Climate Rising

David Cash, Regional Director of the U.S. EPA for New England, discusses his journey from environmental science to leadership. He emphasizes how public policy, especially the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is driving clean energy innovation and community engagement. Cash highlights the balance between climate action and economic growth, advocating for environmental justice. He also shares insights on career opportunities at the intersection of climate and business, urging future leaders to get involved through internships and community initiatives.

Rich Lesser, the Global Chair of Boston Consulting Group, leads discussions on businesses tackling climate change with bold strategies. He emphasizes how BCG supports clients in achieving net-zero goals while navigating sustainability challenges. Lesser highlights the transformative role of AI in optimizing supply chains and enhancing climate resilience. He also discusses the necessity for collaboration among business leaders and the government to drive impactful climate initiatives, inspiring future leaders in climate action.

Joel Makower, co-founder and Chair of Trellis, has been a climate media pioneer since 1991. He discusses the evolution of Trellis as a major player in sustainability media, emphasizing its role in advancing climate action. The conversation touches on the challenges of sustainability reporting, the impact of major events like Green Biz, and the integration of environmental reporting with business journalism. Makower also shares insights into the complexities of storytelling in today's fragmented media landscape and the potential of AI in driving sustainability initiatives.

Sam Read, the Executive Director of the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, shares insights on how major studios like Disney and Netflix are tackling climate change. He highlights the collaboration among industry leaders to improve sustainability in production. Sam discusses the shift to clean mobile power and the narrative potential of integrating climate themes into storytelling. He also offers valuable advice for those aiming to get involved in climate-related initiatives in the entertainment sector.

Stewart, Netflix's first Sustainability Officer, shares his vision for integrating sustainability into entertainment. He discusses the challenges of weaving climate narratives into popular content, making them compelling and relatable. Stewart highlights Netflix's pioneering strategies for reducing its carbon footprint, including electrifying productions and collaborating on clean technologies. He also emphasizes the shift from risk-focused to opportunity-driven narratives, showcasing how entertainment can inspire climate action and innovation.

Bill Weir, CNN's Chief Climate Correspondent, dives into the media's impact on climate narratives. He highlights the importance of storytelling in shaping public perception and driving action against climate change. The discussion covers the evolution of climate journalism, innovative series like 'Eating Planet Earth,' and the challenge of visually representing environmental issues. Weir emphasizes how personal storytelling can alter consumer behavior and unite diverse perspectives to inspire collective action on climate challenges.

Erik Snyder is the founder and CEO of the Drawdown Fund, dedicated to financing climate tech startups. Paul Hawken, an influential author and editor, co-established the fund to combat climate change. They discuss innovative investment strategies for sustainable solutions, including impactful initiatives in urban infrastructure and mass transit. The conversation highlights the challenge of food waste in climate change, emphasizing the importance of strategic funding and the need for scalable technologies to create meaningful environmental change.

Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, dives into the groundbreaking MethaneSAT satellite designed to track methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. He shares why EDF ventured into satellite technology and the unique capabilities of MethaneSAT powered by AI. The discussion highlights impactful partnerships with companies like McDonald's and Walmart to foster sustainability. Krupp also reveals the challenges faced during the project's $90 million fundraising effort and the growing urgency for climate action.

Today’s episode focuses on some innovative alternative low-carbon natural materials being used in fashion. Bolt Threads CEO Dan Widmaier describes Mylo, a substitute for leather that’s derived from mushrooms, via the TED Climate podcast that we’re bringing here a bonus episode of Climate Rising. It’s a perfect extension of our two most recent Climate Rising episodes that focus on other low-carbon advanced materials: GALY’s lab-grown cotton and C16 Bioscience’s lab-generated treeless palm oil.

Today’s episode is the fifth in our series on decarbonizing the roots of value chains, where we’re looking deep into supply chains that serve many industries. Previously we talked about green concrete, green steel, regenerative agriculture, and lab-grown cotton.  Today we’re discussing palm oil – a widely used product that’s also associated with climate change due to some palm oil plantations arising from clearing and burning tropical forests, releasing carbon and destroying habitat and biodiversity. We talk with Shara Ticku, Co-founder and CEO of C16 Biosciences (and HBS alumna), which uses fermentation to produce a palm oil substitute. She describes how she and her partners built their start-up, including how they decided which products to develop, and which customers to pursue. She also shares advice for those interested in working at climate tech startup companies like hers. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative (LinkedIn)Guest: Shara Ticku, Co-founder and CEO, C16 Biosciences, and HBS alumna (LinkedIn)