Inevitable

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. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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/ Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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/ Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

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 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant