The Ruby on Rails Podcast

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)

Luciano Bueno, founder of GALY, discusses lab-grown cotton using sugar, its benefits, and market strategies. They explore innovative textile production, fundraising challenges, and other applications like saffron and cell-based meat.

Chris Marquis, a professor at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and author of 'The Profiteers,' discusses the revolutionary potential of regenerative agriculture for decarbonizing farming ecosystems. He tackles corporate accountability, revealing how some companies engage in 'corporate gaslighting,' shifting blame for environmental harm. Marquis emphasizes the need for a reassessment of stakeholder capitalism and highlights innovative companies like Indigo Ag and Patagonia that are prioritizing ecological restoration in their practices.

This episode is a part of our series on decarbonizing the roots of value chains, where we’re looking deep into supply chains that serve many industries. Our prior episode explored green concrete, and today’s focuses on steel. Steel production primarily relies on coal and coke, and accounts for nearly 7% of global CO2 emissions. But new technologies are on the horizon. Maria Persson Gulda, Chief Technology Officer at H2 Green Steel, joins us to discuss an innovative solution: green steel made from green hydrogen. By harnessing renewable power, H2 Green Steel is pioneering a path to drastically reduce steel's carbon footprint. Maria will also share insights into the world’s largest green steel plant in Sweden H2 is building, the evolving technological landscape, and the pivotal role of initial adopters. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative (LinkedIn)Guest:  Maria Persson Gulda, the Chief Technology Officer at H2 Green Steel (LinkedIn)

This podcast explores the use of green concrete to reduce carbon emissions in construction, highlighting Harvard University's pilot testing with Urban Mining Industries. They discuss challenges, strategies, and innovative products like Positive made from recycled glass to cut down greenhouse gas emissions. The focus is on decarbonizing construction materials and measuring carbon emissions throughout the supply chain.

In this episode in our adaptation series, Peter Hall, Managing Director at Resonance Impact Advisory, draws upon his experience in global engineering and professional services firms to share how consulting and advisory companies can help their clients assess their risks and take actions to become more resilient to climate change. He walks through several adaptation frameworks and roadmaps recently developed by governments, civil society, and private companies to help provide clarity and guidance on the steps necessary for more resilient companies and societies. For notes and resources visit; climaterising.org

Claudine Blamey from Aviva discusses how climate change impacts insurance companies with transition and physical risks, innovative insurance products like parametric and catastrophe insurance, and the need for proactive measures and climate modeling for effective risk management.

This episode in our climate adaptation series features HBS Professor John Macomber. John discusses how companies and governments need to incorporate climate resilience as they develop and finance real estate and infrastructure to address the risks of flooding, wildfire, extreme heat, drought, and sea level rise. John describes “five R” options to address these risks—to reinforce, rebound, retreat, restrict, and rebuild—and highlights best practices from insurance companies and the governments of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Singapore. He also identifies entrepreneurial opportunities to foster adaptation and resilience. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: John Macomber, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org