high-definition cameras across our forests to help generate faster and more informed fire response.At Convective Capital, Bill is investing in technology startups that are solving the problem of extreme wildfires, including Pano. Cody, Sonia, and Bill dive into the issue of wildfires, how and why they've grown in severity, the traditional response mechanisms that fire agencies have used and how that's changing, what types of technologies are being developed to support their efforts, and of course, some details about Pano's product offering. We also touch on the talent that's flowing into fire tech and how critical it is for us to continue to fund and develop new ways to adapt to a changing planet, try as we might in parallel to reign in the emissions and trapped heat that are causing climate change. In this episode, we cover: [3:00] Sonia's background and catalyst for working in climate adaptation at Pano [5:05] Bill's background in FinTech and inspiration to start Convective Capital [7:33] The mega wildfire crisis today and trends over the last two decades [11:54] Universal factors contributing to wildfires across different geographies [14:28] Solutions to wildfires including Pano's technology[16:49] An overview of firefighting today, early detection, and rapid initial attack [21:09] How suppression efforts could change based on fire characteristics and the need for collaboration [24:58] Challenges of building a tech company in the wilderness[27:37] How Pano is leveraging Starlink to create solutions for their customers[29:14] An overview of the company's physical product and buyers [31:52] How Convective Capital approaches companies like Pano who sell primarily to fire agencies [34:27] How organizations like CAL FIRE are changing their approach to work with tech companies [36:19] Skills needed and where talent is coming from [38:40] What's next for Pano and Convective CapitalGet connected:Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInSonia Kastner / PanoBill Clerico / Convective CapitalMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 12, 2023. 

Today's guests are Ajay Kochhar, President, CEO, and co-founder at Li-Cycle, and Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office at the United States Department of Energy. Jigar is a multi-time guest on the show and a friend of the pod, and he reached out to us to see if we'd want to record an episode discussing Li-Cycle's experience in applying for and receiving a conditional commitment from the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office for a loan of approximately $375 million to help Li-Cycle scale up their work with a production facility in Greece, New York near Rochester. We cover a lot of ground today. We reintroduce Jigar and the Loan Programs Office. For those of you who want to go deeper, you can visit the My Climate Journey pod archive for other episodes featuring Jigar, including one from a year ago with him and Rob Hansen of Monolith Materials. We also introduce Ajay and the business he's building with Li-Cycle to recover and recycle critical lithium-ion battery metals. Then we spend most of the conversation talking about how the Loan Programs Office works with prospective applicants as well as what Li-Cycle's experience was as an applicant. We learn how the LPO helps companies define and lay out their plans across a wide array of considerations, including, of course, financial and technical, but also their plans for community involvement, workforce development, environmental impact, permitting, and so much more. The LPO provides a unique role in the funding landscape for climate tech. Venture funding can help a company grow, and it can help a company navigate initial market risk. But for us to make a real dent in the climate problem, it's going to take moving atoms at scale. For infrastructure-heavy businesses, there's a need for sizable capital to put steel in the ground and build a production facility. It’s possible for a startup to leverage a small pilot facility to prove that its technology can work, but to provide a commercial solution at a fully deployed scale, it may need to invest tens or hundreds of millions of dollars into infrastructure and facilities, and oftentimes, the venture debt markets are reticent to fund large, first of its kind build-outs. This is where the LPO plays a key role. A major takeaway from Ajay and Jigar's discussion is the significant partnership between the LPO and a company during the application process as they collectively uncover and work through assumptions and hypotheses together. In this episode, we cover: [4:43] Introduction to the Loan Programs Office [9:20] An overview of Li-Cycle and the company's success[14:14] $375 million loan from LPO to help scale Li-Cycle's hub and spoke approach [16:43] Importance of community engagement [20:28] An inside look at Li-Cycle's processing facilities and attention to safety[25:52] How the DOE evaluates projects and determines where investments are needed [29:12] Li-Cycle's first commercial facility in  Rochester[31:09] How and why Li-Cycle decided to partner with the LPO [36:07] The application process for working with the LPO [42:42] The government's role in the diligence side [47:37] Ajay's thoughts on how the LPO terms may differ from future commercial loans [50:51] How Jigar has streamlined the LPO's process [54:23] Tips for companies seeking a loan from the U.S. DOEGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInAjay Kochhar Twitter / LinkedInLi-CycleJigar Shah Twitter / LinkedInLoan Programs Office MCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on February 15, 2023.

Today's guest is Carlos Araque, co-founder and CEO of Quaise Energy. Quaise is seeking to unlock the power of geothermal energy by drilling into deeper and hotter parts of the earth than ever, using microwave-based technology rather than traditional mechanical drill bits.Carlos has a fascinating background; he grew up in Medellin, Colombia, during the turbulent 1980s and 1990s, matriculated to MIT, and then found himself working in oil and gas for a while before transitioning to geothermal and Quaise. In this episode, Carlos walks us through how geothermal energy is harnessed today and what has held it back from a scale perspective. He also offers a unique futurist point of view that there are only three forms of energy that have the potential to offer abundant clean energy to humanity at scale on a multi-decade or century-scale timeframe: fission, fusion, and deep geothermal. From his perspective, the energy density profiles of wind and solar relative to their land use requirements will eventually cause them to hit limitations.If you’re curious about geothermal but need a primer on how it works, this one eases into the topic by going into the state of geothermal today, then spending some time on Quaise's tech solution and business model. We conclude by getting Carlos' take on the future of energy. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [2:50] Carlos' background and serendipitous path to starting Quaise[9:22] How Carlos became interested in geothermal and his thoughts on the three solutions for deploying clean energy at scale[14:25] An overview of geothermal[18:04] Different use cases and geothermal's potential[21:37] Tthe different types of geothermal, including hydrothermal and EGS systems[23:32] What's holding geothermal back today[25:40] Quaise's approach[29:55] How Quaise repurposes oil and gas capabilities to deploy their different technology[35:28] Core assumptions the company is working towards in the lab[38:37] Challenges associated with scaling[40:58] The role of regulation[45:37] Quaise's business model[48:37] How Carlos evaluates risks associated with his business[52:44] Geographic footprint required for other forms of renewable energy[55:01] Where new skills are needed from a talent perspective[57:01] What's next for Quaise and where they need helpGet connected:Cody Twitter / LinkedInCarlos LinkedIn / QuaiseMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 6, 2023. 

*This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today's guest is James Sedlak, who leads Operations and Community Engagement at Kodama Systems, a startup developing automated ways of thinning overcrowded forests and utilizing low-value biomass, which we'll learn more about in the episode. From 2019 to 2021, James was a wildland firefighter for three seasons working on fire suppression and mitigation in the El Dorado National Forest. He has also worked on climate resilience projects for local and state agencies in California, such as the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, and the Tahoe Conservancy. In this episode, we get into the nitty-gritty of the day of the life of a wildland firefighter and learn about the future of firefighting and what the space will entail. After hearing about the dedication and dangers associated with wildland firefighting, you’ll walk away with a much deeper appreciation and gratitude for the work being done around the mitigation and suppression of fires. And lastly, we at MCJ Collective are proud to be investors in Kodama via our venture capital funds. Enjoy the show!In this episode, we cover: [2:00] James' background and how he landed his current role at Kodama [5:43] An overview of the El Dorado National Forest and James' work in wildland fire [7:04] Different types of firefighting and how to get started[10:31] Courses and the interview process [12:02] Career progression for working in the  U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS)[17:51] An overview of hotshots [19:27] What it's like to be a firefighter and the typical experience during a fire season [22:41] The importance of pre-season training and supporting mental health programs for firefighters[26:43] Challenges with retention in the federal wildland firefighting workforce [28:21] An overview of mitigation suppression to prevent wildfires [30:27] Wildfire trends from out on the frontlines and within the workforce [32:49] James' work at Kodama  [38:01] Implications of recent flooding on the fire season for this year and years to come James’ Earth Refuge interviewGet connected:Yin’s Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 13, 2022.

Our guests today are, Diego Saez-Gil of Pachama and Sam Gill of Sylvera, and we're talking about forestry carbon offsets.Forestry carbon offsets were designed as a financial tool to provide an economic incentive for landowners to make alternative decisions, to pay landowners to keep their forests intact in the case of deforestation avoidance credits or to reforest previously damaged land in the case of reforestation credits. The money for this economic incentive comes from large actors who can then take "credit" for their action and apply it against the carbon footprint of their own organization. This is a carbon offset. In the simplest terms, if part of a company cannot decarbonize quickly, but still aims to achieve net-zero emissions, they can pay a forest landowner to preserve their forest and take an agreed upon amount of carbon off their balance sheet accordingly. And it’s a relatively new thing. Forestry carbon offsets have become a popular product over the last decade, and like any maturing industry, it has challenges.Diego and Sam are here to walk us through why forests matter, the history of offsets and how they work, some of the challenges highlighted recently, and what they think the path forward looks like. Regardless of what you think of carbon offsets, this is a crucial problem to solve. Without an economic incentive to maintain and regrow the world's forests, any thought of avoiding the worst effects of climate change is out the window. In this episode, we cover: Diego's background and intro to PachamaSam's experience and an overview of SylveraForests in the world today and why they matter for climateRisk of deforestation and the Amazon becoming a self-reinforcing negative feedback loopHow the story of biodiversity has changed from a forestry perspectiveEconomic levers at play with regard to forests, including reforestation and afforestationThe link between forest credits, offsets, and carbon marketsProblems associated with deforestation credits and managing illegal activityThe voluntary market for deforestation credits, who's buying and whyHow deforestation credits are measured now and historicallyMeasuring reforestation and afforestation projectsDiego and Sam's thoughts on a recent article in The Guardian claiming that most forest carbon offsets are worthlessHow Sylvera assesses forest projects and its reaction to The Guardian articlePachama's approach to creating synthetic baselines and validating the uncertainty of predictionsOvercoming challenges through collaborationPredictions for the future of forest carbon marketsGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInDiego Twitter / LinkedInSam Twitter / LinkedIn  MCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 31, 2023

Today's guest is Oliver Gunasekara, co-founder and CEO at Impossible Metals. If we're to electrify everything, we need an order of magnitude more batteries and wiring. All of this requires metals including nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, and copper. More metals mean… you guessed it, more mining. Today's land-based mining practices are fraught with externalities that vary by material, but often include deforestation and land degradation, incredible amounts of water use, pollution via mine tailings, giant diesel trucks, and in some cases even child labor. And what's more, the supply chains for many of these resources often flow to China, which has made massive investments in securing access for China-based battery companies. And yet, in certain expanses of our deep ocean, there are seabeds full of golf ball-sized nodules of metal like nickel and cobalt that have naturally formed over millennia. Impossible Metals is helping us realize an electrified future by developing underwater autonomous robots that mine metals for EV batteries in the deep sea. The company is developing an audacious moonshot-like technology to sustainably harvest trillions of dollars of undersea metals and disrupt the EV battery supply chain in the process. Buckle up, this discussion is rich and complex. In this episode, we cover:The state of mining todayAn overview of key battery metals, including nickel cobalt manganese (NCM), cobalt, manganese, and lithiumShortfalls in fulfilling the supply chainOliver's journey in startups and how he transitioned to climate techAn overview of deep sea minerals and their significanceThe process for mining materials including regulationsWhere we are today in terms of commercial mining of deep-sea mineralsScientific exploration required to do the workA description of Impossible Metals' autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)How robotics help the AUV search for metals while minimizing the impact on sea lifeWhere the company is today and its goals for reducing the need for new minesCosts associated with Impossible Metals' solution compared to dredging and new minesImpacts on the supply chain for batteriesRole of the Inflation Reduction Act in funding manufacturing and productionFinal steps for refining and manufacturing materials into batteriesHow Oliver approaches company formulation with the mission of doing goodWhere the company is today and why the work is importantGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInOliver Gunasekara / LinkedInImpossible Metals / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 10, 2023. 

Today's guest is Alex Blumberg, who is most recently the co-host of the climate change-focused podcast, How to Save a Planet. Alex was co-founder and CEO of Gimlet Media, which was acquired by Spotify in 2019. Alex has a history of unpacking incredibly complex systemic issues and making them digestible for mass audiences. Prior to Gimlet, he was co-host of the podcast Planet Money, which had its origins in unpacking the intricacies of the financial crisis of 2008 and the role of the housing market, therein.Planet Money went on to do investigative work on a myriad of economic and financial stories. And then Gimlet Media emerged with a similar focus on broader cultural topics. On this pod, we've talked to a few different entrepreneurs who've tackled the challenging problem of climate communications, from Climate Town's comedy, to Pique Action’s positivity, to The Cool Down’s attempts to hook new audiences into caring about climate via individual choices. How to Save a Planet, focused on helping people find their personal agency on the Venn diagram of the intersection of "What brings you joy, what you are good at, and what work needs doing."Alex and Cody have a conversation about how his own Venn diagram has changed as his skills have shifted from being good at podcasting to being experienced a company building. And they talk about how the broader narrative on climate change has changed over the last few years and why. They also cover the intersection of money and climate and the role of policy and politics therein. This discussion has great takeaways for those who are thinking about plugging themselves into climate-related efforts while leveraging their own skill, and for those working on communicating complex climate issues.In this episode, we cover: [3:11] Overarching thoughts about the housing crisis and the climate crisis[8:41] Public opinion and general awareness of climate change and the issues[13:10] The action side of climate communications and how Alex approached it on How to Save a Planet[17:10] Listener stories inspired by the podcast[19:00] Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's Climate Action Venn Diagram [22:39] How Alex used his skills in podcasting  to drive climate action[24:57] His background in radio and narrative storytelling[32:44] How Gimlet Media came to be and an overview of Startup Podcast[38:28] Learnings from Alex's journey starting Gimlet through its acquisition by Spotify in 2019[43:45] How to harness personal agency while building a company[47:11] Situations where using climate change or climate benefits actually hurts business[51:39] Alex's thoughts on ESG and corporate action[57:26] What's next for AlexGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInAlex Blumberg TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on December 13, 2022. 

Today's guest is Peter Reinhardt, co-founder and CEO of Charm Industrial. This conversation was recorded as a live session during Climate Career Week, a series of talks, local meetups, and office hours designed to help people make the transition into climate-oriented work. Climate Career Week was organized by Climate Draft, Terra.do, Work on Climate, and MCJ Collective. Given the nature of the audience, today's conversation focuses heavily on Peter's own journey into founding one of the most prominent companies in the climate tech space today. Peter also offers his thoughts on how certain key job functions may slightly differ in a climate tech company as opposed to a software tech company. And he would know. As Peter was working on Charm Industrial he was also the active co-founder and CEO of Segment, a software business in customer data management, which he eventually sold to Twilio in 2020 for $3.2 billion. In fact, Charm Industrial operated for multiple years while Peter was running Segment as his primary full-time role.In addition to the career path discussions, we cover what Charm Industrial is and does and why it matters. We also talk about how he imagines the business expanding in the coming years to take on adjacent problems in the emission space. And lastly, we at MCJ Collective are proud to be multiple-time investors in Charm Industrial via our venture capital funds. With that, we hope you enjoyed this conversation.In this episode, we cover: [2:12] Peter's background and path into tech[3:53] His motivations for dropping out of MIT and starting a software company [6:11] How Peter discovered the problem for Segment's software solution[7:35] Learnings from becoming a CEO  [9:55] Peter's motivations for working on the climate problem and how Charm Industrial came to be[18:01] An overview of Charm Industrial[22:01] An overview of pyrolysis and Charm's process [25:07] How Peter views the company's core innovation [28:58] Biggest risks and challenges with putting bio-oil underground [31:14] Customer side of carbon sequestration[34:24] How Peter sees Charm evolving [40:21] Key job function differences between a climate tech company vs a software tech company [45:10] Biggest lessons learned in transitioning from leading a software company to a carbon removal company [46:16] How Peter approaches permitting including exploring jurisdictions and finding consultants [47:31] Biggest choking point today and where MRV fits inGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInPeter Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 27, 2023. Watch the video here.

Today's guest is Simon Moores, CEO of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, the world’s leading Price Reporting Agency (PRA) for the lithium-ion battery to the electric vehicle supply chain and a data and intelligence provider for the space.Simon and Cody have a great conversation about the state of the EV battery supply chain and lithium in particular – where it comes from, how it's processed, what drives its price, the geopolitical considerations of its mining and production, and what to expect in the coming years and decades. In this episode, we cover: [1:50] Simon's background in batteries, mining, and journey to starting Benchmark Mineral Intelligence[3:30] The role of EV batteries in driving the lithium market[6:45] Primary method of lithium mining today and challenges for scaling long term[12:44] Driving forces behind energy storage volumes today[13:37] Supply chain for lithium today and current challenges[19:36] Production of lithium in China[22:10] Environmental impact of processing metals into chemicals for batteries[25:25] The US plan for domestic lithium-ion battery processing and impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act[30:00] Joint ventures and other key players   building gigafactories[33:24] Status of EV consumer market in China[36:30] An overview of Benchmark Minerals[41:11] Simon's short and long-term market outlook for lithiumGet connected: Cody SimmsSimon Moores / Benchmark Mineral IntelligenceMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 17, 2023.

Today's guest is Dr. Evan Thomas, CEO and Founder of Virridy, and Director of the Mortensen  Center in Global Engineering & Resilience and the Climate Innovation Collaboratory at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Evan is also a tenured Associate Professor in the CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department. So, he’s a busy guy.  Virridy’ s water sensors monitor and measure groundwater pumping for more than 4 million people in the East African countries of Kenya and Ethiopia and the American West. The company’s partners include the National Science Foundation (NSF), USAID, The World Bank, NASA, the Millennium Water Alliance, Swarm Technologies, The Freshwater Trust, Wexus Technologies and the Kenyan government.We’ve had a few conversations on the pod recently at the intersection of water and climate change. Jason spoke with Felicia Marcus of Stanford’s Water in the West program, and Cody talked to David Wallace of CODA Farm Tech. It’s worth noting some of the key learnings up to this point. For starters, conversations about water are nuanced. Droughts, floods, sea level rise, irrigation, stormwater systems, clean drinking water, etc… all have water as a common thread, but are each enormously separate topics on their own. And while most of the problems and challenges with water existed before climate change, they have accelerated faster than anyone anticipated. Evan is pursuing two different business models in East Africa and the U.S., albeit with the same tech stack. In the former, he primarily seeks to earn avoided emissions carbon credits by monitoring the activity of groundwater pumps and the cleanliness of the water they produce, and ensuring access to clean drinking water without the need to burn fuels to heat and purify it. In the American West, he is participating in the demand response economy, helping water utilities shut down their groundwater pumps and conserve electricity during times of peak grid demand.Evan and Cody have a fantastically nuanced conversation, tackling subjects as diverse as the outcomes of COP27 as it relates to climate justice, his background at NASA and how it informed his approach to earth science, how he runs a company while also being a university professor, how carbon credit financing works, and of course the differences in how climate change is accelerating droughts in East Africa and the American West, and what that means for the water systems in each geography. Get ready to dive in a learn a ton!  In this episode, we cover: [4:12] Evan's background in water systems in space and rural communities[8:28] Applying carbon credits to clean drinking water[10:50] Evan's partnership with Life Straw and academic and entrepreneurial experience[12:20] Similarities and differences between the American West and East Africa in terms of climate change and water[18:36] Groundwater in East Africa vs. California and purification requirements[24:10] Virridy's solution and technology[26:22] The company's carbon credit methodologies in Africa[28:31] Financial incentives and carbon offset endorsements from COP27 in Egypt[32:11] Virridy's different business model in the U.S.[37:48] How Evan manages Virridy's different markets[42:59] Applying Virridy's tech to soil carbon[46:23] The company's funding to date and an overview of pre-selling carbon creditsGet connected: Cody's TwitterDr. Evan Thomas / VirridyMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 28, 2022.

This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Our next guest is Tonya Hicks, President and CEO of Power Solutions and Managing Principle of Women Do Everything, LLC.  Tonya is a serial entrepreneur, a single mom of two boys, and a wireman electrician in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). She became the first woman to attain the status of inside journeyman wireman in the IBEW Local 917 in her hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, and the first African American woman to become an IBEW journeyman electrician in the State of Mississippi.Tonya’s primary electrician job started in industrial environments, working in paper mills, steel mills, and car plants. She then specialized in robotics and high-voltage equipment installation and repair. In 2000 at age 28, Tonya founded Power Solutions, Inc. an electrical contracting company. Tonya is also the founder of Women Do Everything, which supports women in blue-collar, male-dominated industries to help them grow, connect, and thrive.In this episode, Tonya shares her background in mathematics and switch to electrical work. We also learn how she started her company, its international footprint, and her challenges as a black woman in a male-dominated industry. Yin and Tonya cover different types of electricians plus the union vs. non-union experience for people interested in the space. Finally, they talk about the electrician shortage, the impacts of the IRA on electrical work, and Tonya’s other inspiring endeavors. In this episode, we cover: [2:18] Tonya's background in electrical work[6:35] The education path to becoming an electrician[8:46] Gender and racial disparities in the trades and electrical work specifically[12:37] How Tonya started her own company called Power Solutions and grew her business[21:44] Power Solutions' footprint in Georgia and internationally[23:41] Different types of electricians and the union vs. non-union experience[27:07] The electrician shortage[27:54] An overview of Tonya's Women Do Everything organization[31:32] The first Women's Summit and Career Expo on March 28-29 in Atlanta, Georgia[35:45] Impacts of the IRA on electrical work[38:28] Tonya's SHE EV companyGet connected:Yin Twitter / LinkedInTonya Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on December 5, 2022. 

Today's guest is Sam D'Amico, Founder and CEO at Impulse. Impulse is helping to electrify homes with sleek-looking all-electric appliances, starting with an induction cooktop.Regardless of whether or not you pay close attention to the climate space, you've probably seen some commentary in the last few weeks about gas stoves. The gas stovetop has become one of the latest culture war topics in American political discourse. Recent remarks from an official with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission about health risks associated with gas stoves in the home have prompted a wave of conservative voices to speak out in support of gas stoves, with one prominent House Republican tweeting a picture of a lit gas stovetop and the caption QUOTE "you'll have to pry it from my COLD DEAD HANDS!"Sam and Cody have a great conversation about the news from the last few weeks, the emissions profile of gas stoves, recent data on health risks associated with gas stoves in the home, the history of how gas stoves came into homes in the first place, some of the city and state level regulation that has recently been enacted around gas hookups in new construction, and then all about induction stoves and what Impulse is building. Since this topic is likely to cross over and come up in conversation with folks you might not expect, we hope you find it informative and helpful. In this episode, we cover: [3:38] The culture war around gas stoves [5:25] Growth of gas usage in homes [9:57] Emissions and human health concerns of using gas stoves[17:57] Regulations around gas hookups[22:27] Utility incentives and influencer campaigns for gas appliances [27:11] Legacy electric stove tops [31:14] An overview of induction stoves [5:45] Installation process for induction stoves [40:04] Impulse's suite of appliances[45:30] Sam's background and how he transitioned to working on appliances[47:55] Future plans for Impulse [50:49] Challenges and changes needed to help people understand induction stoves Get connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInSam D’Amico / ImpulseMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 19, 2023

Today, we have two guests, Peter Minor, Director of Science and Innovation at Carbon180; and Jack Andreasen, Policy Manager for Carbon Management at Breakthrough Energy. Peter and Jack are two of the world’s foremost experts in the world on carbon dioxide removal, or CDR as it's called in climate circles. They and their respective organizations influence public policy, support critical technology research and development, and offer various other forms of support for the burgeoning field of CDR.In this conversation, we're focused almost exclusively on ambient carbon dioxide removal and not on point source carbon capture, which is a separate but related technology focused on directly capturing emissions from hard-to-abate industrial applications like concrete, steel, and fossil fuel extraction. Ambient carbon dioxide removal (CDR) instead seeks to remove diffuse CO2 from the atmosphere directly via multiple methodologies, of which the most widely pictured method is direct air capture, or DAC, which looks like oversized fans that extract CO2 from the air. In addition, we also touch on a few biology-related CDR technologies like biochar that seek to lock biologically produced carbon up before it can become atmospheric.There's so much to unpack in this one. Cody, Peter and Jack talk about policy tailwinds for CDR, the categories and methodologies, commercial adoption progress and challenges, how and why buyers approach the space today, and some of the speed bumps CDR will undoubtedly encounter as it scales, including but not limited to fraud and false claims. Challenges aside, it's an exciting time in this space. CDR is still very nascent and very wide open, but it also feels light years further along than just a few years ago. In this episode, we cover: [3:08] An overview of Carbon180 and Peter's work[5:07] Breakthrough Energy and Jack's background [7:48] Policy tailwinds of the IRA[12:59] Why DAC became a policy winner and other investments in the IRA [14:36] Hybrid approaches to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere [18:30] An overview of direct air capture (DAC) and mineralization [25:03] Enhanced rock weathering [27:46] Measuring CDR and uncertainty with open and closed systems [32:54] Variety of ocean methods compared to terrestrial  [35:11] Biochar as a scaled solution, why it's a less prominent method, and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) [40:53] Analysis for selecting and purchasing CDR credits [43:00] The role of consulting firms for companies purchasing CDR credits [52:13] Reasons why companies are buying CDR [55:17] Biggest risks of fraud and different levels [1:03:03] Guardrails for preventing fraud and the role of government [1:06:25] Innovation needs for CDRResources mentioned in this episode: Buying Carbon Removal, Explained by ShopifyCarbon180 ResourcesCDR.fyi 2022 Year in ReviewGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 4, 2023

Today's guest is Allison Dring, CEO and co-founder of Made of Air, which makes carbon-negative materials using biochar for the built environment and consumer goods.Biochar is a carbon-rich material from burning biomass such as wood or crop residue. We’ve loosely covered this topic with startups like Climate Robotics, but Made of Air is taking a different approach. The company uses biochar powder mixed with bioplastics to create a moldable, functional material embedded with captured carbon. Made of Air is helping to drive the net-zero economy by using its material in various products, including fashion accessories, brand facades, and building materials.  The way we approach seemingly routine aspects of building design, such as accent textures on walls, is shifting as we become more aware of the environmental impact of embodied carbon. Allison and Made of Air are leading examples of this transformation in the industry.In this episode, Allison and Cody have an interesting conversation about current building materials and how the built environment is thinking about decarbonization. They also discuss how carbon-negative materials can complement other emissions reduction practices in buildings. Finally, they delve into the end-of-life process for these buildings and what materials would need to look like to ensure that carbon stays sequestered.In this episode, we cover:[2:11] Systemic failures in the built environment[4:31] Why we should be paying attention to embodied carbon right now[6:22] New regulations in Europe for building emissions[8:45] Allison's background as a trained architect and how she met her co-founder[14:10] Allison's approach from a climate perspective with carbon capture at the forefront[18:10] An overview of Made of Air's process[21:27] Use cases for Made of Air's material, including fashion and the built environment[25:17] The company's role in customers' manufacturing process and impact on Scope 3 Emissions[29:19] The green premium question[32:40] Made of Air's production footprint and plans to scale[36:00] Biochar's end-of-life and permanent sequestration[39:15] The financial side of the business[42:10] Who Allison wants to hear from and how to work with Made of AirGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInAllison Dring / Made of AirMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 7, 2022. 

Today’s guest is Dr. David Kirtley, Founder and CEO at Helion, which is building the world's first fusion generator and enabling a future of unlimited clean electricity. Nuclear fusion has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce energy. As the driving force behind every star in our galaxy, fusion has long been hailed as the "holy grail" of clean energy, offering a limitless and fossil-free source of power. But the idea of harnessing fusion on Earth has seemed like a dream that’s perpetually 30 years away. However, with a recent influx of venture capital and the emergence of fusion startups, unlimited clean energy may finally be within reach. This episode was initially recorded as a fireside chat at the SOSV Climate Tech Summit on October 25-26, 2022 (video here). Jason and David talk about Helion, the company’s origin story, approach, and progress. They also cover some of the barriers holding them back, and what it will take to get to true commercial adoption. The discussion also touches on fusion in general, why the joke has been that fusion is 30 years away and always will be, and how close we are to the exciting promise of fusion technology.In this episode, we cover: [2:20] An overview of Helion [2:50] How David came to work on fusion and its possibilities [5:04] Status of nuclear fusion[7:25] David's thoughts on the fusion landscape, including different players and types [10:23] Company origin story [12:26] How Helion pieced together their solution set [14:20] Funding milestones to date [15:17] Early stages and current risks [17:54] Helion's plans for commercialization and the company's business model [18:53] The pitch for initial customers [20:18] Supply chain concerns [21:04] Who David wants to hear from and open positions at HelionGet connected: Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedIn\David Kirtley / HelionMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 25, 2022.

Today's guest is Manik Suri, CEO and Founder of Therma. The cold chain is a massive part of modern society that doesn't get much attention. It stores a huge amount of goods, allowing us to keep food fresh, medicines effective, and current internet infrastructure. Yes, even data centers are part of the cold chain.Therma is turning commercial and industrial refrigeration systems into virtual power plants and helping to reduce emissions across three vectors: food waste, energy, and refrigerant gases. Manik took a lean startup approach to Therma with a thesis that he could monitor refrigeration to help companies avoid spoilage. That idea led him to uncover related customer problems such as controlling temperature, optimizing power consumption, and detecting potential equipment failures that could lead to leaks. Collectively these problems add up to nearly 10% of global emissions. As refrigeration and cooling spread across a warming world, this footprint is expected to grow. The story of unchecked cooling is one of the self-reinforcing negative feedback loops where warmer weather requires more cooling, which uses more power and leaks more refrigerant, causing warmer weather… on repeat.In this episode, Cody Simms chatted with Manik to hear the details of our collective refrigeration and cold chain problem, how his solution at Therma came to be, and what's next for this side of the cooling world. In this episode, we cover: [2:19] An overview of the cold chain[5:10] Regulations and rules from a temperature management standpoint[8:09] Major sources of waste and inefficiency in the cooling sector and cold chain[10:02] Role of refrigerant leaks during a machine's lifespan and end-of-life[14:49] An overview of the cold chain emissions footprint[18:07] Origins of Therma and the company's solution[23:12] Manik's journey and how he landed in refrigeration[27:36] Therma's hardware, software, and analytical platform[31:00] The company's subscription model and how it came to be during the pandemic[33:16] How Therma predicts manufacturing timeframes and balances risk[35:06] The company's early adopters at a national level and plans to scale[38:13] Job opportunitiesGet connected:Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInManik Suri Twitter / LinkedInTherma Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 21, 2022. 

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today's guest is Brittany Heller, Director of Program Management at HeatSpring. Last year, we kicked off this series by hearing from a field technician working on the installation side of the solar industry. And while there are many facets to the PV space, we couldn’t just end there. Today’s guest is a fascinating follow-up from that initial episode because Brittany’s background and experience as a female in a male-dominated field highlight a different side of the spectrum. From doing door-to-door to back office sales, solar construction, and most recently workforce development and democratizing training access to get more people working in the solar industry, she has a wealth of knowledge for women who are looking to make the switch and are not sure where to start. We met Brit through the Greenwork platform, and naturally invited our friend Sam Steyer to co-host the conversation. We find out how Brit felt a calling to work on something more meaningful in life and applied for a solar job on a whim, how solar policy shifts uprooted her and her now husband from Louisiana to Colorado, what it's like to transition from doing sales to doing solar construction projects, and the empathy she's built seeing both sides of the house, and ways to create a more inclusive future workforce in the skills trade arena. Enjoy! In this episode, we cover: [3:12] Britt's background and how she found her way into the solar industry[6:47] Her experience with door-to-door sales [8:06] Differences between outside vs inside sales [10:23] The role of policy in Britt's career at Grid Alternatives [14:24] Her experience working in construction [17:00] An overview of Grid Alternatives and the org's revenue model [20:02] Construction skills Britt gained that changed her life [22:00] Learnings from working in both the sales and construction sides [25:48] Inspiring stories from Britt's workforce development chapter at Grid[29:01] Tips for deciding on where people can focus in the skills trade side of climate [30:37] The role of gender and diversity representation in the trades [36:40] How Britt sees her career evolving in the futureGet connected:Yin Twitter / LinkedInBrittany / HeatspringMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 5, 2022. 

Today's guest is Dr. Leah Ellis, CEO and co-founder of Sublime Systems, which is using electrochemistry to make cement and in doing so claims to have a pathway to reduce the emissions footprint of cement production by 60-90%.Cement is the most abundant man-made material on earth, with billions of tons produced yearly. So far the primary pathway to reducing its emissions footprint is via point source carbon capture otherwise defined as collecting the greenhouse gasses that are emitted as part of the process of breaking down limestone to make cement. But those gasses are diffuse and mixed in with a bunch of other stuff which makes capturing pure greenhouse gas streams hard and expensive. C mmMJ Heating the limestone up to the point of it breaking down requires extremely high temperatures and coal. Dr. Ellis and Sublime took a totally different approach to the problem. Instead of heating up the limestone, the company figured out ways to use chemistry to break it down, even if that requires a lot of electricity. Leah and her co-founder used their backgrounds in EV battery chemistry and have invented a method that essentially turns a cement plant into an electric-distributed energy resource.This conversation with Cody and Leah is an eye-opener as they spent a bunch of time digging into how climate solutions can be tackled by outsiders who apply cross-functional learnings to big problems. Leah is incredibly knowledgeable and her unique experience in the "electrify everything" movement highlights what that might mean at an industrial scale. Enjoy!In this episode, we cover: [3:14] An overview of cement and associated GHG emissions [9:52] The role of coal in making cement [11:44] Relevant terminology [14:22] Different types of cement [16:12] Leah's background in EV batteries and electrochemistry [18:52] Her co-founder Yet-Ming Chiang [22:36] How the idea of electrochemical cement came together[27:01] An overview of Sublime Systems [30:41] The company's inputs and outputs [33:18] Legacy cement manufacturers and their path to net zero commitments [38:12] Alternative feedstocks to limestone [40:41] The big catalyst for Sublime Systems [44:23] How Leah is talking to legacy cement companies and Sublime's potential business models[47:31] How companies can pay for green premiums [49:15] Need for external measurements for carbon reduction and LCAs[51:43] Sublime's production today, their future roadmap, and open positionsGet connected: Cody Simms LinkedIn / TwitterLeah Ellis / Sublime SystemsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 21, 2022

Today's guest is Jonathan Strauss, co-founder and CEO of Climate Draft, whose mission is to expose more people to the inspiring, impactful, and lucrative opportunities at venture-backed startups focused on decarbonizing the global economy.Talent movement into climate tech is critical, especially talent that has learned to scale businesses and technologies fast. In many cases, the skillsets that these folks possess are so ingrained that they don't even recognize them as skills. Innate familiarity with things like how to build a hiring pipeline, how to properly incentivize a sales team, do performance reviews, how to establish a culture, bring in and integrate senior executives as it scales, and how to manage key accounts. These are all day-to-day activities that people in big tech companies take for granted but in many cases are altogether new skills for climate companies founded by folks with skills in synthetic biology, mechanical engineering, or other areas. And getting many of these key climate technologies to a scale fast is what needs to happen given the timeframes we are working with from a global carbon budget.Climate Draft is an organic effort, born out of the climate tech community and focused on increasing the awareness of climate in other corners of tech and industries beyond, particularly into talent pools with individuals who have deep experience scaling businesses and who may be concerned about climate change but haven't yet explored working in climate as a career path.Jonathan and Cody have known each other for over 15 years, and have a great conversation about his journey from mainstream tech into progressive political work and then into climate, the community-based origins of Climate Draft, and what he's learned as he's helped thousands of people take their first step into exploring climate-related work. Great inspiration for anybody looking to figure out how to apply their skills most effectively in climate work.In this episode, we cover: 3:21] Jonathan's background and climate journey[14:55] The initial idea for Climate Draft[21:29] Need for talent and company-building experience in the climate space[26:18] First version of the "sports draft" model and learnings [32:06] Pros and cons of working with an all-volunteer team [36:38] An overview of Climate Draft today [41:35] Use case for people using Climate Draft as an entry point[44:24] Some of the takeaways from talent looking to transition to climate [46:06] Misconceptions about compensation in climate careers[47:08] Applicable skills [48:40] Learnings from climate companies trying to recruit talent [51:01] Range of geographies, skill sets, and industries that involve climate [53:26] Revenue-based financing that worked for Climate Draft [59:03] Learnings from foundersGet connected: Cody SimmsClimate Draft Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on December 1, 2022.

Today's guest is Sarah Richardson, CEO and co-founder of MicroByre, which is domesticating novel bacteria and using biology to produce chemicals that can supplant petrochemical production methods.Only a small portion of a barrel of oil is responsible for its petrochemical outputs. Most of a barrel is what you'd expect: fuel that's converted to gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc. But that small portion of petrochemical feedstocks is really valuable; by some estimates, it makes up to a quarter or more of the value of a barrel of oil. If we want to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to slow down climate change, one of the ways to do that is to lessen the value of a barrel of oil.MicroByre does this by looking to the natural world. There are microbes and bacteria all around us, eating things, producing things, and living in all sorts of environments, from the highest mountains to the deepest sea vents. There may be a trillion or more bacterial species out there, with 99.99% of them undiscovered by humans. And yet when it comes to domesticating microbes, the technology world has turned almost exclusively to yeast and E. coli.We typically think of microbes as something to which you feed sugar and it outputs alcohol. That's fermentation and it's how we make sourdough bread, beer, kombucha, kimchee, etc. But on this show, we've covered other input/output combinations such as Zero Acre Farms which uses bacteria to produce cooking oils. So what combinations of bacteria, feed, and environment can produce valuable chemicals? And can these bacteria be genetically modified to do this even more efficiently?These are the things that MicroByre is focused on. When we first started asking people about Sarah, more than one person told us that she was among the most intelligent people they'd ever met. Someone even said that they thought she'd win a Nobel Prize someday. After listening to her climate journey with bacteria, you’ll quickly realize why she’s highly regarded. We're thrilled to be investors in MicroByre at MCJ and hope you enjoy this conversation. In this episode, we cover: [3:10] Sarah's background and early lab experience [7:15] Her cross-disciplinary work at Johns Hopkins and the Department of Energy [16:55] Differences between biology and chemistry in trying to manipulate and grow organisms[21:33] An overview of biotechnology vs. industrial biotechnology [22:37] Petroleum's role in chemical production [24:40] Sarah's motivation for working on climate [27:40] An overview of MicroByre [31:49] The role of genetic modification in MicroByre's solution [37:12] MicroByre's commercial business model [40:07] The company's flexible approach to working with clients and managing uncertainty [43:56] Some of the chemical compounds MicroByre is solving for[47:22] The company's four client categories [55:22] The types of talent working at MicroByre [1:00:05] Funding to date and plans moving forwardGet connected: Cody SimmsSarah Richardson / MicroByreMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 4, 2022. 

This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today, we are talking trucks with Larry Coons. Transportation accounted for the largest portion of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, with 26% of those emissions coming from medium and heavy-duty trucks alone. Regulations on freight transportation are bound to have an impact, as the industry grapples with an aging workforce. But to understand exactly what it’s like to haul cargo on the road for 11 hours a day, or to adequately address concerns among truckers as new technology develops, you have to put yourself in the driver’s seat. Luckily, Larry has 10 years of experience on the road and also spent time as an automation truck tester with Uber Freight and Ike.In this chat, Yin and Larry talk about how he got into trucking, the role the climate change narrative has on decision-making, and what it’s like to be a long-haul driver. Larry also sheds light on the aging workforce and the need for younger drivers who are more likely to adopt new technologies. They also cover some general frustrations and stressors of the job, Larry’s views on electric trucks, and his experience working on some self-driving programs. In this episode, we cover:[1:56] How Larry got interested in trucking at a young age [5:52] The education, training, and certification process to becoming a truck driver [11:31] The trucker shortage and its impacts [13:37] Issues with driver payments [17:03] Deciding between the owner-operate route or working for a freight company [19:46] Things we can do to inspire a younger and more diverse trucking fleet [22:02] Role of technology [25:09] Larry's thoughts and concerns on electric trucks [28:09] A day in the life of a truck driver [31:31] Larry's work with Uber Freight [42:16] His future plans Get connected:Yin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 3, 2022.

Today's guest is Jason Prapas, CEO and Founder of FYTO, which is a technology company that is unlocking the potential of nutrient-rich aquatic plants to reduce the emissions and water footprint of food production, starting with cattle cultivation.Raising livestock, particularly cattle, is known for its incredibly high emissions footprint. And while we can make responsible diet choices individually, relying on society to change as a whole is challenging in a world that’s increasingly adopting meat-oriented food products. If opting for plant-based alternatives requires consumer choice and sacrifice, what are the systems-level approaches we can take to solve cattle’s carbon footprint?Each of humanity's major cultivated crops is a platform of sorts. Wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, etc. all have micro-economies surrounding them, including specific tools and machinery, input requirements, supply chains, markets, and geographies. FYTO is creating an entirely new agricultural crop platform that uses automation and sensor technology to achieve protein-rich aquatic plant mass at scale. It's a huge bet, with a huge reward for the planet if it pays off.Cody and Jason have a great conversation about the negative feedback loops built into the emissions and water impact of cattle production today, plus what it will take to grow a closed-loop system that can halt and reverse these externalities. In this episode, we cover:[4:12] Problems with food and water security coupled with rapid carbon reductions [6:04] Expected growth of food production and the climate impact [8:15] The role of animal agriculture [11:06] How climate justice fits in[12:59] Downstream impacts of a cow's diet, including emissions and deforestation[20:47] Groundwater pollution from animal food production [25:21] Methane emissions from cattle and different approaches aimed at reducing them [30:04] FYTO's farm solution [34:31] Role of technology development in farming better crops at scale [36:01] The FYTO farm setup [39:39] Protein comparisons between FYTO's plants and other types of cattle feed [40:39] Role of recycled animal waste as fertilizer [41:27] FYTO's current trials for measuring methane impact [42:51] The company's business model [48:07] Understanding impacts on scope three emissions [50:01] FYTO's shelf-life and storage [53:59] The company's funding to date and plans for growthGet connected: Cody SimmsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 5, 2022.

Today's guest is Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, best-selling author, strategist, teacher, and one of 15 “women who will save the world,” according to Time magazine.Dr. Wilkinson leads the All We Can Save Project, which she co-founded with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. As an emergent nonprofit, the project's mission is to nurture the leaderful climate community we need for a life-giving future using the tools of narrative change, community building, deep learning, and tending the emotional and spiritual route from which climate leadership grows. She is the creator of All We Can Save Circles, a unique model for deep dialogue about the climate crisis and building community around solutions, and Climate Wayfinding, a program that supports people in finding or deepening their place in climate work. Last but certainly not least, Dr. Wilkinson co-hosts the podcast A Matter of Degrees with Dr. Leah Stokes, which tells stories for the climate curious. Dr. Stokes recently had an insightful conversation with Jason (listen here), but Katharine brings a unique perspective and experience to the climate discussion, given her different background. In this episode, we dive into Dr. Wilkinson's journey to working on climate, her theory of change, and how it’s evolved. We also cover the role of activism, the arts, education, and a bunch of things that aren't typically associated with climate discussions, especially in Silicon Valley technology and innovation circles. In this episode, we cover: [4:00] Dr. Wilkinson's portfolio of projects [8:11] Her thoughts on the nature of the climate problem and how they've evolved [11:31] The myth of separation and the interconnected web of life [15:17] The urgency of creating more just solutions in partnership with communities [21:37] Humans are more hardwired for cooperation than competition [22:53] Dr. Wilkinson's theory of change for cultivating a different kind of leadership across sectors[24:38] Need for deep learning [28:01] Climate Wayfinding course with Terra.do [33:34] Her thoughts on the narrative of abundance vs. sacrifice [35:50] Some tensions in the Inflation Reduction Act and ways of overcoming them [38:45] Direct activism tactics  [40:52] Dr. Wilkinson's thoughts on the good vs. evil narrative in climateGet connected: Jason JacobsDr. WilkinsonAll We Can SaveA Matter of DegreesMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 4, 2022.

Today's guest is Adam Wright, CEO and co-founder of Vespene Energy, which uses landfill methane to fuel Bitcoin mining.At MCJ we’ve spent some time at the intersection of Bitcoin as an incentive mechanism for halting methane emissions with Crusoe Energy and their work with flared waste gas at oil wells. But understanding the actual scale of the landfill emissions problem and how the status quo doesn't provide an economic incentive for improvements is pretty mind-blowing. Perhaps a carbon tax could pass some day or fines for landfill owners could aim to remedy the issue, but we need landfills and collaborative solutions for all the waste we produce. Vespene's answer is to provide a carrot rather than a stick. The company offers operators the financial upside of the biogas that their sites produce in exchange for Vespene being able to use it. Adam describes Bitcoin mining not as the end-all-be-all for Vespene, but instead as an immediate economic consumer for biogas that doesn't require facilitating a buyer or hooking up a ton of expensive infrastructure. It essentially bootstraps an energy business with a third-party, logistics-free, economic model attached. And it's a model that can unlock totally different use cases once it's in place, including EV charging and more. Vespene is on the early side of building out its business, and they'll no doubt learn a lot about the real-world atoms at play as they move forward. But if they can incentivize the halt of the 15% or more of the US's methane footprint that comes from landfills, they can make a real difference on the climate front. In this episode, we cover: [3:25] Adam's journey transitioning from submarines and ocean conservation to landfill-based climate problems and Bitcoin[5:25] The problem of methane in landfills today compared to other sources[7:30] Landfill projects, EPA regulations, and issues with underreporting[12:50] Vespene's solution[15:18] An overview of biogas[12:34] U.S. landfill ownership and community beneficiaries[20:34] An overview of Bitcoin and its implications from a climate perspective[22:41] Demand side of Vespene's solution and uses for Bitcoin data processing[25:55] How Vespene uses Bitcoin as a tool[35:18] Bitcoin mining as a low margin but scalable business[37:09] Profitability from a Bitcoin mining perspective[39:25] Vespene's progress to date[43:02] Geographic nature of landfills and benefits for Vespene's business[45:07] White House Office of Science and Technology Policy report[47:10] Vespene's funding from the crypto and climate worldsGet connected: Cody's TwitterVespene Twitter / Adam’s TwitterMCJ Podcast*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 17, 2022. 

Today's guest is Ira Pearl, Vice President of Environmental Sustainability at Cox Enterprises. Ira is also the leader of Cox Conserves. In his role, Ira leads Cox's efforts to tackle sustainability challenges while driving its goals to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2024 and become water and carbon neutral by 2034. Cox Enterprises is interesting because they are a privately held global conglomerate headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with approximately 55,000 employees and $21 billion in total revenue. Its major operating subsidiaries are Cox Communications and Cox Automotive. Not only is the scale of Cox Enterprises pretty shocking, but the proactive role they've taken in trying to do the right thing with climate change and the clean energy transition is also noteworthy. Jason and Ira unpack a lot in this episode, including Ira's career and what led him to Cox in the first place. They talk about Cox's approach to sustainability, some of the progress the company has made in reaching net zero goals, as well as some of the barriers that they've come across along the way. They also cover where Cox is going in the future and have a great discussion about some of the things Ira thinks will help everybody move faster and what gets him most excited about the future and the clean energy transition overall. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [3:20] An overview of Cox Enterprises, including Cox Communication, Cox Automotive, and their clean tech division [5:37] Ira's personal climate journey [10:39] How Cox approaches organizational change at the functional level  [15:01] The reason behind Cox’s pursuit of climate-related and philanthropic projects [18:09] How public companies can focus on the longtime horizons of the collective good [21:15] Ira’s views on solutions that need improvements [25:40] An overview of Cox Enterprises' clean tech division [27:45] How Ira's sustainability department collaborates with their clean tech group [29:00] The importance of data tracking in reducing emissions and how Cox evolved from energy conservation to energy production[34:14] Balancing the tension between barriers to accelerated adoption and issues associated with changing too quickly [37:36] Ira's thoughts on the Inflation Reduction Act [41:39] Some of Cox's partnerships and community work in disadvantaged areas [45:09] How the company inspires employee action for climate-related activities [49:36] Ira's thoughts on offsetsGet connected: Jason's TwitterIra’s LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 3, 2022. 

Today's guest is Matt LeDucq, CEO and co-founder of Forum Mobility, which is working on the problem of heavy-duty trucking electrification, starting in California with the drayage sector.There are essentially two types of trucking. The first is long-haul or "over the road" which transports goods over long distances. If you've ever done a cross-country road-trip, the semi trucks on the interstates you see are long-haul trucks. And then there are drayage trucks. These trucks take large cargo containers from sea ports to distribution centers (and back and forth). Their typically short distances and repeatable patterns make them especially good candidates for electrification. Drayage trucks are relatively densely clustered and predictable, which helps when it comes to planning the EV charging infrastructure that can provide the amount of power these trucks command. It also turns out that California has some aggressive emissions reduction regulations coming online that will dramatically escalate the transition of drayage trucks from diesel to electric.Matt and Cody have a great conversation about the pending California regulations at play, as well as the history of clean air regulation around trucking. They also talk about the air quality issues surrounding most ports and the environmental justice issues that these regulations are aiming to address. They cover how the vast majority of drayage truck owners are independent operators and the financial burden that these regulations place on them. And, of course, they talk about Forum Mobility's product offering and company history, in addition to Matt's deep background in renewable energy. There are loads to learn about electrifying the trucking industry in this episode. Enjoy! In this episode, we cover: [3:19] The current regulatory world of decarbonizing the trucking industry in California[6:59] The role of environmental justice and dangerous emissions around ports[10:17] Challenges for independent truck owners and small businesses in meeting new regulations[14:32] Geographic differences in the drayage model[16:28] Incentive programs that help bridge the financing gap[18:19] Forum Mobility's solution[27:21] The company's business model[30:17] An overview of the charging infrastructure needed for drayage trucks[33:11] Matt's background in solar, construction, and electrification[36:41] Where he sees the company growing[38:18] How policy tailwinds can expand Forum's future business[42:13] Funding to date and how Matt sees funding moving forwardGet connected: Cody's TwitterMatt’s LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 18, 2022. 

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today's guest is Alejandro Carrillo, a rancher who lives in El Paso, Texas and stewards his family's ranch in Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert. Maintaining grasslands is important for preserving biodiversity, ensuring clean rivers, and storing carbon. In fact, since grasslands store carbon underground in their roots and soil, some would argue that they are better carbon sinks than forests. As stewards of these habitats, ranchers like Alejandro who focus on regenerative practices play an important role raising livestock and maintaining carbon sinks. After a successful career as an IT consultant, Alejandra joined his family ranch in 2004. Tired of the constant drought and suffering that came with traditional ranching in a desert climate, he'd been searching for ways to adapt and rehabilitate his family's land. Since 2006, Alejandro has adapted the principles of holistic grazing or regenerative ranching as we'll learn about in this episode. He’s also the president of Pare Del, a nonprofit organization that provides ongoing education for cattle ranchers as well as promotes holistic plant grazing across the world's deserts. In this fascinating and meandering conversation, Yin and Alejandro discuss regenerative ranching, why dung beetles are so important, the epigenetics of cows, the differences between Mexican and American agriculture policies, their effects on ranching and a whole lot more. Enjoy! In this episode, we cover: [2:23] Alejandro's background and ranching experience [5:47] An overview of his family's ranch in Chihuahua, Mexico[8:24] Differences between farming and ranching[16:28] Symbiotic relationship between grasslands and cattle grazing [19:47] An overview of the water cycle, issues with management today and impacts on soil[25:45] Regenerative ranching principles [32:24] How ranchers make a living[39:45] Policy differences for ranching between the U.S. and Mexico [43:18] What keeps Alejandro optimistic about the future of ranching practicesGet connected: Yin’s Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 1, 2022. 

Today's guest is Taj Eldridge. He calls himself the DJ Khaled of climate and you’ll know why when you hear him speak. Taj’s professional portfolio spans a variety of roles that live at the intersection of diversity, inclusivity, and climate. He’s currently involved in three exciting pursuits. As general partner at Include Ventures, Taj works with a team of experts to build a large and dynamic platform of women and historically underrepresented fund managers and founders, with the goal of opening new market opportunities for investors and driving  alpha, environmental, and social governance. Taj is also leading CREST or the Climate Resilient Employees for a Sustainable Tomorrow out of JFF Labs, which is a program that prepares people for climate resilient jobs in the United States and India. Lastly, Taj supports Klean Energy Kulture, an organization on a mission to transition black communities to clean energy by kicking off a series of experiences that tour historically black institutions and leverage music, gaming and sustainable fashion to promote sustainability and opportunities as a way of life. These topics are each so important and they're also undeniably interrelated. In this conversation, Taj walks us through ways to think about diversity and inclusion, how they go together, and what types of initiatives can be most important to bring about the progress that we all desire. Jason and Taj have a great discussion about his personal journey, what motivates him, and how his theory of change has evolved from when he started doing this work many years ago to today. Then we talk about each of the initiatives he's currently involved with and also his framework for thinking about how to allocate his portfolio of time. This is a really exciting and insightful discussion. Enjoy!In this episode, we cover: [4:31] Taj's portfolio of climate projects [7:25] His journey at the intersection of inclusion and climate [13:50] Inclusivity and how Taj's thoughts toward it have evolved over time [17:32] His views on the state of the climate emergency[21:07] How we can collectively balance the transition with education [25:13] The role of pop culture and media influencing consumer decisions[27:48] Taj's decision making process for projects he focuses on[31:46] The exciting youth climate movement [33:43] Frustrations around privileged climate conversations and the need for more inclusivity[36:05] Blind spots in building a more diverse climate community  [42:23] The opportunity to create measurement tools for climate investing[44:26] Innovating climate solutions outside of Silicon Valley Get connected: Jason's TwitterTaj’s TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 12, 2022. 

Today's guest is Eric Reinhardt, CEO and co-founder of Helio, which makes it simple for customers to transition off fossil fuels and fully electrify their homes. The home electrification process in most of the U.S. is not a seamless experience. Homeowners approach electrification with different needs. Some have to upgrade broken equipment, whereas others opt for a total rehab. But having to piece together a variety of seemingly related projects requires working with multiple contractors, contracts, and challenges that could limit widespread adoption. Helio is making a bet that there is a growing segment of homeowners who are motivated to electrify the whole stack of their homes, from rooftop solar and HVAC to water heaters, EV chargers, and more. The company aims to provide customers with a roadmap for achieving that while also doing the actual installation work. Given all of the tax credits and rebates coming online for home electrification as part of the Inflation Reduction Act and other local programs, more homeowners will likely be looking at this problem. And with a third of emissions coming from residential buildings, Helio’s solution could make a significant dent in their goal of electrifying millions of homes. Their roadmap solution educates homeowners and helps them plan for the amount of power they’ll need as they pursue home improvement projects. In this episode, Eric and Cody have a great chat about his background as well as his co-founders, what he's learned from customer interest thus far, how they can provide home estimates at scale, and how he sees Helio growing in the future. We're honored that our venture fund at MCJ Collective is an investor in Helio, and I hope you enjoy the conversation.In this episode, we cover: [3:39] Eric's background at Sunrun and personal electrification journey [7:08] How he met Helio's co-founders and started the company [9:56] The home electrification process today and Helio's net zero roadmap solution [13:56] Need for customer education [16:41] The risk for contractors to take on new technology like heat pumps [19:41] Helio's estimating process and accurate design[23:22] An overview of ducted vs ductless or mini split systems [28:21] Helio's customer experience and how they manage handoffs with contractors [31:57] Financing projects and Helio's vision of moving to a subscription model [35:02] Role of insulation and sealing [40:54] Job opportunities at Helio and how to applyGet connected: Cody's TwitterHelio TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 7, 2022. 

Today's guest is Jill Tauber, Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy at Earthjustice. Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit public interest environmental law organization. They wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. The work they do is not only extremely important, but also in the thick of relevant topics we’re seeing at the moment. One that comes to mind is permitting. We need to move quickly on building clean infrastructure, but at the same time we need to be mindful of communities where this infrastructure is being built. Community members should have a voice in these projects and we have to build them in a way that’s not harmful to people living around them. This is just one example. In this episode, we cover Jill's journey to doing the work that she does, and we also dig into Earthjustice and their criteria for projects they take on. We cover Jill's views on the role of fossil fuels in the clean energy transition, and of course the Inflation Reduction Act bill permitting, barriers holding us back, changes that could unlock faster progress, and where Earthjustice fits into all of this now and in the future. The earth certainly needs a good lawyer and we’re stoked to have Jill share her journey with us. In this episode, we cover: [3:14] An overview of Earthjustice[4:18] Jill's background and climate journey[7:43] How Earthjustice determines which projects to take on[9:34] Jill’s thoughts on the role of fossil fuels[12:48] Balancing energy stability and reliability as we usher in the clean transition[20:01] Unintended consequences of regulation[25:10] Need for better government and developer planning[30:26] How Earthjustice works with experts to evaluate various projects[34:23] Example case on a new gas plant in Indiana[38:39] Jill's thoughts on the IRA[43:03] Systems level changes that would be impactful to Earthjustice's work[47:03] The role of innovation and technology that will help clean energy win[49:32] Jill's thoughts on activismGet connected: Jason's TwitterJill’s TwitterEarthjustice Twitter / TikTokMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 27, 2022.

Today’s guest is Emily McAteer, co-founder and CEO of Odyssey Energy Solutions, helping emerging market project developers to finance, build and operate distributed renewable energy at scale. How the Global South modernizes is the original climate justice debate that has been a key topic of global policy discussions for decades, going back to the Kyoto Protocol of the 1990s and even earlier. The crux of the conversation is that climate change has primarily been caused by the 20th century economic development of the United States, Western Europe, Japan, et cetera. And if the rest of the world were to follow the same fossil fuel enabled development path, we'd rapidly blow past emissions targets and into the worst possible climate change outcomes. So what's the rest of the world to do?The answer seems to be to leapfrog, to modernize via a network of distributed renewable energy technology as opposed to a monolithic fossil fuel-powered grid. And yet that also introduces a whole new host of questions. Emily's been working at the nexus of climate and emerging markets for just about her whole career and brings a wealth of experience into Odyssey while working on answering these questions. In this episode, Cody and Emily have a great conversation about energy access in emerging markets today, what new distributed grids will look like, how development finance institutions (DFIs) work and the role of nation states in securing financing for energy projects. We also cover how Odyssey is bringing financing, procurement, and operational solutions to market to solve the local problems inherent in this space. Emily and Odyssey just announced a seed round led by Equal Ventures that we at MCJ Collective were honored to participate in. So we’re welcoming Emily today as an MCJ Collective portfolio CEO, as well as an MCJ podcast guest. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [3:16] Emily's dedicated career in climate [10:18] Grid challenges in emerging markets [14:51] Financing gaps for small projects [17:33] The Nigeria Electrification Project case study [21:38] Profile of project developers in emerging markets [23:56] An overview of Odyssey's solution [28:38] The company's FERN platform [31:44] How Odyssey is scaling and handling projects in multiple countries [35:09] The capital they've raised thus far and what they're using it forGet connected: Cody's TwitterOdyssey TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on  September 21, 2022.

Today's guest is Felicia Marcus,  the Williams C. Landreth visiting fellow at Stanford University's Water in the West program. Felicia is also an attorney, consultant, and member of the Water Policy Group. She most recently served as Chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board, where she implemented laws regarding drinking water, water quality and state's water rights, as well as heard regional board water quality appeals, settled disputes, and provided financial assistance to communities to upgrade water infrastructure. Before her appointment to the Water Board, she also served in positions in government, the non-profit and private sector. In government, Felicia served as the regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest region during the Clinton Administration, where she was known for her work in bringing unlikely allies together for environmental progress and for making the agency more responsive to the communities it serves, particularly Indian Tribes, communities of color, local government and agricultural and business interests. Water is often considered an untold climate story. From water scarcity and drought, to extreme flooding and rising sea level, the impacts of our changing climate on this critical resource demand our attention. In this episode, Jason and Felicia dig deep into her background and have a great discussion about the intersection of water and climate.  what the biggest risks are, how much those risks are factored in today, what some of the barriers are to properly factor in those risks, and from a solution standpoint, what we can do about it. In this episode, we cover: [2:55] Felicia's background [6:26] Why water matters generally and in the context of climate change [15:44] The human right to water movement [21:41] How the playbook for managing water needs to change in response to the changing climate [29:05] The business case for improving and increasing water recycling[36:57] The role of conservation and efficiency in urban landscapes [40:55] How location may impact the approach to water management [44:58] Water and corporate risks[50:41] The regulatory environment for water [59:19] The need for a mindset change to accelerate our progress around waterGet connected: Jason's TwitterFelicia’s TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 3, 2022

Today’s guest is Lauren Salz, co-founder and CEO of Sealed, which modernizes houses with the latest HVAC, weatherproofing and smart home technology, while covering the upfront cost to homeowners.Home efficiency and electrification is a critical front for combating climate change. Incentives for residential heat pump installation are one of the big winners of the Inflation Reduction Act.The often overlooked but critical steps of weatherizing homes via better insulation and sealing is also key to reducing energy consumption. Sealed has been understanding consumer motivations for home efficiency upgrades for nearly a decade. They've learned what consumers care about, what they are concerned about, and what triggers them to invest significant capital into updating their home's heating and cooling infrastructure. And no surprise, climate change and emissions reduction still does not rate as a top motivator. So what does? And are we at the point where these lower emission technologies are just generally better for home heating and cooling? Spoiler alert: the answer is yes. Cody and Lauren have a great chat about how she came to work on the problem of home efficiency updates, how they assess a home's needs at Sealed and how this compares to the normal way of doing things. We also talk about the innovative model Sealed is using to help consumers finance projects via energy cost savings, how they work with contractors, and how the IRA promises to accelerate this space even more. And most importantly, we hear from Lauren on how to reach consumers and what their motivations are.In this episode, we cover: [3:24] Lauren's journey[6:05] Her early days of figuring out home energy efficiency and her company’s origin story[11:57] An overview of Sealed[19:12] Value propositions that are most popular for consumers[21:33] Process for how Sealed designs custom solutions for each home[25:54] The company’s performance-based financing model [31:16] How customers and contractors learn about Sealed's solution [35:46] The company's role in assessing contractor work [37:50] Benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act [45:41] Common changes people need to make with insulationGet connected: Cody's TwitterLauren’s Twitter / Sealed TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 14, 2022.

Today's guests are Geert van de Wouw and Vikas Gupta from Shell Ventures. Shell Ventures was established in 1996 as one of the first corporate venture funds in the oil and gas industry. Although we’ve published over 300 episodes to date, Geert and Vikas are actually the first guests we’ve had from the oil majors come on the show. Although tons of anger has been directed at the oil and gas industry, we also acknowledge that they are critical to the clean energy transition. Collaboration is ultimately key to unlocking our future potential. In this discussion, we check Geert and Vikas’ Shell business cards aside and talk about their personal views on climate. We also discuss how they think about negative sentiments towards oil majors, as well as their role in the future. Then we cover Shell as a company, what percentage of its energy portfolio comes from fossil fuels versus renewables and other clean energy, and how those percentages will shift over time. Finally, we talk about Shell Ventures, how they invest, and how those investments fit into the bigger picture of what the company's trying to do. This conversation only scratches the surface of the role oil and gas will play in the clean energy transition, but it also begins building necessary bridges between the traditional climate world and our realistic future. We know climate touches every facet of our lives and appreciate Geert and Vikas’ time in helping to tease out the nuances of this complex crisis we’re facing.In this episode, we cover: [4:11] An overview of Shell Ventures[5:58] How Geert found his way into Shell and his motivations[8:20] Vikas' background and climate journey[10:11] Geert and Vikas' level of concern regarding climate change[13:18] Anger geared towards big oil and realistic expectations for the energy transition[16:11] Shell's net zero commitments and investments on clean technologies[18:43] Strategic priorities for Shell vs. Shell Ventures[23:16] How Shell Ventures thinks about general impact, strategic value, and financial returns[26:45] Shell's level of collaboration with entrepreneurs and founders[29:01] The role of behavior change and consumer mentality to the transition[32:44] Thoughts on if we've reached a tipping point and how they see the transition playing out[35:17] Carbon removal and capture as one solution in the mix[38:49] The role of policy in Shell's investments[40:26] Reskilling oil and gas workers for the clean energy transition[43:47] How collaboration with oil and gas can accelerate the transitionGet connected: Jason's TwitterGeert van de Wouw LinkedInVikas Gupta LinkedInShell LinkedIn / TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 27, 2022

Today's guest is Tom Green, CEO and Co-founder of Vesta.The ocean is one of nature's largest carbon sinks, as it absorbs upwards of 30% of cumulative human emissions. Vesta is tackling the dual problem of shoreline erosion due to sea level rise and carbon emissions reduction with olivine sand that speeds up the ocean's natural carbon cycle. They call it coastal carbon capture, and it's one form of the broader category of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions known as enhanced rock weathering. The olivine sand that Vesta deploys into the ocean accelerates the natural carbon cycle dramatically, creating a form of permanent and durable carbon sequestration.Vesta also has a very unique corporate setup. They started their journey as a non-profit research group that has continued on as a 501(c)(3) called Coastal Carbon Capture Impact Fund. Vesta – the for-profit public benefit corporation that Tom is CEO of – emerged later as a way to pursue scaled commercial projects leveraging the non-profit research. And the two orgs continue to work together, though they have separate governance structures and economics.Tom and Cody have a great chat about the many stakeholders at play in the projects they consider, from local communities and scientists to the impact on various types of sea life itself, and the ecotoxicology studies that Vesta produces. They also talk about the nature of olivine and how Vesta sources it, plus how the company determines what shorelines are a good target for coastal carbon capture. If you’re interested in carbon removal generally or nature-based solutions, this one's for you. In this episode, we cover: [3:22] Tom's background and how Vesta has evolved[6:36] The ocean's role as a carbon sink[11:26] Distinction between geoengineering and nature-based carbon dioxide removal[13:08] Vesta's origins[15:54] An overview of olivine and it's role in Vesta's CDR approach[25:10] How Vesta partners with the dredging industry to work more efficiently[29:41] Coastal engineering and optimizing for carbon removal[32:43] Vesta's history as a non-profit and transition to a public benefit corporation (PBC)[36:00] Philanthropy and project finance[44:26] Engaging various stakeholders throughout Vesta's research and solution, including local communities[49:20] How Tom decided on coastal carbon removal[53:41] Pricing on Vesta's carbon credits and how they plan to decrease with scale[55:02] Vesta's seed financing and future plans for building their businessGet connected: Cody's TwitterVesta TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 27, 2022.

Today's guest is Dr. Leah Stokes, a renowned climate and energy policy expert, strategist and researcher, helping leaders build clean energy practices into their long-term plans to secure our future. But her resume doesn’t end there. Leah is an award-winning author of Short Circuiting Policy, an associate professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara and co-host of a top climate podcast called A Matter of Degrees, where she and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson tell stories about the powerful forces behind climate change and the tools we have to fix it. Leah is also senior policy advisor at Rewiring America and Evergreen Action, plus she was named a Grist 50 Fixer in 2020. While she has a pretty impressive bio, Leah is also a unique combination of pragmatic, progressive, commercial-minded, activism-minded, academic-minded, and scientific-minded, all blended into one powerhouse of a woman.In this episode, Jason and Leah have a great discussion about her  journey, theory of change, and how it's evolved from when she first started doing this work to today. We also cover some of the barriers holding back the transition and the most impactful levers to facilitate it. Finally, we put controversial topics that people squabble over all the time, front and center, and talk through them pragmatically and respectfully with the nuance that they deserve. This is an insightful conversation you don’t want to miss. *Leah will be participating in an MCJ Ask-Me-Anything event on Wednesday 11/02 in our Slack community. Get your burning climate questions ready. RSVP here.In this episode, we cover: [3:12] An overview of Leah's work[5:56] Her motivations and how she started working in climate[9:40] How her theory of change has evolved[11:27] Importance of structural change[15:27] Tensions between conservation, decarbonization and environmental justice[21:46] Leah's feelings toward fossil fuel company executives and the impacts of their denial campaign[28:47] The role of fossil fuel companies moving forward in the clean energy transition[32:31] The political polarization of climate change[35:48] A future of abundance with clean energy[38:23] Leah's views on the state of the climate emergency[41:55] The role of the West vs. the rest of the world[46:19] GDP growth and falling emissions[49:46] Speed round including nuclear, offsets, carbon pricing, and moreResources mentioned in this episode: The Dirty Truth About Electric UtilitiesThe Faraway Nearby by Rebecca SolnitFollow the Leader by Gabe LenzHow Solar Energy Became Cheap: A Model for Low-Carbon Innovation by Greg NemetGet connected: Jason's TwitterLeah’s Website / TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 22, 2022.

Today's guest is David Wallace, co-founder and CEO of CODA Farm Technologies, which provides remote monitoring and control for agricultural irrigation pumps and irrigation reels. The looming water crisis is often described as one of the major symptoms of climate change. You hear about it in the news, coupled with drought-stricken images of dried up riverbeds and diminishing reservoirs. The Western U.S. is currently facing the largest mega drought in a millennium. The Colorado River, which provides water to approximately 40 million Americans, plus much of the irrigation for some of the most productive agricultural land in the U.S., is in an existential crisis. Lake Mead is at 25% capacity and groundwater across the West is being depleted rapidly. So what’s to be done to ensure the future of our water supply and food systems? To understand how farmers across the country are thinking about all of this, CODA Farm Technologies is on the forefront of selling irrigation efficiency tech to farmers. You’ll be surprised to hear that cost savings due to water efficiency isn't even a key selling point for David’s company, and that's because of how agricultural water is (or is not) priced in much of the U.S. today. Cody and David have a really interesting conversation about the state of agricultural irrigation and how he’s helping farmers with time savings and automation that are ultimately driving CODA Farm’s current sales.In this episode, we cover: [3:13] David's background and the origin of CODA Farm Technologies[9:28] An overview of farm irrigation [13:21] What's top of mind for farmers today around the U.S. [26:16] Value propositions for different farmers[27:11] Economics of water usage and impacts on a farmer’s bottom line[29:18] CODA Farm's technology and pricing[31:27] CODA Farm's go-to-market consumers [34:44] Generational changes on farms and a look at the modern farmer[36:44] How David made the decision to go the venture route for scale and the company's seed round with Lowercarbon[37:32] Data on water savings [40:28] An overview of the irrigation control industry Get connected:Cody's TwitterCODA Farm LinkedIn / TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 12, 2022.

Today's guest is Scott Arnold, a HVAC technician and small business owner based out of New York. With heating and cooling accounting for nearly 50% of energy costs, upgrading outdated appliances can not only save homeowners money but also provide a cleaner environment to live in and a healthier planet overall. Scott’s company is working to help customers purchase and install heat pumps as an alternative to gas furnaces. In his 22+ years of experience working in the space, Scott has built a business facilitating the transition not only with his customers, but also through his employee training and apprenticeship programs. In this episode, Scott and Yin talk about the history of heating, what it takes to make his business run, the importance of getting more young people working in the trades, and how in his vocabulary the word cold doesn't exist. You'll have to keep listening to find out why.In this episode, we cover: [2:30] Scott's background and HVAC expertise[5:47] Path to becoming a HVAC technician [9:54] Economic mobility working in the trades[12:40] History of HVAC space and key milestones that have changed the trajectory [19:30] An overview of heat pumps[20:36] Technology innovations in the past 20 years [23:27] An overview of Scott's company, Rycor [27:33] Scott's vision for expanding [31:36] Mitsubishi's heat pump product [35:23] The customer's mentality and where climate change fits in [37:37] Different refrigerants and how they're managed[39:41] What keeps Scott optimistic Get connected:Yin’s Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 15, 2022.

Today's guest is Sue Brown, Executive Group Director of Sustainability at Worley. As a leading global provider of professional project and asset services in the energy, chemicals and resources sectors, Worley is on the frontlines of doing the actual work to engineer and build everything we’re going to need for the clean energy transition, and they’re doing so across industries and the globe. Worley covers a full project lifecycle from guiding their customers with pioneering projects to finding innovative ways of sustaining and enhancing their existing assets. The company employs over 52,000 people, operates on all continents and is administered by its head office in North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.Sue has been with the company for quite a while and she runs a sustainability team, so we dug in on her journey and experience working at Worley. We also talk about the mix of project work coming from traditional industries versus cleaner sources, how that mix is shifting over time, what barriers are holding back the transition and what we can do to unlock faster progress.In this episode, we cover: [4:47] An overview of Worley [5:51] Sue's climate journey and how she started working in sustainability [8:43] Role of an EPC like Worley [13:42] How big oil and gas companies are transitioning into global integrated energy companies[18:40] Breakdown of Worley's traditional customers vs new customers from emerging industries [20:17] Worley's aggressive sustainability revenue targets [25:33] Five key shifts service providers need to take for the delivery of projects [28:15] Biggest barriers to the transition [33:14] Balancing the tension between energy security and the energy transition [35:40] Environmental justice reforms needed and how those might come about [42:02] Talent bottleneck and ways to address them [43:19] Sue's sustainability team and its charter Get connected: Jason's TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 14, 2022.

Today’s guests are Dave Finocchio and Anna Robertson, co-founders of The Cool Down.Since the beginning, media businesses have been in the game of building audience segments and mobilizing those audiences to do something. Most American media has learned how to mobilize audiences on various platforms to click or view ads. To buy stuff. But in the wake of the climate crisis, there are certainly better uses of our time online and purchasing power. As you’ll see in this episode, some media companies are trying to get people to become local leaders in their communities or make climate conscious purchases. The Cool Down aims to do this and become America's mainstream climate brand. Dave and Anna have extensive digital media credentials that are as strong as they come, and (bonus!) they met via the MCJ member community. In this conversation, Cody learns more about Dave and Anna’s backgrounds as media leaders, how and why they decided to apply their skills to climate, the gaps in climate communication today, what audiences they are targeting, and how they plan to build a business or otherwise monetize The Cool Down. Since launching earlier this year, Anna and Dave are just at the beginning of figuring out who these climate-motivated audiences are and how they can be mobilized, but they made one thing abundantly clear: their goal is to reach mainstream audiences to have an even bigger impact in the climate fight.In this episode, we cover: [3:03] Anna's background at ABC News and Yahoo [6:26] Dave's media experience and transition to climate [12:19] Gap in media and climate communications [16:15] The Cool Down's storytelling strategy [19:18] Popular climate topics they’re experimenting with[22:15] Value-based actions that are good for people and the planet [29:45] Packaging tech innovation into engaging, digestible content [35:19] Taking local actions that benefit communities [38:27] Anna and Dave's business model and how they're starting to test it [48:16] What's next for The Cool Down Get connected: Cody's TwitterThe Cool Down TikTok / Instagram / WebsiteMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 7, 2022. 

This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today’s guest is Josh Svaty, a farm owner and operator who also happens to be the former secretary of agriculture of the state of Kansas, among other hats he's worn. Farming practices have dramatically shaped human development and the structure of our society. We may not see the every day implications, but farming will continue to impact land management and food systems around the world. Since climate change has altered the predictability of crops, innovative solutions addressing agriculture’s biggest issues are cause for optimism. Josh provides a lot of insight in this topic as he oversees a diversified crop and livestock operation at Free State Farms. In this conversation, we learn about the evolution of farming, the role climate change has played in the day to day operations of Josh’s farm, his views on regenerative agriculture and promising trends in agricultural innovations. This episode is great for anybody interested in the food, agriculture and land use areas of the climate fight.In this episode, we cover: [1:46] Josh's upbringing and extensive background[5:26] The role agriculture has played in human development[7:24] Large-scale monoculture practices and Josh's feelings about them[10:24] Climate change impacts felt on Free State Farms[15:11] Solutions addressing the growing lack of predictability for farmers, including increasing crop diversity and livestock[19:06] An overview of regenerative agriculture[25:03] Role of water in farming operations[27:11] Local and global trends as the result of drought[29:00] What happens when we run out of water[32:45] What keeps Josh optimistic about the future of agriculture[35:50] Nitricity's unique solution to addressing the GHG impact of fertilizerGet connected: Yin’s Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 31, 2022

Today’s guest is Rachel Delacour, co-founder and CEO of Sweep. Carbon accounting helps organizations measure their emissions so they can understand their overall footprint, share findings, and plan future reductions. Sweep’s business intelligence tools specialize in using data to map a company’s carbon emissions and helping them realize feasible goals while managing future growth. In doing so, Sweep is shifting the way companies view carbon from a limitation to a creative force for innovation.Rachel has a background in business intelligence, having sold her previous startup to Zendesk. She felt that she could best contribute to the climate problem by leveraging the skills and expertise she and her team already had around data management, modeling, and forecasting. Sweep recently announced a sizable Series B in funding led by Coatue, and they've raised over a hundred million dollars in aggregate in a little less than two years. In this conversation, Cody and Rachel discuss her journey, how Sweep views the market need, how companies source scope 3 emissions data, the potential role of regulation and carbon reporting, and whether or not recommending offsets or contributions creates any incentives. Rachel’s story is great for people looking to make the transition, but not quite sure where to start. In this episode, we cover: [2:27] Rachel's financial background and climate journey[8:51] How she took existing skills and applied them to carbon[18:14] Sweep's approach to building a diverse team of experts from the carbon, tech, and political backgrounds[24:19] Rachel's views of carbon accounting vs. carbon management[29:15] An overview of scope 3 emissions[33:09] How companies are accessing accurate emissions data[38:32] The role of carbon management platforms in accelerating regulations[41:17] Sweep's success with companies so far[44:27] Future targets vs short-term reality in emissions reductions[48:59] Rachel's interactions with sustainability teams and financial directors[56:29] Where global climate justice fits into Sweep's solution[1:01:19] How Sweep balances customer reductions and credits[1:05:02] What's next for Rachel and SweepGet connected: Cody's TwitterRachel’s TwitterSweepMCJ PodcastMCJ Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 7, 2022.

Today’s guest is David Roberts, aka Dr. Volts, who runs the Volts newsletter and podcast.David has been reporting on and explaining clean energy topics for almost 20 years. He talks to politicians, analysts, innovators, activists, and more about the latest progress in the world's most important fight. David’s work is deeply researched and an invaluable resource for people who want a better understanding of what a clean energy transition and viable future could look like. And he isn’t afraid to share his strongly held opinions. In this conversation, Jason learns more about David’s background, his views on the issue and how they’ve evolved throughout his career. They discuss some of the fundamental politics ingrained in climate, and some of the solutions that are accelerating our transition away from fossil fuels. There’s a lot of insight packed into this episode and we hope you enjoy it.In this episode, we cover: [4:49] How David got involved in journalism and climate [9:10] His thoughts on the climate issue early in his career and how they've evolved [13:54] How concerned he thinks people should be [23:32] Approaching solutions to climate that also solve other issues [27:25] Importance of celebrating small victories to motivate future progress [34:37] David's optimism for a clean energy future[44:16] The human need to feel some sense of control and how that impacts their views on climate [54:07] U.S. journalism today [57:54] Intersection between environmentalism and climate [1:01:03] David's thoughts on tech and how it’s approaching clean energy [1:05:02] Speed round including solar geoengineering, nuclear, carbon capture, offsets, and moreGet connected: Jason's TwitterDr. Volts TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 23, 2022.

Today’s guest is Insiya Jafferjee, CEO ad Co-Founder of Shellworks. When we talk about excellence in packaging today, we typically think of companies who create an elegant and exciting unboxing experience. Think Apple. But as sustainability continues to gain awareness in the popular conscience, how far away are we from celebrating companies who create small footprints from their packaging? How do you celebrate something if the goal is for it not to be noticeable in the first place? Shellworks is developing sustainable packaging alternatives to plastic that don't compromise on performance or aesthetic. Based in the UK, the company recently raised a seed round of funding to help them scale their micro based mono-material packaging via cosmetics companies that are looking for natural packaging alternatives. Insiya brings a no-compromises spirit to what she's doing at Shellworks. She believes her company can develop packaging that has minimal footprint and is stunning and brand-forward. In this conversation, Cody and Insiya cover her background, the state of plastic packaging today, how Shellworks came to be, their initial approach to product development, current product lines and traction, and how their non-compromising culture turns internal innovations into a robust product pipeline.In today’s episode, we cover: [2:38] Insiya's background and climate journey [8:15] The world of packaging and different types of plastics involved[14:04] Industrial shift away from plastic packaging [18:03] Challenges to addressing packaging in cosmetics [19:46] Shellworks' go-to-market strategy [24:33] An overview of Shellworks and their focus on mono-material products [27:27] The company's commercial traction [29:47] Use cases that aren't a good fit for Shellworks' offerings [36:53] The company's core value ads[41:44] What's next for Shellworks [45:20] Funding to date, early challenges and how Insiya overcame them Get connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 31, 2022.

*This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.To kick off our new Skilled Labor Series, this episode is co-hosted by Yin Lu and Sam Steyer, CEO and Co-Founder of Greenwork, with guest Andy Martinez, PV Field Performance Technician at Sunrun. The solar market represents approximately 5% of the current U.S. energy mix. While this may seem insignificant, the industry is expected to grow at a record pace in coming years, especially following the Inflation Reduction Act. But to reach the clean electricity goals set by President Biden, employment in solar-related positions will need to exceed 900,000 workers by 2035. Greenwork is facilitating this transition by helping climate tech companies build their construction teams, both by adding new employees and by partnering with local specialty contractors like Andy. After attending electrical trade school, Andy landed a job with Sunrun as has been with the company for 4 years. In this conversation, Yin and Sam learn about Andy’s background and how he started working with Sunrun. We learn about his day-to-day experience as a field performance technician and where Andy sees his career progressing in the space. Like any job, we also hear about some of the challenges Andy faces and how he continues to overcome them while maintaining a positive and optimistic outlook. We cannot create a clean energy future without people like Andy, and are extremely grateful for him sharing his story and inspiring others. In today’s episode, we cover: [1:49] Intro to Sam and Greenwork [3:30] Andy's background and experience as a field technician at Sunrun [5:09] Andy's educational journey toward becoming a solar installer [6:05] The Sunrun interview process and employee training [7:56] A typical day for Andy as a solar installer [9:32] Some day-to-say frustrations, including disconnections between sales and field work[11:59] How Andy views the environmental factor of his work[12:57] Where climate change fits in when communicating customers [15:36] The evolution in solar technology [20:04] What's working in terms of companies building construction and installation teams [23:42] Importance of treating contractors like a second customer [24:52] What Andy wishes more people knew about solar installation work [28:16] Andy's future career path [29:32] Jobs needed to meet electrification demands in the US [30:43] How to get more people into trade schools [32:57] Initial challenges of the job and how to overcome them[36:27] The little things that keep Andy optimistic and happy at work Get connected: Yin’s TwitterYin’s LinkedInMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 7, 2022.

Today’s guest is Michele Demers, Founder and CEO at Boundless Impact Research & Analytics. As companies pursue sustainability targets, having an accurate measure of their carbon footprint provides transparency, accountability, and benchmarks to reach and improve on. Boundless is an industry research and impact analytics platform that provides quantitative and evidence-based research and data for investors, companies, and funds. They offer Scope 1, 2, and 3 climate data, analysis and market intelligence across a growing number of emerging sectors that address significant environmental challenges. In this episode, Jason and Michele dig deeper on this important area to better understand what the landscape is, how well adopted these frameworks are, how much standardization there is out there, what types of incentives exist, which ones are helpful, and which ones cause friction. They also cover the types of companies that are taking advantage of this work, how consistent it is across sectors, and of course, what we can change to help get to where we need to be.In today’s episode, we cover: [3:19] An overview of Boundless Impact Research and Analytics [4:54] The company's origin story[9:35] How companies understand their true carbon footprints [14:32] Tooling available to understand risk and environmental impact[21:25] Boundless' balance of software vs services [24:31] Which industries the company is focused on and why [29:12] How the annual assessment process changes across industries  [31:24] The role of life cycle assessment as the standard [33:09] The process for companies working with Boundless [37:22] The future of a real-time dashboard for emissions [39:02] What happens when reports are not favorable[42:10] How Boundless works with companies on improvements based on first analysisGet connected: Jason's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 8, 2022.

Today’s guest is Khaled Hassounah, CEO and Co-Founder of Ample. When entirely new platforms emerge, the initial product attempts on those platforms often look like what we already know, and they typically don't take full advantage of inherent differences from the historical way of doing things. For example, when the internet first emerged, media resembled digital newspapers. When mobile first emerged, apps looked like small versions of websites. With EVs, the way they are sold and powered mirrors how internal combustion vehicles are sold. After all, you wouldn't buy a gas-powered car without a gas tank!But Ample is rethinking all of that. The company’s mission is to accelerate the transition to electric mobility by offering an energy delivery system that is as fast, as convenient, and as cheap as gas, while being powered by 100% renewable energy. They do this by deploying robotic pods that enable modular battery swapping for EVs. Ample's take on all this is to rethink how energy is delivered to EVs and to reconsider the unit economics around powering your car. This episode will inspire you to think of all the possibilities of what things can look like when you reconsider them from first principles. In today’s episode, we cover:[2:57] Khaled's background and transition to climate[5:11] State of EVs today[8:38] Nuances around EV charging networks and associated challenges[13:15] Outlier geographies that have done well with EV charging networks[17:20] Battery swapping and leasing alternatives[22:10] An overview of Ample and its battery swapping solution[32:54] How Ample's solution scales while reducing the amount of batteries across their system[37:06] Different use cases for Ample's different batteries[40:23] Details of Ample's charging pods[43:41] The company's go-to-market[47:21] Ample's pod setup and servicing[54:11] How Ample is sharing profits with OEMs, landowners, and municipalities[59:16] How Khaled is building the business from a venture capital and debt financing perspectiveGet connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 25, 2022.

Today’s guest is Genevieve Guenther, author, activist, and Founding Director of End Climate Silence. Dr. Genevieve Guenther is a Renaissance scholar and literary critic who turned to climate activism after having a child and becoming increasingly alarmed about the world she might leave to her son. Using her training in rhetoric and cultural politics, she works to revamp the ways that we think and talk about the climate crisis. She is guided by the conviction that our language for the crisis is largely inaccurate and misleading, and that fixing this problem requires us not just to reframe talking points, but to recognize how our speech itself—what we say and what we don’t say about climate change—reproduces fossil-fuel ideologies. Mobilizing through digital and direct action, Dr. Guenther founded End Climate Silence, a volunteer organization that pushes the news media to start talking about the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves. Dr. Guenther also advises activist groups, corporations, and policymakers, and she serves as an Expert Reviewer for the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Her next book, The Language of Climate Politics, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Jason and Genevieve have a great discussion in this episode about many of the topics we typically cover on the My Climate Journey podcast, but Dr. Guenther offers a unique perspective given her background. They also dig into some areas of disagreement and find that once again people who are dedicated to working on solving the crisis agree on a lot more than the polarized environment of Twitter may have them believe.In today’s episode, we cover: [3:39] Genevieve's background and her work in climate[10:04] Use of the word "uncertainty" among scientists and in climate communications[13:35] An overview of End Climate Silence[16:06] How Genevieve's views about the nature of the problem have evolved[24:40] Her views on the gravity of the problem, and challenges of modeling human behavior and warming[35:46] Energy poverty and justifying fossil fuel production[39:30] How Genevieve would transition to clean energy if she was in charge[44:31] Her thoughts on carbon removal[49:44] Challenges with direct air capture as a solution[57:03] Issues with entrepreneurs overpromising carbon removalGenevieve's book recommendations: Donella Meadows, Thinking in SystemsAmitav Gosh, The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis Jason Moore, Capitalism in the Web of Life: Ecology and the Accumulation of CapitalGet connected: Jason's TwitterGenevieve's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 11, 2022.

Today’s guest is Gagan Dhillon, CEO & Co-Founder of Synop. In many climate conversations about mobility, solutions inevitably turn into conversations about fleets. But understanding what fleets are, how they manage access to fuel, and how all of this will change as fleets adopt EVs are critical to clean transportation at large. Synop automates EV operations by helping businesses handle tracking, billing, reporting, and cost management under one unified, data-centric platform. Compatible with all EV types and charging stations, their AI-powered platform is designed specifically for commercial fleets and OEMs to modernize performance and meet sustainability commitments.Prior to co-founding Synop, Gagan witnessed first-hand the challenges of businesses transitioning to commercial electric vehicles. Previously at REIN, an insurtech startup, he worked with major commercial OEMs and global insurance carriers on solutions for the commercial auto space. During that time, he got a first-hand look at the challenges of the commercial EV space and was inspired to develop the software needed to support the industry’s transition to using electric-powered commercial vehicles. In today’s episode, we cover: [2:06] Gagan and his co-founder's background[5:34] An overview of fleets in the transportation sector today[10:15] How ICE fleets are managed and fueled [12:03] Challenges of electrifying fleets [14:33] Use cases for different types of EV charging[17:48] An overview of Synop[21:15] Status of electric semi-trucks in U.S. [24:42] Synop's customers today and who they plan to serve in the future [27:25] The company's energy management service [31:03] Synop's solution to charge management for fleet operators [34:38] Potential cost savings [39:40] What Gagan has learned along his climate journey [46:21] Synop's funding and how they plan to capitalize the business going forward [48:36] How Gagan sees the space evolving over the next 5 yearsGet connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 22, 2022.

Today’s guest is Camila Thorndike. Most recently, Camila managed Senator Bernie Sanders' portfolio on climate, energy, environment, territories, and tribes. The focus of her tenure was the Build Back Better Act passed in 2021 out of the Senate budget committee and House of Representatives. The majority of the bill's climate policies were retained in the subsequent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by the Senate in 2022. Camila is also co-founder of Our Climate, a youth advocacy nonprofit. Camila and Jason cover the IRA, what she’s celebrating, where it missed the mark, and where we should go from here. They also talk about climate justice, energy poverty, the policy and regulatory landscape, and tons more. The conversation is a great follow-up to a previous episode with Benji Backer, who is very active in the conservative climate circle. Camila will be participating in an AMA in the MCJ Slack community and answering questions asynchronously for 24 hours starting Wednesday 21st September 21 at 8am PST / 11am EST / 4pm BST. Set your reminders, and get your questions ready!In today’s episode, we cover: [8:18] Camila's background and how she got started in climate activism and policy[11:23] Her work with Senator Bernie Sanders [16:04] How Camila thinks about the problem of climate change and how it's evolved over time[22:17] Her views on the urgency of the problem [28:19] Greed and the fossil fuel industry [39:47] Financing access to clean energy and energy efficiency in developing countries [41:46] Ensuring a just transition away from fossil fuels[47:10] Potential phases of a rapid transition [49:58] Camila's thoughts on the Inflation Reduction Act[53:45] The lack of Republican support and level of polarization today [56:37] Her views on the two-party system [1:00:06] The role of individuals and actions we can take [1:04:27] Speed round including nuclear energy, billionaires, carbon offsets, carbon removal, and moreCorrection: Original green new deal plan was $16 trillion, not $10 trillion.Get connected: Cody's TwitterCamila’s TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 15, 2022.

Today’s guest is Jason Aramburu, CEO and co-founder of Climate Robotics. Earth’s soils contain 14 times more carbon dioxide than the atmosphere. To harness this natural resource, Climate Robotics is using existing technologies and converting crop residue into biochar before sequestering it deep in the ground for thousands of years. The company uses advanced robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate and automate this process. The end result allows farmers to turn waste on their fields into carbon sinks while improving the health of their soils. Jason has an extensive career focused in leveraging technology for improving agricultural productivity. His background spans from smart irrigation and soil sensoring to agricultural technology and robotics. Cody and Jason have a great discussion about Jason’s background, biochar's origins as an indigenous practice dating back millennia, the chemistry of biochar, the Climate Robotics solution and his company's business model. As one of the most peer-reviewed CDR technologies, biochar is poised to make a substantial impact in carbon sequestration. In today’s episode, we cover: [2:11] Jason's background and how he got involved in carbon sequestration [3:15] History of biochar as an indigenous practice [7:55] Origins of Climate Robotics [11:55] An overview of biochar [20:52] Biochar and enhanced rock weathering [24:02] History of biochar in the U.S, how it's being used today and challenges [28:36] What Climate Robotics is building [32:25] How automation fits into the company's technology [36:15] The company's business model [43:45] Carbon credits and cost relative to other sequestration methods [48:10] Funding to date and future plans [50:04] Patents and how Jason protect's the company's technology [53:06] Biochar's permanence and scalabilityGet connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 12, 2022.

Today’s guest is Matthias Schmelzer, an economic historian, networker and climate activist. This episode is complementary to a previous podcast with Timothée Parrique, who covered the topic of degrowth. Matthias’ main interests include the political economy of capitalism, social and environmental history, climate catastrophe, aviation, and alternative economics. He is author of the award-winning The Hegemony of Growth and co-author of The Future Is Degrowth: A Guide to a World beyond Capitalism.To further the conversation about degrowth, Jason and Matthias discuss the overall concept and build bridges to not only increase understanding, but also help us come together to address the problem that we all share.Get connected: Jason's TwitterMatthias' TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 9, 2022.

Today’s guest is Rollie Williams, host and creator of Climate Town. The topic of climate change can be dark upon initial exploration. While some find inspiration in innovation and action, many folks struggle to get beyond the pervasive desperation and doomerism that dominate the conversation. Climate Town takes a totally different approach and uses humor to unpack complex climate topics while offering suggestions for how audiences can take meaningful action. In the past two years, the Climate Town YouTube channel has amassed 393,000 subscribers, several millions views, a handful of awards, and has spawned an engaged Discord community of climate-focused-yet-delightfully-regular people.Rollie is a Brooklyn-based comedian and video editor, and he holds a graduate degree in Climate Science and Policy from Columbia University. He’s also the former creator and host of the monthly comedy show 'An Inconvenient Talk Show' doing sketches and comedic deep dives by pairing comedians (SNL, The Daily Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, etc) together with climate scientists (NASA, MIT, Harvard). In today’s episode, we cover: [5:41] And overview of Climate Town and how it came to be [13:32] How climate is being communicated today, its complications and direct opposition[18:18] Rollie's goal of making comedy videos while sharing facts and CTAs[22:25] Importance of taking action on the local level and where to start[28:20] Rollie's comedic influences [35:56] The future of the Climate Town community [46:41] Why context and learning helps keep people groundedGet connected: Cody's TwitterClimate Town TikTokClimate Town YouTubeMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 10, 2022.

Today’s guest is Alex Trembath, Deputy Director at the Breakthrough Institute. The Breakthrough Institute is a global research center that identifies and promotes technological solutions to environmental and human development challenges. Their vision is of a world that is good for both people and nature, and they believe that human prosperity and an ecologically vibrant planet are possible at the same time. They have an eco-modernist perspective and embrace technological innovation without sacrifice. In this episode, Jason and Alex discuss eco-modernism, the work at the Breakthrough Institute, Alex's views on the nature of the climate problem and what some environmentalists get wrong in his opinion. They also talk about potential solutions, the role of innovation, the role of policy, how urgent this challenge is and some of the best ways to address it. Starting on Wednesday 7th September at 9am PST / 12pm EST / 5pm BST  Alex will be joining the MCJ community in our AMA channel, answering questions asynchronously for 24 hours. Set your reminders, and get your questions ready!In today’s episode, we cover: [5:38] An overview of Breakthrough Institute and their focus on technological solutions to environmental problems [7:18] Alex's climate journey and early ideological frictions with Breakthrough [9:22] Origins of Breakthrough [12:48] Alex's views on the right vs wrong way to think about the problem of climate change [17:44] Dealing with climate anxiety [25:26] Why different groups of people can look at the same data and have drastically different conclusions about the level of urgency required to address climate change [28:02] GDP as a measure of human well-being [31:01] Ways of decoupling emissions from economic growth [33:49] Capitalism, colonialism, and mixed economies around the world [39:00] Policy tools Breakthrough pursues to accelerate decarbonization [43:42] Problems with net-zero pledges and voluntary offsets from big companies [45:54] The role of individual behaviors and eco-modernist virtue signaling [48:15] The role of government [54:00] What drives Alex in his work Get connected: Jason's TwitterAlex’s TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 8, 2022.

Today’s guest is Moji Karimi, CEO and Co-Founder of Cemvita Factory. Cemvita Factory’s mission is to deploy nature-inspired economical technology to empower the energy transition and create a brighter future. This is done by a portfolio of industrial biotechnology solutions across Cemvita’s three verticals: CO2-based biomanufacturing, biomining, and subsurface biomanufacturing. On the surface, it sounds like the company is tackling an impossible number of initiatives for an early stage startup, but that’s part of the excitement of what's happening in synthetic biology right now. Cemvita’s de-siloed and deverticalized approach to innovation requires cross-functional expertise and problem solving. Moji and Cody have a great discussion about biomining for lithium and copper, subsurface biochemical production, including gold hydrogen, and biomanufacturing of waste carbon dioxide into other end products. Plus they talk about the different use cases as businesses, and Cemvita Factory's cross-disciplinary approach to innovation. Solving climate change requires new ways of thinking, and Moji’s background and work at Cemvita is an excellent example of this. In today’s episode, we cover: [5:35] An overview of Cemvita Factory and the company's origin[8:35] How Moji transitioned from deep space exploration into working on energy [10:32] Meaning of biomimicry [12:28] Cemvita's go-to-market applications [17:26] Use cases for biomining and issues with lithium extraction today [19:27] An overview of leaching [24:17] Risky byproducts associated with using microbes and biomaterials for extraction[27:28] An overview of subsurface biomanufacturing and gold hydrogen [34:05] An overview of carbon biomanufacturing and how it can generate sustainable aviation fuel [41:54] An overview of renewable natural gas[45:24] How Cemvita's different pathways are interconnected [50:50] How Cemvita is sourcing solutions Get connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 8, 2022.

Today's guest is Rebecca Dell, Senior Program Director, Industry at ClimateWorks Foundation.ClimateWorks is on a mission to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $1.3 billion to more than 600 grantees in over 50 countries. Now, Rebecca leads the industry program, which is dedicated to reducing and eliminating the one-third of greenhouse gas emissions that come from the material economy. Previously, she worked at the U.S. Department of Energy in the Obama Administration, where she coordinated implementation of President Obama's Climate Action Plan and was a lead analyst and author of the U.S. Quadrennial Energy Review. Before her federal service, Rebecca was a scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, studying the interaction between the ocean and land-based ice sheets like those in Greenland and Antarctica. Industries are a huge source of emissions and many people say that they are notoriously "hard to decarbonize," but this conversation with Rebecca sheds light on additional context for why that may be the case (or not). What aspects make them hard to decarbonize? How can we accelerate decarbonization and philosophically, what should we do in the meantime? This is a great discussion and we hope you enjoy it! In today’s episode, we cover: [3:57] An overview of ClimateWorks Foundation[6:02] Rebecca's unusual entry into climate from physics[11:37] Gap in resources and funding for solutions in the industrial sector[13:53] Why the industrial sector is considered "hard to decarbonize"[16:21] Activities that are mainly responsible for GHG emissions, including steel, cement and chemicals[21:56] Costs associated with green production and who covers it[28:56] Examples of how Rebecca creates demand for low GHG commodities[32:34] ClimateWorks' model for looking at potential grantees[37:15] Biggest levers for decarbonizing industrials faster[39:28] Voestalpine steel company example of the infrastructure planning, local politics, and social issues tied to decarbonizing certain industrials[44:44] Types of capital needed[48:36] Why a carbon tax is unappealing[52:52] Carbon capture and the cement industry[58:41] How people can make an impact in climate working in the industry sectorGet connected: Jason's TwitterRebecca’s TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 5, 2022.

Today's guests are Mary Yap, Co-Founder and CEO at Lithos Carbon, and Adam Wolf, Co-Founder and CEO at Eion Carbon.Both Lithos and Eion work in the space of enhanced rock weathering, a subset of carbon removal that seeks to speed up the planet's natural carbon cycle. In this process, rain absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, falls onto and weathers rocks and in doing so creates a bicarbonate solution that eventually finds its way into the ocean for permanent carbon sequestration. For all the talk of engineered carbon capture solutions, rock weathering is about as natural as you can get. It's the foundation of the earth's long carbon cycle, and it also takes place over millions of years, so a bit longer than we need right now.In this episode, we seek to understand what it means to speed up this natural process and apply it to agriculture such that it can be a viable carbon sink in the decade-scale timeframe we need to address climate change. We have a great discussion about the long carbon cycle itself, the different types of rocks found on earth, how agriculture uses mineral inputs today, and some of the underlying economics of this method as a carbon removal technology. We also learn more about Lithos and Eion, plus Mary and Adam’s personal climate journeys. In today’s episode, we cover: Broad overview of the long carbon cycleThe power of acid rain in removing CO2 from the atmosphereEarth as a habitable planet compared to VenusAn overview of bicarbonatesHow enhanced rock weathering speeds up this carbon capture solutionDifferent types of rocks used for enhanced rock weatheringBenefits and drawbacks of using limestoneEnergy demands of creating the Lithos and Eion productsTransportation challengesMary and Adam's MRV methodsTheir company's business modelsGet connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on July 29, 2022.

Today's guest is Timothée Parrique, a researcher in ecological economics at Lund University in Sweden. Degrowth is one school of thought in the path towards decarbonization, but the topic is rife with controversy. Proponents argue against growing economies and instead shrinking production and consumption while favoring sustainability, social justice, democracy, and well-being. In other words, instead of measuring GDP as a monetary or market value, those who advocate for degrowth measure health and happiness. Skeptics aren’t convinced. Can degrowth be a powerful lever for change and is it realistic given the way some societies are structured today?  Jason posed this question on Twitter and Timothée kindly offered to share his expertise. Titled “The political economy of degrowth” (2019), Timothée’s PhD dissertation explores the economic implications of degrowth. And while we don’t get to cover everything in this episode, the conversation is another example of the importance of spending time to discuss debated concepts and tease out some of the nuances that can’t be found in 280 characters on Twitter. In today’s episode, we cover: [8:23] Timothée's background in ecological economics or the interaction between economy and nature [14:29] Having a holistic perspective of climate change [17:51] The 1.5 degree threshold [27:07] How production and consumption contribute to climate change [28:52] The carbon budget [33:32] Government integrating climate mitigation into politics and environmental awareness among youth [35:27] Finland's climate neutrality announcement [40:37] The concept of degrowth and its origin[43:17] A culture of low-carbon mobility seen in European countries [46:04] Positive dividends of reducing our ecological footprint [51:24] The Rebound Effect [55:21] Capitalism and the impact of removing drivers for growth [1:02:47] Technological innovation and the "avoid, shift, and improve" approach Episode recorded on August 4, 2022.Get connected: Jason’s TwitterTimothée’s TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Today's guest is Kip Pastor, Founder and CEO of Pique Action.When most people think of climate change, they picture stories about wildfires, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and a myriad of other ways we’re all just generally screwed. It can feel pretty hopeless, but those of us who have been leaning into solutions know that not all is lost. There are incredible innovations that have the potential to change so much of what we take for granted today, and it's not far-fetched to believe that these innovations can scale to unlock improvements for our future. Pique Action is a new media company on a mission to fight climate change with viral storytelling. It's the opposite of doomscrolling. Since their launch in Fall of 2021, Pique has produced 32 micro-documentaries on big climate solutions, amassed more than 7 million views across platforms and gained over 100,000 TikTok followers. In this conversation, we talk to Kip about the type of climate storytelling that resonates with audiences today and how Pique plans to scale its impact as it grows. We all have a role to play as climate communicators, even in one-on-one conversations, and hearing what's working for Pique Action can also inspire us to think about our own climate voices. In today’s episode, we cover: An overview of Pique ActionHow Pique intends to change the conversation around climate and drive actionBalancing realism and optimism in climate storytellingDifferent audiences and levels of engagement across platformsNature Based Solutions with Alaina WoodHow the company finds content creatorsClimate TikTokKip's background in film/video production and his movement into climateDifferences between climate communication and other forms of storytellingGaps in climate communication in various forms of media todayLack of representation of climate solutions in major movies and televisionPique's partnerships and business modelKip's learnings from watching next-gen media companiesGet connected: Cody on TwitterMCJ Pod TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 25, 2022.

Today's guest is John Dees, Senior Science Analyst at Carbon Direct.Carbon Direct is a science-first carbon management firm that enables organizations around the world to reduce, remove, and monitor their carbon emissions. They combine science, technology, and market expertise to help these organizations take action and reach their climate goals. They’re an incredible organization with clients and portfolio companies spanning 28 countries.  Now, if you've been a longtime listener of the show, Carbon Direct might be a familiar name. The CEO, Jon Goldberg, and the Chief Scientist, Julio Friedmann, have been guests in the past. We’ve also talked to Nili Gilbert who's the current Vice Chairwoman even before she worked at Carbon Direct. This episode is great because John Dees comes from a different background. He's in the trenches, living in excel, and working on the life cycle assessments (LCAs) for carbon emissions. In today's episode, we cover:An overview of Carbon Direct and where John sits in their portfolio of servicesProjects that require life cycle assessments (LCAs)How he thinks about climate and how his perspective has evolvedHow John got involved with carbon removalScaling carbon removal to a level that mattersCharacteristics to consider when selecting CDR technologiesBarries holding CDR backThe process behind developing LCAs for different projectsTypes of clients and business drivers for Carbon Direct's LCA servicesThe need for LCA standardization and challenges in doing soTooling for LCAs and blind spotsDifferences in LCAs between small vs. big companies and across sectorsIncentives for a company to care about LCA accuracyFor-profit LCA work vs. non-profit approachesWhen companies should start thinking about tracking LCAsGet connected: Jason JacobsMCJ PodcastMCJ Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded August 1, 2022.

Today's guest is Allison Wolff, Founder and CEO at Vibrant Planet. This year, wildfires have raged across the Western US, the Mediterranean, Australia, and parts of Canada. While many worry that the intensity and frequency of these blazes are going to get worse, Vibrant Planet is on a mission to create a cloud-based planning and monitoring tool for agile, adaptive land management at scale. The company harnesses data-driven science and cloud-based technology to help community stakeholders create resiliency plans for forests that take multiple factors into account. Their goal is to help planners and policy makers save lives, avoid trillions of dollars in infrastructure loss, and restore the ability of natural systems to store carbon, deliver clean water, and support biodiversity, local economies, and recreational habits.If you're curious about wildfires and their relationship to climate change, both in terms of how climate change is resulting in increased wildfire severity and how increased wildfire activity is creating feedback loops that reinforce global warming, you'll appreciate this conversation. And lastly, even in the face of some pretty dire numbers, we appreciate Allison’s optimism about what our forests could look like in the coming centuries, given proper care and maintenance today. In today’s episode, we cover: The state of forests in the US and across the globeWhy wildfires are increasingIntersection between land management and climate changeHow some forests need fires to regenerate themselvesEffective forest management by Indigenous PeoplesWhat we can learn from tribesHow state and federal governments are approaching the issueRoadblocks that have slowed progress on forest managementAllison's background in tech and transition to climateRole of software and tech in unlocking collaborationStakeholders involved in planning projectsCarbon methodology for fire adapted forestsEnjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @codysimms (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 20, 2022.

Today's guest is Benji Backer, Founder and President of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC). ACC is focused on building grassroots environmental movement amongst the right-of-center space for climate action, with 150 chapters across the country. Benji is a passionate environmentalist and out to change the minds of people who think conservative and climate change advocate don't belong in the same sentence. In today’s episode, we cover: An overview of the American Conservation Coalition and the work they doBenji's background and his passion for the environmentHis transition from conservative activist to climate activist How he reconciles his passions and conservative viewpointsThe two-party system and its shortcomings Increasing polarization in the US Who controls the narrative in Washington vs. who gets bills passedThe Build Back Better Bill The Republican party's shift away from conservation in the early 2000sIssues with the climate narrative leaving people outBenji's views on how to balance self-interest and taking action on climate solutionsThe role of government in addressing the climate crisis Consumer behavior changes The intersection between of climate change and environmental justice in cities and rural communities Benji's key priorities over the next 12-24 months ACC's Climate Commitment plan Who he wants to hear fromEnjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 15, 2022.

Today's guest is Jacob Nathan, CEO and Co-Founder of Epoch Biodesign.Plastics are among the most visible and ubiquitous environmental issues plaguing Earth today. Hundreds of millions of tons of plastics are produced every year, but they weren't mass produced until after World War II (that's just one human lifetime ago). As a byproduct of the fossil fuel industry, plastics contribute significantly to the value of a barrel of oil, they create considerable emissions when produced, and they release carbon into the atmosphere when they are incinerated at the end of their lifecycle. So while plastics are a key building block of our modern world, they're also very problematic. Epoch Biodesign is on a mission to scale and industrialize biology to solve the world's biggest climate challenges, starting with an enzyme that eats plastic and converts it to industrial chemicals. The company is currently working with unrecyclable plastics that would otherwise go to landfill or incineration. The resulting molecules from their unique biological process can be used to create new products like adhesives, cleaning products, and fertilizers. In today’s episode, we cover: An overview of plastics, their origin, widespread uses, and impacts on the environmentPlastics and the fossil fuel industryProblems associated with recycling End of life pathways most plastics take Epoch Biodesign's solution to addressing the plastic problem How enzymes can break down plastics and convert them into useful chemicals with a reduced carbon footprint The company's cell-free fermentation process and target outputs CO2 emissions associated with producing and incinerating plastic chemicals The origin of Epoch Biodesign Jacob's background and how he met his Co-Founder, Douglas Kell Douglas Kell's extensive background in systems biology, machine learning, etc. How Epoch Biodesign uses machine learning and tooling to design a computing platform for plastic-eating enzymes Future applications of the company's proprietary methods of designing biology How Epoch Biodesign's software enables them to scale and solve climate problems fasterThe company's business model Adjacent opportunities including textiles Epoch Biodesign's seed round and future financing Who Jacob wants to hear from and open positions at Epoch BiodesignEnjoy the show!You can find Cody on Twitter @codysimms, @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 15, 2022.

Today's guest is Ketan Joshi, a writer, data analyst and communications consultant working on climate and energy. Ketan Joshi has been at the forefront of clean energy for eight years, starting out as a data analyst working in wind energy, and expanding his knowledge base to community engagement, climate science and new energy technology. He’s written for the Guardian, The Monthly, ABC News and has penned several hundred blog posts digging into climate and energy issues, building a position as a respected and analytical energy commentator in Australia. Ketan is also the author of Windfall: Unlocking a Fossil Free Future, and has a large following on social media. Before coming on the show, Ketan and Jason had a few heated exchanges on Twitter. Despite what appeared to be opposing views around climate, this conversation shed light on an important lesson about the polarization of social media platforms. When we actually take the time to meet and discuss these topics live, we might find out that we’re in agreement more than we think. In today’s episode, we cover: Ketan's background and personal climate journeyHis experience working in data science, communications, community engagement, and climate policy within organizationsHow his feelings about climate and theory of change have evolved over timeThe level of urgency of the climate crisis and the level of disruption we should expect in order to adequately address itOur dependence on fossil fuelsThe rate of change in emissions reductions and some of the impacts associated with itBenefits of engaging community members in climate solutionsThe role of corporate decision making in heavily fossil reliant companiesHow society impacts individual decision makingBenefits of reducing carbon emissions and examples where it's not easy to doThe role of natural gas in the clean energy transitionKetan's thoughts about carbon removal and its role in the transitionTransforming carbon offsetsKetan's thoughts on nuclear and if we should be deploying it at scaleWho he'd like to hear fromEnjoy the show!You can find Jason on Twitter @jjacobs22, @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 7, 2022.

Today's guest is Jeff Nobbs, CEO and Co-Founder of Zero Acre Farms.It turns out 20% of our daily caloric intake is made of vegetable oils that are not only harmful to human health, but also have a massive impact on the environment and deforestation. So when thinking about systems problems that impact climate change, how we produce oils for food consumption is a big lever that's yet to be pulled. Zero Acre Farms is on a mission to change that. The company is developing a new category of healthy oils and fats made by fermentation. In today’s episode, we cover: Broad overview of vegetable oil Environmental impacts of different vegetable oils The shift away from animal toward trans fats in the 1980s & 1990s Drivers of vegetable oil growth, including consumer advocacy groups and large fast-food restaurants  An overview of Zero Acre Farms How the startup is solving the problem of vegetable oils using fermentation An overview of the fermentation process for foodThe company's direct-to-consumer launch and future plans to scale to restaurants and packaged foods Jeff's background in food, health, and nutrition Zero Acre Farm's externalities How the company creates its cultured oilTheir seed round, series A, and future funding sources Zero Acre Farms as a Public Benefits Corporation (PBC) their initial product has just become available on their website, you can try cultured oil for yourself and see what you think.Enjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @codysimms (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 14, 2022.

Today's guest is Cris Stainbrook, President of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF). ILTF is a national community-based organization serving Indian nations and Indian people in the recovery and control of their rightful homelands. They work to promote education, increase cultural awareness, create economic opportunity, and reform the legal and administrative systems that prevent Indian people from owning and controlling reservation lands. The organization has provided over $98 million of grants, loans and services over the past 20 years. In today’s episode, we cover: An overview of the Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF)How the organization came to be and its mission to restore rightful land ownership of 90 million acresCris' personal climate journeyHis background in fisheries biology and transition to Indian landThe role of the federal government in Indian land ownershipThe Dawes General Allotment ActILTF's tactics at the beginning and how they've changed over timeImportance of education for Indian history and land issuesThe organization's theory of change and how they measure progressChanges on tribal land related to climateHow climate impacts day-to-day life of tribal membersHow the tribes became interested in carbon markets and some of the issues they're working to overcomeThe Indian Land Capital Company, a CDFI subsidiary of ILTFBuyer incentives for the tribe's carbon creditsThe National Indian Carbon Coalition and its assessment of additionality credits, setting prices, finding buyers, etc.What Cris sees as the biggest barriers to moving forward on climate changeHis thoughts on government's role in solving certain issuesCris' message to listeners both in terms of the problem of climate change and Indian landsEnjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22  (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 30, 2022.

Today's guest is Mujeeb Ijaz, Founder and CEO of ONE. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) not only face technical challenges, but also psychological barriers that consumers need to overcome. ONE has the audacious goal to design a battery that can double the range of EVs while using sustainable and safe materials, avoiding nickel and cobalt in particular. The company is also working to develop and localize raw material supply chains to bring down costs associated with this clean energy solution. In today’s episode, we cover: Mujeeb's background in EVs and battery innovation at Ford, A123 Systems, and AppleBattery range anxiety and its impact on widespread adoptionONE's solution to double the range of EV batteries to 600 milesDensity of charger networks and the implications for EV driversPredictions for the used market for EVsImpact of local driving conditions on EV range and comparisons to ICE vehiclesImpacts of location and climate on battery rangeONE's latest accomplishments, including their partnership with BMWThe company's two types of batteries: Gemini and AriesDifferences between battery chemistries like lithium ion, manganese, and nickel cobaltHow ONE avoids nickel and cobalt in their batteriesThe predictability of commercial fleets like package delivery trucks and busesCost structures associated with different battery chemistriesONE's go-to-market roadmap and funding to dateGaps in talent and training for battery manufacturingONE's focus on sourcing the right talent and workforce development effortsEnjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @codysimms (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 11, 2022.

Today's guest is Marcius Extavour, Chief Scientist, Executive Vice President Energy and Climate at XPRIZE.XPRIZE is a global future positive movement of over a million people and rising. They are a trusted, proven platform for impact that leverages the power of competition to catalyze innovation and accelerate a more hopeful future by incentivizing radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. The organization began supporting climate projects with a $20 million prize for breakthrough technologies to convert CO2 emissions into usable products. Now, they’re hosting their largest prize initiative in history funded by Elon Musk and the Musk Foundation, and awarding $100 million for Carbon Removal solutions.This episode covers XPRIZE’s mission, how they decide on and evaluate competitions, key takeaways from their climate prize experiences, and how they measure success. We also dig into some of the nuances of the carbon removal conversation, how Marcius deals with naysayers, and why he focuses on solving the climate crisis instead of punishing polluters. Enjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22  (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 1, 2022.In today’s episode, we cover: An overview of XPRIZE and the organization came to beXPRIZE's model expansion over time Where XPRIZE's money comes from How the org's external partnerships help XPRIZE support an innovative ecosystemMarcius' climate journey and background in academia, utility, policy, and fundraisingAn overview of the AAAS Science & Technology Fellowship ProgramCharacteristics XPRIZE uses to determine where prizes can be helpful, including impact, an identifiable problem, public awareness, and a specific and measurable goal Differences between short and long-term impact The NRG COSIA Carbon XPRIZE and key takeaways from the competitionHow XPRIZE started to explore climate topics The moral hazard argument XPRIZE Carbon Removal, the org's largest incentive prize in history with Elon Musk and the Musk FoundationHow Marcius responds to critics XPRIZE's plans to improve CDR measurementsDifferences between measurement processes and tooling across solutions MRV 3 evaluation factors, including operational performance, cost, and scalability Marcius' predictions for how CDR can develop His thoughts on the role of voluntary and compliance markets Marcius' stance on whether we should punish polluters or focus on solving the climate problemHow people can get involved with XPRIZE and the org's new Carbon Removal cohortThe community's role in moving things forward, growing globally, and maintaining inclusivity

Today's guest is Marcus Lehmann, CEO and Co-Founder of CalWave. Our planet’s surface is mostly covered by ocean, but harnessing the power of our ceaseless water world has not been a considerable part of the energy mix to date. CalWave is on a mission to provide reliable, cost-effective ocean wave technologies for sustainable energy access. The company’s award-winning technology transforms the motion of ocean waves into electricity to equip communities of scale with localized power.In this conversation with Marcus, we discuss the potential of wave energy and unpack some of the challenges to operating in dynamic and complex marine environments. We also cover Marcus’ background, CalWave’s origins, the company’s roadmap for getting to market, and how wave power and offshore wind power can be combined in the future. Enjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @codysimms (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 5, 2022.

Today's guest is Kerry Bowie, Founder, President and Executive Director of Browning the Green Space.Browning the Green Space (BGS) is a voluntary coalition of leaders and organizations primarily in the New England region that share a passion to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in clean energy. The organization's goal is to increase the participation and leadership of people in underrepresented groups, including people of color and women in the clean energy space and beyond. In today’s episode, we cover: Origin story of Browning the Green Space (BGS) Overview of the nonprofit and its missionKerry's background in environmental engineering, environmental justice, and consultingBGS's focus on the 5 C's: careers, companies, capital, contracts, and communities The intersection between environmental, social, and economic justice issues The importance of cultural connections in community development The threat of climate change to underrepresented communities on a day to day level Differences of energy burden between urban centers and BIPOC communities vs wealthy neighborhoodsHow money and wealth are major contributors to environmental inequalityKerry's motivation in workforce developmentThe luxury of thinking about climate change as an existential threat Barriers to alleviating environmental issues faced by lower income communitiesRegulations that need to be upheld, including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act Kerry's thoughts on government and its shortcomings Hopeful action from younger generations BGS's fundraising goals and who they want to hear fromEnjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 29, 2022.

Today's guest is Mohit Yadav, co-founder of BOLT. BOLT was founded in 2017 with the dream of making electric vehicles more accessible by easing and accelerating the transition of emerging markets to cleaner mobility. Currently, the company manages India’s largest EV charging network with over 10,000 charging points across 100 different cities.Although we haven't spent much time on the region here on the My Climate Journey podcast, this episode is particularly important given India's population and emerging economy. How the country’s economy evolves in the years to come will be critical to global emissions reduction as its population is unfortunately feeling the effects of climate change today in a major way.We have a great discussion about the state of the EV market in India, BOLT's business model, their future expansion plans, and how the company started in software and evolved to include a hardware component. Enjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @codysimms (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 29, 2022. 

Today's guests are Craig Shapiro and Tomas Alvarez Belon from Collaborative Fund. Collaborative Fund is an investment firm focused on supporting and investing in the shared future. Their funds center around two macro themes, the growth of the creative class and the concept of the collaborative economy. Recently, Collaborative Fund announced their new Shared Future Fund which provides rapid funding and useful resources to early-stage entrepreneurs working to solve the global climate crisis. It's a programmatic fund and they aim to make 100 investments of $100,000 in 2022 alone, giving a decision within 10 days of application.Craig is the Founder and Managing Partner of Collaborative Fund. He currently holds a board seat or board observer seat in several pioneering climate focused companies, including: Brimstone Energy, Dandelion Energy, Kula Bio, and Quaise Energy. Tomás is a climate investor at Collaborative Fund focused on decarbonization and the Shared Future Fund initiative. Prior to joining Collab, Tomás co-founded Canopi, a Y Combinator-backed carbon accounting startup, and was a consultant at Bain & Company. He also advises Climate Tech VC, a 20,000+ subscriber newsletter focused on climate innovation.We cover a lot in this episode, including the origin story of the firm Collaborative, how their approach has evolved over the years, and what led them to get into climate investing. We also discuss the types of risk they're comfortable with, criteria they look for, and how they think about different sectors. And we cover the Shared Future Fund, what it is, how it works, Craig and Tomas’ vision for it, and how it fits in with the other things that they do as a firm. Enjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 14, 2022.

Today's guest is Titiaan Palazzi, COO and Co-Founder at Myst. Myst is a machine learning platform that leverages AI technology to improve demand and supply forecasting for an increasingly renewable power grid. Their platform helps companies accelerate the deployment of expert forecasting solutions that not only increase profitability but also reduce risk. We have a great discussion about the different energy use cases that more accurate predictive modeling can help, the customer types that use Myst today, and the transition of data science talent into the climate space.Enjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @codysimms (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 28, 2022. 

Today’s guest is Jamie Alexander, Founding Director at Drawdown Labs. Drawdown Labs serves as Project Drawdown’s private sector testing ground for accelerating the scaling of climate solutions quickly, safely, and equitably. In her role, Jamie leverages the organization's world-class research and analysis—and the cross-industry capabilities of participating businesses and funders—to experiment with collaborative ways to address climate change at unprecedented scale, and offers the world a more expansive vision for private sector climate leadership.Jamie has been a very active member of the MCJ community, including contributing to our Community Voices newsletter and serving on the Advisory Board at Climate Changemakers. Prior to joining Project Drawdown, Jamie worked in corporate partnerships at Ceres, Inc. This discussion brings a new energy to the MCJ podcast as the conversation not only covers Jamie’s climate journey, but also highlights some of the double standards that manifest in people working in climate change, some of the infighting that occurs, some of the tensions, and the chicken and egg scenarios. At the end of the day, a little hearty debate is a good way to ignite progress. Enjoy the show!  You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 13, 2022.

Today’s guest is Mike Phillips, Co-founder and CEO of Sense.Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, Sense provides homeowners with real-time insights that illustrate their home energy use. Users of Sense’s Home Energy Monitor are able to not only understand energy use on an appliance level, but also identify opportunities to both save money and consume energy when it's cheapest and cleanest. Sense is actively pursuing a broader and more ambitious vision. By deploying its technology as a software application and embedded intelligence for the growing landscape of smart meters, the company is positioning itself to expand its energy monitoring and management capabilities considerably. As investors in Sense via our MCJ collective venture capital fund, we were excited to talk with Mike in more detail about his climate journey and the company’s origin story and progress so far. We have a great discussion about the future of the home, electric panels, smart meters, the role utilities play in hardware deployment, and in what ways consumers want to be involved in home energy management. Enjoy the show!  You can find me on Twitter @codysimms, @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 14, 2022.

Today’s guest is Rachel Slaybaugh, Principal at DCVC.In her role, Rachel is focused on climate, sustainability, and energy investments. Before joining DCVC, Rachel was an Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley where she held leadership roles in several data science and entrepreneurship efforts. Concurrent to being a professor, Rachel was a Division Director at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory where she ran the Cyclotron Road Division. She served as a Program Director at the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E, where she created the nuclear fission program and managed the agriculture portfolio as well as solar and virtual reality teams. Rachel co-founded the Good Energy Collective and currently serves as Chair of the Board. Rachel received a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from Penn State, where she served as a licensed nuclear reactor operator, and a M.S. and Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin–Madison in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics. We have a wonderful discussion about Rachel's climate journey and how she has prioritized her professional pursuits. We also talk about what Rachel has learned working in academia, government, early-stage innovation, and now as a venture capitalist. Additionally, the conversation touches on where VC and equity capital fit into the climate problem as well as key learnings from the last cleantech wave, and so much more. Enjoy the show!  You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 7, 2022.

Today's guest is Jesse Forrester, Founder and CEO of Mazi Mobility.Mazi Mobility is a Kenyan Mobility as a Service (MaaS) company that is re-imaging mobility through the implementation of an electric vehicle ecosystem in Africa. Mazi assembles and sells electric two and three-wheelers while building and operating the EV charging infrastructure to support these vehicles. A Kenyan award-winning entrepreneur and visionary, Jesse believes in the confluence of impact and profit. He is a former Zayed Sustainability Prize winner and has been involved with social enterprises for the last 6 years, touching on the food, water, and energy nexus.We were excited for this one because while the MCJ podcast focus has primarily been in the Western world, developing nations are just as important. Transportation in countries like Kenya will be critical in terms of emissions and Mazi is trying to bring about positive change.  We learned a lot from this one and are so grateful that Jesse was willing to share his story. Enjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22 (me),  @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 12, 2022.

Today's guests are Alison Smart, Executive Director, and Spencer Glendon, Founder, of Probable Futures.Probable Futures is an unconventional initiative that brings together leaders across culture, business, technology, and design in collaboration with scientists at the renowned Woodwell Climate Research Center. They're committed to and guided by their shared set of core principles. Probable Futures offers frameworks, tools, and storytelling to help people understand, prepare for, and choose between the futures that the climate offers us. The online platform currently provides educational materials about the workings of Earth’s systems and climate models as well as local and global projections of heat, cold, and precipitation. All Probable Futures materials are free to anyone in the world.Spencer has an interesting background in that he spent 18 years as macro analyst, partner, and director of investment research at Wellington Management, an investment management firm with more than a trillion in client assets. He also holds a BS in Industrial Engineering and a PhD in Economics. Prior to helping found Probable Futures, Alison was Vice President for Strategy & Advancement at the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell), a leading source of climate science that informs policy, decision making, and the urgent action needed to combat climate change.We discuss the pair’s respective climate journeys, what motivated them to work in this space, and what led them to create Probable Futures. We also talk about how they measure success, what stakeholders they’re serving, and the nature of the climate problem in general, as well as what’s holding us back.Enjoy the show! You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22 (me),  @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 3, 2022.

Today's guests are Dana Gibber, Caroline Klatt, and Phil Fogel of Flowcarbon.And today’s episode is hosted by Jason’s partner at MCJ Collective, Cody Simms.Flowcarbon is using blockchain to make carbon markets more accessible. They're seeking to tokenize the voluntary carbon market to aid in price discovery, transparency, and access. We were looking forward to this conversation as Flowcarbon has been in the news a lot. They just raised significant capital from A16Z and other notable investors; the day after their raised was announced, Verra — the largest voluntary carbon marketplace — made a substantial position statement regarding blockchain; Flowcarbon was incubated by the family office of Adam and Rebekah Neumann of WeWork renown; and blockchain is a controversial topic in climate circles generally. So across all of this, we had a ton to discuss.We cover the founders’ backgrounds and origin story of Flowcarbon, their views on the carbon markets today, how they believe crypto helps solve key issues in the carbon markets, and where they think this whole space is headed. We also discuss Flowcarbon’s specific technology approach and how it fits into the broader #ReFi movement, and we touch on the Neumann’s involvement with the company.Enjoy the show!You can find Cody on Twitter via @codysimms and MCJ Collective via @mcjpod (podcast) or @mcjcollective (company). You can reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 27, 2022.

Today's guest is Emma Stewart, Sustainability Officer at Netflix.Emma is working to bring the company's carbon footprint to net zero, raise awareness through their film and television content, and engage their millions of members on climate and environmental change. Emma brings a rare combination of domain expertise (environmental strategy, climate change accounting and policy, green buildings), strategy (start-up executive and corporate "intrapreneur"), and inventiveness (e.g. an architect of the original "science-based target" movement now 1000+ companies strong) to the field of corporate sustainability.I was excited for this one because Netflix is a pillar company. They've got a big footprint and swing a big bat as it relates to their content, storytelling and audiences. We talk about Netflix's journey and how they got to be late to the game, what motivated them to get into action, what Emma's charter was coming in, where she started, and how she went about prioritizing. Some interesting tidbits come out in this discussion in terms of where the actual emissions are coming from, how they think about emissions they are directly responsible for versus the content production outside of the walls of their originals, how they think about things like offsets and carbon removal, and also Emma's general theory of change for what role companies play and what else needs to happen as it relates to policy, activism, government, and other things that are required to make this transition as quick and as efficient as possible.Enjoy the show!You can find me on Twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 26, 2022.To learn more about sustainability at Netflix, visit https://about.netflix.com/en/sustainabilityTo learn more about this episode, visit https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/emma-stewart

Today's guest is Alisha Fredriksson, Co-founder and CEO of Seabound.Seabound builds carbon capture equipment for ships. They're the only way for existing ships to reduce up to 95% of CO2 emissions and meet new global regulations and they already have six LOIs secured from major ship owners. I was excited for this one because shipping is one of those areas that is a big source of emissions and also really hard to decarbonize. So it's interesting to dig into what it is that makes it so hard to decarbonize, the different options for doing so, and of course, where Seabound fits in.We also cover the origin story of the company, what inspired Alisha and team to do the work that they do, and some of their progress to date. It's especially interesting to dig into some of the motivations of the customers that are signing these LOIs, what value proposition is resonating, what some of their concerns are, and how a business like this ultimately scales.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.To learn more about Seabound, visit: https://www.seabound.co/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/seabound

Today's guest is Stephan Nicoleau, Managing Director at FullCycle.FullCycle developed a unique investment model, specifically designed to accelerate the deployment of climate-critical technologies. These technologies must exceed their thresholds for carbon return on investment and deliver above market returns on a risk adjusted basis. Stephan leads the firm's capital formation and partnerships, and brings more than a decade of investing and investment advisory experience to the team.I was excited for this one because FullCycle is interesting. They do both growth stage equity investing and they do project finance and like to get involved early in terms of the first few plants that get built and things like that, which I've heard from many people and founders is a gap and one that's highly additional to help address. We cover a lot in this episode, including Stephan's background and what led him to doing the work that he's doing, FullCycle's model, origin story, and progress to date, as well as their investment approach and how they measure success. We also cover how they think about returns, LP composition, some examples of sectors and companies they have gotten involved with, and what types of resources they bring to bear beyond capital to be helpful to the companies they work with.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 19, 2022To learn more about FullCycle, visit: https://www.fullcycle.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/stephan-nicoleau

Today's guest is Raffi Garabedian, Co-Founder and CEO of Electric Hydrogen.Electric Hydrogen is creating a new generation of electrolyzer technologies to enable clean, abundant and low cost hydrogen to end the age of fossil fuels. They closed an A round of financing back in 2021, including participation from Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Prelude Ventures, Capricorn's Technology Impact Fund, and Energy Impact partners.I was excited for this one as one, hydrogen is such an important topic and a controversial one. Two, I really wanted to learn more about Electric Hydrogen's approach. They've raised a bunch of money early in their journey from high caliber climate investors, and they have quite an experienced team. Raffi himself was the Chief Technology Officer of First Solar before jumping in as Co-Founder of Electric Hydrogen. We cover a lot in this episode, including the state of heavy industry, what makes it so hard to decarbonize, the role that hydrogen can play, where it is in its evolution, some of the barriers holding it back, some of the approaches that seem promising, and of course, Electric Hydrogens approach. We cover where electrolyzers fit in, how their electrolyzer is different and better, what types of target customers they focus on, how close they are to going to market, what some of the biggest risks are, what scale looks like, and how it will be financed. Enjoy the show!To learn more about Electric Hydrogen, visit: https://eh2.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/electric-hydrogen

Today's guest is Tony Fadell, Principal at Future Shape.Tony is an active investor and entrepreneur with a 30+ year history of founding companies and designing products that profoundly improve people’s lives. As the Principal at Future Shape, a global investment and advisory firm coaching engineers and scientists working on foundational deep technology, he is continuing to help bring technology out of the lab and into our lives. Currently, Future Shape is coaching 200+ startups innovating game-changing technologies. Tony began his career in Silicon Valley at General Magic, the most influential startup nobody has ever heard of. He is the founder and former CEO of Nest, the company that pioneered the “Internet of Things” and created the Nest Learning Thermostat. Tony was the SVP of Apple’s iPod Division and led the team that created the first 18 generations of the iPod and the first three generations of the iPhone. Throughout his career, Tony has authored more than 300 patents. In May 2016, TIME named the Nest Learning Thermostat, the iPod, and the iPhone as three of the “50 Most Influential Gadgets of All Time.” His new book is Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 13, 2022To learn more about Future Shape, visit: https://www.futureshape.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/tony-fadell

Today's guest is Ben Sorkin, the Founder and CEO of Flux Marine, a company that offers 100% electric outboard motors.Flux Marine is seeking to accelerate the electrification of the marine industry. We have a great discussion in this episode about the origin story of the company, Flux Marine's product and offering, and their decision to offer the motors as a standalone versus building the boat end to end. We also talk about their go to market strategy and approach, Ben's thoughts on electrification in general and where consumer sentiment fits in, where quality fits in, where cost fits in, where scalability fits in, and of course, where sustainability fits in.We talk about the best ways to finance a company like this and the decisions that Flux Marine has made to date, including their recent $15 million equity round. And we also talk about their key goals for the company, how they stage those goals, what stage they're in now, what's coming next, and their long vision. We also talk about how the ecosystem will play out in general and what the role is of the big incumbents, what the role is of the upstarts, what the role is of the a la carte providers like the motors and what the role is of more of the Tesla or the apple approach end to end.It's an episode that will really make you think, and hopefully you'll learn something as well. And if you're a boater, you'll probably also be eager to get your hands on one of their products when they ship sometime soon.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22, @mcjpod, and @mcjcollective, and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 4, 2022To learn more about Flux Marine, visit: https://www.fluxmarine.com/To learn more about this episode, visit:  https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/flux-marine

Today's guest is Joel Armin-Hoiland, Founder and CEO of Climate Finance Solutions.Climate Finance Solutions, or CFS, as it's also known, is a mission driven consultancy that helps companies and organizations around the world secure non-dilutive funding to develop and scale high impact climate solutions. They also provide technology, business and project development consulting to support their clients in securing funding and scaling their solutions. Their team has secured over $75 million in non-dilutive funding and leveraged over 30 million more in external co-financing, including several million dollars in impact equity investment with an 88% success rate.Joel also was an early member of the MCJ community, and he's been an active contributor, both in the slack community and also advising and ultimately consulting with several companies in the MCJ Collective portfolio. Non-dilutive financing is different than equity financing, and especially for climate tech companies, it comes up a lot. It can be a viable source of funding, but many founders coming from other types of technology companies that maybe haven't gotten exposed to non dilutive funding before don't know how go to go about obtaining it.In this episode, we cover the how to think about non-dilutive funding, who it's a fit for, the process to obtain it, and pitfalls to watch out for along the way.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.To learn more about Climate Finance Solutions, visit: https://www.climatefinancesolutions.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/joel-armin-hoiland

Today's guest is Justin Kolbeck, co-founder and CEO of Wildtype. Wildtype is a startup creating sushi-grade cultivated salmon, and they recently announced the completion of a hundred million-dollar series B funding round, which was the largest for a cultivated seafood company. I was excited for this one because it's clear that our current food system is not sustainable. It's a huge source of emissions, and we're going to have to feed billions of additional people over time. It's unclear today how we're going to do that, and especially do that in a way that is more sustainable with each other and with the planet that we rely on to support us and other life forms. Seafood, of course, is one of the largest categories of food, and Wildtype is one of the leaders in the cultivated seafood market, which made for a really interesting discussion.We talk about the origin story of the company and what led Justin without a background in this area to anchor here, the state of the cultivated meat/seafood landscape when they started and how that's evolved to today, and Justin's predictions for how the market will play out over time. We also talk about some of the key challenges in building the company, how to balance customer development with the technical work in the lab, and Wildtype’s plans in terms of go-to market strategy, which sources of capital they have used to date, and which they anticipate using over time.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22, @mcjpod, and @mcjcollective, and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 3, 2022To learn more about Wildtype, visit: https://www.wildtypefoods.com/To learn more about this episode, visit:  https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/wildtype

Today's guest is Gerald Butts, Vice Chair of the Eurasia Group and former Principal Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of Ontario. He also served as the CEO of the World Wildlife Fund Canada. In 2014, McLean's Magazine declared Gerald to be the 14th most powerful Canadian. And as the former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Trudeau, Gerald was praised as the architect behind the Liberal Party of Canada's platform that led to their victory in October of 2015. He was also one of Prime Minister Trudeau's most senior staffers.I was excited about this one on a number of levels. One, it's just great to hear from someone that's operated in the political realm at such a high of given how important politics is for climate action. Two, it was great to hear from someone outside of the walls of the U.S, but a pretty close neighbor about the U.S' role. It's also interesting that after hundreds of MCJ episodes, conventional wisdom is while a carbon tax might be super impactful, no one thinks it's possible or most people certainly don't and yet Canada did it. And Gerald was a key person that helped get that over the line.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 4, 2022To learn more about Eurasia Group, visit: https://www.eurasiagroup.net/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/gerald-butts

Today's guest is Mike Kelland, CEO of Planetary. Planetary has an accelerated carbon transition platform that creates effective carbon removal at gigaton scale and reduces emissions through a clean alternative to fossil fuels. Their platform results in permanently sequestered carbon through ocean air capture, ocean deacidification, and clean hydrogen. They also recently won the XPRIZE Milestone Prize.Mike was actually one of the earliest listeners of this podcast, one of the earliest members of the My Climate Journey member community, and he also has a similar story to mine, coming from the traditional software startup world and finding his way into climate tech. In this episode, we talk about Mike's journey, why it came about, how it came about, the different phases and stages that he went through between becoming determined to work in climate and anchoring where he did.We talk about the Planetary origin story and Mike's evaluation process, in which he was talking to different labs and assessing different technologies. And we talk about what he learned about determining commercial viability and commercial readiness. We also talk about the Planetary approach, where they're at today, the different risks, the business model, building pilot plants, how those will be financed, who their customers will be, what the value proposition is for those customers.And we have a great discussion about carbon removal in general and some of the debates that have been occurring, what Mike's thoughts are on those debates, what gives him the confidence that carbon removal is not only important, but ultimately will be viable, and also just how the landscape plays out. Is there one winner? Are there a few winners? Is there a huge long tail, where there'll be lots of different winners? Are there no winners? At any rate, really great discussion, and I think you'll learn a lot.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22, @mcjpod, and @mcjcollective, and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 28, 2022To learn more about Planetary, visit: https://www.planetarytech.com/To learn more about this episode, visit:  https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/planetary

Today's guest is Dr. Johanna Wolfson, General Partner at Azolla Ventures. Azolla Ventures, created by Prime Coalition, invests in early-stage technology companies with the potential for gigaton-scale climate impact.This is a discussion that was actually done live at the MIT Energy Conference on April 1st. It was a great discussion, so we figured we'd publish it as a podcast so that all of you can benefit from this discussion as well.We cover a lot in this episode, including Johanna's background and what led her to doing the work that she's doing today, Azolla's origin story, it's recent spin out from Prime Coalition, the criteria that they use for making investments, and some of the recent investments they've made. We also have a great discussion about the role of catalytic capital in general, how it's different from other types of capital in climate tech investing, and what it will take to help these technologies reach wide scale deployment and impact. We talk about some of the barriers, some changes that would help the clean energy transition happen faster, and how you and I can help.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 1, 2022To learn more about the Azolla Ventures, visit: https://www.azollaventures.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/johanna-wolfson

Today's guest is Eric Quidenus-Wahlforss, CEO and Co-Founder of Dance, a premium ebike subscription service based in Berlin. Eric also co-founded music streaming platform SoundCloud, and occasionally angel invests in companies in the sustainability space.With Dance's electric mobility subscription, their members can easily explore their city with an ebike or emoped while benefiting from included maintenance and repairs. Both individuals and businesses can make convenient and fun mobility choices without the investment of ownership: membership is flexible.In this episode, we cover Eric's startup journey, climate journey, and how they ultimately intersected. We talk about the Dance origin story, vision, progress to date, and key strategic priorities. And we have a great discussion about mobility, the future of cities, and what it will take to decarbonize transportation. And finally, it was super useful to hear Eric's thoughts on how to balance maximum impact on a spreadsheet with finding things to work on that give you energy and align with your passions and skills.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22, @mcjpod, and @mcjcollective, and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 22, 2022To learn more about Dance, visit: https://dance.co/To learn more about this episode, visit:  https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/dance

Today's guest is Katie Dykes, Commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP).Katie was nominated by Governor Ned Lamont to serve as the Commissioner of DEEP, and was confirmed on February 20, 2019.  Katie previously served as Chair of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) from 2015-2018, and as Deputy Commissioner for Energy at Connecticut DEEP from 2012-2015. Katie also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Inc. (RGGI) from 2014 to 2017.  RGGI is a multi-state effort focused on reducing carbon emissions from electric generating facilities.  Katie joined CT DEEP in March 2012 after prior service as Deputy General Counsel for the White House Council on Environmental Quality and as a Legal Advisor to the General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Energy.  She is a graduate of Yale College and the Yale Law School.I was looking forward to this episode, as  government is not an area where I historically have been particularly strong, but it's so important for tackling a systems problem like climate change. And it's not just the federal government, state governments really matter as well, and Katie's in a key role, in a key state, doing really interesting things. This is a great opportunity to learn about how someone in Katie's shoes thinks about setting priorities for the state, getting things done, what form the transition should take, what role the federal government should play, what role the states should play, what some blockers are to getting things done, and how they can move faster. We also have a great discussion about how the private sector fits in, and the roles of technology and innovation.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 29, 2022To learn more about the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/About/About-UsTo learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/katie-dykesFor insights on marketing climate solutions like heat pumps, Katie credits #energytwitter members like Nate Adams (@energysmartwv); and for more state-level climate leadership, check out the US Climate Alliance (@USClimate)!

Today's guest is Neeka Mashouf, CEO & Co-Founder of Rubi.Rubi turns carbon emissions into carbon-negative textiles with synthetic biology. Fabrics made with Rubi technology are net carbon-negative, water. land, and chemical-neutral, 100% traceable, and naturally biodegradable. Rubi is the definitive, turn-key solution to achieving industry-wide sustainability and creating a future where production of goods and polluting the earth are no longer inherently linked. No more plastics, polyester, or dead-end materials that create another form of permanent waste ending up in landfills or incinerated, clouding the air with even more CO2 pollution. Rubi is revolutionizing the supply chain to actually remove CO2 from the atmosphere with every garment created.In this episode, we cover Neeka's journey to entrepreneurship, to becoming committed to acting to address climate change, and how those paths came to intersect. We also cover Rubi's origin story, vision, progress-to-date, and key priorities, and have a great discussion about what it will take to decarbonize the fashion industry, how Rubi can help, and what else we can do to accelerate progress.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22, @mcjpod, and @mcjcollective, and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 8, 2022To learn more about Rubi, visit: https://www.rubi.earth/To learn more about this episode, visit:  https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/rubi

Today's guest is Cam Hosie, CEO of 8 Rivers Capital.Cam Hosie is the Chief Executive Officer of 8 Rivers Capital, and leads the development and commercialization of 8 Rivers' technology portfolio and projects. Cam joined 8 Rivers in 2012. Prior to joining 8 Rivers, Cam was an energy corporate finance lawyer at Clifford Chance LLP and Russell McVeagh, focusing on major project development in Europe, the Russian Federation, Asia, the Middle East, North America, and New Zealand, regularly helping projects navigate complex commercial and legal issues in diverse jurisdictions with wide-ranging stakeholders. Current Chief Executive Officer at 8 Rivers, and former Chief Operating Officer, he has brought to bear his previous major project experience to mold 8 Rivers into a world-class execution team ready to deliver critical net-zero solutions. Cam has helped lead financing rounds for 8 Rivers and its portfolio companies and has managed strategic execution. Cam holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University of Wellington, and a Master of Laws focused on international business, trade, and tax from Duke Law.I was looking forward to this episode because 8 Rivers has such an innovative model, and both the type of technologies they are bringing to market and their approach are so different than the VC-backed startup world that I come from. And also so important for the climate fight!  It is a great discussion, and you will learn a lot, for sure.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 18, 2022To learn more about 8 Rivers Capital, visit: https://8rivers.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/cam-hosie

Today's guest is Harry Hamlin, actor, author, entrepreneur, and Founder/Secretary of TAE Technologies.TAE Technologies (pronounced T-A-E) was founded in 1998 to develop commercial fusion power with the cleanest environmental profile, and represents the fastest, most practical, and economically competitive solution to bring abundant energy to the grid. With over 1100 issued patents, more than $880 million in private capital, six generations of National Laboratory-scale devices, and an experienced team of over 250 employees, TAE is now on the cusp of delivering this transformational energy source capable of sustaining the planet for centuries. The company’s revolutionary technologies have produced a robust portfolio of commercial innovations in other large adjacent markets such as power management, energy storage, transmission, electric mobility, life sciences, and more. TAE is based in California, and maintains international offices in the UK and Switzerland. Multidisciplinary and mission-driven by nature, TAE is leveraging proprietary science and engineering to create a bright future for us all.In this episode, we cover Harry's unlikely path to becoming a climate tech entrepreneur, the origin story of TAE Technologies, their vision, progress and current stage, and a broader discussion about fusion, it's potential, the different approaches, and how far away we are from seeing commercial success.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22, @mcjpod, and @mcjcollective, and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 16, 2022To learn more about TAE Technologies, visit:  https://tae.com/To learn more about this episode, visit:  https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/taetechnologies

Today's guest is Stacy Kauk, Head of Sustainability at Shopify.Stacy joined Shopify in January 2020. She also serves on the advisory board of the Carbon Management Research Initiative (CaMRI) at Columbia University. Prior to joining Shopify, Stacy was Head of the Ozone Layer Protection Program at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Previously, Stacy worked on several chemicals management regulatory initiatives and represented Canada as a member of delegations for the Stockholm Convention and Montreal Protocol.Stacy began her career as a practicing engineer designing environmental protection measures and pollution prevention controls for a variety of industry sectors. She has worked for the city of Ottawa, Morrison Hershfield and Golder Associates. Stacy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and Master of Public Administration from Carleton University.I was looking forward to this episode because everyone knows Shopify as a powerhouse e-commerce company, but far fewer no that Shopify has been helping jumpstart important carbon removal project funding via their Sustainability Fund. In this episode, we cover Stacy's journey to doing the work she does, Shopify's journey to become an unlikely climate hero, and how those two ended up meeting in the middle. We also cover what Shopify looks for in the carbon removal projects they back, and some examples of projects they have funded so far.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 (me), @mcjpod (podcast), or @mcjcollective (company) and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 23, 2022To learn more about Shopify, visit: https://www.shopify.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/stacy-kauk

Today's guest is Anna Scott, an atmospheric scientist and the Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder at Project Canary.As a scientist, Dr. Scott has worked on projects around the world with the Red Cross/Red Crescent’s International Climate Center, NASA, The World Bank, and numerous local governments. She has installed sensor networks and led field campaigns in Birmingham, Alabama, Nairobi (Kenya), and Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Scott founded the Baltimore Open Air project, a community-based air quality monitoring project that designed, built, and deployed air monitors in the Greater Baltimore region.She received her PhD in the Earth and Planetary Science Department at the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from University of Chicago, a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and a Master of Arts and Sciences in Earth Science from Johns Hopkins University.Project Canary is a data analytics and environmental assessment company committed to accelerating the path to net-zero. We focus on methane emissions measurement and reduction, freshwater use, and community impacts for energy-intensive industries. Our customers now have a holistic, granular view of their operations from tip to tail at their fingertips 24/7/365. As the business world has become more data-reliant, our independent, high-fidelity insights give stakeholders - investors, buyers, operators - an ESG-ready view of a company's environmental footprint and progress in real-time on a facility by facility basis. The company announced their $111m B round if financing in Feb. 2022.In this episode, we cover Dr. Scott's journey and path to working in climate and working at Project Canary, as well as a deep dive into the company, what it does, and why it matters.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22, @mcjpod, and @mcjcollective, and via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 30, 2022To learn more about Project Canary, visit: https://www.projectcanary.com/To learn more about this episode, visit:  https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/projectcanary

Today's guest is Renée Lertzman, Climate Psychologist & Strategist and Founder of Project InsideOut.Project InsideOut (PIO) is a unique platform, online tool, and resource hub that brings together changemakers, activists, and clinical psychologists to drive sustainable behavior change for our planet. PIO also provides guiding psychological principles for effectively working in climate change. We are entering a new phase of building out and inviting additional organizational partners. Renée is an internationally recognized psychological researcher and thought-leader, working to impact climate change with tools that organizations can use to engage, mobilize and connect with diverse populations. A native of Northern California, Renée has had more than 20 years of experience as a pioneer bridging psychological research and sustainability. She integrates behavioral, social, and innovative design sciences to create a dynamic approach to social change. She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Communications from the University of North Carolina and a Ph.D. from the Cardiff School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University, UK. Her distinguished reputation has led her to teach regularly, present, and produce research for numerous institutions, including World Wildlife Fund, the White House Social and Behavioural Sciences Team (SBST), National Center for Atmospheric Research, NOAA, and universities around the world. Renée is also an author and published journalist, writing about how the intersections of psychology, environment, and culture illustrate the culture of change.I was looking forward to this episode because I wanted to learn more about Renée's work and climate psychology. Renée walks me through her career path, why she focused on climate psychology, and her strategic consulting experience in the private and public sectors. We also discuss eco-anxiety and how to turn anxiety into action. Renée is a great guest, and we cover essential topics to ensure a successful clean transition.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 14th, 2022To learn more about Renée Lertzman and her project InsideOut, visit: https://www.reneelertzman.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/renee-lertzman

Today's guests are Jit Bhattacharya, Co-Founder & CEO of BasiGo, and Alex Roetter, Managing Director & General Partner at Moxxie VC.Jit has been a technology leader in rechargeable (lithium-ion) batteries for more than 12 years. He worked as the CEO of Mission Motors in Silicon Valley and was a senior manager at Project Titan — the secret electric car project by Apple Inc. More recently, he served as the chief technology officer of Fenix International, an off-grid solar home system company acquired by the French multinational electric utility company ENGIE in 2018.Alex is an engineer, leader, investor, and aviator who loves bringing new products and services to life. Alex was formerly the President of Kitty Hawk (an eVTOL company) and was previously the SVP of Engineering at Twitter. Alex has over a decade of experience investing in and advising early to late-stage private companies, including Coinbase, Mainstreet, Nuro, Sauce Labs, Digits, Caption Health, and Certn. He is the co-chair of the Visible Hands VC Fellowship Advisory Committee and an observer on their Board of Directors. Alex started his career as a software engineer at Google and various other early startups.BasiGo is an e-mobility startup looking to revolutionize the public transportation sector by providing public transport bus owners with a cost-effective electric alternative to diesel. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, our team is strategically composed of seasoned entrepreneurs who have spent over a decade working and innovating within electric vehicle technology, mobility in Africa, and renewable energy financing. The team is dedicated to creating an inclusive, sustainable mobility revolution in Africa. Moxxie VC invested in the startup in February 2022 during Basigo's seed round.In this episode, I'm joined by investor and founder who added insights to the climatetech startup process. Jit discusses why EV buses are the future of public transportation, Kenya's reliance on renewable energy sources, and how he founded the company. Alex dives into investing in an international startup, how the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, and why Moxxie funded BasiGo. This is a great episode to understand the founder/investor relationship in climatetech.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 21st, 2022To learn more about BasiGo, visit: https://www.basi-go.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/basigo

Today's guest is Gabriel Kra, Managing Director and Co-founder at Prelude Ventures. Prelude Ventures is a venture capital firm partnering with entrepreneurs to address climate change. The firm has invested in over 60 companies across advanced energy, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, advanced materials and manufacturing, and advanced computing. Prelude has a long-term commitment to the sector, accept informed risks, and couples a fundamental emphasis on venture-level returns with an understanding of deep-tech and hardware development timelines. Prelude manages capital exclusively for Simons family philanthropic entities and is a founding member of the Breakthrough Energy Coalition.Gabriel co-founded Prelude Ventures in 2013, after almost 25 years as an investor, entrepreneur, scientist, activist, and ski-bum. Before launching Prelude Ventures, Gabriel spent four years as an investment banker with Deutsche Bank in its solar and semiconductor groups. He also was an early employee at venture-backed telecommunications and semiconductor start-ups, where he was instrumental in raising money, launching products, developing technology, and getting acquired. Gabriel's early experience working a summer at Yellowstone National Park and for Greenpeace sparked his lifelong commitment to fighting climate change.In this episode, Gabriel walks me through Prelude Ventures' founding, Gabriel's career path leading to climate investing, and why a generalist mindset to climate investing is important. We also discuss Prelude's single LP model, why venture investing translates well to helping solve climate change, and the role fossil fuels play in the clean future. Gabriel is a great guest, and this is a fantastic episode.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 10th, 2022To learn more about the Prelude Ventures, visit: https://www.preludeventures.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/gabriel-kra

Today's guests are Steven Henderson, Co-Founder & CEO, and Mike Carter, Co-Founder & COO of Fleetzero.Fleetzero is building battery-electric cargo ships that operate with 5X higher net margins than fossil fuel ships. The startup's increasing the efficiency of existing diesel ships by converting them to battery-electric while pioneering innovation with the MVE7 - an electric ship designed for trans-pacific cargo delivery. Fleetzero'sbattery technology is the only pathway to decarbonizing the $1.3 trillion shipping industry without a green premium. Steven is a marine engineer by background and has managed a wide range of businesses and operations in the marine environment, including cargo ships, a hospital ship, and one of the largest offshore facilities in the US Gulf of Mexico. He has a bachelor's of science in Marine Engineering Systems from the US Merchant Marine Academy and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Steven served in the US Navy Reserve as a Strategic Sealift Officer.Mike is a marine engineer and enterprise sales professional. He graduated from the US Merchant Marine Academy with a BS in Marine Engineering Systems and received an MBA from Rice. Mike brings expertise in marine engineering, ship operations, and significant business experience in energy and shipping. He is also proud to have served as an officer in the US Navy Reserve.In the episode, Mike and Steven walk me through Fleetzero's unique solution, why the ships are challenging to decarbonize, and what let them to found the startup. We also discuss why battery swapping is a viable solution, Fleetzero's funding to date, and the company's customer base. This is a fantastic episode for those looking to learn more about decarbonizing the shipping industry.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 11th, 2022To learn more about Fleetzero, visit: https://www.fleetzero.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/fleetzero

Today's guest is Virginia Sentance, Chief of Staff for the UK COP26 Presidency.Virginia Sentance is the Chief of Staff for the UK COP26 Presidency team based in the UK Government. The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) - the UN's annual climate change summit - in Glasgow on 31 October to 13 November 2021. As Chief of Staff Virginia works closely with the COP President and COP CEO to oversee all aspects of the COP26 Presidency, including the political strategy, negotiations, diplomatic engagement, and operational delivery of the summit. Prior to this, Virginia was an International Economist for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and HM Treasury - the UK's economic and finance ministry, focusing on a number of international finance issues including G7, G20 and the IMF, financial services, economic security, and trade. Virginia holds a BSc in Politics and Economics and MSc in Politics both from the London School of Economics.I was excited to have this conversation with Virginia and learn more about COP26. Virginia walks me through her climate journey, the role of COP in a clean future, and why we should pay attention to global carbon commitments. We also dive into the tensions between industry stakeholders and global leaders, COP26's goals and how this COP defined success, and the evolution of science since COP1. Virginia is a great guest with a unique insight into the climate crisis and collective global action. This is a fantastic episode if you want to learn more about the role COPs play in the clean transition.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 9th, 2022To learn more about the UK COP26 Presidency, visit: https://ukcop26.org/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/virginia-sentance

Today's guest is Sam Saltzman, Founder & CEO of Outlast Earth.Outlast is disrupting the biggest market you've never heard of. The bulk recyclables industry is a ~$1 trillion industry – yet is largely a technological desert. Outlast is transforming recyclables trade through technology. Their platform enables suppliers and buyers to safely and effortlessly transact their materials at the push of a button. Beyond connecting suppliers and buyers, they also provide global logistics, financing, and quality control. Sam is the CEO of Outlast. Before Outlast, he was COO at AMELCO, an aluminum recycling plant and the Chief Geologic Officer at Extracon. He also served as the Chief Operations & Technical Officer at Aroa Commodities, where he worked to develop, manage, and supervise sustainable copper, gold, and silver mines in Colombia. At the University of Iowa, Sam was the Interim Lab Manager and Researcher at the University of Iowa's Electron Microprobe Lab. Sam has a BS in Geology and an MS in Geoscience from the University of Iowa. In this episode, Sam takes me through his climate journey, what led him to leave commodities for bulk recycling, and Outlast Earth's mission. We also talk about why the bulk recycling industry is lucrative, Outlast's unique approach to the circular economy, and how the startup measures impact while balancing profits. Sam is a great guest, and it was educational to dive into the thorny topic of recycling.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 8th, 2022To learn more about Outlast Earth, visit: https://www.outlast.earth/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/outlast-earth

Today's guest is David Antonioli, CEO of Verra.Verra is a global leader helping to tackle the world's most intractable environmental and social challenges by developing and managing standards that help the private sector, countries, and civil society achieve ambitious sustainable development and climate action goals. Verra's global standards and frameworks serve as linchpins for channeling finance towards high-impact activities that tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our day.David serves as Chief Executive Officer of Verra, where he oversees all aspects of the organization, including ensuring the financial and operational health of the organization and that the organization's certification programs meet high-quality integrity and transparency standards. Before joining Verra, David joined EcoSecurities in Oxford (UK), where he led a joint venture to develop landfill gas-to-energy projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). David began his career at ICF Consulting, providing technical advice to Latin American countries developing their GHG inventories, and was a global climate change advisor in Mexico at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). David holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Princeton University and a Master's in Public Policy from Harvard University.I was eager to sit down with David to learn more about the offset market and his work at Verra. We dive into a variety of topics, including David's career path to Verra, Verra's approach to offsets, and how Verra measures success. David also walks me through why carbon offsets are controversial, how to assess net-zero commitments when balancing reduction and offsets, and capitalism's role in the climate crisis. This is a fantastic episode if you're looking to understand better the history of carbon offsets, the existing market, and how we can move to a cleaner future. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 1st, 2022To learn more about Verra, visit: https://verra.org/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/david-antonioli

Today's guest is Maricel Saenz, Founder & CEO of Compound Foods.Maricel Saenz is the founder and CEO of Compound Foods, a food-tech startup recreating coffee without coffee beans. Maricel and Compound aim to create a sustainable coffee that reduces the negative environmental impact on the planet and ensures we have coffee for the foreseeable future. Maricel is a Costa Rica native, passionate about sustainability and coffee. She has a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of British Columbia and attended Singularity University's Global Solutions Program in 2017. Maricel has a background in finance and previously co-founded Nextbiotics, a synthetic biology startup addressing antibiotic resistance. She worked in international development in South Africa, with local entrepreneurs, and in Cambodia with Hellen Keller International to empower women. She also worked with Monitor Deloitte in corporate strategy and innovation consultancies. In addition, Maricel was named on the 2022 Forbes' 30 under 30 list.In this episode, Maricel walks me through her career path leading up to Compound Foods, why coffee is so important to her, and the company's approach to beanless coffee. We also discuss the impacts of climate change in the coffee industry, the startup's most recent raise, and how sustainability has shaped Compound Foods. This is a great episode for those interested in the intersection of food and climate change.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 23rd, 2022To learn more about Compound Food, visit: https://www.compound-foods.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/compound-foods

Today's guest is Sean O'Sullivan, Managing Partner & Founder of SOSV.SOSV is a venture capital firm with more than $1.2B in assets under management. SOSV pioneers & runs world-leading startup development programs. Sean O'Sullivan is Managing Partner & Founder of SOSV, a venture capital firm with over $1 Billion in assets under management. SOSV specializes in programs for very early stage, deep-tech startups and is one of the most active venture investors in the world, with more than 1,000 companies in its portfolio. O'Sullivan's first company, MapInfo, popularized street mapping on computers. Credited with co-creating the term "cloud computing," Sean's first internet company, NetCentric, developed many concepts in internet computing. In addition, he founded JumpStart International, a leading humanitarian organization in conflict zones. Sean received his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters of Fine Arts in Film Production from University of Southern California. He is on the board of Khan Academy, Sun Genomics, the Tyndall Institute, the Autism Impact Fund, the Brain Foundation, and several private companies.I was looking forward to this discussion with Sean and taking a deeper dive into SOSV. Sean explains the company's founding story, his transition from cloud and internet technology to deep tech, bio, and hardware, and what makes a meaningful climate investment to SOSV. We also discuss the commonalities across the development programs, why SOSV doesn't have a specific climate pillar, and advice Sean has for investors interested in focusing on climate. Sean is a seasoned investor and a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 15th, 2022

Today's guest is Greg Constantine, Co-Founder & CEO of Air Company.Air Company is a technology, engineering, and design company. The startup has invented a patented carbon conversion technology that transforms carbon dioxide (CO2) into impurity-free, carbon-negative alcohols, fuels, and perfumes. Air Company seeks to demonstrate to the world the limitless potential of carbon technology solutions.Greg is recognized as a world-leading entrepreneur in business and marketing with a spirit of innovation, landing him on the Forbes' 2017 30 Under 30 list. Leading all company strategy, operations, and innovation, including marketing and product design, Constantine has accelerated Air Company from an early-stage startup concept into one of the world's most innovative companies. He has led the startup to adopt numerous profitable applications of its technology, including fragrances, spirits, and rocket and aviation fuels. Greg brings expertise in the arts with an undergraduate degree from The University of Sydney and a wealth of business acumen from the Executive program at Harvard Business School.In this episode, Greg and I explore Air Company's proprietary technology, Greg's career path leading up to Air Company, and the startup's products, from Vodka to perfume. We also discuss the future marketplace for carbon-converted products, the direct air capture ecosystem, and why all CO2 is not created equal. Greg is a great guest, and it was exciting to learn more about Air Company.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 17th, 2022To learn more about Air Company, visit: https://aircompany.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/air-company

Today's guest is Nicole Systrom, Chief Impact Officer at Galvanize Climate Solutions.Galvanize Climate Solutions, launched in September 2021 by Tom Steyer and Katie Hall, is a mission-driven investment platform that will provide capital, expertise, and partnerships necessary to produce and scale vital and urgent climate solutions. Galvanize is purpose-built to accelerate decarbonization efforts by integrating climate-focused investment with global activism.Nicole Systrom has spent her entire career partnering with investors, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists to accelerate high-impact climate and clean technology solutions. Before Galvanize, Nicole founded Sutro Energy Group to counsel impact investors, philanthropists, and nonprofits on how to direct mission-oriented resources toward innovative clean technologies. With an extensive background in environmental science and a passion for helping entrepreneurs scale breakthrough technologies, nonprofits, foundations, and family offices frequently tap Nicole for her counsel on climate-positive programs. In addition, she is a published thought leader on climate innovation topics ranging from identifying gaps in the cleantech ecosystem, building philanthropic tools for investing in climate solutions, and enabling better state energy policy.I was eager to have Nicole on the podcast because she has dedicated her entire career to climate. We cover several important topics in this episode, including Nicole's role at Galvanize, the company's theory of change as an investment firm, and Nicole's experience balancing belief systems and passions throughout her career. We also dive into the evolution of Nicole's views on the best climate solutions, key levers for unlocking faster innovation, and the climate solutions that dominate the airtime but are not the most valuable. This is a fantastic episode, especially for those interested in understanding climate solutions better.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 10th, 2022To learn more about Galvanize Climate Solutions, visit: https://galvanizeclimatesolutions.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/nicole-systrom

Today's guest is Apoorv Bhargava, Co-Founder & CEO of WeaveGrid.Apoorv Bhargava is the co-founder and CEO of WeaveGrid. The startup uses machine learning to help utilities predict and manage large spikes in power demand from electric vehicle charging to balance renewable energy production and reduce the need for costly upgrades to the grid. Apoorv has always been passionate about climate and energy his whole career. He previously worked at Opower and The Boston Consulting Group. Before that, Apoorv spent time at NRG Energy, Joby Aviation, and The Capricorn Investment Group. He holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and an MS in Energy & Resources from Stanford University. Additionally, Apoorv was featured on this year's GreenBiz and Forbes' 30 Under 30 lists.In this episode, Apoorv explains what motivated him to found WeaveGrid and the problems he observed with transport electrification and renewables' rise in the power sector. We also dive into a lively discussion on WeaveGrid's scalability and business model, how the startup navigates the complex utility ecosystem in the US, and roadblocks to successful grid electrification. Apoorv is a great guest. This is a fantastic episode for those interested in grid electrification and the energy transition.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 16th, 2022To learn more about WeaveGrid, visit: https://www.weavegrid.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/weavegrid

Today's guests are Rob Hanson, CEO & Co-Founder of Monolith, and Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office, at U.S. Department of Energy.Rob is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Monolith, where he leads the development of next-generation technology for producing low cost, low emission hydrogen and carbon black, an important raw material used in the manufacture of rubber and plastic. Prior to Monolith, Hanson served as the global director of product management for AREVA Solar, the solar division of the world's largest nuclear company. He has a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford, and has been a guest lecturer at Stanford, UNL, Foothill College and the University of Saskatchewan on topics ranging from thermodynamics to entrepreneurship.Jigar was most recently co-founder and President at Generate Capital, where he focused on helping entrepreneurs accelerate decarbonization solutions through the use of low-cost infrastructure-as-a service financing. Prior to Generate Capital, Shah founded SunEdison, a company that pioneered "pay as you save" solar financing. After SunEdison, Shah served as the founding CEO of the Carbon War Room, a global non-profit founded by Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite to help entrepreneurs address climate change. Originally from Illinois, Shah holds a B.S. from the University of Illinois-UC and an MBA from the University of Maryland College Park.I was eager for Rob and Jigar to come back on the show to discuss Monolith's recent $1B loan from the DOE's Loan Programs Office. Rob provides us with an overview of Monolith, key phases of the company thus far, and the motivations for seeking public funding. Jigar explains his role at the LPO, why traditional VCs aren't built for early-stage climatetech, and how the private and public sectors can address climate change. We also discuss the government's role in the carbon-free future, how to re-align incentives for traditional funders, and advice Rob and Jigar have for entrepreneurs in the climate space. This is a great episode and a must-listen for anyone at the intersection of climate and finance. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@mcjcollective.com, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 7th, 2022To learn more about Monolith, visit: https://monolith-corp.com/To learn more about the US DOE's Loan Programs Office, visit: https://www.energy.gov/lpo/loan-programs-officeTo learn more about this episode, visit: https://mcjcollective.com/my-climate-journey-podcast/hanson-shah

Today's guest is Edward Chiang, Co-Founder & CEO of Moment Energy.Eddy co-founded Moment Energy in 2019. He was a member of NEXT 36, a cohort of NEXT Canada, a non-profit that develops exceptional talent to create world-class ventures and propel technology adoption. Eddy holds a BASc in Mechatronics Systems Engineering from Simon Fraser University.Moment Energy provides affordable, performant, and reliable energy storage by repurposing retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The company is working with major automotive companies, including Nissan and various utilities, to take advantage of the 80% remaining capacity in retired EV batteries to provide cost-advantaged and robust grid storage solutions for facilities located in major markets.In this episode, Eddy walks me through how he and his co-founded started Moment Energy, Moment's progress to date, and how he first came to care about the problem of EV battery recycling. We also dive into the existing policy around end-of-life care of batteries, what motivates EV manufacturers to work with Moment, and where safety, ethics, and sustainability fit into the customer decision-making process. Eddy is a great guest, and the Moment Energy story is fantastic for MCJ listeners. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded January 31st, 2022To learn more about Moment Energy, visit: https://www.momentenergy.ca/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/moment-energy

Today's guest is Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of RMI.Since 1982, RMI has advanced market-based solutions that transform global energy use to secure a clean, prosperous net-zero future for all. An independent, nonprofit think-and-do tank, RMI engages with businesses, communities, and institutions to accelerate and scale replicable solutions that drive the cost-effective shift from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables.Before RMI, Jules was the founding CEO of the European Climate Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization dedicated to policy development and advocacy on climate change in Europe. Before launching ECF, he served as a member of the Dutch parliament for the Christian Democratic Party. During the first 20 years of his career, Jules worked in the business world. He was the CEO for International Operations of ClientLogic Corporation, a global leader in outsourced CRM solutions. Jules spent almost ten years at Royal Dutch/Shell, including managing director of Shell Bulgaria. He began his career as an analyst at McKinsey & Co. Jules currently serves as chair of the WEF Global Future Council on Net Zero Transition. In addition, he is a founding member of the global Energy Transitions Commission, a member of the New Energy advisory board of Shell, and a non-executive board member of the Energy Web Foundation and MiQ.I was eager to interview Jules because the role of NGOs in the clean future is vitally important. Jules walks me through his career path from the business sector to RMI, RMI's approach as a 'think-and-do-tank", and Jules' current position as CEO. We also dive into the role of fossil fuel companies in decarbonizing the future, lessons learned from cleantech 1.0, and advice Jules has for leaders balancing funding and climate commitments. This is a great episode for those interested in NGOs and decarbonizing the future.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded January 21st, 2022To learn more about RMI, visit: https://rmi.org/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/jules-kortenhorst

Today's guests are Jose Galindo, Co-Founder & CEO, and Nico Wertheimer, Co-Founder & Chief Sustainability Officer, of Waterplan.Waterplan is a Software as a Service platform to help companies use water in their production process to quantify and mitigate water risk financially. The platform combines companies' operational data with local water satellite imagery to provide a real-time financial assessment of water risk. Based on that, it offers tailored mitigation and adaptation opportunities, from conventional infrastructure to nature-based solutions.Nico and Jose met while working at the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum. Nico is a medical doctor. He started treating waterborne diseases and brought safe water access to more than 300k people worldwide. Jose's background is in B2B SaaS. After Jose's SaaS company got acquired, Nico and Jose decided to join forces to merge their tech and water expertise and create a tech company to help accelerate the transition to a water-secure world.In this episode, Jose and Nico explain the current state of water security, why corporate water stewardship is essential, and the water risk assessment landscape. The co-founders also dive into how adjacent markets benefit from water risk assessment, how the startup tracks and collects data from its customers, and the existing policy around water. Lastly, we explore future priorities for the company and where Waterplan sits in the market. This is a fantastic episode for listeners interested in climate change's effects on our water systems. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded January 25th, 2022To learn more about Waterplan, visit: https://www.waterplan.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/waterplan

Today's guest is Rama Variankaval, Managing Director & Global Head of Center for Carbon Transition and Corporate Finance Advisory at J.P. Morgan.Rama leads J.P. Morgan's Center for Carbon Transition since the group's formation in 2020. In this role, Rama is responsible for setting the strategy and implementing the firm's Climate & ESG goals as it relates to its client businesses. CCT also actively engages with existing and prospective clients to provide advisory services on their business transition related to various ESG factors.Rama has been part of J.P. Morgan's Corporate Finance Advisory team since the group was formed in 2005 and has been leading the team on a global basis since 2017. The CFA team advises corporate clients on various topics, including capital structure, risk management, activism defense, and structured transactions. Rama was part of J.P. Morgan's internal risk management team for two years before joining the Corporate Finance Advisory group. Rama holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, India; an MS in Structural Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, and an MS in Statistics and Operations Research from New York University.I was looking forward to this discussion as JP Morgan and financial institutions play a massive role in the carbon-free future. We cover various topics, including the Center for Carbon Transition's mandate, Rama's stake in addressing climate change, and how ESG ties into decarbonization. We also discuss how externalities should be prices, our dependency on fossil fuels, and trusting corporate climate commitments. This is a must-listen episode for anyone focused on climate change and decarbonizing the future.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded January 14th, 2022For more information about JP Morgan's Center for Carbon Transition, visit: https://www.jpmorgan.com/solutions/cib/investment-banking/center-for-carbon-transitionFor more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/rama-variankaval

Today's guest is Kimberlie Le, CEO & Co-Founder of Prime Roots.Kimberlie a scientist-entrepreneur-foodie and life-long learner determined to make positive changes in our global food system. Kim has been working in management within the food industry (retail, food service, investing) for over ten years and is determined to bring delicious, sustainable, and nutritious foods to the masses and increase accessibility and equity in our food system. She's a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.Prime Roots is a plant-based meat and seafood company creating better products for you and better for the world. Headquartered in Berkeley, California, Prime Roots is committed to positively influencing our food culture and reducing the hefty environmental impact of meat. Their delicious plant-based meat and seafood products are made using proprietary methods that combine cutting-edge technology with ancient techniques - resulting in better tasting and naturally textured market alternatives that avoid using hyper-processing techniques used by other meat alternative companies. In this episode, Kim and I explore her path from her PhD to founding a startup, key priorities for Prime Roots over the next 12 months, and the barriers to creating and marketing a product heavily influenced by taste. We also discuss the various alternative meat bases, advice Kim has for founders and entrepreneurs looking to follow a similar path in sustainable food, and the startup's sources of capital to date. Kim is a great guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded January 24th, 2022To learn more about Prime Roots, visit: https://www.primeroots.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/prime-roots

Today's guest is Phil Graves, Former Head of Tinshed Ventures at Patagonia.Phil is an executive and board member with over 15 years of experience in M&A, corporate finance, private equity, and venture capital. He has served as the President of The Johnny Morris Foundation & Chief Sustainability Officer at Bass Pro Shops. Before that, he served as Vice President of Corporate Development at Patagonia. At Patagonia, Phil launched and oversaw Tin Shed Ventures, a $79 million investment fund, Worn Wear, a multi-million dollar eCommerce business, Innovation Works, a breakthrough R&D team, and Regenerative Organic Certification, a holistic standard for food and fiber. Prior to joining the company in 2014, Phil spent a decade at Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers. In addition, he provided financial advisory and investment-related services to clients such as KKR & Co, TPG Capital, Lone Star Investment Advisors, Nike, Walmart, Southwest Airlines, and SunPower. Phil's perch in the climate industry is unique, and I was looking forward to sitting down with him this week. Phil walks me through his career path, his most recent role as Chief Sustainability Officer at Bass Pro Shops, and his time at Tinshed Ventures. We also discuss the breaking unsustainable consumer patterns, the dirty underbelly of the apparel industry, and the role of policy in a clean future. Phil is a great guest, and this is a must-listen episode for those interested in the intersection of climate and apparel.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded live January 13th, 2022For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/phil-graves

Today's guest is Andrew Ponec, Co-Founder & CEO of Antora Energy.Antora Energy's technology stores electricity as heat in extremely inexpensive raw materials and uses a novel thermophotovoltaic heat engine to convert that heat back to electricity when consumers need it, hours, days, or weeks later. The startup's technological breakthrough opens up numerous other applications ranging from industrial waste heat recovery to flexible carbon capture, utilization, and storage.Andrew co-founded Antora in 2018 and has been CEO since then. Before Antora, Andrew was a vising scholar at Stanford University. He was co-founder & CEO at Dragonfly Systems and an Engineer at SunPower Corporation after SunPower acquired DragonFly Systems. He holds a BS in Energy Systems Engineering from Stanford Energy. He also was named Forbes 30 under 30 in 2014.In this episode, Andrew walks me through Antora Energy's approach and vision for long-duration storage, how thermal energy storage works, and scaling the startup's solution. We also discuss bringing a solution from the lab to the private sector, how Antora is bridging the intermittency gap, and how far into a clean future we can get without long-duration storage. This is a great episode if you're interested in understanding how we successfully move towards clean and sustainable energy sources.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded November 12th, 2021To learn more about Antora Energy, visit: https://www.antoraenergy.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/antora-energy

Today's guest is Elizabeth Lewis, Managing Director and Deputy Head of ESG at Blackstone.Blackstone is an investment firm that invests for the long term because building successful, resilient businesses can lead to better returns, stronger communities, and economic growth that works for everyone. As Managing Director and Deputy Head of ESG, Elizabeth supports Blackstone's corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts. Before joining Blackstone, Elizabeth led engagement with investors, NGOs, governments, and other stakeholders on climate change and diversity for the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector part of the World Bank Group. Elizabeth was also a Partner and Director of Strategy and Business Development for Terra Alpha Investments. In addition, she established World Resources Institute's Sustainable Investing Program and served as Head of Sustainable Investing. Earlier in her career, Elizabeth was a Principal at Global Environment Fund, a private equity fund focused on clean energy and sustainable forestry, and an advisor at Booz Allen Hamilton.I was excited to sit down with Elizabeth. She explained her role at Blackstone, the mission and approach Blackstone has regarding ESG, and Elizabeth's theory of change around climate. We also dive into a discussion on time-horizon impact climate commitments, if ESG and climate are synonymous, and if capitalism will get us to a clean future. Elizabeth is a well-versed guest, and this episode is a must-listen for those focused on investing and ESG.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded live January 11th, 2022For more information about Blackstone, visit: https://www.blackstone.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/elizabeth-lewis

Today's guest is Neha Palmer, CEO of TeraWatt Infrastructure.TeraWatt Infrastructure is building tomorrow's permanent EV charging infrastructure through a robust combination of property assets, financing vehicles, and deep energy expertise. The company designs, operates and owns on-site distributed energy systems that take the cost and complexity out of EV charging infrastructure while providing market protection and upside opportunities through capital backing and ownership. Neha brings two decades of leadership experience in the energy industry to her role at TeraWatt. Most recently, she led energy strategy for Google's global data centers. As the first hire focused on data center energy, Neha built out and led the team developing electric infrastructure and electricity procurement for the global fleet, covering dozens of sites over four continents. Before Google, Neha held leadership roles at Pacific Gas & Electric and worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. She holds an MBA in Finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BS in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.In this episode, Neha shares what led her to focus on energy, her role as CEO at TeraWatt, and the startup's business model and customer base. We also compare the progress between transportation fleets and passenger vehicles, how Neha thinks about private v public EV charging infrastructure, and the way government can accelerate the EV revolution. This is a must-listen episode for those interested in understanding more about the future of electrifying transportation.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded January 10th, 2022To learn more about TeraWatt Infrastructure, visit: https://terawattinfrastructure.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/terawatt-infrastructure

Today's guest is Caroline Spears, Founder & Executive Director of Climate Cabinet.Climate Cabinet makes local climate change data and policy solutions actionable for policymakers on the frontlines of the climate crisis. The organization ensures critical local climate opportunities are on the map and that key players are equipped to immediately advance bold climate action. Born in Houston, Texas, Caroline studied climate science and clean energy at Stanford University, graduating with her B.S. and M.S. in Atmosphere and Energy Engineering. Previously, she worked in solar energy. Caroline has received the 2021 "Grist Fixer" award, won a Henry Arnold Fellowship, and recently joined the Fast Forward Accelerator class of 2021.I was looking forward to catching up with Caroline because local elections are essential to addressing the climate crisis. We discuss Caroline's upbringing in an oil & gas Texas family, how she became climate motivated, and Climate Cabinet's important role. Caroline also explains why candidates and races need customizable approaches to climate policy, the Climate Cabinet Score, and how the team determines which races are their top priorities. Caroline is a fantastic guest, and this episode is a must-listen for those interested in making significant impacts at the polls.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded live January 4th, 2022For more information about Climate Cabinet, visit: https://www.climatecabinetaction.org/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/caroline-spears

Today's guests are Fred Fournier, Co-Founder & CEO, and Michael Kelly, Co-Founder & CPO of Open Forest Protocol. Open Forest Protocol (OFP) is on a mission to accelerate the global response to climate change via nature-based solutions. The startup is building a product that will allow reforestation and afforestation projects, conservation organizations, and forest managers to easily measure, report, and verify environmental data from their land. The current MRV landscape is expensive and inaccessible, inhibiting the establishment of a global carbon economy. Open Forest Protocol has built a system for accessible and transparent forest MRV, laying the foundation for an accelerated response to humanity's greatest existential threat. Before OFP, Fred co-founded ON A MISSION, a non-profit organization enabling businesses and individuals to invest in local, sustainable reforestation projects to compensate for carbon emissions. Fred and his team at ON A MISSION discovered that measuring, recording, and verifying (MRV) reforestation was difficult. At the same time, Michael was focusing on designing a protocol to track and verify things like tress using blockchain technology. So in October 2020, Fred and Michael co-founded Open Forest Protocol and continued their work to decarbonize and reforest the planet.In this episode, I'm joined by Michael and Fred of OFP. We dive into Open Forest Protocol's approach, why marrying blockchain and reforestation will bring us into the clean future, and how Fred and Michael co-founded OFP. We also talk about the existing carbon verification and certification landscape, OFP's community fund, and an overview of NEAR. This is a great episode if you're interested in learning more about web3 and climate change.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded January 4th, 2022To learn more about Open Forest Protocol, visit: https://www.openforestprotocol.org/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/open-forest-protocol

Today's guest is Jason Jacobs, Founder & Host of My Climate Journey.Three years ago, Jason started having conversations with folks in the climate space to better understand the crisis and how someone without a climate background could make a difference. Almost 250 episodes later, My Climate Journey has blossomed into a three-show podcast, weekly newsletter, and nearly 2,000-person member community. In late 2020, MCJ announced MCJ Collective, an early-stage climate tech fund investing in over 40 startups worldwide, tackling some of the most challenging climate problems. This week we flipped the script and put me (Jason) in the guest seat. I was interviewed by our very own, Cody Simms, who most recently served as Senior Vice President of Climate & Sustainability at Techstars before joining the MCJ team as a Partner in late 2021. Cody and I have a lively conversation about my evolution from Runkeeper to MCJ, where my optimism comes from, and my advice to first-time entrepreneurs. We also talk about the biggest surprises thus far on my climate journey, how to scale climatetech investing, and the importance of inspiring folks to focus on climate. It was exciting to reflect on how far MCJ has come and what the future might bring for us. Special thanks to Cody for taking over the host job this week and all those who participated live.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded live January 5th, 2022For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/jason-jacobs-returns

Today's guest is Leanne Kemp, Founder & CEO of Everledger. Leanne is a serial founder and spent 20 plus years in the tech sector, from RFID to Supply Chain to AdTech. After successfully exiting four companies, Leanne served as a Blockchain expert and Entrepreneur advisor for private, public, and educational boards and committees, including IBM, Queensland University of Technology, and The World Trade Symposium. In addition to her current role as CEO, Leanne is also a member of The University of Queensland's Entrepreneurship Advisory Panel, a Fellow at Blockchain Australia, a member of Nation Brand Advisory Council, on the Board of Stewards for Accelerating Sustainable Production at the World Economic Forum, and a BlockChain, Trade, & Circular Economy Policy advisor at OECD-OCDE. Leanne is an internationally recognized, award-winning innovator and leader.Everledger is an independent technology company that helps businesses surface and converge asset information using a wide array of secure technologies, including blockchain, AI, IoT, and more. By digitally streamlining compliance processes, Everledger can help customers share the history of an asset more efficiently and accurately. As a technology partner, the startup up also helps to build resilience and sustainability. Everledger's premiere platform brings additional transparency to various industries by highlighting critical characteristics of assets on their platform: quality, origin, sustainability footprint, and compliance standards. In this episode, Leanne walks me through her climate journey, the motivations for founding Everledger, and her obsession with where our products come from. We also discuss Everledger's customer base and funding, the company's goals over the next two years, and how Everledger fits in the carbon accounting landscape. In addition, Leanne explains the importance of critical minerals, transparency in the supply chain, and blockchain in a sustainable future. Leanne is a great guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 20th, 2021To learn more about Everledger, visit: https://everledger.io/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/everledger

Today's guest is Jake Levine, Chief Climate Officer at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation.U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is America's development bank. DFC partners with the private sector to finance energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology solutions. DFC also provides financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs to create jobs in emerging markets.Most recently, Jake was an Associate and Policy Advisor at Covington & Burling, advising clients on a broad range of policy, regulatory, litigation, and commercial matters related to climate, clean energy, and clean air. Before Covington, he worked as Senior Counsel and Principal Consultant to California State Senator Fran Pavley and Chief of Staff to the President of Opower. Jake also served in the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change. He developed innovative energy policies, including the most stringent fuel economy standards and the first-ever greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks. Jake holds a B.A. and J.D. from Harvard.In this episode, Jake and I dive into the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)'s mission, why 95% of our projected global emissions will come from outside the U.S., and his role as Chief Climate Officer. Jake also explains DFC's process and approach to investing, the kind of capital they deploy, and their relationship with local governments. Finally, we end the discussion by exploring breakthrough tech versus deployment of proven tech and where DFC needs help. Jake is a great guest with a wealth of knowledge about international climate investing.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 15th, 2021For more information about DFC, visit: https://www.dfc.gov/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/jake-levine

Today's guest is Marion Verles, Co-Founder & CEO of SustainCERT.SustainCERT is the leading global carbon emissions accounting and verification platform for carbon markets and corporate value chains. Using technology to simplify processes, SustainCERT helps project developers and corporates quantify and verify carbon emissions accurately. The company also certifies carbon credits and corporate claims, confirming they align with leading international frameworks such as Gold Standard for the Global Goals, the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Before founding SustainCERT, Marion served as CEO of the Gold Standard Foundation. During her tenure at Gold Standard, she led the development of a groundbreaking climate + sustainable development impact standard: Gold Standard for the Global Goals. Earlier in her career, Marion was a founding team member of the Climate Ledger Initiative, founded and helmed Nexus for development, and served as a civil society observer to the Climate Investment Fund managed by the World Bank. I was eager to sit down with Marion because standardizing, verifying, and certifying carbon offsets is vital when thinking about decarbonizing our world. We dive into SustainCERT's focus areas, the Gold Standard certification process, and Marion's motivations for founding the startup. Marion also explains downstream versus upstream paths for carbon credits, the existing carbon market, and why certifying offsets is complex. We cover many essential topics in this episode, and Marion is an excellent guest. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 14th, 2021To learn more about SustainCERT, visit: https://www.sustain-cert.com/SustainCERT is hiring! Check out open positions here: https://www.sustain-cert.com/about/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/sustaincert

Today's guest is Kentaro Kawamori, Co-Founder & CEO of Persefoni.Persefoni is the leading Climate Management & Accounting Platform (CMAP). The company's Software-as-a-Service solutions enable enterprises and financial institutions to meet stakeholder and regulatory climate disclosure requirements with the highest degrees of trust, transparency, and ease. As the ERP of Carbon, the Persefoni platform provides users a single source of carbon truth across their organization, enabling them to manage their carbon transactions and inventory with the same rigor and confidence as their financial transactions. Before founding Persefoni, Kentaro was the youngest Chief Digital Officer ever at a Fortune 500 company. As Chief Digital Officer, Kentaro led the digital operations and CIO It strategy function for Chesapeake Energy. His career has focused on the software space. It includes time spent as a Cloud strategy consultant at Accenture, a Venture Partner at Rice Investment Group, and a board member at Umbrage, a digital product studio. In 2020, Forbes named Kentaro on its 30 Under 30 list. He also holds an MBA from Arizona State University.In this episode, Kentaro explains Persefoni's unique solution, what led him to build a carbon accounting company, and when he first became engaged in the climate space. We talk about the existing carbon accounting landscape, the role offsets play in the clean future, and the accuracy of carbon accounting. We cover many topics in this episode, and Kentaro is a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 17th, 2021For more information about Persefoni, visit: https://persefoni.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/kentaro-kawamori

Today's guest is Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder & CEO of OLIO.OLIO is a free app that exists to tackle the enormous problem of waste in our homes & local communities. OLIO works to connect neighbors so that surplus food and other household items can be given away, not thrown away. So that everyday things can be lent & borrowed, instead of bought. In addition, the OLIO app redistributes unsold food t to the community, enabling those businesses to achieve zero food waste locations. Its impact has been widely recognized, most notably by the United Nations, who highlighted OLIO as a "beacon" for the world, and Vivatech, who awarded it OLIO "Next European Unicorn". Before OLIO, Tessa had a 15-year corporate career as a digital Managing Director in the media, retail, and financial services sectors. She met her co-founder Saasha while studying for their MBAs at Stanford University. Tessa is passionate about the sharing economy as a solution for a sustainable world and about 'profit with purpose' as the next business paradigm. In this episode, Tessa outlines why food waste is a critical climate topic, what motivated her to co-found OLIO, and how the company addresses food waste. We also dive into why Tessa distinguishes between mission alignment and mission obsession, how OLIO incentivizes households and stores to donate excess food, and what sets the startup apart from its competitors. Tessa is a great guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 16th, 2021To learn more about OLIO, visit: https://olioex.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/olio

Today's guest is Alex Laskey, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Rewiring America.Rewiring America's mission is two-fold: 1) demonstrating that rapid electrification of all aspects of the American economy is the key to combating climate change, and 2) designing and promoting practical policies to accomplish it.Before Rewiring America, Alex was the President and Founder of Opower, the global leader in cloud-based software for the utility industry. Under his leadership, Opower grew from a two-person startup to a publicly-traded company whose software is used by more than half of the largest electric and gas utilities in the world. Today, Opower is a division of Oracle and delivers more than 6 TWh of energy savings per year to help homeowners save more than $1B per year on their energy bills. Alex is a Board member of Arcadia and a longtime Director of the Conservation Lands Foundation. In addition, he was a founding Commissioner on the Energy Transitions Commission and a board member of Advanced Energy Economy.I was excited to sit down with Alex and learn more about his climate journey. We discuss Rewiring America, the goals of the non-profit, and why energy grids and renewable power are vital to the clean energy future. Alex also walks me through his time at Opower, the unique idea that utilities can be customers, and Alex's career as a climate entrepreneur. Alex is an excellent guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 10th, 2021For more information about Rewiring America, visit: https://www.rewiringamerica.org/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/alex-laskey

Today's guest is John Belizaire, CEO of Soluna.Soluna is the leading developer of green data centers for batchable computing, powered by wasted renewable energy. Soluna's scalable, on-demand data centers buy every excess megawatt from renewable energy projects, increasing project revenue while eliminating wasted energy. Implementing Soluna data centers is a low-risk, low-friction process due to the company's four pillars of expertise: Project development, energy markets, project finance, and computing technology. Soluna has molded this unique expertise into a proven project finance structure and revenue-generating solution.John is a versatile CEO and serial entrepreneur who has successfully founded and scaled multiple technology companies over a 20-year career. Before Soluna, John was the founder and CEO of FirstBest, a transformative insurance software company acquired by Guidewire Software, and Theory Center, an e-commerce software company acquired by BEA Systems. In this episode, John explains Soluna's mission, approach, and the problem the startup is setting out to solve. He outlines why renewable energy can be inaccessible and the future of a connected energy grid in the clean future. We also dive into Soluna's competitors, customer base, and recent acquisition. It was great to sit down with John and learn more about Soluna. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded November 30th, 2021To learn more about Soluna, visit: https://www.solunacomputing.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/soluna

Today's guest is Katie Auth, Policy Director at Energy for Growth Hub.The Energy for Growth Hub is a global solutions connector, matching policymakers with evidence-based pathways to a high-energy future for everyone.Katie leads the Hub's work to strengthen international energy policy and investment by bilateral and multilateral development funders. Previously, she served as Senior Development Finance Advisor at the USAID and was a member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Africa Policy Accelerator. Before that, she was Acting Deputy Coordinator of the US Government's Power Africa initiative, working to catalyze public and private investment in sub-Saharan Africa's energy sector. Before joining Power Africa, Katie served as a Senior Analyst for Climate and Energy at Worldwatch Institute. She analyzed power sector reform and investment in the Caribbean and West Africa. Katie is also a co-host of the Hub's podcast series High Energy Planet with Research Director Rose Mutiso.I was eager to sit down with Katie because her work at the Energy for Growth Hub is important in the climate fight. Katie explains why energy poverty is a climate problem, the hub's work to address policy, and how she got into her role. We also dive into making climate a non-political issue, Sustainable Development Goals, and key initiatives the US must adopt in the future. This is a must-listen episode.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded November 29th, 2021For more information about Energy for Growth Hub, visit: https://www.energyforgrowth.org/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/katie-auth

Today's guests are Raphaël Haupt, Co-Founder & CEO, and James Farrell, Co-Founder & CTO, of Toucan Protocol.Toucan aims to build a regenerative financial system — one that nurtures the beauty of the Earth rather than exploiting it. They are leading the way in discovering how the open internet can help tackle climate change. Earlier this year, Raphaël and James rebranded and launched Toucan Protocol, public infrastructure for carbon markets running on open blockchains. While the co-creators plan to start with carbon markets, their vision is much bigger: they intend to kickstart a regenerative finance ecosystem based on Web3 technologies and values to make DeFi work for the planet (DeFi stands for “decentralized finance”, it’s a new global financial ecosystem running on public blockchains like Ethereum). In February 2020, Raphaël and James hacked together CO2ken, a prototype carbon offsetting system for Ethereum. Since then they joined the Blockchain For Social Impact incubator and were awarded a grant by Polygon to deploy the Toucan Protocol on the network.In the episode, Raphaël and James explain what ReFi is, the origination of Toucan, and a brief overview of Web3. We also dive into why they are applying ReFi's key principles to carbon markets, the existing carbon market and the problems associated with it, and the role Toucan plays in addressing the climate crisis. Raphaël and James are excellent guests with a wealth of knowledge about Web3 and ReFi.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 1st, 2021To learn more about Toucan, visit: https://toucan.earth/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/toucan

Today's guest is Ryan Panchadsaram, Technical Advisor to John Doerr, Chair of Kleiner Perkins, & Co-Author of Speed & Scale.Speed & Scale is a new book that offers an unprecedented global plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions before it's too late.Ryan joined Kleiner Perkins in 2016 to focus on venture-stage companies across the firm and serves as technical advisor to John Doerr, Chair of Kleiner Perkins. During the Obama Presidency, Ryan was the Deputy Chief Technology Officer for the United States. At the White House, Ryan helped shape how federal agencies can use an $80 billion budget to deliver on their missions in a more effective, design-centric, and data-driven way. Before working in the public sector, he co-founded Pipette, a digital health startup acquired by Ginger.io, an MIT Media Lab spin-off using big data and machine learning to improve the world's health. In addition, Ryan worked at Microsoft and Salesforce.com in product and engineering roles. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of California, Berkeley.I was looking forward to sitting down with Ryan because he's been on MCJ's guest wishlist for some time. First, Ryan and I dive into his new book, Speed & Scale, that he co-authored with John Doerr, his role as John's technical advisor, and how he assesses potential investments for Kleiner Perkins. We also explore the misconception that climate investors have to sacrifice returns for impact, the importance of policy and innovation, and why social justice and the climate crisis are interwoven. This is a fantastic episode, and Ryan is a great guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded November 15th, 2021For more information about Kleiner Perkins, visit: https://www.kleinerperkins.com/For more information on Speed & Scale, visit: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688191/speed-and-scale-by-john-doerr/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/ryan-panchadsaram

Today's guest is Tadeau Carneiro, Chairman & CEO of Boston Metal.This episode was part of the SOSV Climate Tech Summit. The SOSV Climate Tech Summit aims to convene the climate tech startup ecosystem of founders, investors, technologists, corporates, policymakers, and media to discuss the extreme challenges ahead. This year, the summit was held virtually on October 20th & 21st.Spun-out of MIT in 2012, Boston Metal has invented a coal-free, emissions-free, modular method of industrial steel production based on the use of electricity. The company's molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) provides the metals industry with a greener solution for producing several metals and alloys from a wide variety of feedstocks. Earlier this year, Boston Metal raised $50 million in a Series B led by Piva Capital and Fidelity Investments. Tadeu joined the company in 2017 as its CEO, bringing with him more than 40 years of metal industry leadership and technology experience.In this episode, Tadeau walks me through Boston Metal, the company's founding, and capital raise to date. We also discuss why steel is hard to decarbonize and why it poses a climate threat. Lastly, Tadeau weighs in on the importance of mission alignment for investors and advice for future entrepreneurs.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded October 8th, 2021To learn more about Boston Metal: https://www.bostonmetal.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/boston-metal

Today's guest is Scott Jacobs, Co-Founder & CEO of Generate Capital.Generate is a leading sustainable infrastructure platform delivering affordable, reliable resource solutions to companies, communities, and cities.In 2007, Scott joined McKinsey & Company to co-found its global Clean Technologies Practice, advising companies, institutional investors, NGOs, and governments worldwide on the economic imperatives of resource productivity and climate solutions. Before that, Scott spent over a decade in technology and venture capital, helping start and grow several companies. In 2014, Scott co-founded Generate Capital and has served as CEO since. In addition, he is a regular writer, keynote speaker, and conference panelist on thematic investing and risk management, climate- and resource-related innovation, and building values-based and people-centric businesses. Scott earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and BA from Dartmouth College.I was looking forward to sitting down with Scott and learning more about Generate Capital. Scott walks me through what led him to co-found Generate, the problem Generate is setting out to fix, and what sets the firm apart from its competitors. We also dive into how impact factors into Generate's mission, the types of entities that invest in Generate, and how the firm deploys capital. In addition, we cover carbon offsets, the future of fossil fuels, and a lack of political leadership around climate change. Scott is a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded November 1st, 2021For more information about Generate Capital, visit: https://generatecapital.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/scott-jacobs

Today's guest is Dave Snydacker, Founder and CEO of Lilac Solutions.Lilac Solutions is a lithium extraction technology company based in Oakland, California. Lilac has developed a patented ion exchange technology that facilitates lithium production from brine resources with high efficiency, minimal cost, and ultra-low environmental footprint. Lilac's mission is to scale global lithium production to support the electric vehicle industry and energy transition.Dave founded Lilac in 2016. He is a materials engineer and an expert in battery technology, with experience spanning multiple battery startups developing next-generation materials and manufacturing processes. Dave holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and a BA from Wesleyan University.I was eager to sit down with Dave and learn more about Lilac Solutions. Dave and I explore his path to founding Lilac Solutions, the process of commercializing his research, and the early stages of funding for the startup. We also discuss why lithium is critical to batteries and Electric Vehicles, how to scale ion exchange technology, and the importance of government incentives and policy to a successful EV transition.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded October 21st, 2021For more information about Lilac Solutions, visit: https://lilacsolutions.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/dave-snydacker

Today's guests are Lindsey Hoell, Co-Founder & CEO, and Maia Tekle, Co-Founder & Head of Sales and Partnerships, at Dispatch Goods.After noticing microplastics littering beaches while living in Hawaii, Lindsey, and her partner, Maia, founded Dispatch Goods in 2019. The startup provides reusable metal containers for restaurants to use for takeout service rather than single-use options. Initially, Dispatch Goods partnered with restaurants near office buildings so employee lunch orders could come in reusable containers. Employees dropped off the containers in return bins on each floor, and Dispatch Goods collected them, cleaned them, and redistributed them to restaurants. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Dispatch Goods quickly rebranded and expanded to pick up their containers at customers' homes. Dispatch Goods is on a mission to make reuse easy and delightful for everyone. In the episode, Lindsey and Maia walk me through their motivations for starting Dispatch Goods, the gap in the market the startup is filling, and how the process of ordering takeout works. We also dive into a conversation about how to scale their operation, how COVID-19 affected the Dispatch Goods, and what the startup has planned for the next 12 months. Lindsey and Maia are great guests, and I enjoyed learning more about Dispatch Goods.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded November 1st, 2021To learn more about Dispatch Goods, visit: https://dispatchgoods.com/homeTo learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/dispatch-goods

Today's guest is Nancy Pfund, Founder and Managing Partner at DBL Partners.DBL Partners is a venture capital firm whose goal is to combine top-tier financial returns with meaningful social, economic, and environmental returns in the regions and sectors in which it invests. The firm focuses on cleantech, information technology, sustainability products and services, and healthcare.Nancy is the Founder and Managing Partner at DBL Partners. Before founding DBL, Nancy was a Managing Director in Venture Capital at JPMorgan. She started her investment career at Hambrecht & Quist in 1984. Nancy has also worked at Intel Corporation, the State of California, Stanford University, and the Sierra Club. She sponsors or sits on the board of directors of several companies, including Farmers Business Network, Andela, The Muse, Zola Electric, Bellwether Coffee, Spatial, and, before their public offerings, Tesla and Pandora. In September 2020, Nancy was named to the FORBES 2020 Impact 50 List of the most notable impact investors, was featured in the 2014 FORTUNE Inaugural World's Top 25 Eco-Innovators, and appeared on Fast Company's 2016 List of Most Creative People in Business. I was looking forward to sitting down with Nancy. She explains DBL Partners, why the "double bottom line" is vital to the firm's success, and what led her to focus on climate change. Nancy also shares what she learned from cleantech 1.0, how climate investing has evolved over the past two decades, and the sectors DBL focuses on. In addition, we have a lively discussion on carbon removal, nuclear energy, and the role fossil fuels play in the clean future. Nancy is a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded October 20th, 2021For more information about DBL Partners, visit: https://www.dbl.vc/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/nancy-pfund

Today's guest is Cody Finke, Co-Founder and CEO of Brimstone Energy.Brimstone Energy's vision is to make ordinary portland cement without carbon dioxide emissions for a lower cost than conventionally produced cement. Brimstone Energy is a venture-backed R&D company with the ambition to reduce global CO2 emissions by a couple of percentage points. The cement/concrete industry is a $1T market opportunity responsible for 5.5% of GHG or approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, the same emissions as cars. They have developed a process capable of producing carbon-neutral Portland cement and supplementary cementitious materials, regardless of the energy source. Brimstone Energy was founded in 2019 at Caltech and since then moved to the Bay Area thanks to Cyclotron Road and other federal and private grants. Cody holds his Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering under Prof. Michael Hoffmann at Caltech. During Cody's Ph.D., he specialized in electrochemistry and techno-economic modeling, where he attempted to find economically efficient ways to reduce carbon dioxide process emissions.In this episode, Cody explains how Brimstone was founded, why Portland cement is carbon-emitting, and why it's hard to decarbonize cement. We also dive into the pilot plant the company is working on, what sets it apart, and how to scale its technology. Cody is a great guest, and we have a fascinating discussion.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded October 28th, 2021To learn more about Brimstone Energy, visit: https://www.brimstone.energy/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/brimstone-energy

Today's guest is Dr. Shuchi Talati, Chief of Staff, Office of Fossil Energy & Carbon Management at the U.S. Department of Energy.The mission of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management is to minimize the environmental impacts of fossil fuels while working towards net-zero emissions.Dr. Talati joined the DOE at the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration. Before assuming her current role, Shuchi worked as the Deputy Director of Policy at Carbon180, where she focused on policies to build sustainable and equitable carbon removal at scale. In addition, Dr. Talati was a Scholar in Residence at American University and she worked at the Union of Concerned Scientists, where she led efforts to guide sound governance around solar geoengineering and carbon removal approaches to limit global warming. Dr. Talati was the 2017-2018 AAAS/AIP Congressional Science Fellow in the U.S. Senate and served at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Obama Administration. Dr. Talati holds a B.S. in environmental engineering from Northwestern University, an M.A. in climate and society from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University in engineering and public policy.I was excited to sit down with Dr. Talati because of her role and expertise in the energy policy sector. Dr. Talati explains her position at the Department of Energy and why she dedicated her career to CDR (Carbon Dioxide Removal). We dive into the role of fossil fuels, carbon removal, nuclear energy, and offsets as climate solutions. We also have a lively conversation about the role of policy and government in the energy transition and why understanding energy poverty is critical to a successful clean energy transition. Dr. Talati is an incredible guest, and this is a must-listen episode.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded October 13th, 2021For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/shuchi-talati

Today's guest is Iggy Bassi, Founder & CEO of Cervest.Cervest offers cloud-based Climate Intelligence (CI) to enable organizations to manage and adapt to climate risk at an asset level. Its on-demand, AI-powered platform delivers a standardized, science-based view of climate risk – simultaneously analyzing millions of global assets across multiple time horizons and risk categories. EarthScan, the first product on the platform, helps enterprises and governments baseline, monitor, and forecast climate risk. Through its open-access platform, Cervest incentivizes everyone to share and integrate Climate Intelligence into everyday decisions – protecting the world's critical assets – including our greatest asset, the planet. Cervest is a Certified B Corporation.Iggy is a serial entrepreneur with extensive experience in both emerged and emerging markets. Driven by a relentless passion for world-changing innovations that tackle global challenges, he's the Founder/CEO, and driving force behind Cervest. He has advised Fortune 500, sovereigns, and entrepreneurs on competitiveness, sustainability, and resource security.In this episode, Iggy explains Cervest and his motivations for founding the startup. He outlines how climate risk is defined and the existing landscape for climate risk platforms. We also dive into a discussion about balancing a quality product and scalability, why Cervest is working to democratize climate risk data, and the company's approach for various sectors across the climate industry. Iggy is a great guest, and it was exciting to learn more about Cervest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded October 7th, 2021To learn more about Cervest, visit: https://cervest.earth/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/cervest

Today's guest is Collin McLelland, Co-Founder & CEO of Digital Wildcatters.Digital Wildcatters is a multimedia platform that offers podcasts, videos, and in-depth blogs detailing ideas to make the oil & gas and energy sectors cleaner and more efficient.Digital Wildcatters was founded in March 2020. Through Collin's podcast "Oil and Gas Startups", a show that started as a hobby, he has built a go-to platform for oil & gas tech and cultivated a community that wanted to disrupt the status quo. Collin grew up in the Permian Basin in West Texas, the largest oil and gas field in the contiguous 48 states. After graduating high school during the 2008 Recession, he worked as a wireline operator drilling oil wells and a project manager at Enventure Global Technologies where he managed the expandable casing installations on drilling and completions projects across the United States and the Gulf of Mexico. Most recently, Collin co-founded Stealth Startup a funded fintech company in the oil & gas sector. While Collin’s background may not be that of MCJ's typical guest, I believe our purpose is to create bridges to tackle the massive problem of climate change. I was looking forward to speaking with Collin because of his experience in the oil & gas industry. Collin walks me through Digital Wildcatters, what the media company is working on, and why oil & gas needs to evolve. We also have a lively discussion on how climate impacts Collin's work, what role the government should play in the energy transition, and why Collin believes transitioning off of fossil fuels can create energy poverty. Collin is a great guest and we have a fascinating conversation.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 30th, 2021For more about Digital Wildcatters or to listen to Collin's podcast, visit: https://www.digitalwildcatters.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/collin-mclelland

Today's guests are Dr. Etosha Cave, Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer, Dr. Kendra Kuhl, Co-Founder & CTO, and Nicholas Flanders, Co-Founder & CEO.Twelve is the carbon transformation company, a new kind of chemical company built for the climate era. They make essential products from air, not oil. Twelve's groundbreaking technology eliminates emissions by transforming CO2 into critical chemicals, materials, and fuels currently made from fossil fuels. The startup calls it carbon transformation, and it fundamentally changes how we can address climate change, reduce emissions and reverse the carbon imbalance. Reinventing what it means to be a chemical company, we're on a mission to create a positive climate world and a fossil-free future through the power of chemistry. Founded in 2016, Twelve was part of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's first Cyclotron Road cohort, an incubator program that aids in the creation of environmentally beneficial companies.In this episode, the founders walk me through their roles at Twelve, the company's mission, and the process of bringing technology from the lab to the market. We also explored their recent capital raise, customer base, and why carbon transformation is essential in the clean and carbon-free future. Etosha, Kendra, and Nicholas are fantastic guests, and it was exciting to learn more about Twelve.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded October 14th, 2021 

Today's guest is Ross Koningstein, Director Emeritus at Google.Today's guest is Ross Koningstein. Ross is currently Director Emeritus at Google and works in the tech giant's Climate and Energy R&D group. He has led a number of efforts during his time at Google. Before joining Google in 2001 as its first Director of Engineering, he was a founder at Costa del Sol Systems and CriSys Ltd. He is co-author of the IEEE article "What would it really take to reverse climate change" and presented the talk "Why Incremental Advances are Inadequate to Solving Climate Change" at the 2015 MIT Low-Carbon Energy Workshop. Ross has contributed to Google's RE I was looking forward to sitting down with Ross because of his perch at Google and the climate sector. We cover so much in this episode, from nuclear energy as a climate solution to carbon offsets and the role of the oil & gas industry in the clean energy future to mobilizing folks to care about climate. We also explore Ross's role at Google and why he is a techno-optimist. Ross is a great guest, and this is a must-listen episode.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 28th, 2021Ross's article: What It Would Really Take To Reverse Climate ChangeFor more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/ross-koningstein

Today's guest is Zach Stein, Co-Founder & CEO of Carbon Collective.Carbon Collective is a sustainable investing platform that provides low-fee, diversified portfolios built for solving climate change. Zach and his co-founder, James, saw a gap in the climate investing market. There were avenues for wealthy people to invest in climate startups directly. Still, the existing paths don't have a climate impact for the average American who wants to invest their 401K, IRA, or general savings. That's where Carbon Collective comes in. Carbon Collective is not an ESG fund. Instead, the startup focuses on divesting from the sectors dependent on fossil fuels, reinvesting that share in companies building solutions, and vote and pressuring the remaining parts of the stock market to decarbonize as quickly as possible. And make it an attractive investment by making it cost the same and with a similar diversity as generic options.Zach is a serial founder. Before co-founding Carbon Collective, he spent seven years as the CEO and co-founder of Osmo Systems, a company using novel sensing technology to help fish and shrimp farms be less wasteful. He was also the founder and retail director for Urban Worm, a worm farm in the Bay Area. Zach holds a BA in psychology from Hamilton College.In this episode, Zach walks me through Carbon Collective, how the company was founded, and what sets the startup apart from its competitors. We also have a lively discussion about ESG investing, why it is falling short for the climate, and why divesting in fossil fuels is the future. Zach is a wonderful guest, and it was great to learn more about Carbon Collective.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded October 4th, 2021To learn more about Carbon Collective, visit: https://www.carboncollective.co/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/carbon-collective

Today's guest is Brian Janous, General Manager of Energy and Renewables at Microsoft.Brian is responsible for leading the development and execution of Microsoft's global data center energy strategy, including oversight of all energy supply agreements, renewable energy purchasing, distributed generation, and strategic partnerships to ensure a power supply that is reliable and sustainable. Brian joined Microsoft in 2011 after 12 years in the energy industry, where he worked as a Sr. Consultant at Brubaker & Associates, assisting Fortune 500 companies with energy procurement, policy, and sustainability matters. Brian holds an MBA from Webster University, a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Missouri, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Missouri.I was very excited for this episode because Brian is at the forefront of corporate sustainability and the energy transition. Brian walks me through his role at Microsoft, how the tech giant began making climate commitments, and advice he has for those looking to advocate for climate action within their companies. We also dive into the role of policy, the problem with intermittency regarding renewable energy, and the Microsoft carbon tax. This is a fantastic episode, and Brian is a knowledgeable and engaging guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 30th, 2021For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/brian-janous

Today's guest is Henrietta Moon, Co-Founder and CEO of Carbo Culture.Carbo Culture makes functional biocarbons and Biographite from waste to keep CO2 out of the atmosphere. They're working with green and blue infrastructure and carbon-negative materials developers to start a new era of Carbon Culturing. The startup describes its process as an "ultra-rapid conversion" where woody residues are turned into functional biocarbons at an extremely high temperature. The process then "locks" the carbon into a sort of charcoal that won't degrade for 1,000 years. Before Co-Founding Carbo Culture, Henriette was in the Spring 2019 StartX Cohort, ​​Stanford's prestigious founder community and supported by serial entrepreneurs. She also was a board member at Yleiselektroniikka (YE International) and a Helsinki Hub member in the Global Shapers Community, a World Economic Forum initiative.In this episode, Henrietta and I deep dive into biochar, its impacts on climate, and why the climate community has been apprehensive about embracing it. Henrietta explains what motivated her to co-found Carbo Culture, the startup's mission, and why decarbonization is essential to addressing climate change. It was great to understand more about Carbo Culture's solution, and Henrietta is a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 29th, 2021To learn more about Carbo Culture, visit: https://www.carboculture.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/carbo-culture

Today's guest is Chase Lochmiller, Co-Founder and CEO of Crusoe Energy.Crusoe is on a mission to eliminate routine flaring of natural gas and reduce the cost of cloud computing. The startup repurposes otherwise wasted energy to fuel the growing demand for computational power in the expanding digital economy.Chase is an avid tech enthusiast passionate about enabling new technologies like AI and blockchain to impact people's lives positively. Before founding Crusoe, Chase was a General Partner at Polychain Capital, a $1 billion fund investing in blockchain technologies, digital assets, and energy-intensive computing applications. Chase was previously a quantitative researcher and trader at Jump Trading and GETCO, where he developed and managed a portfolio of algorithmic trading strategies. Chase holds undergraduate degrees in math and physics from MIT and a master's degree in computer science from Stanford, specializing in artificial intelligence. I was looking forward to this episode because cryptocurrency is a controversial topic in the climate space. Chase walks me through the problem of flaring for oil and gas companies and how Crusoe Energy came to be. We also have a lively discussion about the biggest blockers for cryptocurrency related to energy consumption, how the fossil fuels companies will exist in the clean energy future, and why powering data centers is a climate issue. This episode is a must-listen, and Chase is a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 20th, 2021For more information about Crusoe Energy: https://www.crusoeenergy.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/chase-lochmiller

Today's guest is Kate Steel, Co-Founder and CEO of Nithio.Nithio is an energy financing platform powered by a proprietary AI-enabled risk analytics engine. Nithio developed its innovative approach to standardize credit risk assessments to unlock and scale energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nithio advances energy financing at scale through its Financial Intermediary, Nithio FI B.V., which offers receivables-backed funding to off-grid energy providers in Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya. Driven by the Risk Analytics Engine, Nithio FI's innovative approach expands access to off-grid clean energy for households, micro-businesses, and smallholder farmers. Kate co-founded Nithio in 2018. Before Nithio, she had a long career in the off-grid power sector, most recently as Energy Director for Power Africa. In addition, Kate was on the Energy Access and Investments team at Google and the World Bank-IFC Lighting Africa initiative manager.In this episode, Kate takes me through Nithio's approach and what led her to co-found the company. She explains why energy access is a climate problem and policy's role in the equity and clean energy transition. We also discuss the existing funding tools available to startups across Africa, the importance of integrating impact into the startup's mission, and what holds lenders back from investing in energy access startups. Kate is a great guest, and it was exciting to learn more about the important work Nithio is doing.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 27th, 2021To learn more about Nithio, visit: https://www.nithio.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/nithio

Today's guest is Stuart Landesberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Grove Collaborative.Grove Collaborative is a certified B Corp and e-commerce company providing eco-friendly sustainable consumer products focusing on home cleaning, personal and sexual wellness, and baby and child care. The company offers over 150 sustainable brands whose products are non-toxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free.Grove Collaborative was founded by three friends in San Francisco and sought to answer the question: what if it was easy to find healthier home essentials? Since then, Grove has become a billion-dollar company. In 2019 alone, the company saved over 1 million pounds of plastic and funded the planting of more than 100,000 trees. Before co-founding and serving as CEO of Grove, Stuart was an Investment Professional at Toro Investment Partners, an Analyst at TPG Growth, a Financial Analyst at Vincraft Group, and an Investment Banking Analyst at Lehman Brothers. Throughout his time in finance, he focused on global technology and retail investments. Stuart also holds a BA in economics from Amherst College. In this episode, Stuart and I have a lively discussion about Grove Collaborative, the company's business model, and its core customer base. Stuart explains why the consumer product market is broken, the definition of a "sustainable product", and how to balance government mandates in a voluntary market. We also dive into the role offsets play for Grove, how the company tracks and measures success, and the myth about plastic recycling. Stuart is a great guest with a wealth of knowledge. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 17th, 2021For more information about Grove (and open positions at the company), visit: https://www.grove.co/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/stuart-landesberg

Today's guest is Dr. Michael Dorsey, Global Energy, Environmental, Finance, and Sustainability Expert.Dr. Dorsey is a serial organization builder and leader in for-profit, non-profit, scholarly, and governmental realms. Dr. Dorsey is an active investor, and co-founder and principal of Around the Corner Capital. Through Around the Corner, Dr. Dorsey maintains active relationships and agreements in the U.S. and beyond with various partners from Barrett Capital, to the ​California Clean Energy Fund​, to Silverleaf Partners, the ​ Royal Bafokeng Holdings (South Africa), Univergy (Japan/Spain), the World Bank and many other institutions and high net-worth individuals driving the global renewable revolution. In non-profit realms, Dr. Dorsey helped to co-create the northern California headquartered Center for Environmental Health. In 2013,​ Dr. Dorsey and two former student collaborators co-created the predecessor to the Sunrise Movement​. Beyond this, Dr. Dorsey sits on several non-profit boards. In academia, Dr. Dorsey was a professor in the environmental studies program at Dartmouth College.Dr. Dorsey's significant government engagement began in 1992 as a member of the U.S. State Department Delegation to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, "The Earth Summit." Dorsey was a task force member of President Clinton's Council on Sustainable Development, a member of Senator Barack Obama's energy and environment Presidential campaign team, and was appointed to the EPA's National Advisory Committee. I was excited about this discussion because Dr. Dorsey is a profound climate activist, environmental investor, and public advocate. In this episode, Dr. Dorsey explains his theory of change and what motivated him to focus on climate. We also dive into a discussion on single-solution rhetoric, why our leadership is failing, and how to create a more sustainable and just future. Dr. Dorsey is an incredible guest. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 16th, 2021For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/dr-dorsey

Today's guest is Joe Zhou, CEO of Quidnet Energy.Quidnet Energy is transforming the power sector towards renewable energy through the deployment of low-cost energy storage solutions. Quidnet's innovative technology repurposes existing resources to quickly implement solutions to our most pressing energy and climate challenges. Attracting significant investment, including Bill Gates's Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Quidnet's solution is a potential game-changer in balancing the grid as intermittent renewable resources are added to the power generation system. In 2017, Joe assumed the role of CEO. Before Quidnet Energy, Joe was the Director of Business Development at Green Charge Networks, which ENGIE North America Inc. acquired in 2016. Joe also served as an associate at McKinsey & Company and a Process Engineer at ExxonMobil. Joe holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Harvard.In this episode, Joe explains Quidnet Energy's unique solution, his motivations to work in climate, and how he ended up heading Quidnet. We also dive into the viability of battery storage, the role venture capital should play in accelerating climatetech solutions, and the future of Quidnet. Joe is a compelling guest, and I was excited to learn more about the startup.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 9th, 2021To learn more about Quidnet Energy, visit: https://www.quidnetenergy.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/quidnet-energy

Today's guests are Gaurab Chakrabarti, Co-Founder & CEO, and Sean Hunt, Co-Founder & CTO of Solugen.Solugen is a venture-backed biotech startup that produces high-performance chemicals from plant-derived substitutes. Our award-winning hydrogen peroxide technology was developed in-house by a team of doctors, scientists, and engineers from MIT.Before Solugen, Gaurab, who holds an M.D./Ph.D., researched the role of chemicals in cancer progression in medical school when he found an enzyme that turned sugar into hydrogen peroxide. Meanwhile, Sean, a graduate of MIT with a degree in chemical engineering, focused his research on improving traditional chemical manufacturing. Gaurab and Sean met playing poker at the University of Texas Southwestern, and in 2016, submitted their idea for Solugen to an MIT pitch competition. In 2017, Gaurab and Sean were named Forbes' 30 under 30 and joined the Y Combinator accelerator program, one of the rare startups outside software to get in. In September 2021, Solugen closed a series C round. I was looking forward to sitting down with Gaurab and Sean because I don't know much about the symbio world. Gaurab and Sean explain how Solugen started, the impact traditional chemical manufacturing has on climate, and what motivated them to focus on climate change. We also dive into Solugen's experience with Y Combinator, a discussion on a green premium, and how policy shapes the company's future. Gaurab and Sean are fantastic guests.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 10th, 2021For more information about Solugen, visit: https://www.solugen.bio/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/chakrabarti-hunt

Today's guest is Lee Hoffman, Co-Founder & COO of Runwise.Lee Hoffman is the Co-Founder and COO of Runwise. Over the past 18 years, Lee has co-founded and managed technology for companies as diverse as Time Warner, Razorfish Studios, and Terabolic, Inc. Most recently, Lee co-founded and served as CEO of Veri, a venture-backed NY mobile startup that in 2018 was acquired by The Knot.Runwise is the first end-to-end boiler and heating system management platform. Founded in 2010, the company combines a proprietary heat computer and sensor network, machine learning systems, and a team of trained boiler experts to reduce fuel consumption by an average of 20-25% across over 2000 buildings in New York City. Runwise's customers include some of the smallest owners, all the way up to the biggest, including Lefrak, Related, Fairstead, Columbia University, and Lemle & Wolff. Heat Watch's platform is the only end-to-end boiler monitoring and management system that saves owners money, increases tenant comfort, and radically lowers carbon output across New York City.In this episode, Lee walks me through Runwise's charter, the problem they are tackling, and how commercial buildings impact the climate. We also dive into Runwise's solution, how the company supports its customers, and how policy and government mandates affect its success. For those interested in the intersection of infrastructure and climate, this is a must-listen.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded August 19th, 2021To learn more about Heat Watch, visit: https://www.runwise.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/runwise

Today's guest is Ion Yadigaroglu, Partner & Member of the Investment Committee of Capricorn Investment Group.Capricorn Investment Group seeks to deliver extraordinary investment results by leveraging market forces to scale solutions to global problems. One of the largest mission-aligned investment firms around the world, Capricorn has grown to manage more than $8 billion in multi-asset class portfolios for families, foundations, and institutional investors.Ion is a Partner and member of the Investment Committee of Capricorn Investment Group and a Managing Director of Capricorn's Technology Impact Fund. Prior to Capricorn, he was a Director of Business Development with Koch Industries, executing a range of acquisitions and investments. Before Koch Industries, Ion was a founder and Chief Executive Officer at Bivio, a software startup in Colorado, and an Analyst for Olsen & Associates, a foreign exchange analytics company. He was a research fellow at Columbia University and holds a Masters in Physics from Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich in Switzerland and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Stanford University. Ion is also an early investor in iconic technology companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Planet, QuantumScape, and Saildrone.I was looking forward to sitting down with Ion and learning more about his work at Capricorn Investment Group. Ion walks me through his climate journey, what motivated him to focus on climate, and an overview of Capricorn and the Technology Impact Fund. We also dive into capitalism's effect on the planet, the role policy plays in a sustainable future, and the Technology Impact Fund's investing strategy. This is a great episode for investors and founders alike.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded September 7th, 2021For more information about Capricorn Investment Group, visit: https://capricornllc.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/ion-yadigaroglu

Today's guest is Naman Trivedi, Co-Founder & CEO of WattBuy.Naman Trivedi is the Co-Founder & CEO of WattBuy. He founded the company to help millions of Americas choose cheaper, greener electricity plans and advance the global transition to a clean energy economy. WattBuy provides transparent, intelligent insights for homeowners & renters, helping them save upwards of 40% on electricity bills, select renewable energy plans, and gain a deeper understanding of their home's energy use. Prior to co-founding WattBuy, Naman worked at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, pushing a policy initiative for Community Choice Aggregation. This system aggregates the buying power of individuals in a neighborhood to purchase renewable energy supply contracts. He also spent two years at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Obama Administration, working on federal renewable energy policy and grand prizes. In this episode, Naman gives me an overview of WattBuy, why their work addresses climate change, and what motivates consumers to use WattBuy. We also talk about how WattBuy builds trust amongst its customers, the barriers WattBuy faces as the startup looks to scale, and a discussion on how to increase home sustainability consulting. It was great to learn more about WattBuy and have Naman join me this week.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded August 11th, 2021To learn more about Wattbuy, visit: https://wattbuy.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/orbillion

Today's guest is Cisco DeVries, CEO of OhmConnect.OhmConnect provides home energy management solutions via smart meter analytics and energy market integration. OhmConnect's platform enables residential users to sell their energy reductions directly into energy markets.Before OhmConnect, Cisco co-founded Renew Financial, which became one of the largest dedicated clean energy finance companies in the U.S. As CEO of Renew, he raised over $2 billion in private capital that financed energy efficiency and clean energy projects in nearly 100,000 homes. Previously, Cisco spent five years as the Chief of Staff to Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. In 1996, President Clinton appointed him to serve as an aide to the U.S. Secretary of Energy, where he held roles at the White House and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Cisco has over 20 years of experience in public policy and energy efficiency. He also holds a B.A. in political science from UCSD and a Master's of Public Policy from UC Berkeley. In this episode, Cisco explains what OhmConnect does, how their platform works, and what led him to serve as CEO. He also touches on the relationship between OhmConnect and CA utilities and barriers to large-scale deployment. Plus, we have a lively discussion on pricing carbon and other policies that would address climate change. It was great to have Cisco join me this week, and I'm excited for listeners to learn more about OhmConnect.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded August 13th, 2021For more information about OhmConnect: https://www.ohmconnect.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/cisco-devries

Today's guest is Patricia Bubner, Co-Founder & CEO of Orbillion Bio, Inc.Patricia is a founder and the CEO of Orbillion Bio, Inc. The company is on a mission to accelerate the broad availability of a variety of healthy, nutritious, and flavorful cultivated meat products. Orbillion recently graduated from renowned Y Combinator's Winter 21 batch. Originally from Austria, Patricia is a scientist and engineer working to build a future of ethical and sustainable food. Before Orbillion, she co-founded an agriculture & food systems project, The Millet Project, that aimed at diversifying agriculture and our diet by cultivation and consumption of lesser-known grains such as millets. Patricia did her postdoc at the Energy Biosciences Institute at UC Berkeley, where she studied the expression of glycoproteins in filamentous fungi and plants.In this episode, Patricia walks me through Orbillion Bio Inc, the company's origins, and how the ethics of traditional meat production motivated her to co-found the startup. We dive into the key phases of bringing the company to market and how to scale the cell-based meat industry. Patricia also explains the impact food systems have on the environment and why wide-scale adoption of alternative meats is essential for addressing climate change. Patricia is a fantastic guest!Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded August 6th, 2021To learn more about Orbillion Bio Inc., visit: https://www.orbillion.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/orbillion

Today's guest is Amy Duffuor, Principal at Prime Impact Fund.Prime Impact Fund, an investment initiative of Prime Coalition, is an early-stage VC fund dedicated to investing in technology companies with the potential for gigaton-scale climate impact.Prior to Prime Impact Fund, Amy was a renewables and power investment banker at Bank of America. There, she worked with CEOs of public and private companies to raise investment capital, including the IPO of Sunnova, a residential solar company initially valued at approximately $1 billion. Before her stint on Wall Street, Amy ran early-stage social venture accelerators around Southeast Asia for a Singapore-headquartered impact investing firm called Impact Investment Exchange. Earlier in her career, Amy was a management consultant at State of Flux, a London-based consulting firm specializing in supply chain and procurement. In addition, she serves as a board member for Prime Impact Fund portfolio companies Clean Crop Technologies and Noon Energy and is on the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) board. I was looking forward to catching up with Amy because I've interviewed some of her colleagues early on in the My Climate Journey days. It was exciting to hear how Prime Impact Fund has grown since 2018 and learn about Amy's role at the company. She walks me through her climate journey, what led her to work at Prime Impact Fund and the firm's investment strategy. We also talk about the differences between catalytic capital and concessionary capital and the importance of climate impact-aligned investing.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded August 4th, 2021For more information about Prime Impact Fund: https://www.primeimpactfund.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/amy-duffuor

Today's guests are Bessie Schwarz, Co-Founder & CEO, and Beth Tellman, Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer, at Cloud to Street.Bessie and Beth met as Master's students at Yale University's School of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, where Cloud to Street started as their thesis research. The company is the world's leading remote flood mapping platform. Cloud to Street uses global satellites and remote sensing AI to monitor flood risk and detect worldwide floods in real-time. Its unique technology requires zero ground equipment and provides governments and communities with accurate and trustworthy flood monitoring. Seeded by Google, Cloud to Street provides disaster relief support and data to governments in almost 20 countries worldwide. Partnering with top insurers, the startup is launching the first commercial parametric flood insurance product to protect climate-vulnerable communities better. Bessie and Beth are great guests, and I was looking forward to having them on the show. The two co-founders explain how Cloud to Street came to be, what sets the company apart from other flood monitoring businesses, and how their product works. We also discuss how natural hazards, blue lining, and climate change negatively affect frontline communities and how Cloud to Street can help. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded August 2nd, 2021To learn more about Cloud to Street, visit: https://www.cloudtostreet.ai/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/cloud-to-street

Today's guest is Dominic Falcão, Founding Director of Deep Science Ventures.Deep Science Ventures is a venture studio and a fund that pioneers a new model for synthesizing knowledge, talent, and capital into optimal outcome-centric scientific ventures. DSV focuses on building high-growth, high-impact companies in "tough" sectors from energy and agriculture to pharmaceuticals and computing.With a decade's knowledge and experience in company building, Dom serves as Founding Director of Deep Science Ventures, where he focuses on energy and the net-zero transition. He co-founded Deep Science Ventures in 2016 at the age of 25. Before DSV, Dom led Imperial College London's science startup program. He worked with over 200 student companies and supported a fraction of these to raise over £25m in funding within three years. He grew the community 375% to 3000 scientists in 1 year. In 2021, Dom was named one of Forbes Finance Under 30. I was looking forward to sitting down with Dom because Deep Science Ventures' approach to company building is unique. He walks me through that approach and their go-to-market strategy. Dom explains his climate journey and what led him to found DSV. We also discuss why the current path from academic research to commercialization is difficult and compare DSV with a traditional fund. Dom and I's conversation is a must-listen.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 28th, 2021For more information about Deep Science Ventures: https://deepscienceventures.com/ For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/dominic-falcao

Today's guest is Amanda Li, Co-Founder & COO at Banyan Infrastructure.Banyan Infrastructure is unleashing capital to accelerate the development of next-generation infrastructure projects to provide essential services across the globe and transform the world's energy systems into sustainable forms of energy. The startup combines financial and technological innovation to accelerate the deployment of solar, wind, and other critical infrastructure around the globe. They use blockchain-based, innovative contract technology to oversee and automate complex and time-consuming contractual management of these small distributed assets. Their solution de-risks these assets for lenders, decreases overhead costs, and increases the ability to refinance these projects at a lower cost of capital. Before co-founding Banyan Infrastructure, Amanda was an Infrastructure Investor at Generate Capital and Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company. She has also served many product roles at technology and renewables startups across Canada, China, and the US. In this episode, Amanda takes me through the company's mission, the product, and what led her to co-found the company. Then, we dive into how these projects are traditionally financed, the problem Banyan is tackling, and other areas of project finance ripe for innovation. Amanda and I have a great discussion, and it was exciting to learn more about what Banyan is doing.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 29th, 2021To learn more about Banyan Infrastructure: https://www.banyaninfrastructure.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/banyan-infrastructure

Today's guest is Lila Preston, Head of the Growth Equity Strategy for Generation Investment Management.Lila joined Generation in 2004 and serves as Head of the Growth Equity Strategy. Prior to joining Generation, Lila was a Director in Development & Finance at VolunteerMatch and a Fulbright Fellow in Chile, where she worked on forestry and conservation projects. Lila currently serves as a Board Director at Nature's Fynd as well as a Board Observer at Toast and CiBO Technologies. In addition, she is a member of the Social Mission Board at Seventh Generation, is on the Board of Advisors at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, and is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. Lila received a BA in English Language and Literature from Stanford University and an MBA from London Business School.I was looking forward to sitting down with Lila and learning more about Generation Investment Management. In this episode, Lila walks me through Generation's mission, her climate journey, and how Generation evaluates companies to invest in. We also have a lively discussion about ESG investing, greenwashing, and the ethics of partnering with fossil fuel companies as we head towards a clean future. Lila is a great guest, and this episode is a must-listen.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 23rd, 2021For more information about Generation Investment Management: https://www.generationim.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/lila-preston

Today's guest is Dan White, Co-Founder & CEO of Clean Crop Technologies.Clean Crop Technologies provides a solution for solid food supply chains, which currently choose between killing pathogens and maintaining the health of crops. Eliminating this trade-off, Clean Crop's product treats pathogens while leaving the food intact. Utilizing groundbreaking research, the startup reduces molds, toxins, and pests in commercial-scale services for the global grain and nut sectors. In June 2020, Clean Crop Technologies raised $3M in a Seed round led by Prime Impact Fund. Before co-founding Clean Crop Technologies, Dan served as the Technical Director at ACDI/VOCA. Dan began his career in the US horticulture industry and spend the past decade in agri-business development and agro-input markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He has over 16 years of experience in horticulture, nut, and grain value chains as an Agtech Entrepreneur. In the episode, Dan explains how Clean Crop Technologies was founded, its solution, and the technology they use. Dan outlines their market strategy and how to evaluate potential customers. We also dive into a broader discussion about the current agriculture systems and how they impact our future. Dan is a great guest, and it was exciting to learn more about Clean Crop Technologies.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 26th, 2021To learn more about Clean Crop Technologies, visit: https://cleancroptech.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/clean-crop-technologies

Today's guest is Thomas Jonas, Co-Founder & CEO of Nature's Fynd.Nature’s Fynd is a Chi­ca­­go-based food com­pa­ny cre­at­ing ver­sa­tile alterna­tive pro­teins to nour­ish the world’s grow­ing pop­u­la­tion while nur­tur­ing the plan­et. Born out of research con­duct­ed for NASA on microbes in Yellowstone Nation­al Park, the company’s break­through tech­nol­o­gy pro­duces Fy™. Before Nature's Fynd, Thomas was President of Beauty & Personal Care and Home & Garden at MeadWestvaco, a packaging corporation based in Virginia, and General Manager of Alcan Beauty Solutions, a French packaging company. Thomas has an MBA from HEC Paris. While taking a sabbatical in Hawai'i, Thomas met his co-founder, Mark Kozubal. Mark was working for NASA, researching ways to find life on other planets which led him to explore Yellowstone, where he discovered the Fy™ protein. Since founding the company, Thomas has served as CEO of Nature's Fynd.In this episode, Thomas and I explore the unique solution that Nature's Fynd is providing, the problem the company is working to solve, and the startup's market strategy. He also gives advice to entrepreneurs looking to raise capital, an overview of their most recent $350M raise, and how to influence customers at the shelves. Thomas is a great guest and it was fascinating to learn more about Nature's Fynd. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 16th, 2021For more information about Nature's Fynd, visit: https://www.naturesfynd.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/thomas-jonas

Today's guest is Jeff McAulay, Co-founder & President of Energetic Insurance. Energetic Insurance is an InsurTech startup with a novel, data-driven approach to developing new insurance products for the renewable energy industry. Before co-founding Energetic Insurance, Jeff worked in distributed energy resources at TechBridge Program Manager and solar, storage, and distributed energy resources at EnerNOC. While at EnerNOC, Jeff discovered many small- and mid-sized businesses don't have an investment-grade credit rating. With backgrounds in insurance and renewable energy, Jeff and his co-founder, James Bowen, invented a new kind of insurance product to backstop the credit risk of commercial electricity buyers and make financing renewable energy projects easier.Jeff walks me through his time at EnerNOC and how that motivated him to co-found Energetic Insurance. He also explains Energetic Insurance's mission, product, and the problem it's working to solve. Jeff and I discuss the key phasing of the company, what success looks like for the startup, and why a PPA model is successful in renewable energy financing. Jeff is a great guest, especially for those looking to deploy commercial renewable energy.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 21st, 2021To learn more about Energetic Insurance, visit: https://www.energeticinsurance.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/energetic-insurance

Today's guest is Pat Sapinsley, Managing Director of Cleantech Initiatives at the Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Urban Future Lab is a non-profit center focused on cleantech innovation in New York that runs several programs focused on market-ready climate solutions. In 2014, Pat assumed the role of Managing Director of Cleantech Initiatives at Urban Future Lab, bringing over 15 years of expertise in the industry, connecting startups to funding sources, customers, and business mentors. Pat started her career as a LEED AP architect with a degree from Harvard's design school before shifting her focus to cleantech innovation. Since then, she has worked in venture capital at Good Energies and as a consultant and advisor to startups focused on building energy-efficient spaces. She also served as CEO of Watt Not, an LED lighting consultancy, and as President of Build Efficiently LLC, a firm deploying energy-efficient technologies. In this episode, Pat and I cover her career leading up to Urban Future Lab, an overview of UFL's programs, and the criteria UFL looks for when determining which startups to back. We also dive into how policy affects UFL's work, UFL's success rate, and how the programs are funded. Pat is a fantastic guest, especially for founders and entrepreneurs in the cleantech space.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 2nd, 2021For more information about Urban Future Lab, visit: http://ufl.nyc/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/pat-sapinsley

Today's guest is Jasmine Crowe, Founder & CEO of Goodr Co.Every year, 80 billion pounds of food is wasted in the US, just from consumer-facing businesses. Food waste is also a massive climate problem. When food is wasted, it ends up in landfills and starts emitting greenhouse gases. To tackle this problem, Jasmine founded Goodr, a sustainable food surplus management company leveraging technology to reduce food waste and feed the hungry. Prior to Goodr, Jasmine founded BlackCelebrityGiving.com, where she helped start over 1,400 non-profits. She also holds a BA in Mass Communications from North Carolina Central University and has given multiple TED talks about ending hunger. In this episode, Jasmine and I explore the adverse effects of food waste on hunger and the environment. Jasmine walks me through what motivated her to found Goodr, key phases and raises to date, and the company's future. We also dive into the barriers to distributing food, why food waste is ultimately a policy problem, and its climate impacts. It was great to sit down with Jasmine and learn more about Goodr.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 22nd, 2021To learn more about Goodr, visit: https://www.goodr.co/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/goodr

Today's guest is Michael Terrell, Director of Energy at Google.Michael is the Director of Energy at Google, where he leads global strategy and 24/7 carbon-free energy initiatives for Google's data centers and global energy portfolio. In this role, he has advanced new approaches to Google's procurement of over 5GW of renewable power, pioneered groundbreaking renewable energy purchase programs, and delivered landmark projects such as converting coal plants to data centers. Before joining Google in the early 2000s, Michael worked in energy and climate law and policy. In addition, he's held various roles in the Federal government, including the White House Council on Environmental Quality under President Clinton, where he helped guide US policy on energy and environmental issues. Michael holds a JD from the University of Michigan, an MS from Yale University's Environment School, and a BS from The University of the South.I was looking forward to sitting down with Michael because Google has a massive footprint and influence as a tech leader. In this episode, Michael gives me an overview of his role as the Director of Energy, how his family's coal mining company influences his climate journey, and key learnings he's had over the past 14 years at Google. We dive into Google's clean energy commitments, how the company has evolved since the early 00s, and where the future lies for the tech giant. I also pepper Michael with questions about his thoughts on carbon capture, if natural gas and fossil fuel companies fit into the clean energy transition, and what policies would accelerate Google's initiatives and a greener future. Micheal is a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 25th, 2021For more information about Google Sustainability Initiatives, visit: https://sustainability.google/commitments/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/michael-terrell

Today's guest is Yishan Wong, Founder & CEO of Terraformation. Before founding Terraformation, Yishan served as CEO at Reddit and was an engineer at Pay Pal and Facebook. After exiting Reddit, Yishan learned that native forest restoration outperformed any other known method of carbon capture by nearly an order of magnitude. However, he also found three significant bottlenecks to large-scale forest restoration: land availability, freshwater, and seed. So, in 2017, Yishan founded Terraformation to restore forests and reduce global emissions. Terraformation believes that reforestation is one of the fastest, most efficient, and immediately scalable solutions to address climate change. Its low-risk, politically feasible carbon drawdown solution aims to restore forests at a global scale. In June of this year, Terraformation announced a $30M raise.In this episode, Yishan explains his motivations for founding a climate startup, the ambitious mission Terraformation has set for itself, and why reforestation is essential in addressing climate change. We also discuss Terraformation's solution, its most recent raise, and scaling global forest restoration. This is an excellent episode for those interested in reforestation as a climate solution.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded July 1st, 2021To learn more about Terraformation, visit: https://www.terraformation.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/terraformation

Today's guest is Costa Samaras, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.Costa Samaras began his career as a civil engineer working on several multibillion-dollar infrastructure megaprojects in New York, including rebuilding the subway line underneath the World Trade Center after September 11th. After pursuing his Masters in Public Policy at NYU and his Ph.D. in Public Policy and Civil & Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, Costa served as a Senior Engineer and Policy Analyst at the RAND Corporation and an Adjust Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon. Costa has also led analyses on energy security, strategic basing, and infrastructure issues faced by the Department of Defense. Since 2014, Costa has been an Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He has published studies examining electric and autonomous vehicles, renewable electricity, transitions in the energy sector, was a contributor to the 4th National Climate Assessment and was one of the Lead Author contributors to the Global Energy Assessment. Costa also developed the course "Climate Change Adaptation for Infrastructure," one of the first civil and environmental engineering courses in the world that teaches climate change adaptation to engineers. Costa joins me to talk about the clean energy transition and why climate mitigation and resiliency are paramount as we built the infrastructure of the future. Costa explains his research at Carnegie Mellon and what motivated him to focus on climate as a civil engineer. We also have a lively discussion about voluntary individual action versus significant systems changes and why policy and public engagement is essential to address climate change. Costa is a great guest with a wealth of knowledge on resiliency, automation, and the energy transition.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 23rd, 2021For more information about Costa's research, visit: https://www.costasamaras.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/costa-samaras

Today's guest is Chris Stern, Co-Founder & CEO of Carbicrete. Carbicrete is a Montreal-based carbon removal technology company that is developing innovative, low-cost building solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company's patented technology, first developed at McGill University, enables cement-free, carbon-negative concrete production. The process uses an industrial by-product – the slag from steel factories – to replace cement as a binding ingredient in precast concrete products. The process injects CO2 into the fresh concrete to provide strength while permanently sequestering the carbon.In this episode, Chris outlines Carbicrete's mission, its technology, and what makes the company unique. Then, we dive into the process of taking technology from the lab to market and non-dilutive capital versus equity capital when raising funds as a startup. Chris also explains why cement is so hard to decarbonize and what gives him hope that we can address climate change.  Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 21st, 2021To learn more about Carbicrete, visit: https://carbicrete.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/carbicrete

Today's guest is Graeme Pitkethly, CFO of Unilever.Unilever is a multinational consumer goods company with 400 brands focusing on foods and refreshments, home care, and beauty and personal care. In 2010, Unilever announced its Sustainable Living Plan with climate-focused benchmarks and goals. Graeme joined Unilever in 2002 and has served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Unilever UK and Ireland business. Before taking the CFO role, he held several senior financial and commercial positions within Unilever, including Senior Vice President of Finance for Global Markets, Global Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, and Chief Financial Officer of Unilever Indonesia. Graeme brings considerable experience to the role, having spent the earlier part of his career in senior corporate finance roles in the telecommunications industry and at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures.I was excited to record this episode as Graeme has been on our guest wishlist for quite some time. Graeme walks me through Unilever's sustainability goals over the last decade, an overview of the company's carbon footprint, and how he ended up focusing on climate. We dive into Graeme's perspective on carbon offsets, carbon pricing, and the areas that are hardest to decarbonize for Unilever. He also touches on why sustainability is vital to the future of the global economy and what initiatives would most accelerate tackling climate change. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 17th, 2021For more information about Unilever, visit: https://www.unilever.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/graeme-pitkethly

Today's guest is Zack Parisa, Co-Founder & CEO of NCX. NCX, previously known as SilviaTerra, is a forest carbon marketplace. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, NCX created an AI-powered forest called Basemap to connect American landowners with net-zero companies. For landowners, NCX makes it possible for them to get paid not to cut. For buyers, NCX provides greater transparency for carbon credits that has measurable and immediate impact. Built on a decade of industry-leading expertise, NCX takes a data-driven approach to democratize carbon markets in forests. In this episode, Zack and I discuss NCX's mission, the company's origin story, and how Zack became climate motivated. We dive into the key phases and staging of NCX, their recent collaboration with Microsoft, and what makes the company unique. We also have a lively discussion about the controversies about carbon credits, why a voluntary market can only get us so far, and what policies would most accelerate NCX's success. It was great to have a conversation with Zack and learn more about NCX.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 11th, 2021To learn more about NCX, visit: https://ncx.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/ncx

Today's guest is Mira Inbar, Partner at ArcTern Ventures.ArcTern Ventures is a Toronto-based climate-focused venture capital fund. They invest in early-stage climate startups across industries, energy, and agriculture mobility. Growing up in Southwest Florida, Mira watched as the natural habitat around her was replaced by parking lots, supermarkets, and housing developments. After graduating from Oberlin, Mira volunteered with indigenous communities replanting trees in the Urubamba River valley and worked at Forest Trends, an international conservation organization. She then jump started her career as an environmentalist in the platinum mines of South Africa. Before joining ArcTern Ventures, Mira spent over a decade launching clean energy businesses in large corporations like Dow Chemical, NRG, and Shell. In this episode, Mira walks me through what first motivated her to focus on climate and her career path from entrepreneurship to sustainability to venture capital. She explains ArcTern Ventures' approach to investing, how the firm tracks impact and supports its portfolio. Mira also touches on greenwashing, the viability of a carbon tax, and the energy leaders of tomorrow. Mira has a unique background and experience that make her a fantastic guest.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 18th, 2021For more information about ArcTern Ventures, visit: https://www.arcternventures.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/mira-inbar

Today's guest is Scott Clavenna, Co-Founder of Greentech Media.Greentech Media was a leading source of integrated news, industry research, conferences, and executive councils in the clean energy economy. Wood Mackenzie, who acquired Greentech Media in 2016, announced it would close the publication earlier this year.In 2007, Scott founded Greentech Media and served as CEO for a decade. During that time, GTM was devoted to enabling the growth of cleantech worldwide with a mix of market research, news, and events. Wood Mackenzie acquired Greentech Media in 2016, and, the following year, Scott took on a new role as Chairman of Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables. As Chairman, he contributed to the strategic guidance of Wood Mackenzie's work in the global energy transition. Since leaving Wood Mackenzie, Scott is working with Stephen Lacey's Post Script Audio to produce climate-focused podcasts. Their shows include Greentech Media's Energy Gang and The Interchange as well as A Matter of Degrees hosted by Leah Stokes and The Big Switch hosted by Melissa Lott.In this episode, Scott takes me through Greentech Media's inception, his climate journey, and lessons learned from cleantech 1.0. We also dive into a lively discussion about the inability to uncouple policy and climatetech, why Scott is optimistic about the future, and the power of telling climate stories. Scott's unique perch allowed him to see a wide variety of climate solutions, making him a fantastic guest. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 14th, 2021For more information about Post Script Audio, visit: https://postscriptaudio.com/For more information about Greentech Media, visit: https://www.greentechmedia.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/scott-clavenna 

Today's guest is Mary Powell, Clean Energy Leader & Former CEO of Green Mountain Power.Green Mountain Power is an energy transformation company providing power and innovative products and services to three-quarters of Vermont and the first utility in the world to become a B-Corp.Mary's career started at a fast-growing market fund. She stayed for eight years, during which time the $200 million fund grew into $3.5 billion. Her first Vermont job was as the human resources director for the state's Department of Personnel. Mary served as director under three gubernatorial administrations. Famously rejecting the position three times, in 2008, Mary assumed the role of CEO at Green Mountain Power. In 2012, Mary combined two utilities (Green Mountain Power & Central Vermont Public Service). Then she introduced Vermonters to heat pumps and the Powerwall storage battery. Mary significantly reduced Vermont's carbon footprint. She created the first B-Corp utility in the country, committing to the use of business as a force for good. In 2019 she was voted the best utility executive in the United States. Mary is the Chair of The Solar Foundation and sits on the Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Institute, Vermont Mutual Insurance Company, Sunrun, Energir, and Hawaii Electric.Mary is an exceptional guest and someone I've been looking for to interviewing. Mary dives into Green Mountain Power, the work she did the transform Vermont's utility, and the role utilities play in the clean energy transition. We also discuss where government regulation fits in, the effectiveness of pricing carbon, and what we can do to accelerate just and equity clean energy adoption. This discussion is a must-listen.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded June 8th, 2021For more information about Green Mountain Power, visit: https://greenmountainpower.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/mary-powell

Today's guest is Donnel Baird, Founder & CEO of BlocPower.BlocPower is a Brooklyn-based climate technology startup that is making American cities greener, smarter, and healthier. BlocPower analyzes, finances, and constructs renewable energy and energy-efficient projects on a building by building, block by block basis. BlocPower focuses on buildings in low-income communities and underserved neighborhoods throughout New York City.Donnel has a passion for climate solutions that serve low-income communities. After graduating from Duke University, he became a community organizer and advocate for job growth that also addresses climate change. In 2007, Donnel joined the Obama For America campaign as a Regional Field Director and Constituency Vote Director. After President Obama took office, Donnel continued to work on green job creation as a consultant for the Administration and several labor unions, including Change to Win Federation and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Donnel left the public sector in 2011 with the idea that eventually became BlocPower. He has an MBA from Columbia University and sits on the board at many New York institutes, The Sunrise Movement, and The Sierra Club. I was looking forward to this conversation because Donnel has been on our wishlist for a while. Donnel explains his climate journey, how he started BlocPower, and the company's mission to serve low-income communities. We talk about how best to accelerate the rapid adoption of green buildings and the psychology of paying bills. We also touch on what holds back the industry, why BlocPower's solution is unique, and the role the US plays in the climate emergency. Donnel is an incredible guest with a wealth of knowledge. This episode is a must-listen.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 25th, 2021For more information about BlocPower, visit: https://www.blocpower.io/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/donnel-baird

Today's guest is Jim Kapsis, Founder & CEO of The Ad Hoc Group.The Ad Hoc Group is a focused consultancy working to help startups succeed in complex regulated markets, such as energy, mobility, and smart cities. Jim founded The Ad Hoc Group to help startups and investors scale innovative businesses to solve our most pressing climate and sustainability challenges. Jim has been a Senior Advisor to Sidewalk Labs, Alphabet's urban venture, and spent six years building and leading the global regulatory team at Opower. Before entering the private sector, Jim was a climate negotiator in the Obama Administration, where he helped broker the Copenhagen Climate Accord in 2009. He has experience working across governmental agencies at the State Department, Defense Department, and Congress. Jim is also the co-host of CityLab's podcast, Technopolis, about how technology disrupts, remakes, and sometimes overruns our cities.In this episode, Jim walks me through his work in the public and private climate sectors and what motivated him to found The Ad Hoc Group. We dive into the company's mission and the bridge it's creating in the climate space. Jim also explains why policy is critical for early-stage climatetech and sustainability startups. Jim is a fantastic guest and has a wealth of knowledge for those interested in regulation, policy, and climatetech startups. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 18th, 2021For more information about The Ad Hoc Group, visit: https://www.theadhocgroup.com/To check out Jim's podcast, Technopolis, visit: https://www.technopolispodcast.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/jim-kapsis

Today's guest is Garry Cooper, Co-Founder & CEO of Rheaply.Rheaply is empowering companies of all stripes to reduce their CO2e footprints by curbing internal waste. It does this by creating a circular economy of reuse, both within a company and through a marketplace of asset exchange with other companies. While pursuing his Ph.D. in Neural Science at Northwestern, Garry was trying to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease. Working in a lab, he noticed valuable and expensive materials that not every lab had access to. Garry started a materials sharing program at Northwestern. He realized the linear economy didn't just affect labs but affected government agencies, tech companies, and universities as well. In 2015, Garry co-founded Rheaply. Garry has served as a Google Scholar for Google for Entrepreneurs and sits on the board of 1871 and P33 Chicago. He has also been an R&D consultant at EY and Promidian. Garry is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Northwestern. I was excited to bring Garry onto the show and learn more about the work Rheaply is doing. Garry walks me through how he founded the company, what Rheaply does, and who they serve. We dive into the value proposition for customers and what incentivizes them to choose Rheaply. We also discuss why reuse and the circular economy are critical to addressing climate change, what's holding back wider adoption of reuse, and how Rheaply affects change. Garry is a fantastic guest, and this is a great episode for those interested in the circular economy.The MCJ Collective has recently invested in Rheaply. To learn more, check out Our Investment in Rheaply.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 17th, 2021For more information about Rheaply, visit: https://rheaply.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/garry-cooper

Today's guest is Arch Rao, Founder & CEO of Span.Span is reinventing the home electrical panel. The existing home electrical panel has seen very little innovation over the last 75 years. Span is a smart digital electrical panel that makes it easier to integrate renewable energy and distributed energy resources into your home.After a few years of pursuing a Ph.D., Arch decided to drop out and work on technologies that would have a non-linear impact on our efforts towards abating climate change. Arch has spent over a decade working in clean energy. He was an energy consultant at LCG Consulting and technical advisor for The Westly Group. Arch also co-founding Verdigris Technologies and was a Founding Engineer and Direct at Joby Energy. Arch served as the Head of Products, Application & Sales Engineering at Tesla, where he focused on building the Battery Business Unit. In 2018, he left Telsa to found Span. Arch holds a B.E. in Automotive Engineering from the University of Madras and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford.In this episode, Arch tells me about his career leading up to Span, the company's mission to electrify the home, and what makes Span unique. We have a lively discussion about why traditional electrical panels need to be innovated, what the market looks like today, and how to incentivize homeowners to make the switch to renewable energy. Arch is a fantastic guest, especially for those looking to learn more about home electrification.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 5th, 2021For more information about Span, visit: https://www.span.io/Span is hiring! Various positions across Hardware Engineering, Legal, Operations, Product, Sales & Business Development, and Software Engineering. Check out open positions here: https://www.span.io/careersFor more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/arch-rao

Today's guests are Shashank Samala, Co-Founder & CEO, and Noah McQueen, Co-Founder & Head of Research, at Heirloom.Growing up in Southeast India, Shashank saw firsthand how climate change was impacting people. Prior to Heirloom, Shashank was an Entrepreneur in Residence at Carbon 180 and the Co-Founder & VP of Product at Tempo Automation. Before Heirloom, Noah pursued a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and currently serves as a consultant for CarbonDirect.Heirloom is working towards a more resilient, equitable, and prosperous world for everyone. The company focuses on leveraging carbon mineralization as a climate solution with the hope of removing a billion tons of carbon from the air by 2035. Heirloom's technology enhances a natural process, called carbon mineralization, to help minerals absorb CO2 from the ambient air in days rather than years. By combining the best engineering and nature, Heirloom offers the most cost-effective and scalable Direct Air Capture solution in the world. In this episode, Noah and Shashank walk me through their respective climate journeys and how they founded Heirloom together. They explain what makes Heirloom technology unique, its mission, and the larger Direct Air Capture landscape. We dive into the barriers holding DAC back, the voluntary market, and why this sector of climate tech is hard to deploy at scale. We also touch on the effect of policy and regulation on climate tech. Noah and Shashank are great guests, and I enjoyed discussing Heirloom with them. This is a must-listen for those interested in learning more about DAC solutions and their importance in addressing climate change.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.To learn more about Heirloom, visit: https://www.heirloomcarbon.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/heirloom

Today's guest is Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet.Lanzajet accelerates the global energy transition by using its leading technology to make safe, sustainable aviation fuels and diesel fuels from waste. Jimmy has spent most of his career focused on climate change and advancing the decarbonization of industries reliant on fossil fuels. As a senior executive with several consulting firms, including Booz Allen Hamilton, Oliver Wyman, and Slalom, Jimmy advised CEOs and senior executive teams on mergers and acquisitions, strategy and operations, sustainability, and customer experience. He also spent a decade working for United Airlines. Jimmy served in several executive roles at United, including as chief executive of a $2B business unit. In June 2020, Jimmy assumed the role of CEO at Lanzajet, where he's leading the company through a scale-up in technology and production, with renewable fuel refineries planned in multiple countries. Jimmy has Master's degrees from The University of Oxford and Johns Hopkins University.I was looking forward to bringing Jimmy on the show because we haven't talked about Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) as a decarbonization solution. In this episode, Jimmy explains his career path to LanzaJet, the company's mission, and how LanzaJet fits into decarbonizing aviation. We also discuss SAFs generally, what the airline industry is doing to make zero-emission flight a reality, and why aviation has been hard to decarbonize. Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded May 4th, 2021For more information about LanzaJet, visit: https://www.lanzajet.com/For more information about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/jimmy-samartzis

Today's guests are Merrill Feather & Kristen Winzent, Co-Founders and Collaborators at The Regenerates.The Regenerates is a brand and marketing consultancy focused 100% on building momentum for climate solutions. Kristen and Merrill met in the MCJ Slack community when they were looking for marketing-focused jobs in the climate space. Realizing they were both up for 3 of the same positions, they decided to start their own marketing consultancy. Kristen and Merrill have decades of experience as in-house marketers for creative strategy partners. Before founding The Regenerates, Kristen was an in-house marketer on the global creative campaigns team at Airbnb and was a strategic consultant at Pramana Collective. Prior to The Regenerates, Merrill was a brand manager at Hasbro Toys and a product marketer at Facebook. I was looking forward to speaking with Kristen and Merrill because marketing plays a significant role in addressing the climate crisis. Kristen and Merrill take me through how The Regenerates came to be, their "aha" moments, and what the consultancy does. We also discuss how to assess climate impact in a job offer, where brand strategy and community organizing come together, and whether a financial hit is necessary to transition into climate. For those looking to work in climate but aren't sure where they fit in, this is a great episode.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 12th, 2021To learn more about The Regenerates, visit: https://www.weregenerates.com/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/cc-episodes/winzent-feather

Today's guest is Bruce Friedrich, Founder & Executive Director of The Good Food Institute.The Good Food Institute is an international non-profit that promotes plant-based meat, dairy, and eggs as well as cultivated meat as alternatives to conventional animal products. GFI was founded to answer a fundamental question: how to feed almost 10 billion people by 2050 without burning the planet down.Inspired by Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappé, Bruce has focused his career on food systems and global justice. Prior to founding GFI, Bruce ran a homeless shelter and food kitchen in inner-city D.C., served as the Vice President of International Grassroots Campaigns at PETA, was a Teacher in Baltimore, and, most recently, worked as the Director of Policy at Farm Sanctuary. In early 2016, Bruce founded Good Food Institute and currently serves as Executive Director. He oversees GFI's global strategy, working with the U.S. leadership team and international managing directors to ensure that GFI implements programs that deliver mission-focused results. Bruce is a TED Fellow, Y Combinator alum, and popular speaker on food innovation. He has penned op-eds for the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Wired, and many other publications. In this episode, Bruce explains the importance of reimagining the food system and how it affects climate. He walks me through The Good Food Institute's mission, what inspired him to pursue global food justice, and why meat is dangerous to public and environmental health. We also discuss the "holy grail" of scaling meat alternatives, the timeline for broad adoption of these products, and where policy fits in. This is a great episode and expanded my understanding of the meat industry and its role in climate change.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 30th, 2021For more information about Good Food Institute, visit: https://gfi.org/For more about this episode, visit: myclimatejourney.co/episodes/bruce-friedrich

Today's guest is Paul Gross, Co-Founder & CEO of Remora.Today, heavy-duty trucks move 70% of goods shipped in the United States and account for 7% of the US greenhouse gas pollution. Remora is developing a device that captures carbon emissions from semi-trucks. Its device will reduce emissions from these trucks by 80% without affecting payload, range, or trip time. Remora installs a container between the cab and the trailer of semis, which allows them to collect, store, and then monetize the emissions. It sells the carbon to concrete producers and other end-users, which dramatically reduces emissions, meets climate commitments, and adds a new revenue stream for carbon.Remora Co-Founder, Christina Reynolds, developed the technology as a Ph.D. student. Paul came across it during his time at Yale and convinced Christina to leave the EPA to start Remora. Before co-founding Remora, Paul conducted award-winning experimental research that uncovered new solutions to collective action problems like polarization and the climate crisis. He also holds a BA in Data Science and Statistics from Yale University. Paul is an exciting guest, and I enjoyed learning more about what the team is up to at Remora. Paul walks me through what led him to co-found Remora, why he's so passionate about carbon capture, and what the company hopes to achieve in the future. Paul explains the problem Remora is fixing, its technology, and what makes the company unique. We also dive into the trucking industry and the carbon emissions market more broadly. This is a great episode for those interested in innovative carbon solutions and transportation.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 14th, 2021To learn more about Remora, visit: https://www.remoracarbon.com/To learn more about this episode, visit our website: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/remora

Today's guest is Caroline Cochran, Co-Founder & COO of Oklo Inc.Oklo Inc. is working to build powerhouses, advanced fission power plants on a microgrid scale. The team focuses on small advanced reactor generators that are waste and carbon negative. Unlike traditional nuclear power, its technology doesn't require water to cool the system, has vastly different security and safety characteristics, and Oklo can use nuclear waste as fuel. Oklo is revolutionizing nuclear energy to create a clean energy future. Caroline holds a BS in mechanical engineering and a BA in economics from the University of Oklahoma. She met her co-founder, Jake DeWitte, while studying nuclear engineering in graduate school. After researching nuclear energy's history, Caroline, Jake, and a group of classmates wanted to see advanced fission technology come to fruition. In 2013, Jake and Caroline founded Oklo Inc.I was excited about this episode because nuclear energy is a fascinating and controversial topic. Caroline walks me through how she and her co-founders started Oklo, the problem it's tackling, and how the company uses recycled nuclear waste to power its facilities. We also dive into nuclear power and where it fits into the clean energy landscape, how nuclear waste has been stored in the past, and why advanced fission is different from traditional nuclear technology. For anyone looking to learn more about nuclear energy, this is a must-listen.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 9th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/caroline-cochran

Today's guest is Eliza Nemser, Co-Founder of Climate Changemakers.Climate Changemakers is a nonpartisan community action network organizing to support climate candidates and ambitious climate policies. The team mobilizes political support by transforming climate-concerned individuals into a community of climate changemakers. Prior to founding Climate Changemakers, Eliza was a consultant for the NRDC Action Fund and spent over two decades working as a geologist, focusing on earthquake engineering and seismology for big oil companies.In this episode, Eliza walks me through her career path and how she first got political when it comes to climate action. We discuss the inception of Climate Changemakers, how individuals can take action, and why political advocacy is vital to the planet's future. Eliza also touches on advice she has for those interested in getting involved but aren't sure where to start. Eliza is a fantastic guest and a perfect example of the many ways one can fight for the climate.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 5th, 2021To get involved with Climate Changemakers, visit: https://www.climatechangemakers.org/To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/cc-episodes/eliza-nemser 

Today's guest is Irving Fain, Founder & CEO of Bowery Farming.Bowery Farming is a modern farming company building smart indoor farms located close to its cities. Its farms are powered by its proprietary farm operating system, BoweryOS, creating a simplified, agile food system focused on flavor, freshness, and safety.Irving has a diverse background across varying industries. He started his career in investment banking on Wall Street, where he focused on private equity and helping companies raise late-stage capital. Leaving the financial sector, Irving served as Director of Digital Marketing & Content at iHeartMedia. After four years with iHeartMedia, he knew his real passion was in entrepreneurship. Irving co-founded CrowdTwist, an enterprise software company providing comprehensive omni-channel loyalty & analytics solutions for industry-leading brands. Irving switched his focus towards climate solutions with a nagging feeling that he wanted to solve complex and significant problems with broader societal implications. In 2014, he founded Bowery Farming and currently serves as CEO.Irving is a great guest, and I felt a lot of similarities in our respective journeys. Irving guides me through his career path, why he's always felt a passion for entrepreneurship, and how Bowery Farming came about. He explains Bowery Farming's mission, the practice of indoor farming, and what sets Bowery Farming apart from its competition. We also discuss the broader agriculture landscape, where policy fits into the conversation, and the future of food. This is a fantastic episode for anyone interested in the future of farming.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 9th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/irving-fainTo learn more about Bowery Farming: https://boweryfarming.com/Bowery Farming is hiring! Check out the available positions here: https://boweryfarming.com/careers/#section-job-listings

Today's guest is Bill Weihl, Executive Director of ClimateVoice.ClimateVoice is a non-profit that mobilizes the voices of employees to encourage companies to go "all in" on climate. Large corporations and companies have historically shied away from lobbying against the fossil fuel industry. ClimateVoice was founded on the idea that these companies need to engage in climate policy and use their power to fight for the climate. Before founding ClimateVoice, Bill spent twelve years at Google and Facebook working on sustainability for the tech giants. He also spent a decade as a computer science professor at MIT. Bill holds a Ph.D. from MIT in computer science.In this episode, we dive into ClimateVoice, the non-profit's mission, and the problem it's tackling. Bill also touches on why corporations are hesitant to get involved and how ClimateVoice mobilizes employees to demand change. It was great to have Bill come back on the podcast and learn more about ClimateVoice.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 8th, 2021Want to get in touch with Bill? Check him out on TwitterFor more information about ClimateVoice, visit: https://climatevoice.org/

This week's guest is Val Miftakhov, Co-Founder & CEO of ZeroAvia.ZeroAvia is building the world's first practical zero-emission aviation powertrain. ZeroAvia utilizes hydrogen power to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation. Before focusing on climate solutions, Val held several senior business and product positions at Google and McKinsey & Company and was a nuclear researcher at Stanford Linear Accelerator. Val is a serial entrepreneur in the EV space dedicating the last decade to electrifying transportation. He founded eMotorWerks, a company working on smart grid EV charging solutions. Val founded ZeroAvia in 2017 and assumed the role of CEO in May 2019. With two degrees in Physics, Val holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University and Masters from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology. He is a two-time winner of Russian Nationwide Physics competitions. In his spare time, Val makes good use of his airplane and helicopter pilot licenses.In this episode, Val takes me through ZeroAvia's inception, what the company is working on, and why he decided to tackle zero-emission aviation. We discuss why batteries or bio/synthetic fuel aren't the best solutions, where hydrogen power fits in, and how zero-emission aviation impacts the airline industry. We also dive into key milestones for the company, the public-private partnerships it has secured, and the future of ZeroAvia. It was great to be joined by Val and learn more about his experience in zero-emission aviation. You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded April 1st, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/val-miftakhovTo learn more about ZeroAvia: https://www.zeroavia.com/ZeroAvia is hiring! Check out the open positions: https://zeroavia.applytojob.com/apply

This week's guest is Joshua March, Co-Founder & CEO of SciFi Foods, formerly known as Artemys Foods.SciFi Foods is on a mission to empower humanity to eat sustainably. It's working on the next generation of meat alternatives by cultivating meat. To replicate the full flavor profile and aroma of meat, SciFi Foods uses cell-based meat, growing real muscle and fat outside of the animal in bioreactors. Then they combine plant-based meat with the cultivated animal cells, enabling the team to create a more meat-like taste and texture. Artemys Foods is working to increase the efficiency of production and decrease the cost of bio-engineered meat.Before SciFi Foods, Joshua founded Conversocial, a customer experience platform that helps brands develop meaningful relationships with their customers at scale, and iPlatform, a social application company that was one of the world's first Facebook Preferred Developers. In this episode, Joshua walks me through his motivations for starting SciFi Foods, the alternative meat landscape, and how SciFi Foods fits in. Joshua and I talk about the differences between software and biotech entrepreneurship, what critics have to say about cultured meat, and how to scale alternative meat production. He also explains the stage of the company, where it is in its go-to-market, and what is coming next. It was great to learn more about the world of alternative meat and Joshua's journey.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 18th, 2021To learn more about SciFi Foods, visit: https://scififoods.comSciFi Foods is hiring! Various positions across engineering, research, and operations, including a Chief of Staff position: https://boards.greenhouse.io/scififoodsTo learn more about this episode, visit our website: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/artemys-foods

This week's guest is Mike Hall, CEO of Borrego.Borrego is a leading developer, EPC and O&M provider accelerating the delivery of large commercial, community solar, and utility-scale solar and energy storage projects in the United States.With a background in Chemical Engineering, Mike is the 3rd co-founder of Borrego, then Borrego Solar. The origins of the company date back to the early 1980s when a family friend built an off-grid PV-powered home in Borrego Springs. When Mike's brother, Aaron, graduated from college, he started a rooftop solar business out of their family garage, and Borrego Solar was born. This year, Borrego Solar rebranded to Borrego and expanded its efforts to accelerate renewable energy adoption to meet increasing demand. Mike also sits on the board of Metrus Energy and Solar Energy Industries Association. Mike and I have a fantastic discussion about Borrego, its evolution, and the solar and renewable energy sector more broadly. Mike explains the history of the solar market, the importance of policy at the state level, and how the various types of energy markets need different solutions. We also dive into the problem of intermittency, seasonal energy storage, and dirty peaker plants. Mike has been in the solar and renewable energy sector since the early 2000s. It was great to have in join me this week.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 31st, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/mike-hallTo learn more about Borrego: https://www.borregoenergy.comBorrego is hiring! Check out the open positions: https://www.borregoenergy.com/careers/

Today's guest is Lyndall Schreiner, Director of Product at Afresh & Founder at Earthrise School. In 2018, Lyndall had her climate aha moment after the IPCC 1.5 Degree Report came out. She was invested in redirecting her career to focus on climate. After 18 months of learning as much as she could about climate and volunteering with the Sunrise Movement, Lyndall landed at Afresh as Director of Product. Afresh is a startup focused on using AI to eliminate food waste in the supply chain. Lyndall also started Earthrise School, which offers individual and group coaching for people who want to pivot their careers to focus on the climate emergency.Lyndall is a fantastic guest as she successfully transitioned her career into climate and now helps others do the same. In this episode, Lyndall walks me through her "aha" moment, the experience volunteering with the Sunrise Movement, and how she founded Earthrise School. We also talk about her experience transitioning to a startup and finding the right fit for her needs. We also dive into her approach, where she found success, what she learned along the way, and advice she has as a career coach. For anyone looking to make a career shift towards climate, Lyndall has a wealth of knowledge, and this episode is a must-listen.Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 26th, 2021Advice Lyndall has for those looking to make a career transition:Build community outside of your regular circles, communities like My Climate Journey, Work On Climate, and Climate Action Tech are great places to startJump in before you know everything, you learn fastest with your hands on the tools so volunteer or work on a side project to build your knowledge in the spaceKnow that everyone is on a unique journey, focus on what is important to you and the overlap of your skillset with the impact you want to haveFor job information, utilize Climatebase and VC portfoliosWant to get in touch with Lyndall? Join her Climate Pathfinders weekly call here: https://www.earthrise.school/pathfindersFor more information about Earthrise School, visit: https://www.earthrise.school/

This week's guest is Erin Burns, Executive Director of Carbon180.Carbon180 is a climate-focused NGO that partners with policymakers, scientists, and businesses worldwide to build a world that removes more carbon than it emits. Before Carbon180, Erin focused on energy, environment, labor, and agricultural issues, including staffing for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Public Lands Subcommittee. While working for Senator Joe Manchin, Erin met Noah Deich. She became increasingly interested in direct air capture and carbon removal. She also worked at Third Way, a DC-based think tank, managing carbon capture and removal, innovation, and other clean energy policy advocacy. Erin joined Carbon180 in 2018 to start the policy office in Washington, DC. Earlier this year, Erin assumed the role of Executive Director, where she works with scientists, entrepreneurs, academics, and policymakers to create and inform federal policy on carbon capture, removal, and use.Erin is a fantastic guest with vast knowledge across the policy sector, from energy to carbon removal to labor. Erin walks me through her role as Executive Director, her career leading up to Carbon180, and how the carbon removal sector has evolved since 2015. We also discuss numerous examples of federal climate policy, the direct air capture landscape, and how carbon180 drives change. For those looking interested in policy and carbon removal, you can't miss this episode.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 12th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/erin-burnsTo learn more about Carbon180: https://carbon180.org/Carbon180 is hiring! Check out the open positions here: https://carbon180.org/jobs

This week's guest is Joel Jean, Co-Founder & CEO of Swift Solar.Before joining Swift, Joel served as Executive Director of the Tata-MIT GridEdge Solar research program, which focuses on scale-up of new solar photovoltaic technologies for India and other developing countries. He developed ultra-lightweight, flexible solar cells that the 2017 Katerva Award recognized, and he was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Fellow in Energy.Swift Solar is designing and manufacturing lightweight solar panels and cheaper, more efficient systems than existing products. The company is working on a new kind of technology called Perovskites. Perovskite uses a crystal structure that allows you to tune the material. Swift Solar is tuning Perovskite panels to absorb different parts of the solar spectrum. The team stacks two Perovskites on top of each other; the top panel absorbs blue and high-energy light, while the bottom panel absorbs red and near-infrared light. Swift Solar's goal is to optimize different parts of the solar spectrum to make a more efficient solar cell. The company was founded in 2017 by leading perovskite scientists from Stanford, MIT, Cambridge, Oxford, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.In this episode, Joel explains how the Perovskite technology works and where it fits in the renewable energy and solar landscapes. We deep dive into Swift Solar's incorporation, the research behind the technology, and the company's progress to date. Joel also touches on funding in the solar energy space, why LPs are hesitant to invest in it, and how the sector has evolved since the early 2000s. Joel is a great guest with a wealth of knowledge on solar and Perovskite technology. This is a fantastic episode for those looking to double click on new solar technologies.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 12th, 2021To learn more about Swift Solar, visit: https://www.swiftsolar.com/To learn more about this episode, visit our website: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/swift-solar

This Week's guest is Josephine Cheung, Director of Research & Development at GCP Applied Technologies.GCP Applied Technologies is a leading global provider of construction products technologies that include concrete and cement additives, building materials and technologies that ensure quality and enhance business productivity. In 2016, GCP Applied Technologies spun off from W. R. Grace.With a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT, Josephine spent her entire career working on cement and concrete additives. She has taken on many roles from Research Engineer to Principal Scientist to Director of Research and Development. A prolific innovator, Josephine has pioneered numerous groundbreaking sustainable product solutions for the cement and concrete industry. She is a holder of more than 20 patent families and has been a category creator in her field. She has helped cement manufacturers around the world realize a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.I was looking forward to this episode as GCP Applied Technologies has not been a company focused on climate change in the past. Josephine and I walk through the corporate decisions to focus on climate, the motivations behind it, and what they are working on to decarbonize the cement market. Josephine also explains why cement and concrete are significant sources of carbon emissions. We dive into the challenges faced when decarbonizing cement, the most innovative solutions to date, and how cement fits into the broader clean transition. Josephine is a great guest, and it's encouraging to see larger companies focusing on climate.Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 16th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/josephine-cheungTo learn more about GCP Technologies: https://gcpat.com/en

Today's guest is Andy Towne, Founding Partner & CEO of Hobbs & Towne Inc.Founded in 1997, Hobbs & Towne Inc. is an executive search and advisory service firm. Partnering with venture capital, private equity, and family office investors, as well as global companies, HTI manages retained executive searches for high-level business leaders and C-suite positions. The firm's advisory services include restructuring, interim management, and mergers, acquisitions and proprietary deal flow. HTI works across sustainability and climate technologies, primarily in energy, mobility, food, agriculture, and water. Over the last 20 years, they've placed over 2,500 leaders in more than 600 companies globally.With two decades of experience, Andy is a climate career veteran. He has witnessed the many iterations of cleantech over the years and is a fantastic guest. Andy explains what Hobbs & Towne Inc. does and how the recruiting firm has developed since its inception. He walks me through the similarities, differences, and evolution of the cleantech sector over his illustrious career. We also dive into advice Andy has for those looking to make a career transition. Whether you are a veteran reorienting your career towards climate or a newcomer finding your place in this massive industry, you won't want to miss this episode.Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 16th, 2021Advice Andy has for those looking to make a career transition:Educate yourself on the topic you are interested in pursuing in climateMeet as many people as you can, go to conferences (virtual), and develop an opinion on a sector or subjectGet on Twitter and follow climate leaders Want to get in touch with Andy? Reach out to him on twitter @HobbsTowne or via email atowne@hobbstowne.com

This week's guest is Scott Stringer, New York City Comptroller, the chief financial officer and chief auditor of the city agencies and their performance and spending.Scott has served in elected positions since the early '90s. He was elected to the New York State Assembly and represented Manhattan's West Side for 13 years. After working in the State Assembly, he became the Manhattan Borough President. He was elected Comptroller of New York City in 2013 and has served in that role ever since. Scott and his team manage the city's $240 billion public pension system. The Comptroller's office recently announced they would be divesting $4 billion from fossil fuel companies to promote clean energy use.In the episode, Scott explains his role as Comptroller, the recent announcement to divest $4B from fossil fuels, and how that decision came about. We also talk more broadly about the theory of change behind fossil fuel divestment, the path to a green economy, and the role public policy and government play in bringing about a clean energy future.Great conversation, I hope you enjoy it!  You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 5th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/scott-stringerTo learn more about The New York City Comptroller: https://comptroller.nyc.gov/NYC pension funds vote to divest $4 billion from fossil fuels: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-new-york-fossil-fuels-pensions/nyc-pension-funds-vote-to-divest-4-billion-from-fossil-fuels-idUSKBN29U23Q

Today's guests are Josh Santos, Co-Founder & CEO, and Daniel Cavero, Co-Founder & CTO, of Noya.Josh and Daniel met a few years ago when they were roommates in San Francisco. In 2020, they founded Noya together. Noya captures CO2 from the atmosphere and resells it for half the cost of current options. The company works to retrofit existing industrial equipment to enable carbon capture and resale. When Josh and Daniel broke down the cost of direct air capture systems, they realized a large portion of the cost hinges on one component. Noya is working to reduce this component's cost, allowing for a scalable process that can have a massive impact. Noya aims to capture seven gigatons of carbon emissions with a removal cost that is half the current market price through its proprietary technology.Josh and Daniel are fantastic guests with a great vision. They walk me through how they met, what motivated them to start Noya, and the company's future. Josh and Daniel touch on Noya's timeline and approach for go-to-market, key milestones, and funding to date. We also discuss the problem Noya is tackling, the barriers holding the company back, and direct air capture as a climate solution more broadly. Whether you're interested in DAC or an aspiring climate tech founder looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded March 3rd, 2021MCJ Investment in Noya: https://myclimatejourney.substack.com/p/our-investment-in-noyaTo learn more about Noya, visit their website: https://noyalabs.com/Noya is hiring a Chemical Engineer! Reach out to them here: https://noyalabs.com/founding-chemical-engineer

This week's guest is Alicia Barton, CEO of FirstLight Power.FirstLight Power is a renewables and storage company that integrates and delivers clean power to New England homes and businesses. It operates the Northfield Mountain energy storage facility and other hydroelectric, solar, and energy assets in Massachusetts and Connecticut. I was excited about this discussion because Alicia has been on my wishlist for quite some time. Alicia walks me through how cleantech has evolved over her career, her role at FirstLight Power, and how hydrogen fits into the renewable landscape. We also dive into climate policy on the federal and state levels, barriers to adopting a clean and reliable grid, and the future of renewables. Alicia is an excellent guest, especially for those interested in how policy and innovation can work together to bring about a clean energy transition.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 26th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/alicia-bartonTo learn more about FirstLight Power: https://www.firstlightpower.com/

Today's guest is Fiona Spruill, Chief Product Officer at Overstory.Overstory's mission is to monitor all of Earth's natural resources in real-time to reverse climate change. Its first project helps utilities track forest and vegetation growth to reduce the risk of wildfires and power outages by applying machine learning to satellite imagery. We are proud to be an Overstory investor!Prior to Overstory, Fiona was most recently COO at Meetup, and spent 14 years in journalism, in roles of increasing responsibility at The New York Times. In 2019, Fiona decided to transition into working on climate. Like so many, she found the transition to be a difficult one (because it is!), but she navigated it brilliantly, and landed in a terrific spot.This episode is meant for anyone else who is thinking about doing the same! It covers Fiona’s reasons for wanting to transition into working in climate tech, how she went about the process, lessons learned, and advice for others looking to head down a similar path.Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 24th, 2021Advice Fiona has for those looking to make a career transition:Narrow your focus as quickly as you can and being willing to pivotClimate is everything; therefore, no one is unqualified to work in climateTalk to as many people as you canLearning collectively through various projects such as Project Drawdown, On Deck Fellowships, Terra.do courses, and the MCJ podcast and membership If you are interested in connecting with Fiona, reach out to her via Twitter or LinkedIn.Overstory is hiring for a Front-End Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, and Marketing roles. Please check out their website: https://www.overstory.ai/

This week's guest is Kate Gordon, Senior Policy Advisor on Climate to  Governor Gavin Newsom & Director of the Office of Planning and Research for California.The California Governor's Office of Planning and Research serves the Governor and Cabinet for long-range planning across three significant buckets: land use and planning, climate risk and resilience, and sustainable economic development. As Senior Policy Advisor on Climate, Kate focuses on California's climate initiatives across policy, leadership, and budget.I was looking forward to this episode as policy plays a crucial role in a clean energy transition. Kate's knowledge and experience led to a lively discussion about the role of state government, public sector climate initiatives, and federal policies. She explains why California is unique and key ways the state is taking action to accelerate the transition. Kate also talks about her climate journey, what motivated her to work in climate, and her role in the Governor's office.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 9th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/kate-gordonTo learn more about the Governor's Office of Planning and Research: https://opr.ca.gov/Please note, Kate misspoke when she mentioned the Climate Cabinet Fund; she meant to say the Climate Catalyst Fund. For more information about the Climate Catalyst fund and the Governor's plan: https://calmatters.org/environment/2020/01/california-budget-billion-dollar-climate-innovation-loan-fund/

This episode was previously for members only. In an effort to make important content more widely available, the audio for this episode is now available for everyone.Co-founder Peter Reinhardt walks me through a company overview and an in-depth explanation of bio-oil. He also talks about how a tech entrepreneur like him (or anyone else) that is motivated by climate change) can find a way to make a dent.Enjoy the show!Recorded July 28nd, 2020 and published for Members August 27th, 2020To learn more about Charm Industrial, visit their website: https://charmindustrial.com/If you are a member and would like to watch the pitch presentation, visit our website: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/charm-industrialOur climate tech fund, MCJ Collective, recently invested in Charm Industrial! Check out the press release here.

Today's guest is Sarah Saltzer, Managing Director of the Stanford Center for Carbon Storage.The Stanford Center for Carbon Storage focuses on applied and fundamental research to address critical questions around carbon storage in geological formations. The team also works on technological and economic analysis, public policy research, and carbon storage projects around the world.Sarah walks me through her time at Chevron, her current position at Stanford, and what motivated her to focus on carbon storage. Sarah's wealth of knowledge and experience leads to a lively discussion about how carbon capture and storage works, where oil and gas companies fit into the climate fight, and the future of the industry. This episode is awesome for those interested in the carbon storage landscape.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 10th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/sarah-saltzerTo learn more about The Stanford Center for Carbon Storage: https://sccs.stanford.edu/

Today’s guest is Anshuman Bapna, Founder and CEO of Terra.do. Terra.do is an online school working to solve climate change. Millions of people will need to transition into climate work in the years to come, and Terra.do is the platform to help make that happen. Since launching their flagship 12-week course, “Climate Change: Learning for Action”, they have rolled out new courses on hydrogen, climate-smart buildings, climate-resilient agriculture, and a track for venture investors looking to do more climate investing. Their goal is to educate 100 million people to join the climate fight.In this episode, Anshuman walks me through his own climate journey, what led him to switch from tech entrepreneurship to working on climate, the Terra.do origin story, their progress to date, their long vision, and a great discussion about what types of skills people will need to reorient their careers around helping address the problem of climate change and how Terra.do can help.This one is a can’t miss for anyone looking to reorient their careers around working on climate!Enjoy the show.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 15th, 2021If you want to learn more about Terra.do, visit their website: https://www.terra.do/Looking for a climate job? Terra.do is hosting a job fair on March 5th: https://www.terra.do/climate-jobs-fair/professionals 

Today's guest is Julia Collins, Founder and CEO of Planet FWD.Planet FWD is using the power of food the help tackle climate change. They created Moonshot, a brand of climate-friendly snacks made from regenerative ingredients. They also develop software that provides other food brands with regenerative resources to make climate-friendly products.Julia has always been involved in the plant-based and composting movements, but her career transition didn't become a reality until she had her son in 2017. Realizing the best way to help leave her son a liveable planet was to start working in climate more directly, Julia founded Planet FWD. Before Planet FWD, Julia co-founded Zume (formerly Zume Pizza), a technology-enabled food company whose mission is to make healthy food fast and accessible to everyone.I was excited for this episode, as our climate tech fund, MCJ Collective, recently invested in the company and Julia has an amazing story to share. Julia takes me through her journey leading up to founding Planet FWD, explains Planet FWD’s mission and progress to date, what is coming next for the company, and what they will achieve if they are successful beyond her wildest dreams. We also have a great discussion about Julia’s theory of change in building the company, and how their role can bring positive ripple effects through lots of other areas of the food supply chain.Julia is a fantastic guest for those interested in decarbonizing the food and agriculture industry, and for aspiring founders, alike.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 1st, 2021 To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/julia-collinsTo learn more about Planet FWD: https://planetfwd.com/

Today's guest is Paul Eremenko, Co-Founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen.Before Universal Hydrogen, Paul served as Senior Vice President and CTO of United Technologies and CTO of Airbus. When he co-founded Universal Hydrogen, Paul felt hydrogen was the only solution the industry has to meet the Paris Agreement's goals and decarbonize.Universal Hydrogen is an end-to-end fuel logistics company making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality. The aerospace and aviation industry is decarbonizing too slowly to meet the Paris Agreement objectives. Paul and his team are tackling two of the biggest challenges in hydrogen flight: creating a distribution infrastructure and kick-starting demand for hydrogen. To distribute hydrogen, Universal Hydrogen is rethinking how we can transport it. The company specially designs lightweight aviation-certified hydrogen capsules that are compatible with the existing infrastructure and freight networks. Universal Hydrogen is retrofitting regional airplanes with conversion kits necessary to utilize hydrogen as fuel. It is building a roadmap for other aircraft companies to adopt these designs. Universal Hydrogen partners with many companies, from freight logistics to fuel cell development to aircraft makers and modifiers. Backed by Trucks, Jeff Schox, Reilly Brennan, Plug Power, and smaller investors, Universal Hydrogen is paving the way for zero-emission aviation. Pauls walks me through how he transitioned to working in green hydrogen and the gaps that Universal Hydrogen is filling within the aviation industry. Paul explains why hydrogen is the best fuel for zero-emission flight, the barriers to hydrogen adoption, and key startups Universal Hydrogen partners with. Paul and I also discuss the stakeholders, funding to date, and the future of the company. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning more about how to decarbonize aviation.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 3rd, 2021To learn more about Universal Hydrogen, visit their website: https://www.hydrogen.aero/

Today's guest is Andrew Savage, Founding Team & Head of Sustainability at Lime.Lime is a micromobility transportation company with a fleet of shared e-bikes, e-scooters, and now e-mopeds providing fun, efficient, and sustainable ways to move around cities.Andrew and I have a stimulating discussion about his career path from policy to transportation and what inspired him to work in urban mobility. He walks me through how his role has evolved and how sustainability became one of Lime's core functions. We also have a broader conversation about how to make micromobility more sustainable, Andrew's thoughts on the future of transportation, and the role legislation plays in the energy transformation. Andrew is an awesome guest, especially for those interested in micromobility and transitioning their companies' to sustainable practices.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 4th, 2021To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/andrew-savageTo learn more about Lime Sustainability: https://ridegreen.li.me/

Founder and CEO, Bim Adisa, takes me through his career path and background, how he became involved in grid management, and why he started Beacon Power services. We also discuss why BPS is in a unique position as a company, the future of BPS, and why the African grid needs a reboot. Bim is our first guest serving the African continent, and his story is essential as the climate crisis is a global issue. It was great to have Bim on the show and learn more about what he's building at BPS!Enjoy the show!To learn more about Beacon Power Services, visit their website: https://www.beaconpowerservices.com/If you  would like to review the deck Bim walks Jason through, visit our website: https://myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/beacon-power-services

Today's guest is Ron Gonen, Co-Founder & CEO of Closed Loop Partners.Closed Loop Partners is an investment firm and innovation center building the circular economy. It focuses on a profitable, sustainable future through its four asset classes: venture capital, project finance, growth equity, and private equity.In this episode, Ron walks me through what inspired him to pursue sustainability and how past experiences led him to start an investment firm and innovation center. We dive into Closed Loop Partners, how it operates, where it invests, and how it measures impact. Ron also explains the importance of a thriving circular economy and the vital role it plays in achieving a successful future. Ron is a great guest for listeners who want to learn more about the circular economy, innovation investing, and sustainable solutions.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded February 1st, 2021Ron's book, The Waste-Free World: How The Circular Economy Will Take Less, Make More, And Save the Planet, is available for pre-order now! It will be published on April 6th, 2021.To learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/ron-gonenTo learn more about Closed Loop Partners: https://www.closedlooppartners.com/

This episode was previously for members only. In an effort to make important content more widely available, the audio for this episode is now available for everyone.Living Carbon is a San Francisco, CA based startup using biotechnology to develop trees that better capture and store carbon. By using biochemistry to enhance a tree’s natural ability to drawdown atmospheric carbon, the company is not only devising a solution to address climate change, but also producing more durable wood for a multitude of building and manufacturing applications. Co-Founders Maddie Hall and Patrick Mellor walk me through a company overview deck, and share the story and mission behind Living Carbon.I enjoyed learning more about Living Carbon, and I hope you ,do too!Recorded July 16th, 2020 and published for Members July 23rd, 2020If you are a member and would like to watch the pitch presentation, visit our website: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/living-carbon

Today's guest is Aaron Ratner, President of Cross River Infrastructure Partners.Cross River Infrastructure Partners is a platform of development companies deploying climate technology and capital into sustainable infrastructure projects. It focuses on conversion projects in the climate, renewable energy, and sustainable food spaces.We  have a great discussion about how Aaron got hooked on climate, infrastructure investment and how it works, and Cross River Infrastructure Partners' role. We also cover Cleantech 1.0's downfall, lessons learned, and how Climate Tech (or Cleantech 2.0) can succeed. Aaron was an awesome guest, and this episode is a must-listen for those interested in large-scale infrastructure investment and project development.Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded January 25th, 2021Notes:Aaron mentions six key criteria to get a project financed:Developer - it all starts with the developerSite and permits - site security and all permits in placeFeedstock/inputs - long-term contract for inputsOfftake/outputs - long-term contracts for outputsEPC & O&M (construction/engineering provider and Operations & Maintenance provider) - credible engineering firm to design and build and operate the projectTechnology & Systems - proven technologies with reference or pilot facilities in operationTo learn more about this episode, visit: https://myclimatejourney.co/episodes/aaron-ratnerTo learn more about Cross River Infrastructure Partners: http://crossriverllc.com/

Founder and CEO, Jeff Engler, takes me through his path to zero-emission aviation, why he started Wright Electric, and how the landscape has changed. We also discuss the many critics of electric airplanes, what sets Wright Electric apart, and the industry's future. Jeff and his team are tackling one of climate change's biggest problems. It was great to have him on the show!Enjoy the show!To learn more about Wright Electric, visit their website: https://weflywright.com/If you are a member and would like to watch the pitch presentation, visit our website: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/wright-electric

Today's guest is John Lochner, VP of Innovation at NYSERDA.The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is a government agency focused on clean energy and energy innovation. With a team of around 350 people, it supports clean solutions through catalytic capital and public policies. In this episode, John and I explore what led him to focus on energy, his role on the innovation team, and NYSERDA's charter. He also explains where he sees the biggest levers for change, what role the government should play in the energy transition, and why New York state is a pioneer in this space. John is a great guest who sits at the forefront of the green revolution!Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 14th, 2020To learn more about this episode, visit: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/john-lochnerTo learn more about NYSERDA: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/

This episode was previously for members only. In an effort to make important content more widely accessible, the audio for this episode is now available for everyone.Camus Energy Co-Founder & CEO, Astrid Atkinson, chats with me about her background and her motivation for starting Camus Energy. I enjoyed our conversation, which covered grid management and the future of energy providers.Enjoy the show!Recorded August 25th, 2020 and published for Members October 29th, 2020To learn more about Camus Energy, visit their website: https://camus.energy/If you are a member and would like to watch the pitch presentation, visit our website: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/camus-energy 

Today's guest is Mark Frayman, Head of BHP Ventures at BHP.BHP is an Anglo-Australian mining company that is based in Melbourne. One of the biggest mining companies in the world, they extract oil & gas and process minerals, such as coal, copper, and iron. Mark is part of the new Venture Investments group which is the trading arm of BHP.As the world hurtles towards the Paris Accord goals, mining companies are facing massive challenges, yet at the same time, are an essential part of the clean energy transition. It is fascinating to hear from Mark about how BHP is thinking about the next era of mining, what changes they believe need to be made in the industry as a whole, what steps they are taking as a company, and their progress to date. And, of course, where the new Venture Investments group fits in, and how they are thinking about external innovation! Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded December 8th, 2020If you want to learn more about this episode, visit www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/mark-frayman

This Startup Series episode was previously for MCJ members only. In an effort to make important content more widely available, the audio is now available for everyone.Co-Founder & CEO, Brennan Spellacy, walks me through the gap he saw in the carbon market and why he started Patch. We talk about how Patch works and where he sees the future of the company, of carbon markets, and the best ways to address climate change. Enjoy the show!Recorded October 29th, 2020 and initially published November 26th, 2020To learn more about Patch, visit their website: https://www.usepatch.com/If you are a member and would like to watch the pitch presentation, visit our website: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/ctss-episodes/patch

Today's guests are Jeremy Freeman, Founder & Executive Director, and Danny Cullenward, Policy Director, at CarbonPlan. We have a great discussion in this episode about carbon markets, why they matter, what is broken about them, the best ways to fix it, and how CarbonPlan is setting out to help. They have a unique perch in the market, and this is a must listen for anyone with carbon markets on your mind! Enjoy the show. You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Episode recorded December 18th, 2020 To learn more about this episode, visit: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/jeremy-freeman-danny-cullenward CarbonPlan is a new non-profit that focuses on improving the transparency and scientific integrity of carbon removal and climate solutions through open data and tools. Their work involves analyzing carbon removal opportunities based on the best available science and data, and helping organizations make specific decisions towards their carbon removal goals. They also work collaboratively to build open tools and resources for the evaluation and deployment of carbon removal and other climate solutions. To learn more about CarbonPlan: https://carbonplan.org/

In this episode, Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Myers, explains how Phoenix Tailings got started, why mining tailings are such a problem, how they have been dealt with to date, and the benefits of the Phoenix Tailings approach. We also talk about the company’s traction to-date, key priorities, and what is coming next.Given the electrification that is to come and the increasing demand for precious metals, this is a great episode to learn more about how to mine these metals in a more sustainable and efficient way. To learn more about Phoenix Tailings, check out their website: https://www.phoenixtailings.com/This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. The pitch presentation and slides are exclusively available to My Climate Journey Members. If you’re interested in watching this episode, you can learn about becoming an MCJ Member: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/become-a-member

Today's guest is Dave Riess, Co-Founder & CEO of Wunder Capital. In this episode, Dave walks me through his career path and how he got hooked on energy. We talk about Wunder Capital, its initial hypothesis, and how the company has evolved. We also dive into how the solar revolution has developed, Dave's thoughts on the future of solar, and how to accelerate the clean energy transition. I enjoyed having Dave on the podcast!Enjoy the show!You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded November 25th, 2020If you want to learn more about this episode, visit www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/dave-riessWunder Capital is a technology company that's financing the renewable energy revolution. It develops software and partners with leading solar organizations and financial institutions to build large scale solar projects for businesses, municipalities, nonprofits, and communities. Founded in 2014, Wunder Capital is the #1 commercial solar financing company in the U.S. To learn more about the Wunder Capital, check out their website at https://www.wundercapital.com/ 

Emrgy’s Founder and CEO, Emily Morris, and I have a lively discussion as she takes me through her path to entrepreneurship, Emrgy's beginnings, and the lessons she has learned looking back on her career. We talk about Emrgy's technology and its process for identifying sites. Emily also explains why hydropower is essential to a successful energy transition and the distinction between clean and sustainable. Emily was a great guest, and I enjoyed learning more about what she’s building with Emrgy.To learn more about Emrgy, check out their website: https://emrgy.com/This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. The pitch presentation and slides are exclusively available to My Climate Journey Members. If you’re interested in watching this episode, you can learn about becoming an MCJ Member: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/become-a-member

Today's guest is Josh Felser, Angel investor and Co-Founder of Freestyle VC.I was excited for this episode, as Josh is among a growing group of very successful people coming from other industries who are looking to get serious about addressing climate change.  Josh is a several time entrepreneur, (founded Spinner, acquired by AOL Time Warner and Grouper, acquired by Sony), and went on to co-found Freestyle Capital, a venture capital firm focused on backing early stage internet and mobile startups.After working with Bill Trenchard from First Round Capital on a California task force to connect startups with the government to help in the COVID-19 crisis, Josh realized that he wanted to do something more to help with these huge societal problems. He’s been working in and around climate for a long time. He started an organization called #Climate.org, and he’s donated to nonprofits and been on different committees at the Sierra Club and tried to effect change through the nonprofit path. Josh found the nonprofit path to be challenging, at least for him, to leverage his background into impact, and his experience working with Bill gave him the conviction to try to forge a professional path combining investing with tackling the climate crisis. A great article on Josh’s transition is here.If you can’t tell, Josh’s story is pretty similar to yours truly! So I was especially excited to hear how Josh’s process is going and compare notes. It is a great discussion, and I hope you enjoy! I didn’t know Josh before we both transitioned from tech into working on climate change, but I am glad to know him and hope we do more together in the future!Enjoy the show!If you want to learn more about this episode, visit www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/josh-felser Episode recorded December 7th, 2020

unspun co-founder and CTO Kevin Martin walks me through what motivated him and his co-founders to tackle this massive challenge within the fashion industry. We also discuss the future of apparel in a COVID world, how unspun's core robotics technology fits with their consumer-facing brand, and Kevin's vision for the future of automated and localized manufacturing. Kevin was a great guest, and I learned a lot about the climate impact of the apparel industry. To learn more about unspun check out their website: https://unspun.io/This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. The pitch presentation and slides are exclusively available to My Climate Journey Members. If you’re interested in watching this episode, you can learn about becoming an MCJ Member: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/become-a-member

Today's guest is Nili Gilbert, Investment Committee Chair of the David Rockefeller Fund and Synergos.Nili and I have a really enjoyable discussion in this episode about her personal journey to find meaning in her work, and the dual tracks that took along the way, with a high profile finance career where she injected her values at every step, and through her philanthropic efforts. We also have a bigger picture discussion about these thorny systems problems, and the best ways for us to address them as a society.If you want to learn more about this episode, visit:www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/nili-gilbertYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded November 20th, 2020

Founder and CEO, Julia Kumari Drapkin, walks me through her background as a climate journalist, why she started ISeeChange, what the company has accomplished so far and where it is heading.To learn more about ISeeChange, visit their website: https://www.iseechange.org/This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. The pitch presentation and slides are exclusively available to My Climate Journey Members. If you’re interested in watching this episode, you can learn about becoming an MCJ Member: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/become-a-member

Today's guest is Rob Niven, Founder and CEO of CarbonCure Technologies. Rob and I have a fascinating discussion about concrete versus cement, how he got started working in concrete, and what drew him to help solve this problem. We also talk about his experience in public policy in regards to clean cement legislation. I learned a lot from Rob about the concrete market and the future of CarbonCure Technologies.If you want to learn more about this episode, visit www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/rob-nivenCarbonCure Technologies focuses on making concrete a climate solution. By using carbon removal technologies and reducing embodied carbon in the built environment, they are creating economic and climate benefits for concrete producers. To learn more about CarbonCure visit their website: https://www.carboncure.com/Episode recorded November 18th, 2020

Founder and CEO Grant Canary walks me through how DroneSeed (Now Mast Reforestation) works and how he got involved in wildfire restoration. We also discuss the problem we are facing with wildfires across the western U.S., the main problems with forest restoration as it stands now, the market, and where carbon credits are heading in the future in respect to reforestation.To learn more about DroneSeed, visit their website: https://www.droneseed.com/This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. The pitch presentation and slides are exclusively available to My Climate Journey Members. If you’re interested in watching this episode, you can learn about becoming an MCJ Member: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/become-a-member

Back by popular demand, today's guest is Nathaniel Stinnett, Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Voter Project, a non-profit that aims to significantly increase voter demand for environmental leadership by identifying inactive environmentalists and then turning them into consistent activists and voters.Nathaniel explains the Environmental Voter Project's work, how they identify environmental non-voters, and what they do to get them to the polls. He also explains WHY it is so important to get them to the polls, and what the EVP theory of change is. And finally, he fills me in on the general election, the Georgia runoffs, the state of our democracy, and some of EVPs most recent results. I learn tons every time I speak with Nathaniel, and it was great to have him back on the show!If you want to learn more about this episode, visit www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/nathaniel-stinnett-returnsThe Environmental Voter Project is a non-partisan nonprofit that uses big data analytics and cutting-edge behavioral science to identify non-voting environmentalists and gets them to vote in every election. Their goal is to bring voter turnout to a tipping point of overwhelming demand for environmental leadership. To volunteer in the Georgia Senate runoff elections or to learn more about the Environmental Voter Project, check out their website at https://www.environmentalvoter.org/This episode was recorded on December 2nd, 2020.

Founder, Matanya Horowitz, and I discuss his background and how AMP Robotics started. We dive into the controversies of recycling, the inefficiencies that AMP is solving and where the future of recycling is going. I really enjoyed talking with Matanya and learning about the problem AMP Robotics is trying to solve, their momentum and progress, and future plans.To learn more about AMP Robotics, visit their website: https://www.amprobotics.com/This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. The pitch presentation and slides are exclusively available to My Climate Journey Members. If you’re interested in watching this episode, you can learn about becoming an MCJ Member: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/become-a-member 

Today's guest is Amy Francetic, Managing Director of Buoyant Ventures. Buoyant Ventures is an early stage fund investing in digital solutions to climate risk based in Chicago, IL.  Amy and I have a lively discussion where she tells me about her origin story and how she first got involved in the climate fight. We talk about how climate has evolved since she started working in this space and the future of climate investing. Amy also tells me about Buoyant Ventures and digital climate solutions. In today’s episode, we cover:Amy's origin story, and what led her to focusing on addressing climate changeReturns vs impact-focused investingFuture of climate investingMost impactful climate innovationsDigital climate solutions Amy is excited aboutClean Energy TrustBuoyant VenturesBlind spots of Silicon Valley in terms of climate investingRatings & risk assessmentDigital Solutions vs. Digital Climate SolutionsHow far can renewables get usDiversity in climate investing Links to topics discussed in this episode:Buoyant Ventures: https://www.buoyant.vc/Clean Energy Trust: https://www.cleanenergytrust.org/The Fed is Set the Take on a New Challenge: Climate Change: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/12/the-fed-is-set-to-take-on-a-new-challenge-climate-change.html

Today's guest is Dr. Melissa Lott, Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.Melissa and I have a great discussion, in which we dive into her background and origin story, what brought her to working in energy, how she sees the energy transition playing out, how we can successfully decarbonize power, and how energy and environmental justice can’t be decoupled. We also discuss how her team decides which projects to take on, and goes about doing their modeling and research.In today’s episode, we cover:Melissa's origin storyHer focus on power and public healthWhy she chose energyHer time at Tokyo Asian Pacific Energy CenterMotivation for choosing academiaSIPA Center on Global Energy Policy projectsHow often research evolves and which models are usedWho determines research topics and how are they chosenWays to make the energy transition successfulDecarbonization and the power sectorWhat Melissa would like to see in Joe Biden's first 100 days as PresidentNet Zero Carbon and how we get thereLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Melissa’s articles in the Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/melissa-c-lott/Center on Global Energy Policy: https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/Professor Richard Smalley Explains Why Energy Is The #1 Challenge Facing Humanity Today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8SUlhNZvvw&ab_channel=BiancaM.RhymWhat Are Biden’s Climate Options if the Senate Stays Republican?https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/06/biden-climate-policy-senate-republicans-congress/

Today's guests are Jon Goldberg, Founder & CEO of Carbon Direct and Julio Friedmann, Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct.I learned a lot in the episode. Jon and Julio are the first pair to come onto the podcast and it led to a fascinating discussion. We dive into Carbon Direct, their place in the market, and how Carbon Direct is changing the game. We also discuss the areas Jon and Julio are most excited about as well as net zero commitments and the controversy of offsets. In today’s episode, we cover:How Carbon Direct works & its position in the marketNet zero commitments comparisonAssessing a company’s carbon footprintJon & Julio’s stances on offsetsBiggest problems facing large companiesCompanies’ motivations for working with Carbon DirectAreas Jon & Julio are most excited aboutCarbon Removal vs. Carbon CaptureWhere we are now and where we need to goLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Carbon Removal vs. Carbon Capture: https://www.american.edu/sis/centers/carbon-removal/explaining-carbon-removal.cfm#main-containerCarbon Direct: https://carbon-direct.com/Net Zero Commitments: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/global-net-zero-commitments-double-less-year

Today's guest is David Hardy, CEO of Offshore NA at Ørsted, a Danish energy company.We talked about a lot in this episode. David walked me through his path to Ørsted and where he sees the company going. We chatted about how the renewables landscape has changed since he first started working in this area, and the path forwards. Then, we had a great discussion about offshore wind, its penetration to date, its future, and how these projects come about and get implemented, at a granular level.In today’s episode, we cover:Ørsted's originsDavid's backgroundPast, present, and future of renewablesUS v. European wind marketsThe U.S. hurdles to developing wind energy in the U.S.Ørsted's prioritizations of projectsWho is buying the power & how is it being soldThe permitting and regulatory hurdles for offshore wind projectsThe role of subsidies and incentives in project developmentThe request for proposal (RFP) processEnvironmental considerations and objections to offshore windLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Transporting wind energy: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-offshore-wind-needs-to-clear-a-key-hurdle-connecting-to-the-grid/US barriers to wind farms: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-01/why-it-s-so-hard-to-build-offshore-wind-farms-in-the-u-sThe future of wind in the US: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/13/us-has-only-one-offshore-wind-farm-but-thats-about-to-change.html

Today's guest is Rodrigo Prudencio, who works in Worldwide Corporate Development at Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund.We discuss a lot in this episode, including what got Rodrigo initially passionate about climate change, the lessons he learned from the last cleantech wave, what led him back into cleantech and his role at Amazon, and a deep dive into the Climate Pledge Fund, its areas of focus, and how Amazon will measure its success.This episode was recorded live on October 22, 2020 as part of the Co_Invest Cleantech annual flagship event. We’d like to thank Clean Energy Trust for putting on this event, and allowing us to participate.In today’s episode, we cover:Climate Pledge Fund profile, focus areas, and early investmentsRodrigo’s history and backgroundHow cleantech has changed in the years since Rodrigo last focused on itKey lessons learned from Cleantech 1.0Amazon’s Climate PledgeRole of big companies like Amazon in the climate fightRole of policy and regulation vs innovationRole of activismFuture of capitalismLinks to topics discussed in this episode:The Climate Pledge: https://www.theclimatepledge.com/Amazon’s Carbon Footprint: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/environment/sustainable-operations/carbon-footprintAmazon Sustainability: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/Climate Friendly Badge: https://www.forbes.com/sites/prakashdolsak/2020/10/06/will-amazons-climate-pledge-friendly-label-transform-online-shopping/#743aa58ef9e5Chamath Palihapitiya Tweet: https://twitter.com/chamath/status/1318910679856807937Amazon PAC: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063716163Carbon Pricing: https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/7/20/17584376/carbon-tax-congress-republicans-cost-economy

Today's guest is Adam Browning, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Vote Solar. We cover a lot in this episode from Adam’s beginnings to the future of solar in the U.S. We also dive into how solar works and the potential drawbacks of it. Finally, Adam talks in depth about policy advocacy on the local level and how Prop B came to fruition. In today’s episode, we cover:What is Vote Solar and its mission?How Adam found himself at Vote Solar and in climate.The origins of Vote Solar.How the passage of Prop B was a watershed moment in the solar movement in California.Factors driving down the cost of solar energy.The organization’s early mission of making solar cheap.The task of disintermediating the decision-makers to saying ‘yes’ to solar.The history and progress of clean energy compliance and regulations.Vote Solar’s definition of success.Adam’s thoughts on the intermittency problem associated with solar energy.Adam’s views on sustainability challenges with solar panels.How most energy regulation is set at the state-level.Wins Vote Solar has had.Adam’s belief in the need for a Federal clean energy standard.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Vote Solar: https://votesolar.org/Power for All: https://www.powerforall.org/Prop B: https://www.sfgate.com/green/article/S-F-could-be-leader-on-solar-energy-Props-B-2864444.phpBifacial solar panels: https://solarmagazine.com/solar-panels/bifacial-solar-panels/

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Aspiration?Cherny's background & experiences that led him to the idea of AspirationCherny's time working for Al GoreHow banks operate?Aspiration's model of success Challenges Aspiration is faced withCherny's perspective on fossil fuels & how it applies to bankingDiscussion on "do no harm"Collectivism versus individualismDivestment versus advocating within the existing systemsHow to create change within bankingThe power of consumersLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Banks & The Fossil Fuel Industry: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/18/global-banks-climate-crisis-finance-fossil-fuelsBanks & investments: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/03/18/jpmorgan-chase-tops-dirty-list-of-35-fossil-fuel-funding-banks/#6ef48c215dfeCarbon Offsets & their controversy: https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/carbon-offsets-are-not-our-get-out-jail-free-card

Today's guest is Daniel Kammen, Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley.We have a long form discussion in this episode about Dan's background, how his perspective on the problem of climate change has evolved over the years and how he thinks about the problem today. Dan's perspective is particularly unique given the diverse background that he brings, which I find super interesting given the systems nature of the problem.In today’s episode, we cover:Daniel’s background and early academic career in energy research.How Daniel’s research has been implemented outside of his lab.Origins and history of nuclear energy.The question of nuclear energy as a solution to climate change.The stigma around nuclear energy and reasons for it.Tension between proponents of nuclear and advocates of solar.The possibility and feasibility of going 100% renewable energy.The prospects of long-term energy storage.The need for more and lower-cost storage.The importance of moving climate from the development of science and technology into a social movement.Daniel’s thoughts on a price of carbon.The implications of switching from a “dirty” economy to a “clean” one.How clean energy is aligned with the objectives of social justice.His recommendations for the next U.S. President in addressing climate change.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Daniel’s website: http://kammen.berkeley.edu/Joe Biden’s Climate Plan: https://joebiden.com/environmental-justice-2/#Circular economy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_economy

In today’s episode, we cover:Skelly’s background and journey as a renewable energy entrepreneur.His formative experience in canopy tourism.The reasons and motives that drove Skelly to get into wind energy.His reflection on the Industrial Revolution.What has changed in renewable energy since he first began working in it.Texas’ experience with renewable energy.Skelly’s thoughts on existing nuclear energy power plants.The prospect of putting a price on carbon.The importance of transmission line infrastructure and the current impediments.Skelly’s experience running for Congress in Texas.The Green New Deal and its viability.The role of big fossil fuel companies in renewable energy.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Clean Line Energy Partners: https://www.cleanlineenergy.com/HBS Profile (with mention of Skelly’s experience in canopy tourism): https://www.alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=5899“Factfulness”: https://www.amazon.com/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814ERCOT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Reliability_Council_of_TexasForm Energy: https://formenergy.com/

Today's guest is Nicolas Pinkowski, Co-Founder of Nitricity.We cover a lot in this episode, including how Nitricity came to be, the impetus for its founding, progress made to date, and some of the twists and turns along the way. We also discuss the company’s longterm vision and what's coming next. We also touch upon the experience of starting a company within an academic environment and the pros and cons of doing so. Finally, we delve into what society can do to foster more of this type of innovation, that holds promise of delivering both impact and profit.In today’s episode, we cover:What is Nitricity?The background of the team and how they came to work together.How traditional fertilizers contributes to GHG emissions.How Nitricity arrived at the problem and discovered a solution.Experience with taking an entrepreneurial class and how it inspired Nitricity.The skills needed in developing their prototype.Pros and cons of prototyping on the farm versus in the lab.Nitricity’s pitch and value proposition for the farmer.Nitricity’s business model, expenditures and dependencies.The company’s financing efforts.Nitricity’s product vision moving forward.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Nitricity: https://www.nitricity.co/Stanford Energy Ventures: https://energy.stanford.edu/energy-transformation-collaborativeCalTech’s FLOW Competition: https://rocketfund.caltech.edu/Check out another interview with Nico on the MIT Energy Initiative podcast: http://energy.mit.edu/podcast/2020-mit-clean-energy-prize-winners/

In today’s episode, we cover:Jason’s work at SIPA and Center of Global Energy Policy.Jason’s time in policy in the Clinton and Obama Administrations and Brookings Institute.SIPA’s mission and how it serves as a resource for decision-makers in the energy industry.How the challenge among energy and climate policymakers is making research useful and actionable for industry.How Jason found his way in working on energy at Columbia.The early-optimism in Obama’s first-term to pass bipartisan legislation to address climate change.The optimal role for the U.S. in addressing climate change.What Jason would advocate a potential Biden Administration focus on to address climate change.The importance of bilateral cooperation, in particular with China, in tackling climate change.The significance of equity and justice in solving climate change.The implications of the U.S. passing a carbon price.How global sentiment toward climate change is encouraging and leading to social mobilization.The role of the big fossil fuel companies in the clean energy transition.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Jason’s Faculty Page: https://sipa.columbia.edu/faculty-research/faculty-directory/jason-bordoffColumbia’s SIPA: https://sipa.columbia.edu/Columbia’s Center on Global Energy Policy: https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/“Earth Day at 50 Reveals What’s Missing in Climate Change Fight”: https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/21/earth-day-50th-anniversary-climate-change/

Today's guest is Tim Latimer, Co-Founder and CEO of Fervo Energy.This is the first episode that I've done putting geothermal front and center, and Tim does a great job in this discussion of providing an overview of geothermal technology. I learn why it matters, where it is in its evolution, where it needs to get to and the barriers holding it back. We also talk a bunch about Tim's journey from starting as a drilling engineer, working in the Permian and Eagle Four Basins, to now being laser-focused on thermal technology and the clean energy transition. I really enjoyed this one and I hope you do as well. You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:What is Fervo and what was its genesis?The origins of Tim’s interest in climate change.Tim’s early work experience in the fossil fuel industry as an oil-drilling engineer.How the vision of energy independence and coal-alternatives enticed him to enter the oil industry.The epiphany that prompted him to leave the fossil fuel industry and explore geothermal energy.Tim’s realization that the bottleneck for geothermal development is financing not research.Tim’s experience at Stanford Graduate School of Business and his decision to go all in on Fervo Energy.How geothermal systems work and what has historically hampered development outside of select countries.Fervo’s new horizontal-drilling approach and heat-flow distribution technique.Fervo Energy’s business model and its services.How geothermal offers a carbon-free renewable energy without the challenges of intermittency.Goal of developing first operational facility by 2021.How lands rights are treated.How geothermal can compensate for the night-time intermittency issue that has come with the growth of solar energy.The role of storage as it relates to geothermal energy.How Tim sees areas of risk for Fervo.What success looks like for Fervo.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Fervo Energy: https://www.fervoenergy.com/MIT: “The Future of Geothermal Energy”: http://energy.mit.edu/research/future-geothermal-energy/TomKat Center at Stanford: https://tomkat.stanford.edu/Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/California’s SB100 Regulation: https://www.energy.ca.gov/sb100Geothermal Risk Mitigation Fund For East Africa: https://grmf-eastafrica.org/

Today's guest is Bryce Smith, Founder & CEO at LevelTen Energy. We have a great discussion in this episode about Bryce's career and experience, what brought him into the energy world, and what led him to founding LevelTen. We talk about the vision of LevelTen, the company’s origin story, the products they've had to date, and what types of things are coming next. And we have a great discussion about the energy marketplace and how the projects LevelTen facilitates are helping to usher the transition to renewable energy.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:What is LevelTen Energy and its mission?The pain point of the renewable energy developers LevelTen serves.What is a PPA and why it’s sought by energy developers?The role of the utility companies in renewable energy development.Why the analogy of the “Zillow for energy contracts” is apt.LevelTen’s value proposition for energy developers and energy-seeking companies.Why it matters what type of energy is entered into the electricity grid.How Bryce thinks of carbon reduction in the electricity grid.What has motivate the corporate shift to renewable energy.The technical and political challenges to growing renewable energy adoption.The role carbon pricing might play in driving renewable energy innovationWhat Bryce sees as the future prospects of renewable energy.The NIMBY-ism that developers have had to contend with.The varied landscape of the renewable energy developer market.How the next movement in climate tech will be in carbon capture.How support from policy and government is critical to advance renewable energy.Links to topics discussed in this episode:LevelTen Energy: https://leveltenenergy.com/Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_purchase_agreementOne Energy: https://www.oneenergyrenewables.com/

Today's guests are Nan Ransohoff & Ryan Orbuch, members of Stripe’s Climate team. Nan and Ryan work on the Climate team at Stripe, and I was very excited for the opportunity to interview them. While it’s not a climate company, Stripe recognizes that climate change poses a long term risk to its mission of growing the GDP of the Internet. As a result, Stripe is doing a number of things that I think are fascinating. For one, it’s treating the climate team like a product team. The company embraces a culture of experimentation and, as part of that, it’s leaning into negative emissions. The company has been transparent in its efforts, open sourcing much of its work. Second, Stripe is figuring out how to include merchants in its efforts to decarbonize. I can't wait to see what Stripe does in climate over time. It's a fascinating company, and a great discussion.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s discussion, we cover:Nan’s and Ryan’s respective backgrounds and how it lead them to climate.What is Stripe and its mission?Stripe’s negative emissions commitment.How did Stripe go about learning about climate?The Stripe Climate team and how it operates.Purchasing an offset vs. a negative emission.Stripe’s project purchases and its selection process.How Stripe thinks of the policy landscape and its role in it.How much focus is spent on helping other businesses with negative emissions and reducing its own emissions.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Stripe’s 2019 negative emissions announcement: https://stripe.com/blog/negative-emissions-commitmentRyan’s climate blog post (lists project purchases): https://stripe.com/blog/first-negative-emissions-purchases45Q Tax Credit: https://www.betterenergy.org/blog/primer-section-45q-tax-credit-for-carbon-capture-projects/Stripe Negative Emissions Source Material on Github: https://github.com/stripe/negative-emissions-source-materialsStripe is looking to add a designer and operations manager to the climate team: climate@stripe.com

In today’s episode, we cover:Sean’s experience as an entrepreneur.Sean’s background in science and his interest in climate change.How business revealed to him the regulatory and legislative barriers related to climate development.How his father and his work in cogeneration plants influenced his interest in biofuels and climate.The challenges faced by mission-driven energy companies.Why he feels, in general, the tech component is overstated as a barrier.Why deployment of technology is the real challenge.How Sean transitioned from business to politics.Why framing climate change, in a way that appeals to constituents’ specific interests, is key.The specific areas of the Green New Deal he takes issue with.How the needs of addressing climate change far exceed what’s politically possible currently.Why critical issues, like climate change, cannot be decided by the majority.What Sean recommends concerned citizens should do to address climate change.What Sean believes the U.S. needs to do to address climate change.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Website: https://casten.house.gov/aboutWikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_CastenRecycled Energy Development: http://www.recycled-energy.com/IMF Fossil Fuel Subsidy Report: https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/Environment/energy-subsidiesGreen New Deal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_New_Deal

Today's guest is Andrew Salzberg, Loeb Fellow at Harvard University Graduate School of Design.I was excited for this one, because transportation is such a key lever in decarbonization and one that we haven't yet spent enough time talking about here on the pod. We cover a lot in this episode, including an overview of the transportation ecosystem, where we are today, where we need to go and what are some of the barriers that have been holding us back. We also talk about the arc of Andrew's career and his time at Uber. I enjoyed this one a lot and I hope you do as well.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:Andrew’s early passion in transit and transportation.His background in civil engineering and urban planning.His experience working in China on urban development.Andrew’s time at Uber.His perspective on where the U.S. is with respect to climate change.How transportation behavior is hampering progress on emissions.The role of ride share companies and the impact of autonomous vehicles.His impetus for leaving Uber.The importance of localizing action to improve transportation.The big transportation levers that should be pulled to address climate change.The challenges around local regulations and NIMBYism and the need to overcome it.Lyft’s recent announcement to go 100% EV by 2030.How the government needs to lead the decarbonization of transportation.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Loeb Fellow Profile: https://loebfellowship.gsd.harvard.edu/fellows-alumni/fellows-search/andrewsalzberg/Transport for London: https://tfl.gov.uk/House Democrats’ climate proposal: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2020/06/30/pelosi-climate-plan/Lyft’s pledge to go 100% EV by 2030: https://www.lyft.com/blog/posts/leading-the-transition-to-zero-emissions

In today’s debate, we cover:What is hydrogen?How is it used and why is it important?Jigar’s and Gene’s respective background as it relates to hydrogenThe applications and costs associated with hydrogenWhat competes with hydrogen in the energy marketThe necessity of a price on carbon as it relates to hydrogenWhat the natural gas boom says about hydrogen’s futureInitiatives Jigar and Gene would respectively recommend the government to employPredictions of hydrogen looking a decade outLinks to topics discussed in this episode:“Power To The People”: https://www.amazon.com/Power-People-Revolution-Transform-Industry/dp/0374236755“Helping Walmart Meet Sustainability Goals with Fuel Cell Technology”: https://corporate.walmart.com/newsroom/sustainability/20140516/helping-walmart-meet-sustainability-goals-with-fuel-cell-technology 

Today's guest is Philip Behn, CEO of Imperfect Foods. In today’s episode, we cover:What is Imperfect Foods and its missionImperfect Foods’ achievements in terms of customers-served and food waste recoveredThe company’s origin storyPhilip’s journey in food and how he joined Imperfect FoodsWhat he learned during his stints at McKinsey and WalmartImperfect Foods’ value propositionThe landscape of the food waste problemHow the resources spent on food waste has compounding effectsThe artificial standards of produce “beauty” that lead to some food wasteHow Imperfect Foods’ mission is aligned with addressing climate changeWhy there’s controversy with Imperfect Foods’ businessImperfect Foods’ current and future portfolio of offeringsThe specific overlap between food waste and climate changeThe role of government in addressing climate changePhilip’s perspective on carbon offsetsLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Imperfect Foods: https://www.imperfectfoods.com/Food Recovery Network: https://www.foodrecoverynetwork.org/(Yale Climate Connection) “Food waste starts long before food gets to your plate”: https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2019/05/food-waste-has-crucial-climate-impacts/

Today's guest is May Boeve, Executive Director & Co-Founder of 350.org.We have a great discussion in this episode about May's roots in activism and in fighting to combat global warming, where that came from, how it came about, and how her thinking on these topics has evolved over the past decade. We also talk about the current state of affairs in the climate movement and in the world, where we need to go, and what are some of the things that can be most impactful for helping us get there. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:What is 350.org and its mission?May’s early experience in activism at Middlebury College.How the climate crisis and the movement to address has changed over the past decade.The intersectionality of climate change with other social ills.The silver-lining of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of global attention on a singular problem.How 350.org’s focus has centered on divestment from fossil fuel companies.The role of 350.org, its team and its volunteers play in its activism.Why the climate risk to financial markets represents an opportunity to advance the goals of a “just transition.”How clean energy can be a solution to “energy poverty.”Why the transition of the fossil fuel industry to clean energy is not enough to reverse the damage the industry inflicts on the world.Divestment in fossil fuel companies vs. engagement.Why the fossil fuel industry is a dishonest broker and unreliable partner in addressing climate change.Solutions that excite and give May hope.How the focus of 350 has been influenced by the recent tension and movement for racial justice.Links to topics discussed in this episode:350.org: https://350.org/“Just Transition”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Transition“Energy Poverty”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_povertyBelt and Road Initiative: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_and_Road_InitiativeBill McKibben’s pieces in Rolling Stone Magazine: https://www.rollingstone.com/author/bill-mckibben/As You Sew: https://www.asyousow.org/“Two-Year Long Investigation: What Exxon Knew About Climate Change” (Columbia Journalism School): https://journalism.columbia.edu/two-year-long-investigation-what-exxon-knew-about-climate-changeThe Solutions Project: https://thesolutionsproject.org/Overton Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window

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 Bredesen is most excited about. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:His motivation for getting involved in climate changeHow his interest in climate evolved from his upbringing and his tenure as governor working on conservationHis realization that solar was more than just a source of renewable energyHow electrical generation and transportation represent the lowest-hanging and largest GHG-reduction opportunityThe mission behind founding ClearloopHis thoughts on the role of the private sector in addressing the emissions crisisHis career beginning as a healthcare entrepreneur to politicsHis founding of Silicon Ranch, the company’s mission and the interests of its customersWhat he saw as being broken in the landscape of offset solutionsHow attempting to address climate change with lifestyle changes is an uphill battleHow improving battery storage and nuclear represent impactful solutions to climateHis skepticism that a price on carbon will make a measurable differenceThe role of government in addressing climate changeThe need to frame the benefits of renewables and clean technologiesHow the Manhattan Project analogy is not appropriate given what needs to happen with climateWhy he views the Green New Deal as impracticableLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Silicon Ranch: https://www.siliconranch.com/Clearloop: https://clearloop.us/Green New Deal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_New_Deal“Disarming ourselves in the fight against climate change”: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/disarming-ourselves-fight-against-climate-change

In today’s episode, we cover:The benefits of partnering with MIT in founding The EngineThe mission and vision of The EngineThe Engine’s focus on “tough tech” and the role it plays as a backer of itHow The Engine compares with a typical VC firm and important differences that makes it uniqueHow Katie landed at The Engine after a long career in technology and investingThe role MIT plays at The EngineThe relationship between The Engine and its portfolio companiesThe cross-functional resources The Engine brings to bear on behalf of its companiesKatie’s perspective on balancing investor returns and organizational missionThe criteria The Engine uses in selecting companies in which to investHow VC has become more MBA-driven than science-driven and the neglect of “tough tech”The biggest gap in the financing landscape for “tough tech”The overlap between The Engine’s style of investing and the style popularized on Sand Hill RoadWhat The Engine’s LPs think of the incubator’s hybrid impact and returns missionWhat Katie thinks of “impact investing”How Katie would allocate a $100B to deliver impactThe durability of “tough tech”Links to topics discussed in this episode:The Engine: https://www.engine.xyz/Public Benefit Corporation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-benefit_corporationBlended Finance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blended_finance

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.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:Her work at the Harvard Business SchoolHer journey to research climate change and studying purpose-driven organizationsHer latest book, “Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire”The genesis of her focus on climate changeHer work setting up the first course on sustainability at MITHer initial perspective that climate change is fixable and that business would be central to the solutionsHow her views have changed since she first studied climate changeWhy a price on carbon has not manifestedHow the political dynamics and rampant denialism were unexpected barriers to a price on carbonHer findings on the role of entrepreneurship, anti-trust and initial government demand in the progress of innovationHow carbon pricing has affected other countriesOptimism for policy opportunities to price and tax carbonHow job creation and credits can make a price on carbon more politically palatableHow the dominance of passive investing has contributed to more sustainable-focused investmentsHow individual behavior and consumption habits will have to change to respond to climate changeThe role of fossil fuel companies in addressing climate changeThe strategy of engagement versus divestment to influence corporations’ response to climateHow capitalism has become a “master” instead of a “servant” to delivering progressHer views on the Green New DealHer assessment of the partisan and social divide when it comes to taking action on climate changeHow climate education and political lobbying represent critical levers to moving the needle on climate changeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:“Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire” : https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rebecca-henderson/reimagining-capitalism-in-a-world-on-fire/9781541730151Prof. Henderson’s Faculty Page: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=12345“Accelerating Energy Innovation: Insights from Multiple Sectors”: https://www.nber.org/papers/w16529Harvard University’s Climate Action Plan: https://green.harvard.edu/campaign/harvards-climate-action-planIberdrola: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IberdrolaEnel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EnelShell’s net-zero announcement: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/16/shell-unveils-plans-to-become-net-zero-carbon-company-by-2050

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 addition to dissecting the merits of various policy positions, we also discuss what other levers can be most impactful to bringing about the change that we so desperately need. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I suspect you will as well. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:Maggie’s interest in and passion for climate policyHow Maggie found herself in politics, policy and climateHer time and experience as Climate Deputy Director on Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s presidential campaignWhat she learned during the campaignWhat she observed of the landscape of climate stances among the Democratic presidential candidatesHer transition to the role of Climate Policy Director in Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren’s campaignThe founding, mission and work of Evergreen ActionThe need for clear timelines for specific sectors to abandon fossil fuelsWhy clean energy standards are critical for addressing climate changeExamples of meaningful market incentivesThe importance of climate justice and its part in addressing climate changePutting a price on carbon, thoughts on its effectiveness and political feasibilityThe role of the private sectorThe role of nuclear power as a solutionWhy Maggie feels natural gas has no role in a clean energy futureWhether bipartisan support is needed to make progress on climate changeWhat she recommends a potential Biden Administration do to address climate changeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Evergreen Action: https://evergreenaction.com/NextGen America: https://nextgenamerica.org/“The US can reach 90 percent clean electricity by 2035, dependably and without increasing consumer bills”: https://gspp.berkeley.edu/news/news-center/the-us-can-reach-90-percent-clean-electricity-by-2035-dependably-and-without-increasing-consumer-bills“A Clean Jumpstart for America”: https://www.dataforprogress.org/clean-jumpstart

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 with the sustainability movement as well as with what is on the minds of the companies and institutional investors, who are instrumental in this transition. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:What is Ceres and its missionHow it works with capital markets and companies to integrate climate risks into their planningThe role of Ceres as an advocacy organization and relationship with companiesThe genesis of Ceres and how it came into beingCeres’ 30-year history since the Exxon Valdez oil spillMindy’s multi-disciplinary legacy working in climate change advocacyThe necessity to re-align major corporations toward the goals of the Paris AccordHow change and impact requires a multi-faceted strategy and effortHow the problem of climate change has evolved since Mindy first started her careerWhy changing the public policy framework around setting climate rules is criticalImportant political levers for enacting changeWhat motivates companies to address climate change and sustainabilityHow Ceres selects companies to engage withThe types of changes and policies Ceres strives to implement with its corporate partnersThe distinction between “sustainability” and “climate”The role of a sustainable leader within a corporationWhat are the biggest barriers to change for companies to dateHow companies report and measure their sustainability initiativesMindy’s perspective on the long-term implications of COVID-19 on climate changeThe need for more attention on climate change as it relates to the developing worldOpportunities for individuals who want to take action on climate changeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Ceres: https://www.ceres.org/Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spillGlobal Reporting Initiative: https://www.globalreporting.org/Pages/default.aspxSustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB): https://www.sasb.org/We Mean Business: https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/

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 info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:How Oakland, CA has become the clean tech capital of the Bay AreaDanny’s work as an activist and entrepreneur to address climate changeHow addressing climate change requires a war effortHow renewable energy presents not only a climate opportunity but also a much-needed employment opportunityHow Danny got into climate work and his underlying motivationDanny’s journey into solar and founding his first startupHow the problem of climate change has evolved since Danny began his workHow clean tech and U.S. leadership in the movement represents a huge economic opportunityHow grassroots entrepreneurship is making up for an absence of government actionWhat government leadership to address climate change would need to look likeHow the government-command of industry priorities to respond to COVID-19 is emblematic for what is required to address climate changeWhat the viable renewable energy mix for the future looks likeHow Danny would address the main contributing sectors to GHG emissionsHow effort needs to be focused on Africa and Asia, which will be the long-term contributors to carbonHow financial and software engineering are ripe areas of innovationWhat is New Energy Nexus (NEN) and its missionHow NEN’s Clean Energy Fund invested in Tesla and other clean tech companiesHow the “puck” of opportunity and innovation is headed to AsiaNEN’s clean energy accelerator in IndonesiaHow Danny thought about incorporating NEN as a non-profit vs. for-profit modelDanny’s role in co-founding Oakland-based incubator, PowerhouseLinks to topics discussed in this episode:New Energy Nexus: https://www.newenergynexus.com/about/California Carbon-Free By 2045 Goal: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/28/business/energy-environment/california-clean-energy.htmlkWh Analytics: https://www.kwhanalytics.com/California Clean Energy Fund: http://www.calcef.org/Bridge Lux: https://www.bridgelux.com/Powerhouse: https://www.powerhouse.fund/

In today’s episode, we cover:What is ShopifyWhat are its valuesTobi’s thoughts on consumerismTobi’s view that companies need to think of the world holisticallyShopify’s journey and what it discovered purchasing carbon creditsThe misaligned incentives caused by poor quality carbon creditsTobi’s personal journey in learning about climate change and taking action on itThe need to reform capitalism and the mechanisms to do soWhere Shopify is currently on its climate journeyTobi’s reasons for optimism and what he sees as the key solutionsThe need to reframe solutions beyond carbon sequestration and offsetsWhy companies need to take responsibility for climate externalitiesLinks to topics discussed in this episode:“We Need To Talk About Carbon”: https://tobi.lutke.com/blogs/news/we-need-to-talk-about-carbonThe Shopify Sustainability Website: https://www.shopify.com/about/environmentShopify’s 2019 Sustainability Report: https://cdn.shopify.com/static/sustainability-report/2019%20Shopify%20Sustainability%20Report.pdfCarbonCure: https://www.carboncure.com/Externality: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externality

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 energy policy landscape, what the different levers are, and for whom. We also discuss the role of federal vs state governments here in the US, and the impact a price on carbon may have. I learned a lot in this one, and I bet you will too. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Topics discussed:What is Energy Innovation (EI) and what it doesGenesis of EIHow Sonia’s love of nature influenced her journey into energy policyThe multidisciplinary talent of experts comprising EI’s teamHow EI launched a opensource energy diagnostic model for policymakers globallyEI’s broad work in energy systems from utility regulations to work in carbon pricing in ChinaEI’s role as a resource for policymakers and regulatory decision-makersHow tonnage of GHG removal is EI’s success metricGamut of services EI offers its clientsHow a range of societal benefits are also success metrics for EIThe role of carbon pricing and some of the perceived shortcomingsHow policies that focus on power plants, factories, buildings and cars represent the lion share of impactHow EI weighs environmental impact vs. what’s politically feasibleHow opportunities of bipartisanship on the state-level compare with those on the federal-levelHow jobs, economic development and public health are important considerations in EI’s workHow EI projects that renewables can get the world to 90% carbon reduction, while keeping the costs stableHow leadership on the federal-level is critically needed in order to address climate changeCorrection: Energy Innovation started at the end of 2011 - beginning of 2012, not in 2013 - 2014.

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@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.In today’s episode, we cover:What is Aclima and its missionDavida’s journey to working on pollutionThe notion of “ubiquitous measurement” as a way to assess the impact of climate changeHow climate change and pollution are interconnected and impact human healthThe lack of discussion of climate change being a public health challengeDavida’s search for experts in the field of pollution and climate changeDavida’s early-focus on making traditional measurement technology cheaper and scalableAclima’s focus on empowering officials in government, regulators, and big companies with credible dataAclima’s technology and deployment to measure hyper-local pollutionThe hyperlocal variability of pollution in a communityWho are Aclima’s customers and the applications of its dataPartnership with Google Street ViewThe type of pollutants Aclima is measuringHow data extrapolations enable Aclima to “fingerprint” the source of a pollutantHow regulation can aid action to curb pollutionHow pollution represents a global health issue and the leading cause of deathHow climate change is fundamentally an economic problemHow the transportation and energy used by it represents a major opportunity to address climate change

In today’s episode, we cover:Varun’s wide-ranging background in academia, startups and public policyHis career as a technologist beginning with Cleantech 1.0How he moved from science to public policyHow cooperation across sectors is critical to solve climate change.The need for aggressive increases in federal funding for energy innovationThe lessons of Cleantech 1.0How the missteps of VC cleantech investing offers insight into future funding models for climate companiesHow the complexities of climate change make it different from the Manhattan Project and the Apollo ProgramVarun’s three-prong prescription for addressing climate changeHow climate change in the U.S. should be couched and framed in terms of global competitivenessHow funding needs to be robust enough to demonstrate new technologiesHow coordination between R&D and deployment needs to be the cornerstone of energy innovation policyVarun’s view that VC is not the right model for the new wave of climate innovation technologiesHow climate change priorities and challenges are distributed and regionalHow the influx of Silicon Valley talent into climate tech can be challenged by lack of domain knowledgeHow a “sector-switching” fellowship could help cross-pollinate talent across industries to address climate changeThe importance of India’s energy transitionLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Bio at Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA: https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/dr-varun-sivaram“Taming The Sun”: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/taming-sunNano Solar: http://www.nanosolar.com/Perovskite Solar Cells: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perovskite_solar_cellAAAS Fellowship: https://www.aaas.org/fellowships

In today’s episode, we cover:The focus and work of BNP Paribas Asset ManagementMark’s role in sustainability researchSectors of focus for Mark’s teamHow ESG is used as a lens to analyze different sectorsBNP Paribas Asset Management’s track record of Social Responsibility InvestingAsset management industry’s shifting focus into more SRI and ESG investmentsThe thesis that ESG investing will yield a greater return over the long termHow his firm has applied ESG into how the firm and fund managers operateHis firm’s ESG asset rating assigned to companiesHow his firm balances return objectives, values, and sustainability considerationsThe stigma around ESGReasons why ESG leads to better performing companiesMark’s journey to sustainability-focused asset managementHow clients are a major driver behind sustainability investingMark’s view on engaging with non-sustainable companies vs. divestingComparing the global economic toll brought on by COVID-19 with climate change threatsThe need to make the world more resilient and adaptable to climate changeThe opportunity around energy storageHow individuals should think of their own habits and behavior as it relates to climate changeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:BNP Paribas Sustainable Development: https://cib.bnpparibas.com/topics/sustainable+developmentESG: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental,_social_and_corporate_governanceSRI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socially_responsible_investingSustainalytics: https://www.sustainalytics.com/MSCI: https://www.msci.com/True Cost Initiative: https://truecostsinitiative.org/Wells, Wires and Wheels: https://docfinder.bnpparibas-am.com/api/files/1094E5B9-2FAA-47A3-805D-EF65EAD09A7F

In today’s episode, we cover:Origins of Scale Microgrid Solutions (SMS)What’s a “microgrid?”“Front of the meter” vs. “Behind the meter” microgridsThe way utilities are setup in the U.S.How Tim found his way into the energy sectorThe value proposition of the microgridHow the company’s management software controls the grid componentsSMS’ modular solutionSMS’ Energy-as-a-Service modelThe motives for customer adoptionMicrogrid’s role in contributing to a resilient energy infrastructureThe barriers inherent in the U.S. regulatory systemSimilarities and differences between COVID-19 and the climate crisisWhy one should join the climate fightLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Scale Microgrid Solutions: https://scalemicrogridsolutions.com/Microgrid: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgrid

In today’s episode, we cover:Early learnings and thoughts on COVID-19 pandemic and parallels with climate changeAlex’s role at BCG and his work in the energy industryHis work with oil and gas companies in responding to climate changeHow oil and gas companies’ climate change strategies have evolvedOil and gas companies’ attitudinal change to accepting climate change as an existential issueImpact of the IPCC report on the oil and gas industryHow stakeholders are demanding action on climate changeReconciling the fossil fuel industry’s legacy of climate denialWho should be accountable for the fossil fuel industry’s contribution to the climate crisis?The argument that fossil fuel companies have assets needed to address climate changeWhy should the public trust the fossil fuel industry?Carbon pricing as a policy toolApplying targeted regulation to ensure best behavior by the industryShift in lobbying focus from denying the science to focusing on the socio-economic considerationsImpact of divestment vs. ESG investingReasons why oil and gas industry has lagged in “total shareholder return” over the past decadeThe increasing cost of capital for the industry and reasons for itBCG’s ethical policies as it relates to climate change“Deep de-carbonization technologies”Links to topics discussed in this episode:Alex’s work at BCG: https://www.bcg.com/en-us/about/people/experts/alex-dewar.aspx“Social license to operate”: https://learningforsustainability.net/social-license/ESG Investing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental,_social_and_corporate_governanceLetter from BlackRock CEO, Larry Fink: https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/larry-fink-ceo-letter

In today’s episode, we cover:Carbon Lighthouse, its business, vision and clienteleThe genesis of the companyThe opportunity of improving energy efficiencyThe early challenges of driving salesCarbon Lighthouse’s non-profit armThe substantial role commercial buildings play in emitting GHGMisaligned incentives of the many stakeholders involvedFactors that led to a tipping point in the sales challengeWhat is HVAC optimizationHow Carbon Lighthouse uses software to optimize commercial HVAC systemsValue and savings delivered to commercial buildingsCarbon Lighthouse’s customer profileHow landlord adoption is a continuing obstacleCarbon Lighthouse’s financing, operational expenses and costsBrenden’s views on utility-level policies to reduce emissionsBrenden’s thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it relates to climate changeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Carbon Lighthouse: https://www.carbonlighthouse.com/Carbon Lighthouse Association (non-profit arm): https://www.carbonlighthouse.org/“Spaghetti diagram” of energy use: https://flowcharts.llnl.gov/index.htmlGreen Building Initiative: https://thegbi.org/

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Kula Bio, its mission, and what it has developedThe importance of nitrogen as an ingredient in fertilizer and agricultureThe drawbacks and consequences of the Haber-Bosch processKula Bio’s unique fertilizer and how it addresses carbon emissionsThe microbial process of developing the proprietary fertilizerProfile of customers, to which Kula Bio is cateringKula Bio’s value proposition to farmersBenefits of organic nitrogen-based fertilizer vs. syntheticOrigins of Kula Bio’s technology in the Harvard LabsKula Bio’s commercial traction and milestonesThe adjacent opportunities and long-term vision of the companyBill’s perspective on scaling and financing Kula BioInsights and learnings derived from speaking with hundreds of farmersThe impact on climate change of Kula Bio’s technologyBill’s reflection on his long-career as an entrepreneur and operatorBill’s view on making impact vs. profitsHow the economic viability of a climate solution is criticalWhy impact is an important motivation for entrepreneursBill’s retrospective on “Cleantech 1.0” and where it stumbledThe role of family offices as a source of long-term financing for clean tech venturesHow investor attention now focuses on specific milestones and pragmatic considerationsThe importance of education and the need to improve STEM as a solution to address climate changeBill’s perspective on nuclear as an important solution that should be scaledBill’s recommendation on finding purpose-driven opportunities, regardless of your background or stage of lifeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Kula Bio: https://www.kulabio.com/Haber-Bosch Process: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_processCarbon sequestration: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_sequestrationProf. Dan Nocera of Harvard: https://chemistry.harvard.edu/people/daniel-g-noceraSamuel Bodman, CEO of Cabot Corporation and former Energy Secretary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bodman

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 futureAnne’s career at CalPERS and early work focusing on corporate governanceWhat CalPERS learned from the 2008 financial crisis and how it informs its perspective and priorities regarding climate changeCalPERS’ ten “Pension Beliefs” that define its investment strategyHow being a longterm investor is both an advantage and a responsibilityAvoiding the curse of short-termism and how simply following the money isn’t sufficientHow CalPERS views types of capital beyond the financialHow Anne developed a strategy for sustainable investmentCalPERS’ top three sustainability factors (diversity & inclusion, demographics and climate change)The role CalPERS plays as a climate change advocateHow it leverages its shareholder position to influence companies to be in accord with The Paris AgreementResearch done to better understand the portfolio’s contributions to emissionsWork performed to assess climate-risk among CalPERS’ assetsThe fund’s emissions commitments over the next thirty yearsThe double-edged sword of divesting from companies not meeting climate goalsLinks to topics discussed in this episode:CalPERS: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/CalPERS Pension Beliefs: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/docs/board-agendas/201702/pension/item7-01.pdfClimate Action 100+: http://www.climateaction100.org/The Investor Agenda: https://theinvestoragenda.org/

In today’s episode, we cover:Ken’s journey from making money on Wall Street to making meaning as a scientistThe perceived “information deficit” problem in public policyHow Ken distinguishes his role as a concerned citizen from his work as a scientistHow getting past social identities is a major challenge to effecting changeBill Gates’ support and patronage of Ken’s workThe various climate change research, pursued by Ken’s post-doc graduate studentsThe prospect and viability of a 100% renewable energy modelBill Gates’ notion of a “green premium”Carbon pricing solutionsThe problem of split-incentivesThe viability of geoengineering as a solutionThe need to reframe the problem and solutions to make it palatable for social acceptanceLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Caldeira Lab at the Carnegie Institution: https://carnegieenergyinnovation.org/Steve Schneider: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_SchneiderThe Charney Report (1979): https://www.bnl.gov/envsci/schwartz/charney_report1979.pdfManoela Romano De Orte: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/mromanoDavid Koweek: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/dkoweekYixuan Zheng: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/yxzhengEnrico Antonini: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/eantoniniCandise Henry: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/chenryRebecca Peer: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/rpeerVariable renewable energy source (“Intermittency”): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_renewable_energyProf. Mark Jacobson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Z._JacobsonAdvanced Research Projects Agency: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/

In today’s episode, we cover:KoBold’s team and its businessWhy cobalt is known as the “goblin metal”The collaboration of software engineering, data science and mineral exploration at KoBoldKoBold’s “machine prospector”Kurt’s journey to taking action on climate changeWhy cobalt makes for a good ingredient in batteriesWhy cobalt is known as the “blood diamond of metals”KoBold’s technology and the “messy data problem”KoBold’s business modelInvestment from Equinor and reconciling working with an oil and gas companyLinks to topics discussed in this episode:KoBold Metals: https://www.koboldmetals.com/Connie Chan’s announcement of Andreessen Horowitz’ investment: https://a16z.com/2019/03/04/kobold-metals/Equinor: https://www.equinor.com/en.html

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Deep Isolation and how it’s addressing the issue of nuclear waste disposalThe half-a-century history of nuclear wasteGenesis of Deep Isolation and Elizabeth’s earlier work founding Berkeley EarthDirectional drilling as a solution for long-term storage of nuclear wastePartnerships with communitiesPollution studies performed by Berkeley EarthThe opportunity of using impermeable rockThe importance of being able to retrieve waste stored in drill-holesHow the issue of consent by a community underpins the solutionThe pros and cons of Yucca Mountain as a long-term storage planPartnership with BechtelHow it serves governments and utilities differentlyThe gamut of storage solutions used globallyStages of going to marketDeep Isolation’s funding to date and sources of capitalWhere it sees opportunities in terms of future financial partnersStakeholders in the nuclear waste spaceEngagement with environmental groupsLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Deep Isolation: https://www.deepisolation.com/Berkeley Earth: http://berkeleyearth.org/Directional drilling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directional_drillingBorehole disposal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_borehole_disposalYucca Mountain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_Mountain_nuclear_waste_repositoryBechtel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechtel

In today’s episode, we cover:The NAACP, its history and missionWhy climate is integral to promoting civil justice and equityClimate change’s disproportionate impact on communities of colorExamples of how the NAACP is taking action from a climate perspectiveJacqueline’s journey that led her to climate justiceHer role at the NAACP in addressing climate issues that affect vulnerable groupsThe intersectionality of the issues posed by climate changeNAACP’s climate prioritiesLinks to topics discussed in this episode:NAACP’s Environmental & Climate Justice Program: https://www.naacp.org/issues/environmental-justice/“Waxman Markey Bill”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Clean_Energy_and_Security_ActCancer Alley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_AlleyDemocracy Initiative: http://www.democracyinitiative.org/Democracy Collaborative: https://democracycollaborative.org/Move To Amend: http://www.movetoamend.org/Citizens United: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Blueprint Power and how its unique business model worksWho’s its customers and what is their needHow her early-career at Google was a springboard into a career in energyThe genesis and inspiration behind Blueprint PowerThe current state of the renewable energy sectorThe role of the energy grid and its stakeholdersHow Robyn initially validated market demand for Blueprint PowerBlueprint’s current geographic footprint and market focusHow recent regulatory developments have served as a tailwind for the businessThe perspective of executives at commercial property firms with respect to renewable energyThe current role of incumbent utility companiesBlueprint’s customer traction to dateThe contributions Blueprint is making in combatting climate changeThe challenges and evolution of raising venture capital as an energy startupSquaring both impact and profit motivesAspects of Blueprint’s business that appealed to traditional VCsHow Robyn sees a significant opportunity in clean waterHow regulatory speed remains one of the biggest bottlenecksRobyn’s thoughts on those seeking to transition their career to the climate space

In today’s episode, we cover:Her journey from Geologist to Historian of ScienceThe genesis of her climate change awakeningWhat 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 changeHow the fossil fuel industry led a disinformation campaign, intent on discrediting climate scientistsHer views on how the fossil fuel industry is not a reliable partner in combatting climate change in this dayWhy science should be trusted by the publicThe significance of consensus in scienceRemaining topics of climate change debate within the scientific communityHow public policy changes is not in the domain of scienceHow the challenges with climate change are not within the science or technology but within policy and politicsWhy nuclear is not a viable solution to climate changeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:“Merchants of Doubt”: https://www.merchantsofdoubt.org/“Why Trust Science”: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691179001/why-trust-scienceRoger Revelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_RevelleCharles David Keeling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_David_KeelingProf. Ben Santer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_D._SanterJames Hansen's 1988 Congressional Testimony on Climate Change: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hansen#US_Senate_committee_testimony

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Elemental ExceleratorDawn’s journey to climate changeHawaii Clean Energy InitiativeApplying the startup accelerator model to energy and clean techInvesting focus and criteriaHolistic support for portfolio companiesGeographic focus for its projectsSources of funding for Elemental ExceleratorPurpose of pilotsCoaching supportLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Elemental Excelerator: https://elementalexcelerator.com/Emerson Collective: https://www.emersoncollective.com/Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative: http://www.hawaiicleanenergyinitiative.org/CarbonCure Technologies: https://www.carboncure.com/Zero Mass Water: https://www.zeromasswater.com/Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/Trove (f.k.a. Yerdle): https://www.trove.co/

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 strategiesThe investment risk associated with not factoring in climate changeThe meaning and examples of a “stranded asset”How the energy transition to cleaner technologies can disrupt incumbent industries to the detriment of investorsHow inertia continues to drive the construction of fossil fuel infrastructureAsset reallocation as the primary lever in Carbon Tracker’s strategiesKingsmill’s prognosis of the fossil fuel industryAllocating out of the “losers” than allocating into the “winners”Kingsmill’s journey to working on energy-transition financial strategyFossil fuel incumbents, friend or foe to the climate change movement?Links to topics discussed in this episode:Carbon Tracker: https://www.carbontracker.org/Carbon bubble: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_bubbleUnburnable carbon: https://www.carbontracker.org/terms/unburnable-carbon/Stranded assets: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranded_asset

In today’s episode, we cover:Jupiter and its missionRich’s journey from data analytics to climate changeParallels between the opportunity around cybersecurity and climate changeThe importance of physical climate riskHow Jupiter initially narrowed its focus on flood riskHow Jupiter develops a “peril model” to assess the risk of flooding and firesProfile of Jupiter’s customersHow critical infrastructure companies represent a major customerWhy insurers are not the ones who bear the financial risk of worsening climate disastersCorporate indictments as a symptom of unaddressed climate riskThe U.S.’ “armed lifeboat diplomacy”Jupiter’s nonprofit workResilience planning in the face of climate-related catastrophesThe need to restrict land use in at-risk areasLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Jupiter Intelligence: https://jupiterintel.com/PG&E bankruptcy: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/business/energy-environment/pge-bankruptcy-newsom.html

In today’s episode, we cover:What is CGC and its mission as a nonprofit?Why “green bank” is somewhat of a misnomerThe history of green banks in the U.S. both on the federal and state levelWhere the CGC adds value in the clean tech financing ecosystemCustomers served by green banksThe role green banks have played in jump starting new markets for clean techComparing green banks with for-profit investment firms (e.g. Ultra Capital, Generate Capital)Sources of funding for CGCOpportunities in the U.S. for green banksHow the U.S. Department of Energy loan program aids companies in getting through the commercialization gapJeffrey’s perspective on putting a price on carbonViews on the impact of the 2020 presidential elections and the various positions of candidatesLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Coalition for green Capital: http://coalitionforgreencapital.com/NY green bank: https://greenbank.ny.gov/Generate Capital: https://generatecapital.com/Ultra Capital: https://www.ultracapital.com/Prime Coalition: https://primecoalition.org/National Climate Bank Act: https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-van-hollen-introduce-legislation-to-create-a-national-climate-bank

In today’s episode, we cover:Role, function and mission of IIASAThe context around SR15UN Sustainable Development GoalsDr. Huppmann’s work on the message integrated assessment model for environmental scenario planningSignificance of selecting a decade as the timeframe for actionUnpacking the meaning of publicly stated thresholdsImplications of Dr. Huppmann’s modeling on humanityHow new research affects older predictive modelsDr. Huppmann’s view on carbon storageDelivering sustainability via initiatives that improve quality of lifeThe important role of carbon taxesOpen-source climate change data movementLinks to topics discussed in this episode:IIASA:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Institute_for_Applied_Systems_AnalysisSR15:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Report_on_Global_Warming_of_1.5_%C2%B0CMessage IX: https://message.iiasa.ac.at/en/stable/UN Sustainable Development Goals: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300European Green Deal: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_enFridays For Future: https://fridaysforfuture.org/Young Summer Scientists Program: https://www.iiasa.ac.at/web/home/education/yssp/Young_Scientists_Summer_Program.htmlYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

In today’s episode, we cover:Her journey to elected office and the challenges she faced in her campaignHer inspiration to run for state officeWhat she discovered about the state of Albany politicsHow the campaign for state senator felt like a street fightHer upbringing in a politically-minded familyHow the existential problem of climate change underpins all other issuesWhat other actions concerned citizens can take beyond voting to combat climate changeThe viability of bipartisan collaborationHow she would allocate $100 billion in the fight against climate changeResources for elected officials to remain informed and develop onions about climate changeThe opportunity to introduce CLCPA-inspired bills in states that don’t have climate-focused legislationLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Senator Biaggi: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/alessandra-biaggiClimate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA): https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s6599

In today’s episode, we cover:How Zahra landed at Buzzfeed covering climateThe Trump Administration and how its policies have affected climateHer audience and readershipThe positioning of her news room and editorsJournalism’s roleHer journey from studying geology at Brown to the world of climate journalismWhat she learned at Inside Climate NewsHow climate change has become increasingly topical and relevantEditorial decisions around what stories to coverDelivering impact vs. ad revenueJournalism’s shifting focusChallenges faced by journalism and the rise of disinformationLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Zahra Hirji at Buzzfeed: https://www.buzzfeed.com/zahrahirjiInside Climate News: https://insideclimatenews.org/George Luber, “How A Bad Boss Remade Himself As a Climate Hero”: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/zahrahirji/cdc-whistleblower-george-luber-investigation“New York Loses Climate Change Fraud Case Against Exxon Mobil”:https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/climate/exxon-climate-lawsuit-new-york.htmlYale Program on Climate Change Communication: https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/

In today’s episode, we cover:David’s influential career in techHis advocacy of various causesDHH’s view that, regardless of one’s background, one should become versed in climate changeHow his attention first peaked with the California droughtHow 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 centigradeHow it’s remarkable to think that, since Seinfeld has aired, we’ve doubled GHGHis family’s carbon budget and how it showed him how much more complicated the problem is His belief that changes in consumer and voting behavior will only happen when people see the existential threat themselves (e.g. fires, floods, etc.)His pessimism that things won’t change until the situation becomes more direDo carbon offsets inhibit decisive action?The longer democracies fail to address climate change, the more society becomes ripe for the rise of dictatorsDHH’s recommended reading: “The Divide” by Jason HickelHis acceptance of the likelihood that he will live on an uninhabitable earth; that we’re not going to stay below 2 degrees CentigradeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:“The Uninhabitable Earth”: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/586541/the-uninhabitable-earth-by-david-wallace-wells/“The Divide”: https://www.jasonhickel.org/the-divideGreen New Deal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_New_DealYellow vests movement: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_vests_movement

In today’s episode, we cover:• Shayle’s journey from energy transition in the market intelligence space to climate change venture capital at Energy Impact Partners (EIP)• EIP, a VC with ~$1B in AUM whose LPs are a coalition of utilities• The sectors EIP invests in• Abe’s journey from Rockport Capital Partners, a cleantech private equity firm based, to cofounding Congruent Ventures in 2016• A history of the first cleantech wave• Lessons learned• How the current interest in climate tech compares/contrasts with the first cleantech wave • What types of innovation is needed in climate tech• What types of capital are the best for for which types of innovationLinks to topics discussed in this episode:• Energy Impact Partners: https://www.energyimpactpartners.com/• Congruent Ventures: https://www.congruentvc.com/• Rockport Capital Partners: http://www.rockportcap.com/• Solyndra: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solyndra• Thin-film solar cell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin-film_solar_cell• MiaSolé: http://miasole.com/• Alpha: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/alpha.asp• National Renewable Energy Lab: https://www.nrel.gov/• Lawrence Berkeley Lab: https://www.lbl.gov/

In today’s episode, we cover:● The Rebound Effect and the ironic implications of improving energy efficiency● Harry’s journey into Climate Change● How Harry earned the moniker, “The Godfather of Rebound”● Contention around rebound and its Climate implications● Factoring in the welfare of those in developing countries and the plight of “energy poverty”● The integral role of nuclear in any clean energy strategy● Ecomodernism and the focus on GDP-driven solutions to Climate ChangeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:● Decision Processes Incorporated: http://www.decisionprocessesinc.com/● Khazzoom–Brookes postulate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khazzoom%E2%80%93Brookes_postulate● The Rebound Effect: https://blog.ucsusa.org/peter-oconnor/energy-efficiency-what-is-the-rebound-effect-946● Amory Lovins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amory_Lovins● Rocky Mountain Institute: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_Institute● Ecomodernist Manifesto: http://www.ecomodernism.org/● Environmental Kuznets Curve: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuznets_curve#Environmental_Kuznets_curve

Today’s guest is Rob Hanson, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Monolith Materials, where he leads the development of next-generation technology for producing low cost, low emission hydrogen and carbon black, an important raw material used in the manufacture of rubber and plastic. Prior to Monolith, Rob served as the global director of product management for AREVA Solar, the solar division of the world’s largest nuclear company. He has a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford, and has been a guest lecturer at Stanford, UNL, Foothill College and the University of Saskatchewan on topics ranging from thermodynamics to entrepreneurship. Rob also co-founded uforia studios, a 65-employee health and fitness company with locations in San Francisco and Palo Alto.In today’s episode, we cover:Rob’s journey from solar to the chemical sectorThe dirty process of traditionally producing carbon blackHow a generalist background (e.g. blending science and finance) can be positioned to make a big impact as an entrepreneur in the climate technology spaceScaling the method of cleanly creating carbon black from natural gasThe genesis of MonolithStaggered financing modelMarkets for carbon blackImportance of establishing a market “beachhead” with product-market fitReception of the clean “story” and value proposition among prospective customersOpportunities Rob finds interesting outside Monolith’s focusThe opportunity and importance of education in addressing Climate ChangeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Monolith Materials: https://monolithmaterials.com/Carbon Black: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_blackAreva: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArevaImperative Science Ventures: https://imperative.vc/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is Matt Eggers, Investor & Company Builder at Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a $1.1 billion, patient capital fund dedicated to building companies that will have a massive impact on greenhouse gas mitigation. He also serves on the Board of the Institute for Market Transformation.Matt is a seasoned cleantech leader, investor and advisor with 20 years of experience delivering results in diverse companies. Matt’s recent past experience includes serving as a Vice President with Yardi Energy. He has also been the Vice President of Sales, North America for Tesla and the Vice President of Operations for Sunrun, a national leader in home solar power service operating in 11 states. His earlier experience includes leading the stack operations team and serving as Director of Product Management at the fuel cell company Bloom Energy. In that role he led development of the plan to massively scale manufacturing of Bloom’s core cell technology and developed the features and specifications for the second generation “Bloom Box.” Before Bloom, Matt worked for Genentech where he led the commercial launch of Herceptin Adjuvant, a breast cancer drug with over $1 billion in sales. Matt’s early career experience includes serving as an Associate at Morgan Stanley Venture Partners where he championed investments in biotech and enterprise software companies. Matt has a BS in molecular biology from Duke University and an MBA from Stanford University.In today’s episode, we cover:Mission of Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) and its high-network individual investment modelSuccess metrics anchored around half-a-gigaton carbon atmospheric reduction and financial return for investorsBEV’s long investment time horizon (20 years)BEV’s investment criteriaPivot Bio, a portfolio company, addressing carbon emissions found in fertilizer75F, a portfolio company, offering AI-driven software to drive efficiencies with HVAC systemsMatt’s climate journey from a farm in Iowa to BEVMatt’s perspective on the climate problem and its multifaceted solutionsPutting a price on carbon Inadequate funding in the climate spaceDisrupting the dairy industry’s carbon footprint via low-emission Casein The patience required with Climate Change investing  (cf. traditional software venture investing)The role of corporate strategic investors and banksPolicy developments at the municipality-level that factor in Climate Change and affect homeownersLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Breakthrough Energy Ventures: https://www.b-t.energy/“Additionality” with respect to carbon markets: https://resource-solutions.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/RECs-and-Additionality.pdfConceptualizing a gigaton: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/07/01/meet-the-gigaton-the-huge-unit-that-scientists-use-to-track-planetary-change/Pivot Bio: https://www.pivotbio.com/74F: https://www.75f.io/Genentech: https://www.gene.com/Casein: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CaseinYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Phil Duffy, President & Executive Director at Woodwell Climate Research Center.Expertise Climate modeling, extreme weather risk, societal impacts of climate change, domestic climate policy, international climate change negotiations, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.Dr. Philip Duffy is a physicist who has devoted nearly 30 years to using science to address the societal challenge of climate change. Dr. Duffy frequently engages domestic and international policy- and decision-makers, including delegates at the United Nations climate conferences, and the United States Congress. Dr. Duffy is frequently quoted in major national media outlets such as The New York Times, the Washington Post, Science, the Boston Globe, NPR, CNN, and MSNBC. He serves on committees of the National Academy of Sciences and advises state and local policymakers. Dr. Duffy is particularly interested in working with diverse groups to address climate change, including faith leaders, business leaders, and thought leaders across the political spectrum.Prior to joining WCRC, Dr. Duffy served as a Senior Policy Analyst in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and as a Senior Advisor in the White House National Science and Technology Council. In these roles he was involved in international climate negotiations, domestic and international climate policy, and coordination of US global change research. Before joining the White House, Dr. Duffy was Chief Scientist at Climate Central, an organization dedicated to increasing public understanding and awareness of climate change. Dr. Duffy has held senior research positions with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and visiting positions at the Carnegie Institution for Science and the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University. He has a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Harvard in astrophysics and a Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Woods Hole Research CenterOrigin story & nature of the workRole of natural solutionsPhysical climate riskHow Phil’s views on the nature of the problem have evolved over the yearsWhat are the highest impact solutionsThe role of political willThe future of capitalism and GPD growthCarbon removal and direct air captureSolar geoengineeringNuclearHow Phil would allocate a big pot of money to maximize its impact in the climate fightPhil’s advice for others looking to find their laneLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Woods Hole Research Center: https://whrc.org/George Woodwell: http://whrc.org/staff/george-woodwell/John Holdren: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty/john-holdrenSusan Natali: http://whrc.org/staff/susan-natali/Wellington and Woods Hole: https://whrc.org/wellington-management-and-woods-hole-research-center-announce-initiative/McKinsey and Woods Hole: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-investment-climate/climate-scientists-partner-with-mckinsey-to-push-companies-to-self-regulate-idUSKCN1T52CUNOAA arctic report card: https://arctic.noaa.gov/Report-CardYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is David Keith, Professor at Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Kennedy School, and Founder of Carbon Engineering.David has worked near the interface between climate science, energy technology, and public policy for twenty-five years. He took first prize in Canada's national physics prize exam, won MIT's prize for excellence in experimental physics, and was one of TIME magazine's Heroes of the Environment. David is Professor of Applied Physics at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, and founder of Carbon Engineering, a company developing technology to capture CO2 from ambient air to make carbon-neutral hydrocarbon fuels. Best known for his work on the science, technology, and public policy of solar geoengineering, David led the development of Harvard’s Solar Geoengineering Research Program, a Harvard-wide interfaculty research initiative. His work has ranged from the climatic impacts of large-scale wind power to an early critique of the prospects for hydrogen fuel. David’s hardware engineering projects include the first interferometer for atoms, a high-accuracy infrared spectrometer for NASA's ER-2, and currently, the development of pilot plants for Carbon Engineering and the development of a stratospheric propelled balloon experiment for solar geoengineering. David teaches courses on Science and Technology Policy and on Energy and Environmental Systems where he has reached students worldwide with an online edX course. He has writing for the public with A Case for Climate Engineeringfrom MIT Press. Based in Cambridge, David spends about a third of his time in Canmore, Alberta.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of solar geoengineeringHow concentrated an area can it be deployed inSteps that go into testing it'History of solar geoengineeringPotential risks of deployment and potential risks of not doing the testingPotential for unintended consequencesHow hard it is to deployHow much research is needed (and for what) and how much it will costBridge versus longterm solutionWhere it fits into overall climate solutions portfolioWhat fossil fuel companies think of solar geoengineeringDavid’s advice for others looking to help facilitate research in this area and/or learn more about itLinks to topics discussed in this episode:David Keith: https://keith.seas.harvard.edu/people/david-keithGeoengineering: https://geoengineering.environment.harvard.edu/geoengineeringThe Planet Remade: https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Remade-Geoengineering-Could-Change-ebook/dp/B011PWUT8YCarnegie Climate Governance Initiative: https://www.c2g2.net/Vaclav Smil: http://vaclavsmil.com/Holly Buck: https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/person/holly-buck/Additional Reading:David Keith, “Let’s Talk About Geoengineering,” Project Syndicate, March 21, 2019.David Keith, “Toward a Responsible Solar Geoengineering Research Program,” Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2017.James Temple, “What is Geoengineering—And Why Should You Care?” MIT Technology Review, August 9, 2019.Lizzie Burns, David Keith, Peter Irvine, and Joshua Horton, “Belfer Technology Factsheet Series: Solar Geoengineering,” Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Technology and Public Purpose Project, June 2019.Jon Gertner, “Is It O.K. to Tinker With the Environment to Fight Climate Change?,” The New York Times Magazine, April 18, 2017.You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is BJ Fogg, Founder & Director, Behavior Design Lab at Stanford, with an appearance by William Shan, one of his students who is project managing the launch of his new Behavior Design for Climate Action online training program.BJ teaches good people how behavior works so they can create products & services that benefit everyday people around the world. He is a behavior scientist, with deep experience in innovation and teaching. At Stanford University he runs the Behavior Design Lab. He also teaches his models and methods in graduate seminars with students from various majors.On the industry side, BJ trains innovators to use his work so they can create solutions that influence behavior. The focus areas include health, financial wellbeing, learning, productivity, and more.BJ wrote a seminal book, Persuasive Technology, about how computers can be designed to influence attitudes and behaviors. That book, together with his early innovations, inspired an annual global conference on the topic. His Stanford students have gone on to co-found Instagram, as well as launch a global movement focusing on “time well spent” and the Center for Humane Technology. Starting in 2010, BJ’s Stanford lab started shifting focus away from Persuasive Technology toward a new domain they named “Behavior Design,” a set of models and methods about human behavior (with nothing to do with technology.)BJ’s new book Tiny Habits will be published in over 15 languages.Fortune Magazine named BJ a “New Guru You Should Know” for his insights about mobile and social networks.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of BJ’s workHow his work has evolved since he started doing itWho BJ’s work is meant to help, and some details on the framework/process it followsHow (and why) BJ first became interested in helping address climate changeWhat he and Will are going to do about it, and how they plan to helpHow others in similar positions might apply their skills and station to help with the climate fightBJ’s advice for others looking to find their lane.Links to topics discussed in this episode:BJ Fogg: https://www.bjfogg.com/Behavior Design for Climate Action: https://www.behaviordesign.info/climateactionTiny Habits book: https://www.tinyhabits.com/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

This was an experiment using a new app Talkshow, which is a live discussion broadcast via twitter where listeners can text questions as we talk!Today's guest was Clay Dumas from Lowercarbon Capital, to talk about what they are up to with the fund and their newly opened roles! It is also always great to talk shop with Clay on everything climate change.Clay is a partner at Lowercarbon Capital where he invests in startups and research organizations developing technology to reduce emissions, suck carbon out of the air, and cool the planet. He is also a partner at Lowercase Capital. Previously, Clay served as an Executive in Residence at the Pramana Collective, a strategic advisory firm in San Francisco. Before that, he was the Chief of Staff for the White House Office of Digital Strategy, a team tasked by President Obama with connecting people with purpose. In 2017, he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. At the start of President Obama’s second term, he served as an aide in the Chief of Staff’s office. Before joining the White House, Clay worked on President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns. He graduated from Harvard in 2011.In today’s episode, we cover:Genesis of Lowercarbon from the team behind Lowercase CapitalHow Lowercarbon fit within the vision of Chris and Crystal SaccaClay’s journey from presidential campaigns to venture capital to Climate Change investingMajor insights and takeaways after three-years of working in the spaceAttitudes, motives and incentives across institutional investors backing Climate Change companiesHow the social impact and financial opportunity are immense in the Climate Change spaceLowercarbon’s investment focusHow Lowercarbon differs from other institutional investorsJobs and opportunities at LowercarbonTechnologies in which Clay is interestedLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Lowercarbon Capital: https://lowercarboncapital.com/Lowercase Capital: https://lowercasecapital.com/Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2019 report: https://www.ipcc.ch/2019/09/25/srocc-press-release/Impact Investing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_investingCarbon Engineering:https://carbonengineering.com/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is Jigar Shah, President & Co-Founder at Generate Capital.Jigar was the founder and CEO of SunEdison (NASDAQ: SUNE, TERP), where he pioneered “no money down solar” and unlocked a multi-billion-dollar solar market, creating the largest solar services company worldwide. He is the author of Creating Climate Wealth: Unlocking the Impact Economy. After SunEdison, Jigar served as the founding CEO of the Carbon War Room, a global non-profit founded by Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Unite to help entrepreneurs address climate change. Generate Capital, the Carbon War Room and SunEdison all follow from Jigar’s vision that business model innovation will unlock the largest wealth creation opportunity – resource efficiency. Jigar is committed to helping entrepreneurs and large companies alike implement resource efficiency solutions using “pay as you save” project finance models. Jigar holds an MBA from The University of Maryland and BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He sits on the boards of sPower and the Rocky Mountain Institute. Jigar lives in New York City and is trying to find the perfect cocktail.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Generate Capital'Generate’s business model and approachIndustries and solution types they are interested inExample projectJigar’s backround and experiences leading up to GenerateHow Generate measures success beyond returnsHow Jigar thinks about the nature of the climate problemThe role of the new blood coming into the spaceCapital types and capital gapsCapitalism, GDP growth, and climate changeWhere economists get it wrongHow optimistic is Jigar for the future?The most effective ways to address this issueHow Jigar would allocate $100B to maximize its impact on the problemHow you and I can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Generate Capital: https://generatecapital.com/McKinsey’s resource revolution paper: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability/our-insights/resource-revolutionScott Jacobs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobsscott/Matan Friedman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matanfriedman/WeDriveU: https://www.wedriveu.com/SunEdison: http://www.sunedison.com/NEXTracker: https://www.nextracker.com/Greenpeace: https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Breakthrough Energy Ventures: https://www.b-t.energy/ventures/Carbon War Room: https://rmi.org/carbon-war-room/Sunil Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunilpaul/International Energy Agency: https://www.iea.org/Craig Venter: https://www.jcvi.org/about/jventerYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is Gary Cohen, President & Co-Founder of Health Care Without Harm.Gary has been a pioneer in the environmental health movement for thirty years. Cohen is President and Co-Founder of Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth. He was also instrumental in bringing together the NGOs and hospital systems that formed the Healthier Hospitals Initiative. All three were created to transform the health care sector to be environmentally sustainable and serve as anchor institutions to support environmental health in their communities.Gary was Executive Director of the Environmental Health Fund for many years. He has helped build coalitions and networks globally to address the environmental health impacts related to toxic chemical exposure and climate change. Gary is a member of the International Advisory Board of the Sambhavna Clinic in Bhopal, India, which has been working for over 25 years to heal people affected by the Bhopal gas tragedy and to fight for environmental cleanup in Bhopal. He is also on the Boards of the American Sustainable Business Council, Health Leads and Coming Clean.He has received numerous recognitions for his achievements, including: The MacArthur Foundation’s Fellows Award (2015), the White House’s Champion of Change Award for Public Health and Climate Change (2013), the Huffington Post’s Game Changer Award for Health (2012), the Frank Hatch Award for Enlightened Public Service (2007), and the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship (2006).In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Health Care Without Harm and origin storyGary's background and path leading up to itTheir initial starting point and strategyProgress to-dateTeam compositionHow they measure successHow decarbonization fits inBiggest levers to bring about decarbonization of health careBarriers impeding progressChanges that would be most  impactfulHow Gary would allocate $100B to maximize its impact on the problemHow you and I can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Health Care Without Harm: https://noharm.org/Practice Greenhealth: https://practicegreenhealth.org/United Nations Development Programme: https://www.undp.org/International Monetary Fund: https://www.imf.org/external/index.htmHealth care energy impact calculator: http://www.eichealth.org/World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/ 

Today's guest is Tim Freundlich, CEO of ImpactAssets.Tim is a long-time innovator in new financial instruments in the social enterprise sector, which he now applies as the head of ImpactAssets, the $1 billion boutique donor advised fund and investment note offerer for impact investments. While previously at Calvert Foundation for 12 years, he conceived of and launched the donor advised fund. He was also instrumental in building the $250mm Community Investment Note with more than $1 billion invested into 300-plus nonprofits and for profits globally.He co-founded and serves as Managing Partner for Good Capital that, in addition to its flagship Social Enterprise Expansion Fund LP, founded the 2,500-person annual Social Capital Markets (SOCAP) conferences in San Francisco and four Impact Hubs in the US; co-working, meeting and community space serving approximately 2,000 social innovators.Tim is a sought-out industry speaker and regularly featured and quoted in media such as ThinkAdvisor and WealthManagement and has appeared on TheStreet and Forbes. He received a BA from Wesleyan University and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. Tim and his wife, Julie, live in San Francisco with their sons, Milo and Gus.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of ImpactAssetsOrigin story and how the model worksHow it is different than a typical institutional asset allocationWho the target customers areTraction and progress to dateSome example success storiesLong visionImpact, if successfulWhat comes nextBarriers holding them backWhat could change to help them move fasterAdvice for people looking to allocate their philanthropic capital to maximize its impactLinks to topics discussed in this episode:ImpactAssets: http://impactassets.org/Tim Freundlich: https://www.impactassets.org/about_us/team/timothy-freundlichUN Sustainable Development Goals: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/Seth Goldman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Goldman_(businessman)Beyond Meat: https://www.beyondmeat.com/MSCI KLD 400 Social Index: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/domini_400.aspCalvert Impact Capital: https://www.calvertimpactcapital.org/What is a donor-advised fund? https://www.nptrust.org/what-is-a-donor-advised-fund/Toniic: https://toniic.com/CREO Syndicate: http://creosyndicate.org/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Akshat Rathi, a London-based reporter, covering science, energy, and environment for Bloomberg News. He has a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Oxford, and a BTech in chemical engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai.He tells stories of the people and their ideas tackling the biggest problem facing humanity: climate change. And he is currently working on a book about scaling up climate solutions.Previously, Akshat was a senior reporter at Quartz and a science editor at The Conversation. He has also worked for The Economist and the Royal Society of Chemistry. His writings have also been published in Nature, The Hindu, The Guardian, Ars Technica, and Chemistry World, among others.In 2018, Akshat won Journalist of the Year at the Drum’s Online Media Awards ceremony, he was a finalist for the John B. Oakes award for distinguished environmental journalism, and he was shortlisted for British Science Writer of the Year by the Association of British Science Writers. In 2019, he was shortlisted by the British Journalism Awards for the best science journalism category.Akshat has won fellowships from Columbia University and City University of New York to enhance his reporting work. He has also served on the advisory panel of the 2019 Cairncross Review on the sustainability of high-quality journalism in the UK.In today’s episode, we cover:Akshat’s most recent role at QuartzHow and why Akshat came to be a climate journalist, and where his concern about this issue came fromHis transition from PhD to journlismThe importance of rigor in science journalism, and how Akshat defines itThe state of media business models, and the implications for climate coverageSome different paths to introduce more scientific expertise in the newsroomAkshat’s assessment of the problem of climate changeAkshat’s thoughts about market forces vs regulation, a carbon price, US role vs developing countries, carbon removal, fission & fusion, solar geoengineering, and moreRole of the fossil fuel companies in the transitionConsumer and corporate offsetsAdaptation and resiliencyHow Akshat would allocate $100B to maximize its impact towards decarbonizationAkshat’s advice for others looking to figure out how to helpA teaser for Akshat’s upcoming role with Bloomberg News (which he’s since started!)Links to topics discussed in this episode:Quartz: https://qz.com/UN Climate Change Conference - December 2019: https://unfccc.int/cop25The "would you nationalize sausages?" question: https://www.thepoke.co.uk/2019/12/10/would-you-nationalise-sausages-wins-the-weirdest-question-of-the-election-award/Bloomberg News: https://www.bloomberg.com/ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/Climate Home: https://www.climatechangenews.com/Carbon Brief: https://www.carbonbrief.org/Heated: https://heated.world/Emily Atkin: https://twitter.com/emorweeClimate Feedback: https://climatefeedback.org/NewScientist: https://www.newscientist.com/The Economist: https://www.economist.com/AAAS Fellowship: https://www.aaas.org/programs/science-technology-policy-fellowshipsBreakthrough Energy Ventures: https://www.b-t.energy/ventures/Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is Joey Bergstein, CEO of Seventh Generation, recently acquired by Unilever. Seventh Generation’s mission is to inspire a consumer revolution that nurtures the health of the next seven generations. The company is a leader in positive business practices through the use of renewable plant-based products, industry-leading transparency with respect to ingredient disclosures, and recyclable packaging.Joey joined Seventh Generation in 2011 and, together with the Seventh Generation team, has been transforming its business, more than doubling revenue during this time, while fulfilling the company’s mission to incite a consumer revolution that nurtures the health of the next seven generations. Following the sale to Unilever, Joey was appointed CEO. Growth is accelerating, as is the company’s ability to impact millions of people around the world.A graduate of University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business, Bergstein began his career at Procter & Gamble where he held marketing leadership roles over the course of ten years across North America and in Europe. Since then, his career turned to beverages where Joey served as VP Global Business Development and then VP Marketing at Molson and finally at Diageo where as Senior Vice President of Global Rum, Joey led a global team that doubled the rum business to over $1 billion, transforming Captain Morgan into the fastest growing premium spirit brand in the world.In today’s episode, we cover:Seventh Generation overview and origin story'Discussion about it’s unique principles, and when/how those came to beJoey’s career arc, and what led him to Seventh GenerationWhen/how/why he became passionate about helping address climate changeHow he thinks about the problem, and the best ways to solve itSome examples of initiatives within the company to help with this issueHow they prioritize which projects to take on, and how they measure results from an impact standpointDiscussion about B corps, and their role going forward versus changes that need to come with capitalism overallWhat else matters in the climate fight, beyond the work of Seventh GenerationHow Joey would allocate a big pot of money to maximize its impact on climate changeJoey’s advice for others looking to determine how to best helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Seventh Generation: https://www.seventhgeneration.com/homeB corps: https://bcorporation.net/about-b-corpsGreat Law of Peace: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Law_of_PeaceSierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org/Generation IM: https://www.generationim.com/Seventh Generation: https://www.seventhgeneration.com/homeAmerican Sustainable Business Council: https://www.asbcouncil.org/Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is Senator Stephen Fenberg, a Democrat who serves as state Senator in the 18th District in Colorado where he's served since 2017. He also serves as the Senate Majority Leader.A few years after graduating from CU, Senator Fenberg founded New Era Colorado, a nonprofit organization dedicated engaging, educating, and training young people in the political process. The organization has registered hundreds of thousands of young people to vote in Colorado and successfully passed several pieces of legislation related to election reform, student debt, and climate.He has also served on the Board of Directors for ProgressNow, One Colorado Political Committee, and INVST Community Studies as well as the Boulder Housing Working Group and the city of Boulder Capital Improvement Taskforce. Senator Fenberg now serves as an Advisory Board member for the dZi Foundation, an international nonprofit providing development work in remote areas of Nepal.Senator Fenberg is part-owner of the Bread Bar, a cocktail bar in the historic town of Silver Plume. Bread Bar resides at the site of a historic bakery from the 1800's.In today’s episode, we cover:Senator Fenberg’s history prior to holding officeNew Era Colorado, a nonprofit organization founded by Senator Fenberg, dedicated to engaging, educating, and training young people in the political processHis decision to run for office and whyHis early work in office to gain Democratic majorityHis assessment of the state of the Federal government, and the role of the statesHow he thinks about the climate problemHis assessment of Republicans and the climate change problemImportance of going after coal plantsOne benefit of regulated monopoly utilityHow to not just get policy done, but durable policyWhat the oil and gas industry wantsSenator Fenberg’s advice to those that want to helpHis advice for the future incoming President in 2021How Senator Fenberg is thinking about his futureLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Senator Fenberg: https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/stephen-fenbergNew Era Colorado: https://neweracolorado.org/Joe Neguse: https://neguse.house.gov/Leslie Herod: https://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/leslie-herodLisa Kaufmann: https://www.denverpost.com/2018/11/09/jared-polis-chief-staff-lisa-kaufmann/Xcel Energy: https://www.xcelenergy.com/Senate bill 181: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/environment_energy_resources/publications/trends/2019-2020/november-december-2019/senate-bill/Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is Shreya Dave, co-founder and CEO of Via Separations.Via Separations has pioneered a new membrane based on graphene oxide for fine liquid filtration in harsh environments, with applications in food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and bulk and specialty chemicals.  They are scaling up and commercializing the material platform for use in industrial separation processes such as food ingredient production and chemical manufacturing. Shreya graduated from MIT with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Her PhD research focused on the design and manufacture of graphene oxide membranes for water desalination, including fundamental characterization methods of graphene oxide, membrane synthesis, and economic analysis of the role of membranes in cost constraints of desalination plants. She also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MIT in mechanical engineering and technology & policy.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview and origin story of Via SeparationsDiscussion about industrial processes and their emissions footprintWhy and when sustainability became important to ShreyaHow she came to be doing the PhD research that led to the company formationThe importance of doing customer discovery, and how the I-Corps program helped themComparison between I-Corps and Cyclotron Road / ActivateSimilarities between customer discovery and fundraisingThe key phases of company building so farBusiness modelDiscussion about project finance, and how accessible it is to early stage hard tech companiesDiscussion about project insuranceDiscussion about when and how to engage strategicsDiscussion about where, as a new founder, Shreya turns for help navigating the different phases of growthWhat some of the more impactful things are that could change to accelerate progressRole model companiesAdvice for other PhDs in the lab thinking of following a similar pathLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Shreya Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shdave/Via Separations: https://www.viaseparations.com/Professor Jeffrey Grossman: https://dmse.mit.edu/people/jeffrey-c-grossmanI-Corps: https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/i-corps/Brent Keller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-keller-88430811a/Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/The Engine: https://www.engine.xyz/Reid Hoffman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reid_HoffmanBlitzscaling book: https://www.blitzscaling.com/Chobani: https://www.chobani.com/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is David Perry, President, CEO, and Director of Indigo Ag, Indigo Ag is harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet. They improve grower profitability, environmental sustainability, and consumer health through the use of natural microbiology and digital technologies. Founded in 2016 Indigo Ag has raised more than $650 million in funding. The recently announced Terraton Initiative is a global effort to remove a trillion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to enrich agricultural soils.David is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and built three innovative companies in the last 20 years, leading the last two through successful IPOs and to multi-billion dollar market capitalizations and raising over $1.2 billion while generating significant returns for investors. He was most recently CEO and Co-Founder of Anacor Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ANAC), a biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing novel small-molecule therapeutics to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases. The company was acquired by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) in 2016 for approximately $5.2 billion. David previously co-founded and served as CEO of Chemdex (NASDAQ: CMDX), later creating its parent company Ventro Corporation (NASDAQ: VNTR), a business-to-business marketplace focused on the life sciences industry. At its peak, Ventro was valued at $11 billion and was later sold to Nexprise. David is Founder and Chairman of the San Francisco-based digital health startup Better Therapeutics (f/k/a FareWell) and a Board Director of the human microbiome company Evelo Biosciences.In 2000, David was named Entrepreneur of the Year in Northern California by Ernst and Young. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Tulsa. He also attended the United States Air Force Academy, where he was a National Merit Scholar. In today’s episode, we cover:Overview and origin story of Indigo AgDavid’s career as an entrepreneur, and how he has prioritized what projects to take on along the wayThe most striking problems to David about the food and agriculture systemDavid’s consistent approach to starting from zero as he kicks off a new ventureIndigo’s vision, strategy, and progress to-dateOverview of regenerative farmingValue prop to farmersOverview of Terraton Initiative and other key Indigo projectsHow they fit into the climate fight, and what their impact can be if successfulHow David thinks about climate change in general, and what else can be impactful in the climate fight beyond Indigo’s workHow David would allocate $100B to maximize its impact in the climate fightDavid’s advice for others looking to find their laneLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Indigo Ag website: https://www.indigoag.comFlagship Pioneering: https://www.flagshippioneering.com/Cargill: https://www.cargill.com/ADM: https://www.adm.com/Bunge: https://www.bunge.com/Indigo Carbon: https://www.indigoag.com/for-growers/indigo-carbonTerraton Initiative: https://terraton.indigoag.com/Regenerative farming: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regenerative_agriculture45Q primer: https://www.betterenergy.org/blog/primer-section-45q-tax-credit-for-carbon-capture-projects/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is Dr. Jonathan Foley, Executive Director of Project Drawdown. Project Drawdown is a world-class research organization that reviews, analyzes, and identifies the most viable global climate solutions, and shares these findings with the world. Their book, Drawdown, has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and describes the hundred most substantive solutions to global warming. For each one, describes its history, its carbon impact, the relative cost and savings, path to adoption, and how it works.Dr. Foley is a world-renowned environmental scientist, sustainability expert, author, and public speaker. His work is focused on understanding our changing planet, and finding new solutions to sustain the climate, ecosystems, and natural resources we all depend on.Foley’s groundbreaking research and insights have led him to become a trusted advisor to governments, foundations, non-governmental organizations, and business leaders around the world. He and his colleagues have made major contributions to our understanding of global ecosystems, food security and the environment, climate change, and the sustainability of the world’s resources. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including many highly cited works in Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In 2014, Thomson Reuters named him a Highly Cited Researcher in ecology and environmental science, placing him among the top 1 percent most cited global scientists.A noted science communicator, his presentations have been featured at hundreds of international venues, including the Aspen Institute, the World Bank, the National Geographic Society, the Chautauqua Institution, the Commonwealth Club, the National Science March in Washington, D.C., and TED.com. He has taught at several major universities on topics ranging from climate change, global sustainability solutions, the future of the food system, and addressing the world’s “grand challenges”. He has also written many popular pieces in publications like National Geographic, the New York Times, the Guardian, and Scientific American. He is also frequently interviewed by international media outlets, and has appeared on National Public Radio, the PBS NewsHour, the BBC, CNN, and in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Washington Post, Salon, WIRED, the HBO documentary on climate change “Too Hot Not to Handle”, and the upcoming film series “Let Science Speak”.Foley has won numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, awarded by President Clinton; the J.S. McDonnell Foundation’s 21st Century Science Award; an Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellowship; the Sustainability Science Award from the Ecological Society of America; and the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Award. In 2014, he was also named as the winner of the prestigious Heinz Award for the Environment.Before joining Project Drawdown, Foley led a number of world-leading environmental science and sustainability organizations. From 1993 to 2008, he was based at the University of Wisconsin, where he launched the Climate, People, and Environment Program (CPEP), founded the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), and served as the first Gaylord Nelson Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies. From 2008 and 2014, he was the founding director of the Institute on the Environment(IonE) at the University of Minnesota, where he was also McKnight Presidential Chair of Global Environment and Sustainability. Then, between 2014 and 2018, he served as the Executive Director of the California Academy of Sciences, the greenest and more forward-thinking science museum on the planet.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview and origin story of Project DrawdownDr. Foley’s background and experience leading up to his time at DrawdownSome of the challenges that come with being a scientist focused on this areaThe nature of the climate problem, and what the scientists have gotten very rightWhat kind of leadership will be needed to solve itWhat are the biggest levers to solve itWhere Drawdown 2.0 fits in, and how it can helpHow Dr. Foley would allocate a big pot of money, to maximize its impact on decarbonizationHis advice for others looking to find their lane to helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Project Drawdown: https://www.drawdown.org/California Academy of Sciences: https://www.calacademy.org/Merchants of Doubt: https://www.merchantsofdoubt.org/Naomi Oreskes: https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/people/naomi-oreskesKatharine Hayhoe: http://katharinehayhoe.com/wp2016/Michael Mann: https://www.michaelmann.net/Montreal Protocol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreal_ProtocolCAFE Standards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_average_fuel_economyTED talk by Katharine Wilkinson: https://www.ted.com/talks/katharine_wilkinson_how_empowering_women_and_girls_can_help_stop_global_warming?language=enTED talk by Chad Frischmann: https://www.ted.com/talks/chad_frischmann_100_solutions_to_climate_change?language=enClimate Take Back Program: https://www.interface.com/US/en-US/sustainability/climate-take-back-en_USCitizens United: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_(organization)Mary Robinson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_RobinsonYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Barney Schauble, Chairman, Nephila Climate, the world's largest asset manager dedicated to weather and catastrophe insurance risks.Barney joined Nephila Capital in 2004 as a Managing Partner and moved to San Francisco in 2010 to set up Nephila Advisors. Barney is the Chair of the Board of Nephila Climate (NCx), and also a Director of Nephila Capital Ltd. and Nephila Holdings Ltd.Barney is the Head of Nephila Labs, where his primary responsibilities include oversight of research and insurtech; he is also involved in investor relations and business development. Barney began working in re/insurance in New York in 1993 as a broker for Marsh and Guy Carpenter. He joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. in their Risk Markets group in 1996, where he helped to execute the first catastrophe bond and spent six years working on development and distribution of catastrophe andweather-linked products. Barney joined XL Capital in 2003 and was head of marketing for the weather risk management business.Barney attended Harvard College and received his BA in Economics in 1995. He wrote his senior thesis to explore investing in bonds linked to property catastrophe reinsurance risk. He served as a Director of The Climate Corporation (2007-2012), MetroMile (2009-2011), and Advisen (2014-2016).  He is Chair of the Board of Ceres (a non-profit devoted to sustainable capitalism) where he has been a Director since 2011. He is also an advisor and/or board member of several insurance-related technology companies.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Nephila, and of reinsurance, in generalHistory of the reinsurance marketFounding story of Nephila, and Barney’s experience leading up to thatThe nature of Nephila’s work and how it has evolved over timeHow Barney thinks about climate change, and his thinking has evolved over timeBarney’s views on climate risk, and short-term/long-term considerations looking into the futureBarney’s views on the best ways to solveBarney’s work at Ceres, and why it is importantIs the reinsurance market a leading or lagging indicator of climate risk?The role of policyHow Barney would allocate a big pot of money to maximize its impact in the climate fightBarney’s advice for how you and I can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Nephila Climate: https://www.nephilaclimate.com/Swiss Re: https://www.swissre.com/Munich Re: https://www.munichre.com/en.htmlSCOR: https://www.scor.com/enMarsh & McLennan: https://www.mmc.com/World Bank: https://www.worldbank.org/Ceres: https://www.ceres.org/Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures: https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Marilyn Waite, Program Officer, Climate & Clean Energy Finance at William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.Marilyn manages the foundation’s grantmaking on climate and clean energy finance with the ambitious goal of addressing climate change by accelerating the transition to a climate-friendly economy. Her grantmaking mobilizes private capital investments in low-carbon and climate-friendly energy infrastructure and systems, seeking to redirect finance from high- to low-carbon activities and encourage wiser energy investments. A key component to this work includes assessing climate finance flows, identifying ways to lower the cost and risk of investment, and supporting innovations in capital markets to address investor requirements for clean energy and climate-aligned projects.Marilyn has worked across four continents in venture investment, startups, and low-carbon energy. She previously led the clean energy practice at Village Capital, where she sourced and performed due diligence for early-stage startups solving energy challenges and built a network of 1,000-plus clean tech entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and government stakeholders. As a senior research fellow at Project Drawdown, she modeled and forecasted energy solutions to climate change. Marilyn led several operational and research and development projects at AREVA in France, including performing technical and economic studies in the energy-water nexus and the nuclear energy cycle.Author of Sustainability at Work, Marilyn serves on the board of directors for the Biomimicry Institute and lectures on sustainable business at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. She is an E2 1 Hotels Fellow, and as such, her work and writing highlights opportunities in women-led, green economy startups throughout the country.She holds a bachelor’s of science degree in civil and environmental engineering, magna cum laude, from Princeton University and a master’s degree with distinction in engineering for sustainable development from the University of Cambridge.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of the Hewlett FoundationMarilyn’s professional history, leading her up to her current roleWhen she started caring about climate change, and whyHer current role, focus areas, how they determine how grants are allocated, and some example projectsHow they measure success, and how this work ties into broader climate fightWhat else can be high impact in climate fightHow Marilyn would allocate a big pot of money to maximize its impact in the climate fightMarilyn’s advice for you and I for how we can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:William and Flora Hewlett Foundation: https://hewlett.org/New Energy Nexus: https://www.newenergynexus.com/Project Drawdown: https://www.drawdown.org/Village Capital: https://vilcap.com/PCAF: https://carbonaccountingfinancials.com/Multilateral development banks: https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R41170.pdfClean Energy Federal Credit Union: https://www.cleanenergycu.org/home/homeWinners Take All book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/539747/winners-take-all-by-anand-giridharadas/Just Giving book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-giving-rob-reich/1128553898Decolonizing Wealth book: https://www.amazon.com/Decolonizing-Wealth-Indigenous-Divides-Restore/dp/1523097892Global Alliance for Banking on Values: http://www.gabv.org/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Gene Berdichevsky, Co-Founder & CEO of Sila Nanotechnologies. Prior to co-founding Sila, Gene was the seventh employee at Tesla Motors where he served as Principal Engineer on the Roadster battery, leading the development of the world’s first, safe, mass-produced, automotive lithium-ion battery system.Gene holds two degrees from Stanford University; an MS in Engineering with a focus on energy and materials, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He has co-authored 42 patents and 4 academic publications. Gene has been named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list, the MIT Technology Review 35 Under 35, and was a recipient of the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Sila NanotechnologiesBattery industry overview, and the role of batteries in the climate fightWhere EVs are in their adoption curve, and how they will connect to the grid in the futureGene’s path to becoming a battery entrepreneur, including joining Tesla as employee #7Gene’s great story about how he got hired at Tesla!Origin story of Sila Nanotechnologies, including how it formed while he was an EIR at Sutter Hill VenturesThe importance of starting in high value markets in tough techGene’s views on the best ways for tough tech companies to get fundedThe importance of focusing on the process, not the resultSila’s progress to-date, and how the company has been capitalized along the wayThe potential impact it can have, if successfulWhat’s coming next, and what barriers and hurdles they face to adoptionThe most impactful things that could change in order to accelerate their pathWhat Gene would do with a big pot of money to maximize its impact in the climate fightHis advice for others looking to find their laneLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Sila Nanotechnologies: https://silanano.com/Tesla: https://www.tesla.com/J.B. Straubel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._B._StraubelPat Brown: https://impossiblefoods.com/company/ourteam/patbrown/Mike Speiser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikespeiser/Sutter Hill Ventures: https://www.shv.com/Gleb Yushin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gleb-yushin-54780618/Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/Bessemer Venture Partners: https://www.bvp.com/California Air Resources Board: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/homepagYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Shayle Kann, Managing Director for Energy Impact Partners.EIP is an investment firm that invests in companies shaping the energy landscape of the future. It's backed by a broad coalition of some of the world's largest and most innovative utilities that collectively span the globe, access millions of households, and spend more than 20 billion annually on new technologies and procurement. Shayle leads research & strategy at Energy Impact Partners.Previously, Shayle spent over eight years building and running GTM Research, the market intelligence arm of Greentech Media, where he led a 30-person team tracking and forecasting the evolution of the electricity sector. Shayle oversaw this business through and beyond GTM’s successful 2016 acquisition by Verisk Analytics.Shayle is a renowned expert on the energy transition. He has spoken at conferences around the world, testified in front of U.S. Congress, and is regularly cited in outlets including the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, Economist, and Bloomberg. His writing has been featured in publications such as Foreign Affairs, Nature Energy and Public Utilities Fortnightly.Shayle is also Senior Advisor to Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy. Prior to GTM, Shayle was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar, researching renewable energy project finance in Australia. He also worked at Conservation Services Group (acquired by ClearResult) and the California Public Utilities Commission. He graduated cum laude, phi beta kappa from Pomona College.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Energy Impact PartnersAreas they invest inShayle’s role with the firmHow the utilities that are LPs engage, and what they are hoping to get out of their involvementShayle’s history, and what led him to EIPWhen and why he started caring about climate changeShayle’s throughs on the nature of the problem and the best ways to solveRole of policy vs innovationFuture of capitalismHow Shayle would allocate a big pot of money to maximize its impact in the climate fightShayle’s advice for how you and I can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Energy Impact Partners: https://www.energyimpactpartners.com/Greentech Media: https://www.greentechmedia.com/The Interchange: https://www.greentechmedia.com/podcast/the-interchangeXcel Energy: https://www.xcelenergy.com/California Public Utilities Commission: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/Lazard’s levelized cost of energy: https://www.lazard.com/perspective/levelized-cost-of-energy-and-levelized-cost-of-storage-2018/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Jason Jacobs, host of this podcast!That's right. Enough people were asking me to do an episode where someone interviews me to summarize where I am on the journey, that I finally but the bullet and did it. And it wasn’t even planned! I was having coffee with an avid MCJ listener, Remy Evard, and he said “you should really do an episode where someone interviews you”, so, with about 5 minutes of prep, we grabbed the microphones and did an episode right on the spot!It is a brief discussion relative to the normal longform episodes, but it won’t be the last time you hear from me in  this way (like it or not, haha!).Let me know your feedback, in terms of whether this kind of episode is helpful, and how I can make them more helpful going forward.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Professor Sam Fankhauser, Director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and Director of the ESRC-funded Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, both at The London School of Economics and Political Science.He is also an Associate Director at economics consultancy Vivid Economics and a Non-Executive Director of CDC Group, the UK’s development finance institution.Previously, Sam worked at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility. From 2008 to 2016 he was a member of the UK Committee on Climate Change.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Grantham Research InstituteNature of the research they do'When and why Sam came to care about the environment'How urgent Sam thinks the problem isHow settled is the science?'Some causes for optimismPublic perception in US vs EuropeCommittee on Climate Change (CCC)'Free markets vs regulation'Should we price carbon?The inequity of climate changeWhere Sam would allocate a big pot of money to maximize its impact in the climate fightSam’s advice for others looking to find their laneLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Grantham Institute: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/grantham/Committee on Climate Change: https://www.theccc.org.uk/Negative emissions technologies: https://qz.com/1416481/the-ultimate-guide-to-negative-emission-technologies/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest Dr. Julio Friedmann, a Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.Dr. Friedmann recently served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy at the Department of Energy where he was responsible for DOE’s R&D program in advanced fossil energy systems, carbon capture, and storage (CCS), CO2 utilization, and clean coal deployment. His expertise includes Large-Scale Carbon Management, CO2 removal, CO2 recycling, Oil and Gas systems, international engagements in clean fossil energy, and inter-agency engagements within the US government. He has also held positions at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, including Senior Advisor for Energy Innovation and Chief Energy Technologist. He is also the CEO of Carbon Wrangler, LLC, is a Distinguished Associate at the Energy Futures Initiative, and serves as a special advisor to the Global CCS Institute. He was recently named as a Senior Fellow to the Breakthrough Institute and the Climate Leadership Council.Dr. Friedmann is one of the most widely known and authoritative experts in the U.S. on carbon removal (CO2 drawdown from the air and oceans), CO2 conversion and use (carbon-to-value), and carbon capture and sequestration. His expertise includes technology, policy, and operations. In addition to close partnerships with many private companies and NGOs, Julio has worked with the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Treasury.Dr. Friedmann received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), followed by a Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Southern California. He worked for five years as a senior research scientist at ExxonMobil, then as a research scientist at the University of Maryland. He serves as a formal and informal advisor to several clean energy and CarbonTech companies.In today’s episode, we cover:Julio’s current work at the Center for Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, leading an initiative called the Carbon Mitigation Research Initiative, CAMRI.Julio’s prior work, including at places like Lawrence Livermore National Lab, DOE, and ExxonMobil.When Julio started caring about climate change, how that came about, and how his thinking on the problem has evolved over the years.What culpability the fossil fuel industry has, and their role in the climate fight looking forwards.Julio’s current work in emissions-heavy industries.The role of government.The role of carbon capture, and best ways to accelerate.The importance of prioritization, based on big levers but also on what’s doable.The role of consumers.How Julio would allocate a big pot of money to maximize its impact in the climate fightJulio’s advice for the most important things you and I can do to help.Links to topics discussed in this episode:Dr. Julio Friedmann bio: https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/dr-julio-friedmannColumbia Center on Global Energy Policy: https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/Mr. Peabody and Sherman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Peabody_%26_ShermanLee Raymond: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_RaymondStratigraphy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StratigraphyLawrence Livermore National Lab: https://www.llnl.gov/DOE: https://www.energy.gov/Ernie Moniz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_MonizOffice of Fossil Energy: https://www.energy.gov/fe/office-fossil-energyJonathan Pershing: https://hewlett.org/people/jonathan-pershing/Melanie Kenderdine: https://www.energy.gov/policy/contributors/melanie-kenderdineHoward Gruenspecht: https://www.csis.org/people/howard-gruenspechtHu Jintao: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hu_JintaoXi Jinping: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi_JinpingVaclav Smil: http://vaclavsmil.com/Pete Buttigieg: https://peteforamerica.com/meet-pete/Climeworks: https://www.climeworks.com/Geoengineering: http://www.geoengineering.ox.ac.uk/www.geoengineering.ox.ac.uk/what-is-geoengineering/what-is-geoengineering/Chemtrails conspiracy theory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemtrail_conspiracy_theoryYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today's guest is Ilan Gur, the CEO of Activate and the Founder of Cyclotron Road. Cyclotron Road is an entrepreneurial fellowship program that pairs PhD fellows working on promising scientific breakthroughs with grants that pay their salaries. Access to a bunch of expensive equipment and showers them with mentorship to try to bridge the gap between early academic research that shows great promise and actually turning the corner to become a company. Prior to founding Cyclotron Road, Ilan launched two science-based startups including Seeo, an advanced battery company that was acquired by Bosch in 2015. He was also a program director at ARPA-E. He holds a PhD in material science and engineering from the University of California at Berkeley.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview and origin story of Activate & Cyclotron RoadIlan’s time at ARPA-E and key learningsThe 3 components of Activate’s entrepreneurial fellowship programHow it works, application process, etcRelationships with corporate partners, government agencies, etcHow the organization is fundedKey learnings from initial cohortsExpansion plansWhat is missing that would help accelerate their effortsHow you and I can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Activate website: https://www.activate.org/ARPA-E: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/Berkeley Lab: https://www.lbl.gov/Opus 12: https://www.opus-12.com/DARPA: https://www.darpa.mil/Nicole Systrom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleschuetz/Sanjay Wagle: https://lightsmithgp.com/team/sanjay-wagle/David Danielson: http://www.b-t.energy/ventures/team/dave-danielson/Raymond Weitekamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondweitekamp/Horst Simon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/horst-simon-6b3417/Cheryl Martin: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=taxonomy/term/851/allMosaic Materials: https://mosaicmaterials.com/Bill McKibben: http://billmckibben.com/Al Gore: https://www.algore.com/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Lara Pierpoint, Director of Technical Strategy at Exelon.Exelon is America's leading competitive energy provider with one of the cleanest and lowest cost power generation fleets. Its utility serves millions of electric and gas customers. Lara's team is tasked with enhancing Exelon's ability to capitalize on new technology and respond to disruptive innovations. Her expertise is in systems analysis, modeling and policy. And her knowledge is deep in nuclear, gas and electric interface and energy finance as well as widely across the electricity spectrum.Prior to Exelon, Lara has had a number of different roles. She was Senior Advisor for energy policy and Systems analysis at Department of Energy. She was a AAAS fellow at the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. And she also has her PhD in Engineering Systems from MIT, as well as a Masters in Nuclear Engineering and in Technology and Policy also at MIT, and an undergrad in physics from UCLA. Suffice to say Lara's got a really interesting perspective to talk about everything energy and everything climate change.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Exelon and Lara’s role within the companyOverview of the utilities market, and history of deregulationLara’s career history, and what motivates her to do the work she doesDeep dive into the technical strategy team, its history within the company, the work they do, and some example projectsBroader discussion about the optimal energy mix, and the roles of nuclear, renewables, etcSome of the headwinds, and the best ways to accelerate the energy transitionHow you and I can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Exelon: https://www.exeloncorp.com/AAAS fellowship program: https://www.aaas.org/programs/science-technology-policy-fellowshipsUS Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/Volta Energy Technologies: https://plusvolta.com/Constellation Technology Ventures: http://technologyventures.constellation.com/MIT energy club: https://www.mitenergyclub.org/Department of Energy (DOE): https://www.energy.gov/Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI): https://www.epri.com/#/?lang=en-USHydrogen electrolyzer: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-production-electrolysisYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Shawn Murphy, Founder & CEO of Titan Advanced Energy Solutions.Titan is an advanced battery management system technology company, which is revolutionizing the renewable space by lowering the cost of lithium ion batteries by at least 30 to 40%, and doubling their expected life.Titan's technology uses ultrasound to measure and determine the state of health, and state of charge real time and is about 100 times better than the current state of the art. This technology will eventually be implemented in electric vehicles, stationary storage and consumer electronics. Previously, Shawn was the founder and CEO of multiple successful startups, the former head of Space Science and Technology for Draper Labs, and was also the founder and former director of Shell's innovation center called Shell Tech Works.We have a wide ranging discussion in this episode, including Titan, where it fits in the broader battery landscape, how the battery landscape fits in terms of the grid, and the rise of things like solar and wind, and also how to think about all this in the context of climate change. We then come back around to have a great discussion on the proper sources of capital for this type of innovation, the role of startups versus incumbents, and of course, the underlying motivators that make Shawn get out of bed every day and give him purpose in his work.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Titan Advanced Energy SolutionsShawn’s background leading up to starting the company, including at Draper Labs, Shell, and several startupsTitan founding story, long vision, traction to date, and next stepsHow Titan’s product fits into broader climate fight, and what success looks like at scaleWhat else can be high impact in climate fightShawn’s advice for how you and I can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Titan’s website: https://www.titanaes.com/Greentown Labs: https://www.greentownlabs.com/Shell TechWorks: https://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/innovating-together/shell-techworks.htmlSecond-life EV batteries: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/second-life-ev-batteries-the-newest-value-pool-in-energy-storageMassCEC: https://www.masscec.com/Energy Innovation Capital: http://energyinnovationcapital.com/Schneider Electric: https://www.se.com/us/en/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is David Burt, the CEO and Founder of DeltaTerra Capital and the lead Portfolio Manager for DeltaTerra funds. DeltaTerra provides proprietary financial models, customized portfolio analysis, and unique hedging strategies that enable highly informed climate risk management for asset owners and investors.Before founding DeltaTerra, David was a Partner and Portfolio Manager at Wellington Management Company. Prior to Wellington, he built investment processes at BlueMountain Capital, AlderTree Capital (a 2006 startup he founded to bet against the mortgage credit bubble), BlackRock Financial Management, and State Street Research and Management. He began his career as a Real Estate Economist at Property & Portfolio Research, Inc. David has spent 22 years applying his imagination, synthesis talents, and quantitative skills to help institutional investors get the most out of their real estate and structured finance investments. David has been a CFA charter holder since 2002 and received a BS in Mathematics, with a minor in Economics, from MIT in 1997.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of DeltaTerra CapitalDave’s background, and what led him to identifying this opportunity and pursuing itDave’s role in the mortgage backed securities market and The Big Short.How Dave thinks about purpose and where hedge funds fit inThe importance of investing in the clean energy transition, and Dave’s bet for what will accelerate that transition the mostHow much exposure asset owners and investors have to climate risk, and in what formsHow DeltaTerra will help, the business model, and the types of clients it will serveWhat else will help facilitate this transition, beyond DeltaTerra’s workLinks to topics discussed in this episode:DeltaTerra Capital: https://deltaterracapital.com/aboutThe Big Short: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Short_(film)mortgage backed securities: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mbs.aspBlackrock: https://www.blackrock.com/Wellington Management: https://www.wellington.com/en/Fannie Mae: https://www.fanniemae.com/portal/index.html'Freddie Mac: http://www.freddiemac.com/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Melinda Hanson, Head of Sustainability at Bird, a micromobility company based in Santa Monica, CA. Founded in September 2017, Bird operates shared electric scooters in over 100 cities in Europe, the Middle East, and North America, with 10 million rides in its first year of operation.Melinda joined Bird from the National Association of City Transportation Officials, where she served as deputy director of NACTO's international programs. Before that, Melinda was a consultant for the Asian Development Bank, helping design and implement public transit projects in Pakistan and the Philippines. Earlier in her career, she was a founding staff member of the ClimateWorks Foundation where she managed the sustainable transport portfolio.In today’s episode, we cover:An overview of BirdHow Melinda became interested in sustainability and micromobilityCar culture, and some of the challenges inhibiting cities from changingThe rise of e-scooters (and why)How Bird is different, relative to competitionMelinda’s charter as head of sustainabilityTheir progress to-date, and some examples of key learningsThe value prop Bird offers to cities, and how the cities tend to evaluate the decision'Some barriers inhibiting progress, and the most impactful things that could change to accelerate their effortsWhat success looks like at Bird, from a sustainability standpointWhat else matters in the climate fightMelinda’s advice for others trying to figure out how to helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Bird: https://www.bird.co/Melinda’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-hanson-6384912/ClimateWorks Foundation: https://www.climateworks.org/Barr Foundation: https://www.barrfoundation.org/Travis VanderZanden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis1/NYC’s Green Wave Plan: https://ny.curbed.com/2019/8/19/20812178/regional-planning-association-rpa-protected-bike-laneQuick Builds for Better Streets: https://b.3cdn.net/bikes/675cdae66d727f8833_kzm6ikutu.pdfYou can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Ken Kimmell, President of Union of Concerned Scientists, a leading science-based nonprofit that combines the knowledge and influence of the scientific community with the passion of concerned citizens to build a healthy planet and a safer world.Ken has more than 30 years of experience in government, environmental policy, and advocacy. He is a national advocate for clean energy and transportation policies and a driving force behind UCS’s “Power Ahead” campaign to build a large and diverse group of clean energy leadership states. Ken served on the Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth, which advised Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s administration on future transportation needs and challenges. Ken was one of 18 members the governor appointed to the panel charged with looking at five areas anticipated to have a dramatic impact on transportation: climate and resiliency, transportation electrification, autonomous and connected vehicles, transit and mobility services, and land use and demographic trends.Prior to joining UCS in May 2014, Ken was the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), an agency with a $100 million budget and 800 employees, including a large staff of scientists and engineers. As commissioner, he also served as chairman of the board of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, helping to prod the nine member states to reduce power plant carbon emissions by almost 50 percent through 2020, reducing emissions in the region by some 90 million tons.Ken has also served as general counsel at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s administration, and spent 17 years as the director and senior attorney at a Boston-based law firm specializing in environmental, energy, and land-use issues.Ken decided to focus his legal work on environmental issues after clerking for the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, where he assisted a judge in a case involving the health effects of Agent Orange. Originally from New York, he earned his bachelor’s degree at Wesleyan University and his law degree at the University of California, Los Angeles.Ken has been quoted widely, including by the Associated Press, the Boston Globe, Bloomberg Business, the New York Times and the Washington Post, and has appeared numerous times on E&E TV and National Public Radio.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview and origin story of Union of Concerned ScientistsScientists, and their changing views regarding political advocacyNature of UCS work, and some example projectHow UCS selects these projects, and what success looks likeDetails on tactics and executionWhat motivates Ken personally do the work he doesKen’s assessment of where we are, and what has gone right and wrong in climate fightWhat gives Ken optimism looking forwardRole of States vs Federal GovernmentKen’s thoughts on the best way to get meaningful bipartisan legislation doneKen’s thoughts on most impactful things that could happen to accelerate progress'How Ken would allocate big pot of $ to maximize it’s impact in climate fightKen’s advice for how you and I can helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Union of Concerned Scientists website: https://www.ucsusa.org/Housing & Economic Recovery Act of 2008: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing_and_Economic_Recovery_Act_of_2008Los Angeles’ pledge to ban gas-powered cars by 2030: https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-mayors-emissions-free-cities-20171023-story.htmlEnvironmental Voter Project: https://www.environmentalvoter.org/U.S. Chamber of Commerce: https://www.uschamber.com/California’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2050: https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-100-percent-clean-energy-20190110-story.htmlLouis Brandeis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_BrandeisYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Paulina Jaramillo, Professor, Engineering and Public Policy, & Co-Director, Green Design Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.Dr. Paulina Jaramillo has a bachelor’s in civil and environmental engineering from Florida International University (2003), as well as a master's and PhD in civil and environmental engineering with an emphasis in green design from Carnegie Mellon University (2004 and 2007, respectively). Her past research has focused on life cycle assessment of energy systems with an emphasis on climate change impacts and mitigation research. As a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, she is involved in key multi-disciplinary research projects to better understand the social, economic and environmental implications of energy consumption and the public policy tools that can be used to support sustainable energy development and consumption. She is now the Co-Director of the Green Design Institute and has started pursuing research about infrastructure systems for global development.In today’s episode, we cover:The nature of Dr. Jaramillo’s research, and how she came to focus in the areas she doesSome of the unique challenges of Africa, in terms of both climate change and energy povertyHow the work of her students is funded, and from what type of donorsThe criteria that make a project a good focus to take on, and some example projects that her students are currently working onHow Dr. Jaramillo measures project successThe role of academic research in broader solution developmentThe growing importance and challenges of science communicationBroader discussion about climate change, where we are, and some of the most impactful potential solution areasDr. Jaramillo’s advice for anyone looking to find their lane in the climate fightLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Dr. Jaramillo bio: https://www.cmu.edu/epp/people/faculty/paulina-jaramillo.htmlCMU Africa: https://www.africa.engineering.cmu.edu/National Science Foundation: https://www.nsf.govMini-grids: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-gridsDiesel generator: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_generatorFederal Energy Regulatory Commission: https://www.ferc.gov/Subsistence farming: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsistence_agriculture1.5C IPCC report: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Justin Guay, Director of Global Climate Strategy at Sunrise Project, and organization that grows social movements to drive the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy as fast as possible.Justin  has a decade of experience in nonprofit advocacy and foundation strategy development, including managing grant making and strategy for global coal campaigns at ClimateWorks Foundation and the Packard Foundation. At the Packard foundation he oversaw a $40 million grant making portfolio across all climate and energy priorities in India, China, the US, the EU and South East Asia. He has also run the Sierra Club’s International Coal Campaign as the Associate Director for the International Climate Program.  The program focused on global efforts to transition energy systems beyond coal to clean energy with a special focus on international finance.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of Sunrise ProjectJustin’s history pre-Sunrise ProjectWhen he started caring about climate change, and whyHow his thinking has evolved on the problem from when he started to nowGoals of Sunrise project and nature of the coal problemWhere we are with getting off of coal and where we need to get toBiggest changes that would accelerate this pathBiggest hurdles to these coming about and how to helpRole of CCS, nuclear, etcRole of innovation, philanthropy, and policyJustin’s advice for others looking to find their lane in the climate fightLinks to topics discussed in this episode:The Sunrise Project: https://sunriseproject.org.au/ClimateWorks Foundation: https://www.climateworks.org/Sierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org/IPCC 1.5 degree report: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/Global Energy Monitor: https://globalenergymonitor.org/Ohio coal and nuclear bailout: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/23072019/ohio-coal-nuclear-bailout-law-signed-cuts-renewable-energy-efficiency-programs-governor-dewineYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Phil Giudice, Board Member at Ambri, FirstFuel, PRIME Coalition, Clean Air Task Force and NE Clean Energy Council. Most recently, Phil was the CEO of Ambri. Ambri, formerly Liquid Metal Battery Corporation, is a technology company creating cost effective, reliable, wide spread grid electricity storage solutions, enabling separation of power demand from power supply. Phil has more than 30 years' experience in the energy industry as a geologist, consultant, executive, and state official.Phil was appointed by US Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu to US DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewables Advisory Committee as well as its State Energy Advisory Board. In addition, he is a board member for the energy business leadership trade group Advanced Energy Economy as well as the efficiency start up FirstFuel. Prior to Ambri, Phil served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Undersecretary of Energy and as Commissioner of the Department of Energy Resources, the state agency with primary responsibility for fulfilling Governor Deval Patrick's vision for a clean energy future. Prior to his service in the Patrick-Murray Administration, Phil was senior vice president and board member at EnerNOC, a start-up providing electricity demand-management services to businesses, institutions, utilities, and grid operators that became a public company in 2007. He was previously a senior partner and leader of Mercer Management Consulting's global energy utilities practice for 20 years. He started his career as a metals exploration geologist with Freeport-McMoRan and with Chevron. Phil is also active in the nonprofit realm, having help found the Center for Effective Philanthropy and serving as Board Chair for 8 years as well as currently serving on the President's Council of ACCION. In addition, he completed full terms on the boards of the City Year Boston, First Parish Church of Wayland, and Haitian Health Foundation. He was also the founding chair of Boston Cares. Phil is a geologist (B.S. from University of New Hampshire and M.S. in Economic Geology from the University of Arizona) and a management professional (M.B.A. from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth). In today’s episode, we cover: Phil’s fascinating career, and the different hats he has worn over the years as a strategy consultant, in oil and gas, in government, and in cleantech. The EnerNOC ride, from employee #3 to publicly traded Phil’s time as Energy Commissioner, and then as Undersecretary of Energy for the State of MA. The Ambri story. Phil’s reflections on decades of work on this area, and our seeming lack of progress. Some reasons for optimism. Phil’s rallying cry to me, and anyone else who wants to help in the climate fight. Phil’s views on carbon pricing. Some examples of how we have successfully solved some adjacent problems. Phil’s words of warning to me about my podcasting :) A substantive discussion about some of the barriers preventing more people from helping and more progress from being made. Phil’s advice and the areas he is most excited about. Links to topics discussed in this episode: Ambri: http://www.ambri.com/ Enel X (formerly EnerNOC): https://www.enelx.com/n-a/en Chevron: https://www.chevron.com/ Mercer: https://www.mercer.com/ Deval Patrick: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deval_Patrick Ian Bowles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Bowles Dr. Donald Sadoway: https://dmse.mit.edu/people/donald-r-sadoway Total: https://www.total.com/en Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: https://www.rggi.org/ 350.org: https://350.org/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Bill Nussey, CEO & Founder at the Freeing Energy Project.Bill Nussey is the founder of the Freeing Energy Project, whose mission is to accelerate the shift to cleaner, cheaper energy. Prior to Freeing Energy, Bill spent most of his career as a tech CEO. His first company, which he co-founded in high school, provided graphics software for early, text-based personal computers. His second company, Da Vinci Systems, was started out of his college dorm room and grew to serve millions of users across 45 countries. Later, he spent several years as a venture capitalist with Greylock. In 1998, he left the firm to run a portfolio company, iXL, which went public and grew to almost $500 million in revenue. After iXL, he joined Silverpop as CEO. Silverpop grew to nearly $100 million and became a global leader in cloud-based marketing. In 2014, IBM acquired the company and made it the foundation of the IBM Marketing Cloud. Shortly after the acquisition, Bill was promoted to VP Corporate Strategy out of IBM’s world headquarters in New York. Bill’s companies have created thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in value.For the last few years, Bill has been conducting research for a 2019 book called Freeing Energy. Supported by 200 interviews across the world, the book’s mission is to help non-industry readers understand how we can accelerate the shift to clean energy. The core ideas focus on decentralized (or local) energy, novel business models, and new approaches to ownership and finance. Much of his early research was shared at Bill’s October 2017 TED talk called Accelerating the Shift to Clean Energy.In 2018, Bill co-founded Solar Inventions. Based at Georgia Tech’s ATDC incubator, the company’s mission is to commercialize a set of scientific breakthroughs for improving silicon photovoltaics.Bill received a degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He holds several patents, has published two books and sits on several commercial and non-profit boards. Bill and his family are involved in a handful of projects providing off-grid, resilient electricity in places like East Africa and Puerto Rico.In today’s episode, we cover:Bill’s history, and what led him to get excited about energyHow Bill went about switching gears to transition into this new field (to him)Bill’s book, why he wrote it, and the process he followed to pull it togetherDigitization of energy opportunityPotential of energy innovation of appealing across both sides of the political aisleRole of venture capital in clean energy innovationLessons from last cleantech bubbleSolar and batteries, and implications when cost becomes less than purchasing electricity from the gridOne policy change that would move the needle more than any otherBill’s thoughts on politics, GND, etc.Importance of looking at carbon equivalents as well, not just carbonInevitability of putting a price on carbonRole of utilities and oil/gas companiesThoughts on upcoming election and the stakesBill’s advice to others trying to find their lane in the climate fightLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Freeing Energy: https://www.freeingenergy.com/Bill Nussey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billnussey/Bubba McDonald: http://www.psc.state.ga.us/pscinfo/bios/mcdonald.aspAmory Lovins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amory_LovinsLoren McDonald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenmcdonald/Solar Inventions: https://www.solarinventions.com/Henry McCance: https://skoll.org/contributor/henry-mccance/Fullstory: https://www.fullstory.com/Arcadia Power: https://www.arcadiapower.com/Drift: https://www.joindrift.com/Form Energy: https://www.formenergy.com/Ethanol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel_in_the_United_StatesYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Kelly Wanser, Executive Director of SilverLining, a mission organization driving research to ensure safe pathways for climate within a decade.Previously, Kelly was the director of the Marine Cloud Brightening Project, a program focused on research in reflecting sunlight to reduce heat in climate. Kelly is member of the National Academy of Sciences President’s Circle. She also served as Senior Advisor to Ocean Conservancy on climate-ocean risk and to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on industry strategy for fusion energy. A technologist, executive and entrepreneur, she previously founded companies in IT infrastructure, analytics and security, and is the author of over 20 patents. She resides in San Francisco.In today’s episode, we cover:Overview of geoengineeringChallenge of predicting earth system’s response to heat stress and risk of hitting catastrophic tipping points'The case for geoengineeringSilverLining’s work, and how it came to beWhat the critics say about geoengineering, and Kelly’s responses'Some example projects they have taken on at SilverLining'How the org is funded, and future goals in this regardWhat fossil fuel companies think of geoengineeringPotential risks, side effects, and unintended consequencesResearch vs widescale deployment, the best ways to stage exploration in this areaWhat else can be impactful in the climate fightKelly’s advice to others trying to find their lane to helpLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Stephen Schneider: https://stephenschneider.stanford.edu/References/Biography.htmlIPCC special report on oceans and cryosphere: https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/home/The Royal Society: https://royalsociety.org/Marine cloud brightening: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_cloud_brighteningStrategic aerosol injection: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratospheric_aerosol_injectionSome links provided by Kelly to learn more about her work:TEDSummit 2019 Talk: Emergency Medicine for Our Climate FeverReport: for U.S. Policymakers:  Ensuring a Safe Climate: A National Imperative for Research in Climate Intervention and Earth System PredictionTestimony to the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Environment and Subcommittee on Energy Hearing — Geoengineering: Innovation, Research, and Technology, Nov 8, 2017You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Albert Wenger, Managing Partner at Union Square Ventures, a NY-based venture capital firm.Before joining USV, Albert was the president of del.icio.us through the company’s sale to Yahoo and an angel investor (Etsy, Tumblr). He previously founded or co-founded several companies, including a management consulting firm and an early hosted data analytics company. Albert graduated from Harvard College in economics and computer science and holds a Ph.D. in Information Technology from MIT.In today’s episode, we cover:Albert’s assessment of the problem of climate change and his concern levelHis views on what it will take to get the problem under control in the short term and long termThe work they do at USV, their core expertise, and how that expertise can helpThe roles of innovation, policy, and collective actionWhat types of innovation can be most impactful, and whenThe upcoming election and stakesRoles of China and IndiaRoles of big oil and utilitiesHow Albert would allocate $100B to maximize its impact in climate fightAlbert’s advice for others looking to find their laneLinks to topics discussed in this episode:USV: https://www.usv.com/World After Capital: http://worldaftercapital.org/Greta Thunberg: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greta_ThunbergExtinction Rebellion: https://rebellion.earth/Nori: https://nori.com/John Maynard Keynes, Economics Policies for our Grandchildren: https://www.sloww.co/keynes-economic-possibilities/Faye McNeill: https://cheme.columbia.edu/faculty/v-mcneillEcosia: https://www.ecosia.org/Universal Basic Income: https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/universal-basic-income-UBIHow Much is Enough?: https://www.amazon.com/How-Much-Enough-Money-Good/dp/152267795XYou can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Ramya Swaminathan, CEO of Malta, Inc. Malta’s electro-thermal energy storage system is a new grid-scale technology that collects and stores energy for long durations. Energy can be stored from any power generation source in any location – be it wind, solar, or fossil fuels – enabling reliable and predictable operation of the grid. Ramya joined Malta from Rye Development, where she was CEO, co-founder, and Member of the Board of FFP New Hydro. Under her leadership, Rye Development grew to be the leading developer of new hydropower projects in the United States and its portfolio of development projects, held at its holdco affiliate, FFP New Hydro, advanced from concept through FERC licensing and late stage development financing. She was also responsible for the expansion of Rye’s platform into energy storage, with the addition of two sizable pumped hydro storage development projects in the Pacific Northwest. At Rye Development, Ms. Swaminathan led a multi-disciplinary team, with specialists in engineering and construction, regulatory and environmental aspects, and power marketing.  She also led the company through several financing rounds, both at the platform and the project levels.  Prior to her work in the hydropower space, Ms. Swaminathan was a public finance banker, most recently as a Director at UBS, where she focused on public power clients and senior managed more than $10 billion in financings. Ms. Swaminathan holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government and a BA in Anthropology from Amherst College. In today’s episode, we cover: Ramya’s background and what led her to Malta Overview of the grid, storage, long duration storage, and why it matters A look at hydro, lithium ion, and other companies and approaches gunning for long duration storage market Malta’s approach, long vision, progress to date, and what’s coming next How it works, which aspects are proven and which are the riskiest assumptions Business models for storage Regulatory risks Importance of transmission and distribution Unique opportunities in developing countries The right capital sources for this type of tough tech innovation Role of strategics as investors, partners, acquirers, etc. Role of insurance to decrease tough tech risk to make these projects more viable to finance One change that would bring highest impact for accelerating Malta’s progress Ramya’s advice to others looking to find their lane in the climate fight Links to topics discussed in this episode: Malta, Inc.: https://www.maltainc.com/ Long duration energy storage: https://energy.stanford.edu/storagex-initiative/projects/grand-challenges-energy-storage/long-duration-energy-storage Hydropower: https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/ Breakthrough Energy Ventures: http://www.b-t.energy/ventures/ Cobalt mining: https://www.raconteur.net/business-innovation/cobalt-mining-human-rights Distribution grid: https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Distribution_grid Electric power transmission: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power_transmission Electrothermal storage: https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/alphabet-spins-off-malta-a-long-duration-electro-thermal-storage-startup-wi#gs.1wa84f You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Mark Reynolds, Executive Director at Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Executive Director Mark Reynolds’ tenure at Citizens’ Climate Lobby has been marked by exceptionally rapid growth, with the organization doubling or tripling in size every year. During his years as a private sector trainer and consultant, Citizens’ Climate Education Executive Director Mark Reynolds worked to maximize personal and organizational effectiveness in a variety of fields. Today, he uses those skills to empower ordinary citizens to educate influential stakeholders about the benefits of national climate solutions. As a globally-recognized expert on helping disparate interests find common ground on energy, public policy, and the environment, Mark has appeared before the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, AREday, and Power Shift. He oversees a training curriculum that reaches tens of thousands of supporters every year, has been a frequent guest on TV and radio shows, and has written op-eds on climate solutions for 85 print journals, including the Houston Chronicle, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Des Moines Register, the Austin American-Statesman, and the Salt Lake Tribune. Mark also serves on multiple advisory boards including Climate Advocate Platform and Climate Cost Project. In today’s episode, we cover: CCL founding story and their areas of focus The growth CCL has had under Mark’s leadership, and why Mark feels that is Polarized government and implications for getting things done Details of their carbon fee and dividend proposal Where things stand today and where they need to go Some headwind with their proposal and carbon pricing in general The CCL playbook and plan of attack Discussion on how bills get signed into law and what this bill would need to get signed into law Learnings from Waxman Markey How people can  help Parallels Mark draws to cigarette smoking GND and price on carbon If Mark could wave magic want to accelerate their efforts, what would he change and why Links to topics discussed in this episode: Citizens’ Climate Lobby: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/ Marshall Saunders: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/about-ccl/citizens-climate-lobbys-founder/ Microcredit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcredit Citizens’ Climate International conference: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/2019-conference/ Collective action: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_action David Jolly CCL interview: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/a-former-republican-congressmans-take-on-the-midterms/ Theda Skocpol: https://scholar.harvard.edu/thedaskocpol/home Grover Norquist tax pledge: https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-grover-norquist-pledge-signers-list-fiscal-cliff-republicans-tax-2012-11 Climate Leadership Council: https://www.clcouncil.org/ Jonathan Haidt TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_on_the_moral_mind?language=en EICDA: https://teddeutch.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399493 Frank Luntz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Luntz Frank Luntz’s call for climate action: https://grist.org/article/the-gops-most-famous-messaging-strategist-calls-for-climate-action/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Ted Nordhaus, Founder & Executive Director at the Breakthrough Institute. Ted Nordhaus is a leading global thinker on energy, environment, climate, human development, and politics. He is the founder and executive director of the Breakthrough Institute and a co-author of An Ecomodernist Manifesto. Over the last decade, he has helped lead a paradigm shift in climate, energy, and environmental policy. He was among the first to emphasize the imperative to "make clean energy cheap" in The Harvard Law and Policy Review, explained why efforts to establish legally binding international limits on greenhouse gas emissions would fail in The Washington Post and Democracy Journal, made the case for nuclear energy as a critical global warming solution in The Wall Street Journal, has written on the limits to energy efficiency and the need to prepare for climate change in The New York Times, and has argued for the importance of intensifying agricultural production in order to spare land for forests and biodiversity in Scientific American and The Guardian. His 2007 book Break Through, co-authored with Michael Shellenberger, was called "prescient" by Time and "the best thing to happen to environmentalism since Rachel Carson's Silent Spring" by Wired. (An excerpt in The New Republic can be read here.) Their 2004 essay, "The Death of Environmentalism," was featured on the front page of the Sunday New York Times, sparked a national debate, and inspired a generation of young environmentalists. Over the years, Nordhaus been profiled in The New York Times, Wired, the San Francisco Chronicle, the National Review, The New Republic, and on NPR. In 2007, he received the Green Book Award and Time magazine's 2008 "Heroes of the Environment" award. Nordhaus is executive editor of the Breakthrough Journal, which The New Republic called "among the most complete efforts to provide a fresh answer" to the question of how to modernize liberal thought, and the National Review called "The most promising effort at self-criticism by our liberal cousins in a long time." In today’s episode, we cover: Ted’s background and history, and what led him to care about climate change Ted’s views on the problems with the environmental movement, which led him to founding BTI BTI mission, vision, work Ted’s views on the nature of climate change, and the misconceptions people have about the best ways to solve. Ted’s views on the best path forwards, and where innovation, policy, and government fit in. Ted’s views on how to think about the 2020 election and the stakes. Different views here than most other guests! Links to topics discussed in this episode: The Breakthrough Institute: https://thebreakthrough.org/ Neoliberalism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism Green New Deal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_New_Deal The Empty Radicalism of the Climate Apocalypse article: https://issues.org/the-empty-radicalism-of-the-climate-apocalypse/ Shale gas revolution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas Advanced nuclear: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_nuclear Carbon capture and storage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_capture_and_storage Nuclear Regulatory Commission: https://www.nrc.gov/ Net Power: https://www.netpower.com/ 45Q tax credit: https://www.betterenergy.org/blog/primer-section-45q-tax-credit-for-carbon-capture-projects/ Nuclear energy leadership act: https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/3/murkowski-booker-and-13-colleagues-reintroduce You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Deepika Nagabhushan, Program Director, Decarbonized Fossil Energy at Clean Air Task Force, which develops policy and advocacy strategies aimed at making carbon capture, utilization & storage technologies widely available, globally by mid-century. Deepika has developed analysis and led advocacy efforts related to CCUS, including power sector modeling that studied CCS deployment in the US under various federal policy scenarios, including 45Q tax credit that the Congress passed in 2018, an assessment of the role of zero carbon technology in developing countries, and securing a CCUS protocol under the California LCFS. She works across policy, regulatory and market-based areas related to CCS. Prior to joining CATF, Deepika spent 5 years with Schneider Electric. She led the deployment of global marketing operations across Asia-Pacific countries and managed marketing communication projects for Schneider Electric’s energy management solutions in the United States. She also helped expand the reach of Schneider Electric Access to Energy initiative “BIPBoP” by identifying partner companies and frameworks for collaboration. Deepika graduated in 2015 from The Earth Institute at Columbia University with a Master of Science in Sustainability Management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Bangalore University in Karnataka, India. She is currently based in San Francisco. In today’s episode, we cover: Overview of the decarbonized fossil energy program at CATF How CCS works, and analogy to sulfur dioxide and acid rain What will and won’t drive people to adopt, and the role of government Some of the cost drivers for CCS and the variables that go into it Initial market of EOR, how it works and why it is getting so much attention What the critics of CCS for EOR say, and Deepika’s responses Concerns about CCS & why they are unfounded, according to Deepika Role of big oil and gas, role of innovation, and the role of policy Importance of R&D Some examples of companies leading in this area Is divesting a good idea? How Deepika would allocate a big pot of money to maximize its impact in the climate fight Deepika’s advice for others looking to find their lane in the climate fight Links to topics discussed in this episode: Clean Air Task Force: https://www.catf.us/ Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/enhanced-oil-recovery.asp CCUS: https://www.aiche.org/ccusnetwork/what-ccus Companies to watch in CCS: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/companies-watch-carbon-capture-and-storage You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs. Dr. Emily Reichert serves as Chief Executive Officer of Greentown Labs, the largest clean technology startup incubator in the United States. As the company’s first employee, Emily has spearheaded the rapid growth of Greentown Labs into a global center for clean technology innovation, attracting visitors and partners from around the world. Emily started her career at Arthur D. Little as a Ph.D. scientist and progressed into R&D, business development and general management roles. Prior to Greentown Labs, she was the Director of Business Operations at the Warner Babcock Institute for Green Chemistry where she helped grow the angel-funded startup into a sustainable contract R&D business with a mission to minimize environmental impact of chemical products. Emily also served as a MIT Sloan Fellow in Innovation and Global Leadership as well as a Venture Labs Fellow at Flagship Ventures, a Boston-based Venture Capital firm. Emily has served as a board member or as a key advisor for a number of innovation and entrepreneurship-focused organizations including the Northeast Clean Energy Council, Cleantech Open Northeast, Cyclotron Road, the Incubatenergy Network and the MIT Enterprise Forum. She has been appointed to leadership positions on innovation, economic development, entrepreneurship and clean technology commercialization at both the state and federal level including Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s Economic Development Planning Council and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce’s National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Emily has earned international recognition for her leadership in cleantech innovation and has received invitations to speak at International Conferences such as Les Rencontres Economiques d’Aix-en-Provence, France, and the Fish Family Foundation’s Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative in Tokyo, Japan.   She holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned her MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. When Emily isn’t at Greentown Labs, you’ll likely find her traveling the world with her husband, Chris Nielsen. As an avid outdoorswoman, Emily has experienced adventures in many corners of the globe including, tree-climbing in the Amazon, swimming with sea turtles off the island of Fernando de Noronha, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, trekking the Andes of Ecuador, and cycling along the Danube River bend north of Budapest. In today’s episode, we cover: Overview of Greentown Labs Origin story and what problem it is solving Traction to date, long vision, and what is coming next Long vision and whats coming next How the model works - tools, resources, and benefits Some example member success stories How large companies can/are engaging Role of innovation in the climate fight Lessons from the first cleantech bubble Barriers holding back innovation today Encouraging signs 'Best ways to accelerate Greentown’s role Role of policy and how it interrelates with innovation How startups should know if right they are a fit for Greentown How Emily would allocate a large pool of money to maximize its impact in the climate fight Emily’s advice for others looking to find their lane to help with this problem Links to topics discussed in this episode: Greentown Labs: https://www.greentownlabs.com/ Department of Energy grants: https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-making-agencies/department-of-energy.html Ed Markey: https://www.markey.senate.gov/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Josh Bushinsky, Co-Founder & Partner at Trajectory Energy Partners. Trajectory Energy Partners brings together landowners, electricity users, and communities to develop solar energy projects with strong local support. Josh was born in Illinois, and at seven moved with his family to Rochester, New York, where he grew up backpacking. He brings to Trajectory Energy Partners a comprehensive appreciation and commitment to the environment, first working in energy as a visiting researcher at the University of Cape Town. An attorney by trade he has represented the renewable sector at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati, as well as worked with the Microgrid Investment Accelerator, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the Natural Resources Defense Council in Beijing. Josh is proud to develop community solar in Illinois and remains an avid hiker — now sharing that skill with his children and family. In today’s episode, we cover: What led Josh to care about the environment, and his path before founding Trajectory Energy Partners The opportunity they saw with community solar, and specifically in the midwest, where it is lesser known Trajectory Energy approach, including how they handle community involvement Criteria that makes a land parcel a good fit Pitch to farmers and the  benefits to them Some of the biggest recurring concerns that come up from farmers and why Benefits to the town of community solar Resistance from utilities and why, and how legislation is required Sellers market - more money out there than good projects What success looks like for Trajectory Long vision, and what opportunities lie in store in the future Broader discussion about climate change and some of Josh’s ideas for the most impactful ways to help Josh’s reflections, after many years working in this problem area Links to topics discussed in this episode: Trajectory Energy Partners: https://trajectoryenergy.com/ Stephen Schneider: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Schneider Waxman-Markey: https://grist.org/article/2009-06-03-waxman-markey-bill-breakdown/ Clean Air Act: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Air_Act_(United_States) White House Council on Environmental Quality: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/ Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati: https://www.wsgr.com/WSGR/Default.aspx OPEC: https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/ The Paris Agreement: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement Jon Carson: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/author/jon-carson Renewable portfolio standard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_portfolio_standard Green bank: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_bank You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Dan Lashof, Director of World Resources Institute, United States. He coordinates WRI’s work in the United States across climate, energy, food, forests, water and the sustainable cities programs. This includes overseeing the work of the U.S. climate team, which aims to catalyze and support climate action by states, cities, and businesses while laying the groundwork for federal action in the coming years. Dan has been working to promote solutions to climate change for more than two decades. Before the World Resources Institute, Dan was the Chief Operating Officer of NextGen Policy Center and previously served as the Director of the Climate and Clean Air Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council. His focus is developing federal and state regulations to place enforceable limits on carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollutants. He has participated in scientific assessments of global warming through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and has monitored international climate negotiations since their inception. He was a member of Governor McAuliffe’s Climate Change and Resiliency Update Commission, and has testified at numerous Congressional and California legislative hearings. Dan earned his Bachelor's degree in Physics and Mathematics at Harvard and his Doctorate from the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California, Berkeley. Dan is married to Diane Regas and has three adult children. When not working Dan enjoys bicycling, hiking, eating, and cheering for the Golden State Warriors. In today’s episode, we cover: WRI history and the nature of their work The 4 pillars Dan believes are needed to solve climate change Some examples of WRI’s current initiatives How they measure success How WRI is different 'Unique nature of the climate problem Role of government Role of policy Role of natural gas in short and long-term Role of big oil Role of adaptation Where Dan would allocate a large pool of money to maximize impact Dan’s advice for others seeking to find their lanes to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: WRI website: https://www.wri.org/ NRDC: https://www.nrdc.org/ WRI renewables accelerator for cities: https://www.wri.org/events/2019/02/american-cities-climate-challenge-renewables-accelerator NYC’s Green New Deal: https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/209-19/action-global-warming-nyc-s-green-new-deal#/0 Science based targets: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Todd Allen, Chair and Professor, Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at University of Michigan. An offer to skip history class in high school to listen to a Navy ROTC recruiter sent Todd Allen on a serendipitous journey that led to him becoming one of the top U.S. experts in nuclear energy, with focus on the material science of nuclear systems. Todd began his professional career as a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy where he learned the practical applications of operating a nuclear power plant as well as how to take a submarine to periscope depth. Following active duty, he built on that practical Navy experience by earning a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering with specific focus on how radiation changes the physical properties of metals. His first post-Ph.D. position was as a staff scientist at Argonne National Laboratory. While at Argonne, he joined the leadership team tasked with developing the Generation IV Roadmap, the document that framed the resurgence of the nuclear research programs early in the 21st Century. Following Argonne, he joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin. While there, he split his time between establishing a premier material science program at the university and supporting the Idaho National Laboratory. At INL, he led the transition of the Advanced Test Reactor into a national user facility, creating a unique distributed network of national research facilities working together to support novel research ideas brought by universities and private industry. He also ran a six-institution Energy Frontier Research Center focused on answering fundamental questions about heat transfer in nuclear fuel. From 2013-2016, he helped lead the Idaho National Laboratory as the Deputy Laboratory Director for Science & Technology, including being an important contributor to the development of the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative announced at the White House in November 2015. He is the author of over 200 technical publications, many of which are readable. Todd has degrees in nuclear engineering and management information systems. He is a native of Michigan and tries very hard to find ways to watch baseball. His best summer ever (2016) was 64 different stadiums across the U.S. In today’s episode, we cover: Todd’s history, the history of the nuclear industry, and how those have intersected over his career Some of the opportunities of nuclear energy Some of the misconceptions about it Some of the risks and downsides The impact nuclear can have in the climate fight What else can be impactful in the climate fight Todd’s advice for others looking to find their lane in the climate fight Links to topics discussed in this episode: Enriched Uranium: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enriched_uranium International Atomic Energy Agency: https://www.iaea.org/ Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_Mountain_nuclear_waste_repository Blue Ribbon Commission: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ribbon_Commission_on_America%27s_Nuclear_Future Three Mile Island: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mile_Island_accident Chernobyl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobyl_disaster Jesse Jenkins: http://energy.mit.edu/profile/jesse-jenkins/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Josh Freed, SVP of the Clean Energy Program at Third Way. Third Way is a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas.  Their work is grounded in the mainstream American values of opportunity, freedom, and security. As the founder and leader of Third Way’s Clean Energy Program, Josh promotes policies to use every tool possible to combat climate change—including scaled-up innovation, advanced nuclear, and carbon capture technologies in addition to the increased use of renewables and efficient storage.   Since 2009, he has overseen Third Way’s clean energy and climate advocacy efforts, serving as the organization’s chief strategist on these issues. He regularly advises senior federal and state policymakers, philanthropies, academics, and business leaders. Under his leadership, his team’s accomplishments include Third Way’s groundbreaking research on advanced nuclear technology—which transformed federal support for nuclear innovation—and building new alliances to defend federal support for clean energy research and development.  Josh regularly writes and speaks on climate, clean energy, and innovation issues, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, National Journal, POLITICO, The Los Angeles Times and Wired. In today’s episode, we cover: Josh’s history and what led him to Third Way Third Way founding story What the climate team looked like when he got there vs today Their goal to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 Areas of focus, how they prioritize, and what they do in each area to help drive things forwards Current political climate and the path forwards Sober assessment of where we are with climate progress, and what it will take to solve Josh’s thoughts on GND, carbon tax, and other topics Josh’s advice for others looking to find their lane in the climate fight Links to topics discussed in this episode: Jim Kessler: https://www.thirdway.org/about/leadership/jim-kessler 2004 US Presidential Election: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_United_States_presidential_election Advanced nuclear: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_nuclear Rachel Pritzker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelpritzker/ Ray Rothrock: https://www.energy.gov/ne/contributors/ray-rothrock Ross Koningstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosskoningstein/ Nuclear Regulatory Commission: https://www.nrc.gov/ ClearPath: https://clearpath.org/ Niskanen Center: https://niskanencenter.org/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Joseph Majkut, Director of Climate Policy at Niskanen Center. Joseph is an expert in climate science, climate policy, and risk and uncertainty analysis for decision making. He is frequently cited by prominent media outlets; his writing has been featured in scientific journals, public media, and environmental trade press; and he has been invited to testify before Congress on climate and scientific research. Before joining the Niskanen Center, he worked on climate change policy in Congress as a congressional science fellow, supported by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He holds a PhD from Princeton University in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the Delft University of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College. In today’s episode, we cover: Joseph’s background pre-Niskanen, including why he left academia and came to DC Overview of Niskanen and their work Niskanen origin story, including how it is similar and different to the Cato Institute Joseph’s role as director of climate policy and how his team fits in Initiatives they are currently working on, and how they select and prioritize Discussion about carbon pricing, viability and implications Discussion about political landscape and best way to make headway in polarized climate Advice to others looking to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: Niskanen Center: https://niskanencenter.org/ Joseph’s bio: https://niskanencenter.org/blog/staff/director-of-climate-science-2/ AAAS fellowship program: https://www.aaas.org/programs/science-technology-policy-fellowships Jerry Taylor bio: https://niskanencenter.org/blog/staff/jerry-taylor/ Cato Institute: https://www.cato.org/ Article on Supreme Court decision from 2014: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-limits-epas-ability-to-regulate-greenhouse-gas-emissions/2014/06/23/c56fc194-f1b1-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html Waxman-Markey: https://www.c2es.org/document/waxman-markey-short-summary/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Steve Oldham, CEO of Carbon Engineering. Founded in 2009, CE is a Canadian-based clean energy company leading the commercialization of groundbreaking technology that captures CO₂ directly from the atmosphere, and a second technology that synthesizes it into clean, affordable transportation fuels. From a pilot plant in Squamish, B.C., CE has been removing CO₂ from the atmosphere since 2015 and converting it into fuels since 2017. Steve brings more than 20 years of executive experience to CE’s team, stemming from previous roles in technology, robotics, and aerospace sectors. Steve served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Development for MDA, a leading Canadian technology firm. At MDA, Steve held a variety of senior executive positions across Canada and the US, covering General Management, Business Development, and Strategy. He has secured financing from Government and commercial sources for a variety of complex technologies, including several large satellite programs. Steve holds a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Birmingham in England. In today’s episode, we cover: Overview of direct air capture and how it works Progress to date, long vision, and what is coming next Cost drivers, and go to market strategy Discussion about carbon math and why carbon removal is so important Discussion on 45Q tax credits, LCFS credits, what they are and why they matter Discussion around price on carbon, whether it is essential, and why it may make sense to distinguish legacy carbon removal from removal at point of emission and also why incentives may make sense based on carbon intensity Discussion about enhanced oil recovery vs pure CO2 removal services, and Carbon Engineerings short and longterm plans Discussion around historic role of big hydrocarbon companies, role going forward, and how important they are to the equation Discussion around CE and how they are working with some of the big hydrocarbon companies, and the nature of those relationships CE’s licensing model, profile of partners to take into other parts of the world What policy initiatives Steve finds to be most impactful Steve’s advice for others trying to find their lane in the climate fight Links to topics discussed in this episode: Carbon Engineering: https://carbonengineering.com/ Chevron: https://www.chevron.com/ Occidental Petroleum: https://www.oxy.com/aboutOccidental/Pages/default.aspx BHP: https://www.bhp.com/ Jim McDermott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesacmcdermott/ Direct air capture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_air_capture 45Q: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:26%20section:45Q%20edition:prelim) California Low Carbon Fuel Standard: https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is John Larsen, a Director at Rhodium Group who leads the firm’s US power sector and energy systems research. John specializes in analysis of national and state clean energy policy and market trends. Previously, John worked for the US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis where he served as an electric power policy advisor. Prior to working in government, John led federal and congressional policy analysis in the World Resources Institute’s Climate and Energy Program. John is a non-resident Senior Associate in the Energy and National Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He has lectured at several academic institutions including Johns Hopkins University and Amherst College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University. In today’s episode, we cover: Overview of Rhodium Group The state of the state in US in regards to climate policy, emissions projections, energy makeup looking forwards, and the role of specific technologies and policies Role of federal vs state government and what we can learn from history that applies looking forwards Links to topics discussed in this episode: Rhodium Group: https://rhg.com/ John’s bio: https://rhg.com/team/john-larsen/ Department of Energy: https://www.energy.gov/ Dr. Stephen Chu: https://www.energy.gov/contributors/dr-steven-chu Ernest J. Moniz: https://www.nti.org/about/leadership-and-staff/ernest-moniz/ Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy: https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/ Francis Rooney: https://francisrooney.house.gov/ Ted Deutch: https://teddeutch.house.gov/ California Low Carbon Fuel Standard: https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm Direct air capture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_air_capture 45Q: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:26%20section:45Q%20edition:prelim) You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Nat Keohane, Senior Vice President of Climate at Environmental Defense Fund,  where he leads EDF’s Climate program and helps to shape the organizations advocacy for environmentally effective and economically sound climate policy.   EDF is one of the world's largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. Guided by science and economics, they tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. An economist with expertise in energy and environmental policy, Nat also holds a position as Adjunct Professor of Law at New York University, where he teaches a seminar on climate change policy. Previously, Nat served in the Obama Administration as Special Assistant to the President for Energy and Environment in the National Economic Council and Domestic Policy Council, where he helped to develop and coordinate administration policy on a wide range of energy and environmental issues. Before joining the Administration, he directed economic policy and analysis at EDF, playing a lead role in the efforts to enact comprehensive cap-and-trade legislation in Congress. Prior to EDF, Nat was an Associate Professor of Economics at the Yale School of Management. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2001, and his B.A. from Yale College in 1993. In today’s episode, we cover: Nat’s history, what led him to care about climate change, and what led him to EDF What EDF does, and how Nat’s responsibilities have evolved at EDF since 1994 when he joined to today Nat’s time teaching at Yale, what he liked about it, and what ultimately led him back to the advocacy world at EDF His time at the White House in 2011/2012 as Special Assistant to President Obama for Energy and Environment in the National Economic Council and Domestic Policy Council The role of markets vs policy The importance of striking the right balance between urgency and hopefulness EDF’s focus on pragmatism and getting stuff done, not just what the right answer is in theory EDF’s bipartisan approach and the importance of that for any meaningful policy initiatives to be durable over the long term Importance of the 2020 US presidential election, and the stakes The role of China, and of geography in general when determining climate impacts and strategy Some reasons for optimism How Nat would allocate $100B to maximize its impact in the climate fight Nat’s advice for you and I on how to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: Nat Keohane’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-keohane-00809988/ Nat Keohane’s twitter: https://twitter.com/natkeohane?lang=en EDF: https://www.edf.org/ Yale School of Management: https://som.yale.edu/ Waxman-Markey bill: https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/glossary/1805110/waxman-markey-bill National Economic Council: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/eop/nec EPA: https://www.epa.gov/ Cap and trade: https://www.edf.org/climate/how-cap-and-trade-works China cap and trade: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/611372/china-is-creating-a-huge-carbon-market-but-not-a-particularly-aggressive-one/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Kathy Hannun, the co-founder & CEO of Dandelion. Originally conceived at X, Alphabet’s innovation lab, Dandelion is now an independent company offering geothermal heating and cooling systems to homeowners, starting in the Northeastern US. Previously, Kathy was a product manager and Rapid Evaluator at Alphabet's X. Prior to Dandelion, Kathy led a team that created technology to extract carbon dioxide from seawater to create carbon-neutral fuel. Kathy has been recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, one of Albany Business Review's 40 under 40, and as a Leader of Tomorrow. Kathy graduated from Stanford with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Computer Science.  In today’s episode, we cover: Founding story of Dandelion Overview of geothermal and how it works Its market potential and what has been holding it back Why now is the right time for it to flourish and how Dandelion plans to make that happen The process that went into identifying the Dandelion opportunity, and what led to the decision to spin out from X What utilities like about the approach The impact Dandelion/geothermal can have @ scale on decarbonization How special it is that a high impact opportunity like this fits neatly in the venture capital model and timelines Whether the process to select Dandelion could be repeatable to find other ideas The pros/cons of launching at X vs independently and how to decide The magic of finding a solution that makes people’s lives easier while having a meaningful impact  Some key wishes Kathy has for things that would change that would help accelerate the clean energy transition Some surprising advice Kathy has for people concerned about climate change for how you can help Links to topics discussed in this episode: Kathy Hannun Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooperkathy/ Dandelion website: https://dandelionenergy.com/ Geothermal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_energy Google X: https://x.company/ Dan Yates: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/dan-yates Con Edison partnership: https://dandelionenergy.com/press-release/con-edison-dandelion-energy-partner-offer-westchester-homeowners-5000-off-geothermal-installation Impossible Foods: https://impossiblefoods.com/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Jessica Lovering, Director of Energy at The Breakthrough Institute. Jessica is the director of Breakthough’s Energy program and has worked on nuclear energy policy since 2012. Jessica’s research has focused on how innovation in nuclear energy can bring down costs and accelerate deployment to help mitigate climate change, as laid out in the reports How to Make Nuclear Cheap and How to Make Nuclear Innovative. Jessica was the lead author on the peer-reviewed paper, Historical construction costs of global nuclear power reactors, which was the top-rated paper in Energy Policy for over a year. She co-authored the report Atoms for Africa: Is There a Future for Civil Nuclear Energy in Sub-Saharan Africa?, with several Breakthrough Generation Fellows. She worked with experts from R Street Institute and ClearPath to publish a set of policy recommendation around micronuclear in Planting the Seeds of a Distributed Nuclear Revolution. And she has published more broadly on energy innovation and clean energy standards. Jessica has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, Vox, Forbes, Wired, and The Australian. You can hear her interviewed on The Interchange podcast and on Titans of Nuclear. Jessica is a frequent public speaker and has given talks across the US as well as in Japan, Australia, China, France, and Argentina. She is featured along with Ted Nordhaus in the documentary The New Fire. Jessica holds a B.A. in Astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as an M.S. in Astrophysics and Planetary Science and an M.S. in Environmental Policy, both from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She also worked for two years on NASA's New Horizons mission, which flew by Pluto in July 2015. Jessica grew up mostly in northern California, but has also lived in Texas, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. In her spare time she enjoys doing ballet, reading post-apocalyptic fiction, and pursuing a PhD. She is married to Linus Blomqvist. In this episode we cover: Jessica’s history and what led her down path to focus on climate change What led Jessica to BTI and to working on nuclear specifically What Jessica feels is the biggest thing holding nuclear back domestically, what led her to that conclusion and what we can do about it. The role, advantages, and stage of advanced nuclear development The role of the federal government versus the states The pros/cons of public utilities and deregulation The ecomodernist movement, and different flavors such as “hard ecomodernists” vs pragmatists The most impactful things that, if changed, would help accelerate rapid decarbonization What you and I can do to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: The Breakthrough Institute website: https://thebreakthrough.org/ The Breakthrough Institute funders: https://thebreakthrough.org/about/who-we-are/funders Jessica Lovering Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalovering/ Jessica Lovering twitter: https://twitter.com/J_Lovering Fukushima nuclear accident: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_Daiichi_nuclear_disaster Ecomodernist Manifesto: http://www.ecomodernism.org/ Roger Pielke, Jr.: https://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/about_us/meet_us/roger_pielke/ Vogtle Power Plant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vogtle_Electric_Generating_Plant Climate Bathtub Model: https://scied.ucar.edu/climate-bathtub-model-animations Nuclear Energy Leadership Act: https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/3/murkowski-booker-and-13-colleagues-reintroduce Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA): https://www.energy.gov/articles/president-trump-signs-bill-boost-advanced-nuclear-america Advanced nuclear: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_nuclear Highly enriched uranium: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enriched_uranium#Highly_enriched_uranium_(HEU) You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! (show addendum: Jessica moved on from the Breakthrough Institute in September 2019)

Today’s guest is Jim McDermott, Managing Director of Rusheen Capital Management, LLC. Rusheen Capital Management is a Santa Monica, CA-based private equity firm that invests in growth-stage companies in the carbon capture and utilization, low-carbon energy and water sustainability sectors. Prior to co-founding RCM, Jim has started, invested in and run numerous companies. These include: US Renewables Group (Founder & Managing Partner), Stamps.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:STMP – Founder), Spoke Software, Inc. (Founder & CEO), Archive, Inc. (Founder & CEO – sold to Cyclone Commerce), NanoH2O, Inc. (Founder & Board Member – sold to LG Chemical), SolarReserve (Founder & Board Member), Fulcrum Bioenergy, Inc. (Founder & Board Member), Common Assets (Founder & Board Member – sold to NASDAQ:SCTY), SET Technology (Board Member) and OH Energy, Inc. (Founder & Board Member). Jim holds a BA in Philosophy from Colorado College and an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA. In this episode we discuss: Jim’s transition from dot com entrepreneur (back) to energy/climate Formation and operation of US renewables group Some examples of companies Jim has backed His views on impact capital and how it returns relative to a more mercenary approach Importance and necessity of carbon removal Role of the big hydrocarbon companies looking backward and forward Importance of policies like the 45Q tax credit The emergence of the carbon-to-value economy Some of the most exciting innovations to keep an eye on What Jim would do with $100B if he could put it to work to maximize impact in the climate fight Jim’s advice to people trying to find a way to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: Jim McDermott Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesacmcdermott/ US Renewables Group: https://usregroup.com/ Fulcrum BioEnergy: http://fulcrum-bioenergy.com/ Bret Kugelmass: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/bret-kugelmass 45Q tax credit: https://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/CATF_FactSheet_45QCarbonCaptureIncentives.pdf Carbon Engineering: https://carbonengineering.com/ Renewable portfolio standard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_portfolio_standard Oil depletion allowance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_depletion_allowance Low carbon fuel standard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-carbon_fuel_standard Electrolysis: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-production-electrolysis Photocatalyst and hydrogen production: https://phys.org/news/2017-05-photocatalyst-hydrogen-production-efficient.html You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is David Buzby. David has been starting, building and investing in “impact” businesses for the last 27 years with an emphasis on renewable energy generation, energy storage/grid services, wastewater treatment and e-commerce. He currently sits on the Board of Cambrian Innovation, Leading Edge Crystal Technologies, Paragon Power and Stem, as well as being a member of the Investment Committee at the PRIME Coalition.  He has in the past been a founding investor and director of SunRun (NASD:RUN), SunEdison (NYSE: SUNE), Valueclick (NASD:VCLK), Brilliant Light Power, Bright Plain Renewable Energy, Prevalent Power, Resource Holdings and Best Internet. David has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BA from Middlebury College. In this episode we discuss: The two moments in David’s life that led him to focus on impact based businesses How David got his start in the impact business world Some of the companies that David has started, invested in, and advised The criteria David uses for his investments and the dual focus on impact and profits Some of the issues with funding impact businesses with traditional venture capital, and thoughts on how to solve A teaser of what David is thinking about doing next David’s thoughts on science risk, time horizons, upside, price on carbon, nuclear, and more Links to topics discussed in this episode: David Buzby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-buzby-8840a217/  Johns Manville: https://www.jm.com/  SunEdison: http://www.sunedison.com/  Jigar Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jigarshahdc/  SunRun: https://www.sunrun.com/  Stem: https://www.stem.com/about-us/executive-team/  You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Gregg Dixon, the CEO . of Voltus, Inc. Gregg connects customers, investors, teammates, and the world with Voltus value, ensuring that the vision for the company, and its culture, is meeting their expectations. Gregg is a world-renowned expert in commercial and industrial energy management and has pioneered many of today’s innovations that unlock the economic and environmental benefits of “intelligent energy.” Prior to co-founding Voltus, Gregg was the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales and a founding executive at EnerNOC, a leading provider of demand response, energy procurement, and energy intelligence software, where he led all facets of marketing, sales, product, and professional services. Gregg developed and executed EnerNOC’s award winning go-to-market strategy that took EnerNOC from $0 to nearly $500 million in revenue over the course of 10 years. Among his proudest achievements, he created more than 350 jobs, brought to market more than 10,000 MW’s of demand response around the world, delivered more than $1 billion in cash savings to customers, opened more than two dozen markets for the very first time to demand side resources, architected the company’s product strategy, and, before he left, led EnerNOC’s Supreme Court of the United States case on FERC Order 745, which was decided in favor of EnerNOC, ensuring that the demand response industry can continue to grow. Prior to joining EnerNOC, Gregg was Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Hess Microgen, the leading provider of commercial on-site co-generation systems and services in the United States, where he pioneered efforts to bring more than 100 co-generation systems to leading grocery, hospitality, commercial property, and manufacturing customers. Gregg was also a Partner at Mercer Management Consulting, where he advised Fortune 1000 companies on customer and product strategy, economic analysis, and new business development. Gregg has been the keynote and contributing speaker at hundreds of energy conferences, and his work in the industry has been cited broadly in the media, including The Wall St. Journal, The Economist, USA Today, Wired Magazine, and The Boston Globe, among others. Gregg graduated from Boston College with bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Information Systems and he is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Demand Side Management Professional, and Certified Sustainable Development Professional with the Association of Energy Engineers with whom he was also recognized as a “Lifetime Legend in Energy.” Gregg was also voted one of Boston’s “40 Under 40” by Boston Business Journal as recognition for having established himself as a leader to be watched in the field of technology and energy. In this episode we discuss: Overview of Voltus, Inc., including founding story Gregg’s history with EnerNOC, and how Voltus is a natural extension of that work Overview of demand response and how it works Discussion on climate change and capitalism, and how the two interrelate Discussion on climate impact Voltus can have, if successful What Voltus skeptics would say, and how Gregg responds Voltus value prop to customers and pitch What Gregg does to help combat climate change in his own life His advice for others trying to figure out how to make an impact How Gregg would allocate $100B to maximize impact in climate fight Links to topics discussed in this episode: Gregg Dixon Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-dixon-4521b61/ Gregg Dixon Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregg_dixon Voltus, Inc: https://www.voltus.co/  EnerNOC: https://www.enernoc.com/index.php  FERC Order 745: https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-of-demand-response You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures. Andrew brings to Obvious Ventures a lifelong passion for building companies around sustainable systems and people power. For over a decade, Andrew has focused on clean technology and clean energy solutions. He started down the clean tech path with Energy Innovations in 2003, which he grew from a business plan to a major solar developer serving customers like Google, Disney, Sony Pictures, and British Telecom. After selling the company to Suntech in 2008, Andrew served as Chief Commercial Officer at Suntech as well as Vice President of Global Product Strategy. During his tenure, Suntech became the largest solar company in the world. After leaving Suntech, Andrew spent two years as Vice President of Distributed Generation for Nextera Energy, the largest clean energy developer in the US. Before his clean tech career, Andrew spent a decade building companies in the early days of “Web 1.0.” In 1998 Andrew co-founded Bigstep.com, an e-commerce platform designed to serve the needs of small businesses entering the Internet age. He has been supporting the enterprising ideas of people power ever since. A graduate from Dartmouth College, Andrew lives in Burlingame, CA with his wife and three children. When he's not helping to build early stage companies, Andrew builds wooden boats and furniture. Andrew was born in New York City and spent his formative years on an avocado ranch in Ojai, California. In this episode we discuss: What Obvious Ventures does and the types of investments they make How Andrew and Obvious Ventures think about and apply the term “purpose-driven” Thoughts on investing in companies with science risk Thoughts on time horizon and how that factors into investment decisions Thoughts on upside potential and how that factors into investment decisions How Obvious screens for purpose and impact, as applied to startups they back, members of their investment team, and LPs Areas of investment they are excited about Other areas outside of their investment focus Andrew thinks will be impactful in climate fight Advice for anyone trying to find their lane to help with this problem Links to the topics discussed in this episode: Andrew Beebe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbeebe/  Andrew Beebe Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewbeebe Obvious Ventures: https://obvious.com/  Beyond Meat: https://www.beyondmeat.com/  Diamond Foundry: https://diamondfoundry.com/ Amply Power: https://www.amplypower.com/  Good Eggs: https://www.goodeggs.com/sfbay/welcome/step/zip Lillium: https://lilium.com/  Canvas Technology: https://canvas.technology/  Article that Andrew wrote with Diann Eisnor: https://worldpositive.com/a-tale-of-two-cities-2030-edition-c9bceb8ea1e3 You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show!

Today’s guest is Bill Weihl.Bill was the Director of Sustainability at Facebook where he focused on energy efficiency initiatives. Prior to joining Facebook in early 2012, he spent 6 years as the Green Energy Czar at Google, where he led efforts in energy efficiency and renewable energy, spearheading Google's drive to become carbon neutral, founding the Climate Savers Computing Initiative, and leading the Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal (RE

Today’s guest is Austin Whitman, Executive Director of Climate Neutral. Climate Neutral is an independent non-profit organization working to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon world by putting a price on carbon emissions. They are enlisting brands in the fight against climate change by showing them that measuring and paying for their carbon emissions is cheaper and easier than they think. Climate Neutral believes that brands, together with their consumers, can lead the transition to a low-carbon economy by placing a price on carbon within their business. In today’s episode we discuss: Overview of Climate Neutral Intro to carbon neutrality Intro to offsets Founding story Reason for being a non-profit Process of raising money for non-profit Pitch to brands Traction to date Future plans and long vision 'How it fits into broader climate fight Where Austin would put $100B to maximize its impact in the climate fight 'Advice to people trying to find their own paths to help with this problem Links to topics discussed in today’s episode: Austin Whitman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinwhitman/ Climate Neutral Website: https://www.climateneutral.org/  Climate Neutral Twitter: https://twitter.com/climateneutral Natural Capital Partners: https://www.naturalcapitalpartners.com/ UN Climate Neutral Now: https://unfccc.int/climate-action/climate-neutral-now Science Based Targets Initiative: https://sciencebasedtargets.org/ Kleen Kanteen: https://www.kleankanteen.com/ Peak Design: https://www.peakdesign.com/ BioLite: https://www.bioliteenergy.com/ Alex Honnold: http://www.alexhonnold.com/ Connecticut Green Bank: https://ctgreenbank.com/ 'Chris Van Hollen: https://www.lcv.org/environmental-facebook/chris-van-hollen/ Project Drawdown: https://www.drawdown.org/ Paul Hawken: http://www.paulhawken.com/ I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Marshall is the co-founder and Managing Director at Upstream Tech, a public benefit corporation that partners with nonprofit and for-profit organizations working towards ecological restoration, supply chain sustainability, and energy efficiency improvements goals, among others. Upstream Tech’s goal is to help translate data into better, faster resource use decisions. They use satellite data, sophisticated data processing, and easy-to-use applications to supercharge their customer’s conservation impact. Marshall oversees the product development, growth and partnerships at Upstream Tech. Prior to co-founding Upstream Tech, he worked in a number of early- and late-stage technical companies that have collectively raised over $100M USD in venture capital. He was awarded Forbes 30 Under 30 in Energy and has served on panels for the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Marshall holds a BA in Computer Science from Tufts University. In today’s episode we discuss: Upstream Tech overview and history Marshall’s background prior to Upstream Tech, including what led him to care about climate, how he went about making the transition, and what led him to this opportunity specifically Some projects they have worked on Upstream Tech’s acquisition by Natel Energy and what the combined entity can do together What are some other levers in the climate fight beyond Upstream Tech Marshall’s advice for anyone looking to make a similar transition Links to topics discussed in today’s episode: Marshall twitter: https://twitter.com/marsh?lang=en Marshall Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshallmoutenot/ Upstream Tech: https://upstream.tech/ Natel Energy: https://www.natelenergy.com/ I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Today’s guest is Armond Cohen, co-founder and Executive Director at Clean Air Task Force, an organization whose task is to reduce climate change by applying an overwhelming amount of force to some of the biggest levers to reduce carbon and other climate warming emissions. Armond has led CATF since its formation in 1996. In addition to leading CATF, Armond is directly involved in CATF research and advocacy on the topic of requirements to deeply decarbonize global energy systems. Prior to his work with CATF, Armond founded and led the Conservation Law Foundation’s Energy Project starting in 1983, focussing on energy efficiency, utility resource planning, and electric industry structure. Armond has published numerous articles on climate change, energy system transformation, and air pollution; he speaks and testifies frequently on these topics. He is a member of the Keystone Center Energy Board, co-Chair of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, and a member of the US Department of Energy Electricity Advisory Committee. Armond is an honors graduate of Harvard Law School and Brown University. In today’s episode we discuss: CATF overview and history CATF current focus areas, how they prioritize, and measure success Climate problem explained, including a look at various high leverage potential solutions, and barriers that make the issue difficult to solve Policy vs innovation, and the role of each How to make progress in a polarized world Armond’d thoughts on the term ‘environmentalist’ Armond’s advice for listeners on how to help Links to topics discussed in today’s episode: Armond’s Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/armond-cohen-83a1484/ Armond’s twitter profile: https://twitter.com/armondcohen1?lang=en CATF website: https://www.catf.us/ Carbon180 website: https://carbon180.org/ EDF website: https://www.edf.org Bret Kugelmass: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/bret-kugelmass USA Today article on Chernobyl and nuclear: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/06/17/hbo-chernobyl-tragic-nuclear-power-safe-clean-vital-column/1409096001/ Stewart Brand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Brand Sheldon Whitehouse: https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/ I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Today’s guest is Rob Day, General Partner at Spring Lane Capital. Spring Lane Capital partners with strong management teams who are selling or using distributed assets with compelling customer economics in the energy, water, food and waste sectors. In these sectors, they focus on solutions that have significantly positive impacts on the sustainability of our natural resources, which they believe offer advantaged long-term benefits economically and socially. They’ve found that in practice, most such solutions have major physical components – “distributed assets” are those solutions using equipment or facilities smaller and less concentrated than traditional project finance can address. Rob has been a sustainable resources private equity investor since 2004, and acts or has served as a Director, Observer and advisory board member to multiple companies in the energy tech and related sectors. Rob also serves on the Board at the New England Clean Energy Council. From 2005-2016 he authored the column Cleantech Investing, which appeared on GreentechMedia.com, and co-hosted several conferences with that group on the topic of new investment models for the sustainability sector. Formerly a consultant with Bain & Company, Rob has worked with companies and evaluated private equity transactions in the energy/ utilities, telecom, IT, medical/pharmaceutical, and retail industries. Earlier in his career, Rob was a member of the World Resources Institute's Sustainable Enterprise Program, where he co-authored the report The Next Bottom Line: Making Sustainable Development Tangible. Rob received his MBA at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management (Northwestern University), and his BA at Swarthmore College. In this episode we discuss: Overview of Spring Lane Capital Rob’s background & history and what got him initially caring about the planet and sustainability Spring Lane Capital model, target customers, what alternatives existed before they came along, and how they are different How they measure success, in terms of both financial returns and the mission What Rob would be doing to focus on climate change if he wasn’t doing this Rob’s advice to people trying to find their own ways to make a mark in this problem space Links for topics discussed in this episode: Aries Clean Energy: https://ariescleanenergy.com/ Generate Capital: https://generatecapital.com/ Ultra Capital: https://www.ultracapital.com/ Rob Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robday/ Rob Day’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/cleantechvc I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and via email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Today’s guest is Diego Saez Gil, co-founder & CEO of Pachama. Diego Saez-Gil is Co-founder & CEO of Pachama, a company focused on restoring the forests to solve climate change. Prior to Pachama, Diego co-founded Bluesmart (acquired by TravelPro) and WeHostels (acquired by StudentUniverse). Diego was awarded MIT 35 Under 35 and was selected High Impact Entrepreneur by Endeavor. Pachama is working to help restore the forests to solve climate change. They are developing technologies to bring trust, transparency, and efficiency to the Forest Carbon Market. They are combining machine learning with satellite and drone data to accelerate the verification of carbon in forests and increase the flow of capital from those offsetting their carbon emissions to those protecting and restoring the forests. They are backed by some of the best investors in Silicon Valley including Chris Sacca, Paul Graham, Y Combinator, among others. In this episode we discuss: Overview of Pachama Background on carbon offsets and how they work Overview of reforestation and why it is important Background on why reforestation has been difficult to certify land for historically, and how Pachama can help Progress of the company to date, long vision, and what is coming next What success looks like, and how it ties into broader climate fight What else can be high leverage on climate change, besides reforestation Role of policy, specific to Pachama and with broader lense in climate fight Role of venture capital in climate fight, and what types of climate solutions are the right fit for VC Advice to people trying to figure out how to help Links for topics discussed in this episode: Diego Saez Gil Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsaezgil/ Diego Saez Gil twitter: https://twitter.com/dsaezgil Pachama website: https://www.pachama.com/ Project Drawdown: https://www.drawdown.org/ Why Forests? Why Now?: The Science, Economics, and Politics of Tropical Forests and Climate Change: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1933286857/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.krdDbWWR127E I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and via email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics and guests.

Today’s guest is Noah Deich, the Founder & Executive Director of Carbon180. Carbon180 is a new breed of climate-focused NGO on a mission to fundamentally rethink carbon. They partner with policymakers, scientists and businesses around the globe to develop policy, promote research, and advance solutions that transform carbon from a liability to an asset. Their vision is to build a prosperous, carbon-conscious economy that removes more carbon from the atmosphere than we emit. Noah is a cleantech professional with a passion for fighting climate change. Prior to founding Carbon180, Noah worked in consulting, and gained experience with environmental market and carbon offset modeling, financial valuation of renewable and fossil energy power plants, energy efficiency and demand response program design and implementation, and corporate social responsibility strategy assessments. Noah received his M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and his B.A. from the University of Virginia, and his writing has been published in GreenBiz. In this episode we discuss: Carbon removal defined & why we need it Carbon180 overview, history, etc Where they are the journey today, the long vision, and what is coming next Types of projects they work on, some examples, and how they measure success State of carbon removal and where it needs to go Some barriers holding it back and the best way to unlock faster progress Role of policy vs innovation Carbon 180’s role How you and I can help What else matters in the climate fight Advice to people trying to find their lane Links for topics discussed in this episode: Noah Deich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahdeich/ Noah Deich Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecarbonsink Carbon180: https://carbon180.org/ National Academy of Science: http://www.nasonline.org/ Carbon removal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_removal Occidental Petroleum: https://www.oxy.com/Pages/default.aspx I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and via email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Today’s guest is Alicia Seiger, a lecturer at Stanford Law School who leads sustainability and energy finance initiatives at Stanford Law, Graduate School of Business and the Precourt Institute for Energy. Alicia serves as Managing Director for both the Stanford Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance and the Sustainable Finance Initiative. Her work focuses on business and financial innovations to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized and climate resilient global economy. In 2018, Alicia was appointed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to serve on the first-ever Decarbonization Advisory Panel for the $209 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund. She also serves on the boards of Ceres and PRIME Coalition, and co-founded Stanford Professionals in Energy (SPIE). In 2014, she created Investing in a New Climate, an investor workshop series to help asset owners manage climate risk and capitalize on innovation opportunities. A serial entrepreneur and pioneer of new business models, Alicia has been designing and executing climate and energy strategies for businesses, foundations, investors, and NGOs since 2004. She has served on the management teams of multiple startups, including at TerraPass, a pioneer of the US carbon offset market, and Flycast Communications, one of the world’s first web advertising networks. In this episode we discuss: The type of work Alicia does at Stanford with the Stanford Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance and the Sustainable Finance Initiative How the financial world is thinking of climate change, including the disconnect between valuations and climate risk Where the US stacks up against the rest of the world in terms of sustainable investing Advice for people trying to figure out how to find their place in the climate fight What Alicia would do with a big pot of money, if she could put it to work to maximize its impact on deep decarbonization I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Edit notes from Alicia: I failed to mention “minimum standards”, which was the third headline of our report. To read more on this check out the NYCRF climate action plan (https://www.osc.state.ny.us/pension/climate-action-plan-2019.pdf) or our panel’s recommendations (https://www-cdn.law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/newer.PDF-NYCRF_DAP_FinalReport_Full.pdf.pdf). NYCRF did everything except adopt the headline. They didn’t actually publicly commit to 100% sustainable assets by 2030, but they started on the road towards that goal. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Alicia Seiger’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aseiger Alicia Seiger’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/aaseiger Alicia Seiger’s Stanford Bio: https://law.stanford.edu/directory/alicia-seiger/ Stanford Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance: https://law.stanford.edu/steyer-taylor-center-for-energy-policy-and-finance/ Stanford Sustainable Finance Initiative, Precourt Institute for Energy: https://energy.stanford.edu/sustainable-finance-initiative Ceres: https://www.ceres.org/ FSB, TCFD Website: https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/ FSB, Mark Carney Video on TCMD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvLsLJ7kl3E Sarah Kearney: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/sarah-kearney Matthew Nordan: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/matthew-nordan Prime Coalition: https://primecoalition.org/ Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/ Tom Steyer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Steyer

Today’s guest is Pat Brown, CEO & founder of Impossible Foods, a company at the forefront of making nutritious, delicious meat and dairy products from plants to satisfy meat lovers and address the environmental impact of animal farming.  Founded in 2011, the Bay Area-based company has now raised a total of $687.5 million from a host of backers including Khosla Ventures, UBS, Bill Gates, Serena Williams and singer Katy Perry. In this episode we discuss: Pat’s background as a chemist and the sabbatical that led him to founding Impossible Foods What the company does, how it goes to market, and progress to date Mission, long-term vision, and how it ties back to broader climate fight What else can be impactful on climate change beyond the work of Impossible Foods Pat’s advice to consumers on the most impactful things they can do to be helpful in the fight against climate change I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Pat Brown’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-brown-338b467 Impossible Foods website: https://impossiblefoods.com/ Impossible Foods Impact Report 2019 https://impossiblefoods.com/mission/2019impact/

Today’s guest is Saul Griffith, the founder of Otherlab. Saul is a prolific inventor and entrepreneur but was trained as an engineer. He received his Ph.D. at MIT in the junction between materials science and information theory. Prior to MIT, Saul studied in Sydney, Australia and at UC Berkeley in metallurgical engineering. Since graduating in 2004 he has started numerous technology companies based in the Bay Area including Makani Power 2007-acquired by Google, Instructables 2006-acquired by Autodesk and Squid Labs 2004-2007. Saul has been awarded numerous awards for invention and was named a MacArthur Fellow in 2007. Saul holds multiple patents and patents pending in textiles, optics, nanotechnology, energy production, manufacturing and smart geometry. Otherlab is an independent research & design lab that pairs creativity & rigor to innovations in sustainable energy and robotics. In this episode we discuss: Saul’s childhood experiences that led him to care about the environment and his interest in engineering and robotics, which resulted in his unique views on how to approach the problem of climate change The type of work Saul and his team are doing at Otherlab, including process, projects, success criteria, and how they partner with orgs like ARPA-E and the government The role and importance of hydrocarbon companies in the climate issue, and Saul’s unique idea for how to mobilize them effectively Saul’s idea for a new financial product focused on enabling home electrification for individual families The evolving role of Silicon Valley Saul’s thoughts on climate math and the future I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and via email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share feedback on episodes and/or suggestions for guests/topics you'd like to see covered in the future. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Saul Griffith’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulgriffith Otherlab: https://otherlab.com/ Otherlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/otherlab James Hansen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hansen Sunfolding: https://www.sunfolding.com/

Today’s guest is Matt Rogers, the co-founder of Nest and now Incite.org. Incite turns big ideas to improve the world into big deals. They offer early money & support for changemakers through Incite Labs, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that makes grants and program-related investments to further charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, Incite Ventures, an investment fund that supports mission-driven enterprises through investments in businesses with the potential to scale, inspire others, and make a difference, and Incite Politics, the name of the work of Incite’s founders, Matt and Swati, to personally organize and support initiatives to pass legislation and elect candidates who approach our country’s issues from a fresh perspective. Matt is a builder at heart. He started at Apple, building the software team for 10 generations of the iPod. He was one of the first engineers on the original iPhone and involved in the development of 5 iPhone generations, and the first iPad. As co-founder of Nest, Matt built the team that built the first machine learning thermostat. And by doing so, has built the leading connected home brand — Nest. Matt is a Star Wars enthusiast and can often be spotted playing with his Airedale terrier friend, Bingley. In this episode we discuss: Matt’s time at Apple where he worked on the iPod, iPhone, and iPad The aha moment that led to Matt leaving Apple and founding Nest with Tony Fadell How Matt blended product and mission at Nest, which helped lead to it’s 3.2B acquisition by Google Matt’s time post Google acquisition and what led him and his wife Swati to found Incite.org The work Matt and his wife Swati are doing at Incite in startups, government, philanthropy, and politics Matt’s personal views on climate change and his expectations of those who have achieved success Links for topics discussed in this episode: Matt Rogers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattrogers2/ Matt Rogers Twitter: https://twitter.com/nestmatt Swati Mylavarapu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swatimylavarapu/ Incite.org: https://www.incite.org Yoky Matsuoka: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoky_Matsuoka Apple: https://www.apple.com/ Nest: https://nest.com/ Tony Fadell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyfadell/ Dan Yates: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/dan-yates Google acquires Nest: https://www.forbes.com/sites/aarontilley/2014/01/13/google-acquires-nest-for-3-2-billion/ Carbon180: https://carbon180.org/ Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/ Julio Friedmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julio-friedmann-86a83a44/ ClearPath: https://clearpath.org/ UC Davis: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/can-seaweed-cut-methane-emissions-dairy-farms/ New York Times article w/ Matt Rogers: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/07/business/carbon-removal-technology-start-ups.htm I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future topics or guests. One correction: In this episode Matt Rogers said Cyclotron Road will soon be called Activation Energy. In fact, Cyclotron Road is a program managed in partnership between Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Activate (formerly called Activation Energy), an independent nonprofit organization.

Today's guest is Joshua Posamentier, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Congruent Ventures. Congruent partners with entrepreneurs to build companies addressing sustainability challenges, investing early across hardware, software, enterprise, consumer, deep technology, fin-tech, and business model innovation. Joshua oversees Congruent’s investments in PolySpectra, Sense Photonics, Energetic Insurance, TeleSense, Bellwether Coffee, Xtelligent, ArcByt, Fox Robotics, and Emergy Labs. He has rich experience in venture (Prelude Ventures, Intel Capital) and operating roles (Intel, National Semi, TI), and entrepreneurship (CEO of Blipstream). He was an integral member of Intel’s first wireless chip team, started and ran National Semiconductor’s EV, Energy Storage and Smart Grid business units and initiated investment in several new business lines. Joshua has over 50 patents issued or pending, holds a BA in physics from the University California at Berkeley, and holds MBAs from the Columbia Business School and the Haas School of Business. Josh is an avid cyclist, skier, sailor, surfer, and photographer and lives with his family in the SF Bay Area. In this episode we discuss: Joshua’s background in both operating roles and ventures roles that gave him the conviction to start Congruent and focus on sustainability investing How Joshua balances generating returns vs making impact through his investments Examples of some of the companies Joshua and Congruent have invested in and the impact they are having on sustainability markets Joshua’s views on the climate issue and his advice to others who are struggling with the decision on where to spend their time in the climate fight I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and/or requests for topics/guests to cover on the show! Links for topics discussed in this episode: Joshua Posamentier's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/posamentier Joshua Posamentier's Twitter: https://twitter.com/posamentier Congruent Ventures Website: http://www.congruentvc.com/ Congruent Ventures Twitter: https://twitter.com/CongruentVC Abe Yokell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abe-yokell Daniel Hullah: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/daniel-hullah Prelude Ventures: https://www.preludeventures.com/ Amp Robotics: https://www.amprobotics.com/ Energetic Insurance: https://www.energeticinsurance.com/ James Bowen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbowen/ Jeff McAulay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlmcaulay/

Today's guest is Adele Morris, a senior fellow and policy director for Climate and Energy Economics at the Brookings Institution. Her research informs critical decisions related to climate change, energy, and tax policy. She is a leading global expert on the design of carbon pricing policies. She joined Brookings in July 2008 from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) of the U.S. Congress, where she advised members and staff on economic, energy, and environmental policy. Before her work in Congress, Morris was the lead natural resource economist for the U.S. Treasury Department for nine years. In that position, she informed and represented Treasury’s positions on agriculture, energy, climate, and radio spectrum policies. On assignment to the U.S. Department of State in 2000, she led negotiations on land use and forestry issues in the international climate change treaty process. Prior to joining the Treasury, she served as the senior economist for environmental affairs at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers during the development of the Kyoto Protocol. Morris began her career at the Office of Management and Budget, where she oversaw rulemaking by agriculture and natural resource agencies. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Princeton University, an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Utah, and a B.A. from Rice University. In this episode we discuss: Adele’s background and her climate focused work at the Brookings Institution The political make up of the Brookings Institute and how they work on both the left and right side of the aisle Some of the recent projects Adele has been working on including a deep dive into carbon taxes The no nonsense straightforward approach Adele takes to her work and how she hopes it is received in this current polarized political climate we find ourselves in Adele’s advice to others: vote and educate yourself, and talk to others I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share any feedback or requests for specific topics/guests to have on the show! Links for topics discussed in this episode: The event with the members of Congress on June 20: https://www.brookings.edu/events/leading-carbon-price-proposals-a-bipartisan-dialogue/ The paper on the policy insights from our big modeling study: https://www.brookings.edu/research/policy-insights-from-comparing-carbon-pricing-modeling-scenarios/ The book I mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Implementing-Carbon-Tax-Explorations-Environmental/dp/1138825360 How to find your representative in Congress: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative Contact information for U.S. Senators: https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?OrderBy=state

In this episode I interview Kiran Bhatraju the Founder and CEO of Arcadia Power. Arcadia Power connects customers to local community solar projects and purchases renewable energy certificates from wind farms on their behalf. To date, Arcadia Power has 250,000 customers that have produced 680,000 megawatt hours of clean energy. In this episode we discuss: How Arcadia Power is making it easy for customers to transition to clean energy. How Arcadia Power uses offsets and renewable energy certificates and the impact those have on energy markets and innovation by demonstrating demand. The pricing strategy and freemium model Arcadia Power is using to attract customers. Kiran’s fear about societies tendency to adapt to the “new normal” and the consequences of tendency. Why Kiran believes its important for policymakers to remember those most significantly impacted by the transition to clean energy. I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Kiran Bhatraju’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-bhatraju Kiran Bhatraju’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/KiranRaju Arcadia Power: https://www.arcadiapower.com Wealthfront: https://www.wealthfront.com/ Bettermint: https://www.betterment.com Runkeeper: https://runkeeper.com/ Solar Holler: https://www.solarholler.com/

In this episode I interview Rich Powell, the Executive Director of ClearPath. Rich is the Executive Director at ClearPath and ClearPath Action, the DC-based organizations developing and advancing conservative policies that accelerate clean energy innovation. He educates policymakers on investing wisely in energy innovation, removing roadblocks to building and exporting American clean energy technology, and maintaining and promoting our baseload clean energy resources. Rich also leads ClearPath’s external advocacy and research partnerships with non profits, academia, and the private sector. Previously, Rich was with McKinsey & Company in the Energy and Sustainability practices. He focused on corporate clean energy strategy, government low carbon growth strategy, and clean tech market entry. ClearPath partners with in-house and external experts on nuclear, carbon capture, hydropower, natural gas, energy storage and energy innovation to advance their mission. In this episode, Rich and I discuss: Rich’s previous experience working at McKinsey and how that led to him meeting Jay Faison, the founder of ClearPath, and ultimately joining the company. How ClearPath prioritizes their efforts by evaluating impact vs likelihood of a particular policy passing. How ClearPath uses the conservative values of cost benefit analysis and performance technology in developing policy proposals. ClearPath’s non-dogmatic view on what it will take to solve the energy issues of climate change. How ClearPath hopes to achieve it’s long term goal of zero emissions by 2050. I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Rich Powell’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richpowell Rich Powell’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/powellrich ClearPath: http://clearpath.org/ Jay Faison: https://clearpath.org/about-us/jay-faison/ SnapAV: https://www.snapav.com McKinsey: https://www.mckinsey.com/ NetPower: https://www.netpower.com Oxy: https://www.oxy.com 45Q: https://clearpath.org/jay-and-richs-take/why-45q-matters-and-why-its-not-enough/

In this episode, I interviewed Susanne Brooks, Senior Director, U.S. Climate Policy & Analysis at Environmental Defense Fund. Susanne’s areas of expertise include climate change, U.S. climate and energy policy, and carbon pricing. Specifically, she works to develop and advocate environmentally responsible and economically sound policies aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. Susanne’s areas of expertise include U.S. federal and state climate and energy policy, the economic impacts of climate change, and the design of carbon pricing programs. The Environmental Defense Fund is one of the world's largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. EDF’s work focuses on four main areas including: Climate & Energy, Health, Oceans, and Ecosystems. In this episode, Susanne and I discussed: What sets EDF and their work apart from other NGO’s Where EDF’s work fits into the broader picture of climate change What Susanne does specifically for EDF which includes looking years ahead to make sure EDF is prepared for future legislation proposals How EDF has been helping legislators by providing suggestions for carbon tax proposals using EMIs How Susanne found her way into climate and climate policy related work I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Susanne Brooks LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-brooks-28a0894/ Susanne Brookers Twitter: https://twitter.com/susannebrooks EDF’s Website: https://www.edf.org Nat Keohane: https://www.edf.org/people/nathaniel-keohane EIM’s: http://blogs.edf.org/markets/2016/11/03/ensuring-environmental-outcomes-from-a-carbon-tax/ Resources for the Future: https://www.rff.org/ CEO Climate Dialogue: https://www.ceoclimatedialogue.org/ Climate Leadership Council: https://www.clcouncil.org/ World Resources Institute: https://www.wri.org/ IPCC: https://www.ipcc.ch/ Brookings: https://www.brookings.edu/

In this episode, I interviewed Bret Kugelmass, the Managing Director of the Energy Impact Center. We covered a number of topics, including Bret’s background and what led him to focus so passionately on nuclear, his atypical entry point and tremendously successful podcast, the work he is doing at Energy Impact Center, and his ultimate vision for what Energy Impact Center can become and the mark he wants to leave on the world. Out of all of the people I’ve met so far in my journey, Bret is the closet to my spirit animal - recovering technology entrepreneur looking to work on something more purposeful, concerned about climate change, deep dive into climate brought him to nuclear, and had many discussions and started a podcast on his quest to enter this new field without a historical background in it. Bret put out some pretty bold, controversial viewpoints. Definitely thought provoking, and whether you find yourself agreeing or disagreeing, a worthwhile listen, for sure. I would love to hear your thoughts after listening to the episode. His bio here: Bret Kugelmass is an American technology entrepreneur who's turned his focus to climate and energy advocacy. One the early pioneers in commercializing drones (Airphrame - acq. 2017) for environmental surveys and emergency response he's experienced first-hand market growth within complex technical, regulatory, and public opinion framework. He received his Masters in robotics from Stanford and his earlier work includes designing a lunar rover controller for NASA, a concept electric car for Panasonic, and automating solar manufacturing processes for Nanosolar. Motivated by the climate crises he moved to DC to set up a research initiative (Energy Impact Center) focused on exploring nuclear power and its role in deep decarbonization. He also hosts a podcast (Titans of Nuclear) where he’s conducted hundreds of audio interviews with experts throughout the nuclear sector communicating to a tech savvy and environmentally concerned audience the unique complexities and benefits of the technology. In this episode, Bret and I discuss: Bret’s background and what caused him to join the climate fight His journey talking to scientists and experts and the three a-ha moments that led to his focus on nuclear Bret’s view on the single only solution to climate change A deep dive into the world of nuclear including a line by line rebuttal of all the common concerns with nuclear energy and reactors Bret’s ultimate goal and definition of success with his work I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Bret Kugelmass: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkugelmass Titans of Nuclear: https://www.titansofnuclear.com/ Fukushima: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_Daiichi_nuclear_disaster Bret Kugelmass’s Lecture Series on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgTfjKxO_dTeFNOjWZXUCM0ghpDBVc2oO

In this episode, I interviewed Alex Flint, the Executive Director of The Alliance for Market Solutions. Alex joined AMS as executive director in May 2017. He previously served as staff director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, senior vice president of governmental affairs at the Nuclear Energy Institute, and as a member of President Trump’s transition team. The Alliance for Market Solutions (AMS) is an organization of conservative leaders addressing two of America’s most pressing challenges: the need to reduce carbon pollution and grow the economy. AMS respect’s climate change science and supports replacing regulations with a revenue-neutral carbon tax—a policy that would efficiently protect the environment and deregulate and grow the economy. AMS engages directly with influential conservatives, including policymakers, to cultivate support for a revenue-neutral carbon tax. We also conduct research on key aspects of carbon tax policies to provide policymakers insights into issues including the impact of a revenue-neutral carbon tax on economic growth, income, and innovation. In this episode, Alex and I discuss: Alex’s background and childhood that led to his awareness and appreciation for the environment The early days of The Alliance for Market Solutions and how it came to be Alex’s time working in nuclear and then on Trump’s transition team Alex’s case for why and how conservatives should address the issue of climate change The specific solution that AMS proposes to address climate change Why Alex does not think any solution is better than no solution when it comes to climate policy I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Alex Flint: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-flint-0a294574/ The Alliance for Market Solutions: https://amsresearch.org/ Alex's Op Ed from Dec of 2018: https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/419392-republicans-are-losing-on-climate-issues-we-can-change Article on the email Alex wrote about climate change deniers: https://www.eenews.net/stories/1060162805 Interview of Alex - Addressing Climate Change with a Carbon Tax | White House Chronicle: https://vimeo.com/278688768

In this episode, I interview Nathaniel Stinnett, the Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Voter Project. Nathaniel Stinnett founded the Environmental Voter Project in 2015 after over a decade of experience as a senior advisor, consultant, and trainer for political campaigns and issue-advocacy nonprofits. Hailed as a "visionary" by The New York Times, and dubbed "The Voting Guru" by Grist magazine, Stinnett is a frequent expert speaker on cutting-edge campaign techniques and the behavioral science behind getting people to vote. He has held a variety of senior leadership and campaign manager positions on U.S. Senate, Congressional, state, and mayoral campaigns, and he sits on the Board of Advisors for MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative. Formerly an attorney at the international law firm DLA Piper LLP, Stinnett holds a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Boston College Law School. He lives in Boston, MA with his wife and two daughters. In this episode, we discuss: Nathaniel's background in law and politics which led to him founding the Environmental Voter Project What the Environmental Voter Project is and what kind of work they are doing Insights into voter behavior and how it factors into climate policy How voting records and your voting file factors into climate policy regardless of which candidate you support The results and progress Nathaniel and his team at the Environmental Voter Project have made to date along with their future plans Ways people can get involved with EVP and Nathaniel’s advice to those looking to join the climate fight I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Nathaniel’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/NCStinn Environmental Voter Project: https://www.environmentalvoter.org/leadership Environmental Voter Project: How Much Do People Lie About Voting?: https://www.environmentalvoter.org/sites/default/files/documents/how-much-do-people-lie-about-voting.pdf

In this episode, I interview Gustaf Alstromer, Partner at Y Combinator and former Product Lead of Growth at AirBnB. Prior to AirBnB, he led Growth at Voxer and was the Co-Founder and CEO of Heysan (YC W07), which was acquired by Good Technology in 2009. In October of 2018, YC published a Request for Startups that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which YC President Sam Altman described as “the most elaborate RFS we have put out.” Gustaf is one of the partners at YC that spends a portion of their time working with these companies that are focused on addressing climate change. In this episode, we discuss: Gustaf’s background in consumer tech working at AirBnB and Voxer Where Gustaf spends most of his time at YC The background and reason for YC’s carbon removal focused Request for Startups (RFS) Why YC decided to focus specifically on carbon removal Gustaf’s view on the similarities and differences between “traditional” YC companies vs climate focused companies A few of the climate focused companies YC has invested in What YC looks for in climate focused companies I learned a lot about the YC model from talking with Gustaf and I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Gustafs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustafalstromer/ Gustaf’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/gustaf Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/ YC’s Carbon RFS: https://www.ycombinator.com/rfs/#carbon YC’s Carbon specific website: carbon.ycombinator.com Pachama: https://www.pachama.com/ Watsi: https://watsi.org/ ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/ Tarjimly: https://www.tarjim.ly/en Vote.Org: https://www.vote.org/ Good Food Institute: https://www.gfi.org/

In this episode, I interview Matthew Nordan, the Managing Director at Prime Impact Fund and the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of MNL Partners. Matthew also sits on numerous boards including Greentown Labs, Sense, and Quidnet Energy. As you may know from listening to Sarah Kearney’s episode, Prime Impact Fund is an early-stage venture capital fund focused on breakthrough climate innovation. Before Prime, Matthew was a venture capital investor at Venrock, one of the world’s oldest and most successful VC firms, where he and colleagues drove the firm’s investment in Nest Labs (acquired by Google for $3.2 billion). Prior to Venrock, Matthew was President of Lux Research (acquired by private equity firm Bregal Sagemount), an advisory services firm for science-driven innovation that he co-founded in 2004. Under Matthew’s leadership, the Lux Research analyst team became a globally recognized authority on the business impact of emerging technologies. Earlier, Matthew held a variety of senior management roles at emerging technology advisor Forrester Research (NASDAQ:FORR) in the U.S. and Europe. In addition to Prime, Matthew is co-founder and Managing Partner at MNL Partners, which develops energy and environmental projects in China. Matthew also co-founded and serves on the board of Prime Coalition, Prime Impact Fund’s non-profit parent organization. Matthew has testified before the U.S. Congress four times on emerging technology issues, was a founding member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies, and is a widely sought-after speaker and commentator. He serves on the boards of MicroByre, Lilac Solutions, Sense Labs, Quidnet Energy, and Greentown Labs (the world’s largest incubator for energy and environmental companies). Matthew graduated from Yale, where he conducted cognitive neuroscience research on emotion and memory. In this episode we discuss: The a-ha moment Matthew experienced at a conference that sparked his climate journey. The differences between traditional VC and the investments Matthew makes through Prime Impact Fund specifically as it relates to moon shot ideas and climate focused companies. How Matthew and Prime balance the return of capital vs impact along with the differences between catalytic capital and market based capital. Matthews view on the role and importance of policy in the climate fight. I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Prime Coalition: https://primecoalition.org/ Life Alive in Cambridge: https://www.lifealive.com/ Lux Research: https://luxresearchinc.com/ Richard Smalley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Smalley Quidnet Energy: http://fortune.com/2015/06/16/philanthropists-back-energy-startups/ Venrock: https://www.venrock.com/ Ray Rothrock: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-rothrock-75b9403/ Nest Labs: https://nest.com/ Lucid Motors: https://lucidmotors.com/ Kyoto Protocol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol Sarah Kearney: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/sarah-kearney Program Related Investments: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/private-foundations/program-related-investments Genocea Biosciences: https://www.genocea.com/ Gates Foundation: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/ Breakthrough Energy Ventures: http://www.b-t.energy/ventures/ Evok Innovations: https://www.evokinnovations.com/ Opus12: https://www.opus-12.com/ Nicholas Flanders: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-flanders-378a6044/

In this episode, I interview Gary Yohe, the Huffington Foundation Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies at Wesleyan University. Most of his work has focused on the mitigation and adaptation sides of climate change. A quick reading of Professor Yohe’s bio will give you a sense of what a heavy hitter he is: He is the author of more than 175 scholarly articles, several books, and many contributions to media coverage of climate issues. He has been involved since the early 1990’s with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), he received a share of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize as a senior member. He was a Lead Author for four different chapters in the Third Assessment Report that was published in 2001 and as Convening Lead Author for the last chapter of the contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report that was published in 2007. He was a Convening Lead Author for Chapter 18 of the Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report on “Detection and Attribution” and a Lead Author for Chapter 1 on “Points of Departure”. Most recently, he has been a contributing author to the IPCC Special Report on a 1.5 degree temperature target for mitigation. Professor Yohe continues to serve as a member of the New York (City) Panel on Climate Change (NPCC); the NPCC was created in 2008 by then Mayor Michael Bloomberg to help the City respond to the risks of climate change. The third iteration of NPCC reports was released on March 15, 2019, at the offices of the New York Academy of Sciences. He has testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the “Hidden (climate change) Cost of Oil” on March 30, 2006, the Senate Energy Committee on the Stern Review on February 14, 2007, and the Senate Banking Committee on “Material Risk from Climate Change and Climate Policy” on October 31, 2007. In April of 2011, Professor Yohe was appointed Vice Chair of the National Climate Assessment Development and Advisory Committee for the Obama Administration by then Under-Secretary of Commerce Jane Lubchenko for the Third National Climate Assessment. The Third National Climate Assessment Report was released by President Obama in a Rose Garden ceremony on May 6, 2014. He served as a member of the National Research Council Committee on America’s Climate Choices: Panel on Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change between 2008-2011 and the National Research Council Committee on Stabilization Targets for Atmospheric Greenhouse Gas Concentrations that was chaired by Susan Solomon from 2009 through its release in 2010. His more recent activities include the National Academies serving as the Review Editor for their report on the “social cost of carbon” and as a member of their Panel to review the 4th National Climate Assessment. He was also a member of their Panel that prepared the 2017-2027 Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space for NASA in 2018. Professor Yohe is currently Co-editor-in-Chief, along with Michael Oppenheimer, of Climatic Change (since August of 2010). His opinion pieces now frequently appear in various national media venues. All of that is a long way of saying Professor Gary Yohe is an expert that has dedicated much of his career towards the fight against climate change, and anything I may accomplish on my journey is standing on his (and people like his) shoulders. In this episode we discuss: Professor Yohe’s history at Wesleyan and how his views of climate change have and have not changed since he entered the field in the early 80’s. His views on the three choices our planet has in response to climate change. How an economist approaches the issue of studying and addressing climate change as well as Professor Yohe’s work with the IPCC. Professor Yohe’s views on the political climate and the role policy and regulations play in climate change, including his thoughts on the Green New Deal. Professor Yohe’s thoughts on Tobacco, Big Oil, President Trump, Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, and Michael Bennet. His advice to people who are looking for ways to get involved in the fight against climate change. I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Gary Yohe Biography from Wesleyan University: https://gyohe.faculty.wesleyan.edu/ Bill McKibben: http://billmckibben.com/ Michael Mann at Penn Station: https://www.michaelmann.net/ Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth: https://www.kateraworth.com/doughnut/ Michael Bennett: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bennet The Paris Agreement: https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/d2hhdC1pcy Center for American Progress: https://www.americanprogress.org/ Resources for the Future: https://www.rff.org/ Environmental Defense Fund: https://www.edf.org/ National Climate Assessment: https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/ Song Gary commissioned with Baba Brinkman, Erosion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEx-F-pSdXA Song Gary commissioned with Baba Brinkman, Destruction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W68mLkxYWg Song Gary commissioned with Baba Brinkman, Redemption: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0awFSnTeI4

In this episode, I interview Dan Yates, the Co-Founder and former CEO of Opower, an energy software company he took public and ultimately sold to Oracle for $532 million. I was eager to speak with Dan, as he started Opower from a place of concern about the planet. It was clearly a financial win, but I had so many questions. Was it a win in terms of fulfilling the initial mission? How does he feel now about climate change vs when he started Opower in 2007? How is he evaluating what kinds of projects he takes on moving forward? What advice does he have for other people trying to figure out the same thing? Dan is a consummate professional and clearly a great leader. I also found him to be quite humble and introspective. His perspective was quite helpful to me as I am figuring out my next moves as it relates to helping with climate change, and I hope you find it helpful as well. I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Jason Diamond’s Collapse: https://www.amazon.com/Collapse-Societies-Choose-Succeed-Revised/dp/0143117009 Map from EIA.gov consumption categories: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=36412&src=%E2%80%B9%20Consumption%20%20%20%20%20%20Residential%20Energy%20Consumption%20Survey%20(RECS)-b1 Robert Cialdini Understanding and Motivating Energy Conservation via Social Norms: http://media.cbsm.com/comments/168079/09+PE+Cialdini+Hewlett+Foundation.pdf Opower: https://ux.opower.com/ Oracle Opower acquisition: https://www.oracle.com/corporate/acquisitions/opower/ Dandelion Geothermal: https://dandelionenergy.com/

In this episode, I interview Bob Mumgaard, the Co-Founder & CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems. I was looking forward to this interview for many reasons. I had many questions about fusion, how close it is to primetime, what the benefit to the world would be if it gets there, and what barriers stand in its way. And also about CFS, how it came to be, how it is positioned in the fusion landscape, and where it is in its evolution. Bob is a great guy, as knowledgeable as they come, and also pretty funny! While the discussion was airy and lighthearted, it was also substantive and he gave an incredibly candid look inside the CFS machine. I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. Links for topics discussed in this episode: Commonwealth Fusion Systems: https://www.cfs.energy/ Light-water Reactor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-water_reactor ITER: https://www.iter.org/ Kitty Hawk & The Wright Brothers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_brothers

In this episode, I interview Sarah Kearney, founder and executive director of Prime Coalition. Sarah founded Prime Coalition in 2014 to build a tribe of courageous philanthropists that believe market-driven technology innovation and deployment is critical to our fight against climate change. Prime's approach is based on her prior experience with the Chesonis Family Foundation, graduate research at MIT, and her personal drive to ensure that our children won't have to confront increased geopolitical conflict over dwindling global resources. She believes the world needs a robust marketplace of catalytic capital investment intermediaries like Prime and that she will spend her whole career trying to help build it. We cover a number of topics, including an overview of PRIME and how the model works, why it matters for philanthropists and for the breakthrough innovation that is needed to help address climate change, and where else this model can apply beyond climate change over time. Sarah was a terrific guest, in that she is quite knowledgable, mission driven, and as high energy as they come. She’s also patient with all of my beginner questions, as “catalytic capital” was not a topic that I was very familiar with. I hope you enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. For more information and to sign up for updates on My Climate Journey visit: www.myclimatejourney.co Links discussed in this episode: Prime Coalition: https://primecoalition.org/ The Fink Family Foundation: http://www.thefinkfamilyfoundation.org/about-us.html Program Related Investments: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/private-foundations/program-related-investments Quidnet Energy: http://fortune.com/2015/06/16/philanthropists-back-energy-startups/ Breakthrough Energy Ventures: http://www.b-t.energy/ventures/ Evok Innovations: https://www.evokinnovations.com/ Donor Advised Funds: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/donor-advised-funds Impact Assets & Tim Freundlich: https://www.impactassets.org/about_us/team/timothy-freundlich

In this episode, I interview Sanchali Pal, the co-founder and CEO of Joro, and app and community to help people automatically track their carbon footprints, discover and stick with low-carbon habits, and see their small steps add up to big impact for for themselves and the planet. I have known Sanchali for a while and have found her to be both very smart, and incredibly mission driven. I was a little apprehensive to bring her on as a guest, because I have found myself a bit skeptical about the impact that changing consumer behavior can have on the problem, given how deep the hole we are in is and how limited our time horizon is to act. But this is an important topic and debate, and Sanchali is as knowledgable on the issue as anyone. We cover a number of topics in this episode, including the role of consumer behavior change in the climate fight, what types of behavior change is most impactful, and what levers we have to impact consumer behavior most effectively. We also chat about what other areas can be helpful to the problem beyond the role of consumers. I really enjoyed this discussion, and Sanchali did a good job of educating me and making the case for why consumers play an important role. I hope you find this episode as valuable and informative as I did! Enjoy. You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. For more information and to sign up for updates on My Climate Journey visit: www.myclimatejourney.co Links: Food, Inc.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food,_Inc. IPCC: https://www.ipcc.ch/ Joro: https://joro.tech/ Ant Forest by AliPay: https://www.alizila.com/how-alipay-users-planted-100m-trees-in-china/ Carbon Offset: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_offset Mobile Carbon Footprinting Project at MIT: https://climate.mit.edu/projects/mobile-carbon-footprinting-project-mit Katharine Hayhoe: https://twitter.com/khayhoe

In this episode, I interview Pamela Templer, ecologist and biology professor at Boston University. Pamela is broadly interested in ecosystem ecology and the influence that plant-microbial interactions have on nutrient cycling and carbon exchange, and is particularly interested in the effects that human activities such as climate change, urbanization, and air pollution have on forest ecosystems. Her lab currently examines a variety of nutrient sources, including rain, fog, and atmospheric deposition, and how plant-microbial interactions influence nitrogen and carbon retention and loss within natural and managed ecosystems. It was fascinating to talk to Pamela, as her and her students are literally on the front lines in the woods, getting a first-hand look at how climate change is impacting our forests. She also helped shed light for me on how research labs at universities get funded, and what steps she is taking to make sure that the work they do isn’t just academic, but ends up having impact in the world. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. For more information and to sign up for updates on My Climate Journey visit: www.myclimatejourney.co Links for topics discussed in this episode: Pamela Templer's Bio: https://www.bu.edu/biology/people/profiles/pamela-templer/ Templer Lab at Boston University: http://people.bu.edu/ptempler/ Boston University URBAN Graduate Program: http://sites.bu.edu/urban/ The "Climate Change Across the Seasons Experiment" in New Hampshire that Pamela's students and lab conducted: http://people.bu.edu/ptempler/workDetails/climateChangeWinter.html National Science Foundation: https://www.nsf.gov/ Feasibility of Harbor-wide Barrier Systems for Boston Harbor: https://www.greenribboncommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Feasibility-of-Harbor-wide-Barriers-Report.pdf

In this episode, I interview Joseph Stagner, the Executive Director, Sustainability and Energy Management at Stanford University. Over the past several years, Joe and his team transformed Stanford’s energy infrastructure by electrifying its heating system, replacing its gas-fired power plant with grid power, creating a unique system to recover heat, building massive tanks to store hot and cold water, and building a solar power plant. This project cut the campus’s total greenhouse gas emissions 68 percent and is lowering the system’s operating costs by $425m over 35 years. Joseph was very gracious to come on and talk about the origins of this project, the hurdles his team met along the way, the results so far, and where it is going in the future. We also covered how these learnings can be applied to get other universities and entities with large campus infrastructures to follow suit. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did! Joseph is a rare one, in that he not only has a firm grasp on the problem and what is needed, but he’s gone out and deployed it at scale and is posting amazing results. His story struck me as a real bright spot in what, at times, can feel like an uphill battle. Enjoy! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. For more information and to sign up for updates on My Climate Journey visit: www.myclimatejourney.co

Welcome to the inaugural episode! Our first guest is Daniel Hullah. Daniel is a longtime cleantech investor, who has seen it all, yet is still smiling. We had a great convo about some of the history of cleantech investing/innovation, where some of the biggest opportunities are, the role of strategics vs startups in pursuing that innovation, and how it all fits into our broader climate change problem. Tune in, and enjoy! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests or topics you'd like to see covered on the show. For more information and to sign up for updates on My Climate Journey visit: www.myclimatejourney.co Links for topics discussed in this episode: Blackrock’s Report on climate-related risks in the market: https://www.blackrock.com/us/individual/literature/whitepaper/bii-physical-climate-risks-april-2019.pdf

Hello everyone, and welcome to My Climate Journey! I created this podcast to bring you along on my journey to better understand the climate change problem, and to identify areas where I or other people concerned about this problem (like you?!) might be able to help. Here's what you can expect: This will be a journey in every sense of the word. We will be learning in public as we go, as we interview guest after guest, and as we work to develop mastery in all aspects of the podcasting medium. Each week we will bring on a new guest, from a wide range of backgrounds, to talk through this problem space with them, learn more about their area of focus, and talk about what things can be done to make their area move faster, and for our path towards a solution to move faster overall. We will do our best to bring on guests from multiple sides of contentious issues, to further our own efforts to better understand the issues, as well as those of our listeners. We will not hold back from asking hard questions or engaging in lively debate, but our aim is to make sure every guest feels like they have been treated fairly and given a chance to express their views. Our goal is not only to surface the differences, but to find common ground across people with opposing viewpoints as well. If done right, you should leave each episode feeling more informed and better armed with actionable steps you can take to help out, all while being entertained along the way. You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and provide suggestions for future guests you’d like to hear on the show. For more information visit: www.myclimatejourney.co