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!

Every once in a while I come across an investment firm with a really different edge and perspective. Overture VC is one such firm. Their specialty is policy – not just understanding the unique opportunities climate tech companies have with government incentives and helping them navigate that tricky terrain, but also actually lobbying for policies that’ll benefit their portfolio companies. In the words of Overture Founder and Managing Partner Shomik Dutta, there’s a $1.2 trillion dollar wall of government money coming downhill for climate companies. So Overture’s edge is meaningful and can make a big difference for a wide range of companies. Shomik and I discussed his background, how he moved into investing from politics, the opportunities recent climate policy has created for startups, examples of Overture’s portfolio companies and how the firm has helped them, and much more, including what’s at stake in the upcoming election.Speaking of the election – it’s next week. If you don’t yet have a plan for how to get your ballot in or haven’t called your friends and family to make sure they’re voting, now’s the time. Shomik mentions a mobile app called Reach – a great tool to help you contact people you know in swing states. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:01] Shomik Dota's Background and Transition to Investing[06:05] Overture VC's Unique Approach and Government Incentives [09:12] The Role of Government in Climate Tech and Overture's Strategy[12:44] Overture's Portfolio and Specific Investments[16:56] Examples of Overture's Work and Impact[20:45] Overture's Fund and Investment Focus[23:05] Election Impact on Climate Policy[25:41] Future Policy Needs and Final ThoughtsResources MentionedOverture VCReachConnect with Shomik DuttaConnect with Shomik 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!

The apparel industry has a massive impact on the environment. The industry is the second-highest consumer of water and it drives almost 10% of global carbon emissions. Despite thousands of smart people working to make this industry cleaner and all sorts of investments by brands, emissions are still increasing. To learn about this problem and get an inside look at the efforts to address it, I caught up with two old friends, Jason Kibbey and Evan Wiener. Jason was the founder of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and more recently a technology company called Worldly that helps businesses track their supply chains. Evan is a sustainability expert at McKinsey & Company who previously worked at Nike and H&M. These guys know the fashion industry inside and out. We talked about the state of sustainability in the apparel industry, the challenges of competitive and pricing pressures, the role of legislation, the opportunity for startups, the questionable authenticity of corporate sustainability aspirations, what needs to change, and much more. This is an industry that simply needs to change dramatically, and I learned a lot about how we might get there. Let’s go. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:07] Backgrounds of Jason Kibbe and Evan Wiener[08:19] Environmental and Societal Impact of the Apparel Industry[11:11] Progress and Challenges in Sustainability Efforts[16:16] Role of Regulation and Industry Response[25:31] Opportunities for Startups and Innovation[37:33] Consumer and Investor Roles in Sustainability[42:50] Reconciling Optimism with Industry Challenges[44:51] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources MentionedCascale (formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition)WorldlyMcKinsey & Company Connect with Jason Kibbey and Evan WienerConnect with Jason on LinkedInConnect with Evan on LinkedInConnect with Jason RissmanOn LinkedInOn TwitterKeep up with Invested In ClimateSign up for our NewsletterLinkedInInstagramTwitter

If you’re an avid listener, you might know I’m always interested in learning about ways we might improve financial markets for climate ventures. Improving the flow of capital can, of course, be incredibly impactful in helping more climate solutions scale successfully. So I was really excited when I learned about Open Road and the important role they’re playing by offering bridge loans to promising companies. Ok, maybe bridge loans don't sound that sexy to you? Think of it this way: if you’re an entrepreneur, what could be worse than running out of money? How about running out of money when you already have significant funding lined up just not yet in-hand. The sad truth is that this happens all the time – companies go under because they simply can’t keep paying salaries or buying supplies while they wait for financing to arrive. That’s the financing gap that Open Road has been addressing for over 10 years. In this conversation with Open Road CEO Caroline Bressan we talked about her background in impact investing, Open Road’s history, how their loans have unlocked 10 times the amount of capital, their climate portfolio, and more. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:08] Caroline’s background & role before Open Road[04:09] Learning from Calvert that shaped Caroline[05:13] Open Road, how did it start & the problem it's aiming to address[06:46] Financing gaps related to climate: The valley of death & the missing middle[08:37] Investment reach & focus in Sub-Saharan Africa[10:31] Finding & selecting portfolio companies[12:21] The type of impact Open Road has had[13:24] The need for bridge funding beyond what is provided[15:23] Open Road’s repayment rate[17:39] How much of lending has gone to energy, ag & other climate-related companies[21:01] Types of businesses Open Road has supported[26:30] What’s next for Open RoadResources MentionedOpen RoadConnect with Caroline BressanConnect 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!

After a summer of record heat waves, I’m sure we’re all grateful for air conditioning. And we know, it’s not just about comfort or productivity, but with extreme heat, being able to cool buildings keeps people safe. Yet, it comes at a cost: air conditioning today is responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions and demand is set to triple by 2050.Maybe you’re thinking that heat pumps are the answer and will come to the rescue? They’re certainly an important part of the solution, but until electric heat pumps are plugged into a grid that is fully powered by clean energy, efficiency matters a great deal. Enter Mojave HVAC. Their liquid desiccant technology can cut the energy needed for cooling commercial spaces by 30-50%. For today’s conversation, I’m joined by Mojave Founder & CEO Phil Farese. We spoke about Phil’s past and how he learned about the economics of energy efficiency, Mojave’s business model, technology, and its potential role in keeping us cool without overheating the planet. Here we go. In today’s episode, we cover:[03:01] Phil’s background & what led him to founding Mojave HVAC[05:07] Mojave & the problem that they’re solving[07:24] The limitations of heat pumps [10:36] Focusing on efficiency & using less energy for our HVAC needs[13:53] How Mojave’s technology was developed & where the business is at [16:04] Mohave’s target market & how sales are progressing [17:21] Other insights on Mohave’s product [18:21] The overall opportunity for business & impact[19:42] Emissions savings through technology adoption[20:25] Drivers of demand for Mohave’s product[22:26] The pros & cons of the liquid desiccants debate[25:37] Mohave’s next milestone & the biggest challenges[26:41] Blind spots in addressing climate change & buildings[29:27] Today’s climate innovation ecosystem & how it needs to improveResources MentionedMojave HVACConnect with Phil FareseConnect with Phil 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!

As the 2024 election approaches, a significant number of environmentalists remain non-voters, despite climate issues being their top priority. The Environmental Voter Project seeks to bridge this gap, aiming to mobilize just a small percentage to influence key outcomes. The discussion reveals the difference between voter preferences and actual voting behavior, the crucial role of local elections in shaping environmental policy, and innovative strategies to engage this demographic in the electoral process.