Invested In Climate

I’m fascinated by the question of how we can improve climate and environmental storytelling. There’s research that shows that 45% of young people in the United States experience climate anxiety so bad that it negatively affects their daily functioning. As we learned during a conversation with Nathaniel Stinnett of the Environmental Voter Project last fall, over 5 million Americans list climate and the environment as their #1 top issue, but don’t actually vote. To me, these are indicators that we need new kinds of storytelling and new ways to experience the climate transition.To learn about the state of environmental and climate storytelling, I sat down with one of the leading funders of environmental films, Jill Tidman, Executive Director of The Redford Center. Jill brings decades of storytelling experience and understands the challenges of not only getting environmental films distributed but also creating impact through them. We spoke about how the film distribution and funding landscapes have changed, the history of the Redford Center, its impact framework, examples of films and impact campaigns they’ve supported, and much more. If you’re a film fan, just generally curious about the role of documentaries in creating change, or like me, want to understand how we can improve storytelling for climate, there's a lot to learn from this conversation. Enjoy. On today’s episode, we cover:[03:37] Importance of storytelling in environmental issues[07:26] History of the Redford Center[10:33] Evolution of filmmaker support[15:23] Approaches to climate storytelling[18:35] Changes in film distribution[21:05] Criteria for selecting film projects[23:20] Redford Center's impact framework[26:29] Example of community engagement film[30:28] Impact and wins of supported projects[34:02] Indigenous voices and conservation efforts[39:13] Future plans for the Redford Center[42:45] Addressing polarization through storytellingResources MentionedThe Redford CenterFighting GoliathNew York Community TrustKiss the GroundThe Acid Rain MovieConnect with Jill TidmanOn LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramBlueskyHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

Alex Wright-Gladstein was one of the first people I interviewed when I launched Invested in Climate nearly 3 years ago. Our conversation has stuck in my mind over the years as her company, Sphere, offers one of the most impactful actions individuals can take to address climate change. The action is really simple: Moving our savings out of fossil fuel companies. In the United States, fossil fuels are included by default in retirement savings accounts. If you have a 401(k), IRA, or pension, you are almost certainly supporting the fossil fuel industry. And we’re not talking about chump change: About 20% of the fossil fuel market cap is derived from 401(k)s and IRA investments. Sphere makes it easy for people and companies to move retirement savings away from fossil fuels. They’re currently raising money through a WeFunder crowdfunding campaign, so I thought it was a perfect time to catch up with Alex and hear about Sphere’s progress. Full disclosure: I’m a Sphere investor and soon-to-be customer, but I should say clearly - nothing in this episode should be considered investment advice and is just for informational purposes. I hope this conversation pushes your thinking in a helpful way. Enjoy.On today’s episode, we cover:[00:58] Introduction to Alex Wright-Gladstein and Sphere[02:35] The origin of Sphere and the problem they're solving[05:00] Details about the Sphere 500 Climate Fund[06:28] Discussion of investment impact and fossil fuel investments[09:17] Navigating 401(k) regulations and lawsuits[13:44] Impact of political administrations on climate investing[19:37] Ways people can invest with Sphere[25:23] Strategies for pressuring companies to offer sustainable 401(k)s[29:57] Challenges faced by Sphere, including market volatility and ESG backlash[33:35] Vision for the future of climate-friendly investingResources MentionedSphereSphere 500 Climate FundInfluenceMapThe Virtual March to Retire Big OilWeFunder: Invest in SphereConnect with Alex Wright-GladsteinOn LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramBlueskyHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

In this enlightening discussion, Joel Armin–Hoiland, CEO of Climate Finance Solutions and an expert in grant funding, shares his insights on navigating the tumultuous landscape faced by climate businesses. He highlights the devastating impacts of recent political shifts on federal funding and explores alternative sources of financing. Joel emphasizes the critical role that grants play in supporting innovative climate solutions and offers effective strategies for startups to integrate grant funding into their growth plans. Tune in for practical insights and guidance!

Brett Jenks, CEO of Rare, a nonprofit dedicated to conservation and climate action, discusses the looming threat of the sixth mass extinction linked to climate change. He shares insights on the impact of community engagement in areas like rural Costa Rica, where local champions lead conservation efforts. Jenks emphasizes the power of cultural shifts and collective action, noting how behavioral changes driven by social dynamics can foster sustainability. The conversation underscores the importance of unity among stakeholders to tackle the impending biodiversity crisis.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Andrew Beebe, Managing Director of Obvious Ventures, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of climate tech. He draws parallels between the early days of the internet and today's climate innovations. Andrew makes five bold predictions for 2025, discussing the potential of AI, especially generative science, in driving advancements in battery chemistry and geothermal energy. He addresses the challenges of securing funding and emphasizes the importance of resilience and strong teams in overcoming barriers to success.

Happy New Year everyone. It's 2025, and we know this year will be tricky in more ways than we can even imagine. I hope our podcast helps you stay inspired and think big throughout the year. Having gotten to talk to hundreds of climate tech founders, funders, advocates, and corporate sustainability leaders in recent years, I’ve been inspired by the amazing energy, innovation, and tenacity of climate champions worldwide. I’ve said it before and will say it again, I believe climate is now the biggest movement in human history. Millions of people wake up every day and work to protect the planet in one way or another, and there’s never been a more impactful time to be alive. And yet, despite the investment and progress we’ve seen, we’re not on track to avoid devastating climate impacts. That’s why I’ve personally shifted my attention to culture change. We simply need new ways to recruit people to take action and leverage the power they have to make climate a real and unwavering priority of policymakers, industry, and communities. So I’m thrilled to kick off this year with an interview with Eric Levine, co-founder of one of the world’s most successful climate engagement organizations. Count Us In has reached hundreds of millions of people by integrating climate calls to action in what they love – entertainment and culture. In this conversation, we discuss Eric’s background, the behavioral science behind their approach, and how they’re reaching people through music, sports, fashion, film, TV, social media, and more. Maybe you don’t consider culture and storytelling to be an exciting climate technology, but paradigms and mindsets are foundational to systemic change. They influence everything – how we think, what we prioritize, fund, and want. So give this episode a listen with an open mind and enjoy. Here we go. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:55] Eric’s background & how he got involved in climate work[05:00] Eric’s interest in civic engagement & empowering young people[10:00] The founding of Count Us In & its goals[15:00] Count Us In's strategy of integrating climate action into popular culture[20:00] The parallels Count Us In has studied from other social norm shifts[25:00] Examples of Count Us In's work engaging football/soccer fans in the UK & Brazil[30:00] Count Us In's approach to determining & promoting climate actions[35:00] The difference between environmental policy support & prioritization[40:00] What’s next for Count Us InResources MentionedCount Us InConnect with Eric LevineConnect with Eric on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

In this engaging discussion, Manuel Pinuela, the Founder and CEO of Cultivo, shares his vision for unlocking investment in nature-based climate solutions. He highlights the staggering $700 billion financing gap that hinders private sector involvement and explains how Cultivo leverages advanced technology to bridge this divide. Manuel dives into how sustainable practices like rotational grazing can revitalize ecosystems while promoting economic benefits. With recent funding successes, he emphasizes the potential for scaling up ecological investments to combat climate change effectively.

Today, we’re talking about wildfires and some innovative technology to prevent them. Climate change-related heat, drought, and what’s called thirsty atmospheric conditions increase the risks that come with wildfires. These fires have a real impact – they take human lives, create lasting respiratory health problems, destroy billions of dollars of property, and contribute significantly to global carbon emissions. The 2023 fire in Canada that burned an area the size of North Dakota emitted more carbon in five months than Russia or Japan emitted from fossil fuels in all of 2022. It should be noted, of course, that forests reabsorb carbon as they regrow, but still, their burning at that scale is a huge problem. Billions of dollars are being invested every year to prevent and limit wildfires, and I was excited to connect with a leading startup in this space to learn about what’s working and what challenges need to be solved. Today’s guest is Abhishek Singh, Co-Founder & CEO of AiDash, a company using satellites to help utility companies prevent powerline-cased fires. We talk about the problem of climate-related wildfires, the origin of AiDash, how their technology works, who’s using it, how they expect to contribute to fire mitigation, what else is needed, and much more. Smokey the Bear says only you can prevent wildfires, but maybe it's only you, thousands of satellites, AI and computer vision, and a growing ecosystem of technology companies and forest management professionals. Anyways, don’t mess around with fire and enjoy this episode. Resources MentionedAiDashConnect with Abhishek SinghConnect with Abhishek on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!

When Tom Steyer and Katie Hall came together in 2021 to bring Galvanize Climate Solutions to the world, it promised to be something rather unique. They both bring decades of experience managing many billions of dollars, incredible networks, and insights to find the best, most impactful investment opportunities for climate. Recently, Secretary John Kerry joined Galvanize as a Co-Chair, adding perhaps unparalleled international expertise to their team. The firm prioritizes not just financial returns for their investors, but also real climate impact. I was thrilled to sit down with Galvanize Chief Impact Officer Nicole Systrom to learn about how such an all-star team thinks about the impact they create. We spoke about Nicole’s background, the three different asset classes Galvanize invests in, three different levels of impact they consider before and after their investments are made, the impact of the election on their work, and much more. I learned a lot and am certainly glad Galvanize is doing the work it’s doing. Enjoy. In today’s episode, we cover:[02:35] Nicole’s background & career focus on climate[06:59] Galvanize & what makes it unique[11:21] Feelings & optimism in climate work[14:36] Galvanize's investment strategy across asset classes[15:59] Impact approaches for public equities, real estate & venture[17:59] Galvanize’s thesis & embedding impact across the firm[22:36] Three levels of impact[24:02] Diving deeper into impact approaches for different asset classes[26:11] Galvanize's real estate investment strategy[29:24] Nicole's goals & priorities for the next year[32:42] The impact of the recent election[34:28] What else needs to change in climate finance[36:28] Closing reflections & call to actionResources MentionedGalvanize Climate SolutionsConnect with Nicole SystromConnect with Nicole on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter

There are many reasons to believe the re-election of Donald Trump will be a major setback to climate progress. His previous record, recent campaign, ties to the fossil fuel industry, and perpetuation of misinformation, like the strange idea that wind turbines kill whales, all suggest we’re in for a radical reversal of America’s climate commitment. I’ve had many conversations with climate leaders since the election and a different narrative beyond this obvious fear became clear: Climate change doesn’t care who is President. Its impacts will be impossible to ignore. Business leadership and global competitiveness are now inextricably linked to navigating the climate transition. And, a robust ecosystem of influential actors domestically and abroad makes a complete abandonment of climate action unlikely. Today, I’m joined by two people who bring policy expertise at the federal, state, and local levels. Zach Friedman is the Senior Director of Federal Policy at Ceres, a nonprofit organization that works alongside investors and companies to advocate for sustainability. Caroline Spears is the Founder of Climate Cabinet, an organization that helps local candidates become successful climate champions. I found this conversation to be full of nuance and more uplifting than I expected.  Our new reality is sobering and there’s no denying we face new challenges. There is hope, however, and it comes with the fortitude and savvy people like Zach and Caroline have already been demonstrating. This savvy will require telling different stories about climate, the undeniable business case, and the power of all of us who stay invested. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:55] Background on Caroline’s & Zack’s roles at Climate Cabinet & Ceres[06:35] Potential challenges & opportunities for federal climate policy under the new administration[10:21] The implications of the U.S. potentially disengaging from international climate agreements[13:44] The critical role of state and local governments in driving climate progress[19:24] Priorities of Climate Cabinet & Ceres in the wake of the election results[26:11] How to support climate progressResources MentionedCeresClimate CabinetConnect with Zach Friedman & Caroline SpearsConnect with Zach on LinkedInConnect with Caroline on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitterHave feedback or ideas for future episodes, events, or partnerships?Get in touch!