Climate Change and Democracy with Ning Mosberger-Tang
Apr 8, 2024
auto_awesome
Ning Mosberger-Tang, a former Google engineer turned climate advocate, discusses her initiatives in climate tech investing, democracy reform, and investigative reporting. She emphasizes the importance of policy work, grassroots movements like the Blue Wave Postcard Movement, and strategic funding for climate action in the 2024 elections.
Ning Mosberger-Tang emphasizes the necessity of strategic funding in elections to support candidates focused on climate action.
1.5 Climate Strategies Group collaborates with organizations to fund underfunded climate solutions through a donor collaborative.
Deep dives
Ning Mossberger Tang's Transition from Google Engineer to Climate Change Advocate
Ning Mossberger Tang transitioned from being one of the first female engineers at Google, where she played a key role in developing Google's initial advertising platform, to focusing on climate change mitigation in 2006. Concerned about her daughter's future in a world affected by climate change, she founded the Anovo Foundation in 2006, dedicated to climate change mitigation, and later established Avoni Ventures to invest in early-stage climate impact technologies.
The Establishment of 1.5 Climate Strategies Group
Two years ago, Ning founded the 1.5 Climate Strategies Group, emphasizing the importance of keeping temperature increases under 1.5 degrees Celsius. The group urges wealthy individuals, foundations, and donor-advised funds to allocate 1.5% of their net assets annually towards climate change mitigation work. The group collaborates with various organizations to identify catalytic and underfunded climate solutions and resource them through a donor collaborative.
1.5 Climate Strategies Group's Electoral Focus and Initiatives
1.5 Climate Strategies Group focuses on supporting electoral and policy work to advance climate solutions. The group has been actively engaged in climate-aware elections, supporting candidates in key battleground states, such as Ohio, Montana, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Arizona. They aim to hold a pro-climate Senate majority to pass impactful climate policies, such as transmission reform and the efficient implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act.
Strategic Funding in Elections and Ground Game Initiatives
Ning emphasizes the significance of strategic funding in elections, recommending donations to GiveGreen to support candidates who prioritize climate action. Beyond candidate contributions, she advocates for funding ground game organizations that drive voter registration and turnout efforts. These organizations play a crucial role in building impactful ground strategies beyond individual candidate campaigns, ensuring sustainable momentum in advancing climate policies.
As one of the pioneering female engineers at Google, Ning played a crucial role in the development of Google's initial advertising platform. Transitioning from Google in 2006, her focus shifted towards combating climate change. Presently, she spearheads multiple organizations dedicated to instigating change.
This discussion spans her endeavors in political and electoral advocacy, civic engagement, and climate tech investing. With the 2024 election on the horizon, the opportunity to converse with Ning offered invaluable insights into the critical issues at stake, her priorities for the election cycle, and her strategic approach.
Episode recorded on Mar 19, 2024 (Published on Apr 8, 2024)
In this episode, we cover:
[01:47]: Ning's background, her experience at Google and transition to climate advocacy
[06:28]: Founding Innovo Foundation for conservation work and climate change mitigation
[07:23]: Ning's various initiatives, from tech investments to democracy reform
[10:00]: The importance of policy and electoral work for climate action after the 2016 election