Inevitable

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 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 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 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: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 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 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 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 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 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 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/ 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 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/ 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 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 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 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. 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 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 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