Supercool

Who is paying for the clean energy revolution? Today, we’re diving into the financial side of the transition—where the trillions of dollars needed to move civilization off fossil fuels and into a low-carbon future are coming from, and how these massive deals come together. Joining Josh is Britta Von Oesen, Partner and Managing Director at CRC-IB, the nation’s leading investment bank dedicated exclusively to financing the clean energy economy. CRC-IB has advised on over 350 deals worth $72 billion. Britta herself has led $15 billion in transactions and is one of the most influential leaders in renewable energy finance. She take us behind the scenes to explain how deals are structured, who’s paying, and why financing the clean energy revolution makes smart business sense. The good news? These deals don’t just cut carbon and deliver strong ROI—they also improve modern life for people and communities.Show NotesGuest: Britta Von Oesen, Partner and Managing DirectorCompany: CRC-IBFor more Supercool climate solutions that cut carbon, improve modern life, and shape the new low carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus our:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Supercool on Instagram and Linkedin 

Every day, 27 million kids ride 500,000 school buses—the largest transit system in America. And yet, this 80-year-old relic is stuck in the past: buses are late, routes are inefficient, and parents have no clue where the bus is or when it’s coming. Ritu Narayan, founder and CEO of Zum, decided to fix it. All of it.With real-time tracking, smarter routes, and electric buses, Zum has modernized student transportation for 4,000 schools, including the school districts of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Boston. In Oakland, Zum introduced the nation’s first fully electric school bus fleet, slashing emissions and cutting the number of buses needed nearly in half.Zum isn’t just about buses—it’s a tech, Human Resources, logistics, and infrastructure company rolled into one. The result? Parents can breathe, kids get to class on time, and school districts finally have a system that works.Ritu joins Supercool this week to discuss how Zum is making school buses smart, sustainable, and better for everyone.Show NotesGuest: Ritu Narayan, founder & CEOCompany: ZumFor more Supercool climate solutions that cut carbon, improve modern life, and shape the new low-carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus our:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Supercool on Instagram and Linkedin 

Budderfly is one of the fastest growing companies in America, with an unparalleled Energy-as-a-Service offering. For many small business owners, especially franchisees of the world's most recognizable fast food brands like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC, Al Subbloie and team offer up to 40% energy savings and no-cost upgrades of HVAC, lighting, and refrigeration equipment. Solar panels? Why not? Budderfly won’t even charge to install all of this state-of-the-art infrastructure. With an offer too good for customers to refuse, Budderfly is on its way to becoming a billion-dollar company and bringing many of the most recognizable American brands along for the sustainability journey. Yet, Al's vision for the low-carbon energy efficient future goes far beyond.Show NotesGuest: Al Subbloie, Founder & CEOCompany: BudderflyFor more Supercool climate solutions that cut carbon, improve modern life, and shape the new low carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus our:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Supercool on Instagram and Linkedin 

In 2009, Amit Gupta, a rising executive at Carrier, the global HVAC company, discovered a neglected technology inside the company called Aeroseal. It used aerosol particles to seal air leaks in building envelopes and air ducts—offering a simple yet powerful way to tackle a major problem: the 10% of global energy wasted due to leaks. Seeing its potential, Amit took a leap. In 2010, he left his corporate career, rebooted Aeroseal as a startup, and focused on what matters most to customers: lowering energy bills, improving indoor air quality, and creating comfortable spaces. Today, with backing from world-class climate tech investors, including Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and over 260,000 buildings sealed, Aeroseal is sealing the cracks in our energy future.Show NotesGuest: Amit GuptaCompany: AerosealFor more Supercool climate solutions that cut carbon, improve modern life, and shape the new low carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Instagram and LinkedIn

In 2014, Gundersen Health, headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin, became the nation's first health system to eliminate fossil fuels, transitioning to 100% local renewable energy. Today, the high-growth Gundersen saves $5 million annually on energy, helping to control healthcare costs for its patient populations across 11 hospitals and 100+ clinics in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Gundersen merged with Bellin Health in 2022 to become Emplify Health. Alan Eber led the effort at Gundersen. Today, as CEO of Eneration, Eber's job is to show the rest of the healthcare industry how to pursue a clean, low-carbon, renewable energy future. Alan joins Josh to share the playbook. This episode was first published on July 17, 2024.Show Links:Guests: Alan EberCompany: EnerationInitiative: Gundersen EnvisionHealth System: Emplify HealthFor more Supercool climate solutions that cut carbon, improve modern life, and shape the new low carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Instagram and LinkedIn

Cities have nowhere to go but down to tap new sources of emissions-free, clean energy, harden assets against climate impacts, cut operational costs, and enhance urban life for their residents above. In this end-of-year episode, we're delving into the emergence of the underground climate economy, a Supercool trend we've identified after completing our first 20 episodes since launching in July.Whether eliminating curbside trash pickup by sending out trash through pneumatic tubes below streets, recovering wasted heat from water sloshing through sewer pipes, or drilling down to tap geothermal energy, the fate of cities and our civilization increasingly depends on what's happening down below.For more Supercool climate solutions that cut carbon, boost the bottom line, and improve modern life, subscribe to the podcast plus our:* Newsletter* Youtube Channel* Supercool on Instagram and LinkedIn

Iowa generates enough wind power to meet 77% of its energy demand. That's great for combating climate change and financially beneficial for local farmers, towns, and the overall economy. Discover how Iowa rose to wind energy prominence. We're joined by Chaz Allen, former Mayor of Newton, Iowa, and current Executive Director of the Iowa Utility Association. We also speak with Kathy Law, a farmer turned corporate attorney and one of the leading wind energy dealmakers in the state. NotesGuests: 1. Chaz Allen, Executive Director, Iowa Utility Association 2. Kathy Law,  Attorney, Nyemaster Goode Law FirmTelevision Segment: Chaz Allen on 60 MinutesData on Iowa's wind energy production: See U.S. Energy Information Agency Data Analysis by Stanford University Professor Mark Jacobson.For more Supercool climate solutions that cut carbon, improve modern life, and shape the new low-carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus our:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Supercool on Instagram and Link

Even the most innovative climate tech startups face marketing challenges. To gain traction or raise capital, they must generate brand awareness, educate the market, and build trust with prospective customers in a race against time before their funds run out. Companies that go bold in their climate communications stand a stronger chance of standing out in a "sea of same." That's the advice of this week's guest, Adam Malik, co-founder of Bloxspring, a marketing agency for visionary brands radically changing the future of our buildings, cities, and the planet.NOTESGuest: Adam Malik, Co-founderCompany: Bloxspring Jaguar: Its new EV car commercial - featuring no carsVolvo: Its new EV car commercial - cinematically leaning into its safety reputationFor more Supercool climate solutions accelerating the low-carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus our:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Supercool on Instagram and Linkedin

Ned Tozun co-founded d.light in 2007 with a mission to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions for all. Seventeen years later, d.light's solar products have improved the lives of over 180 million people across 72 countries, with major operations in India, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. The company employs 1,200 people and tens of thousands of local sales agents to bring its innovative products to remote, rural communities. Ned joins Supercool to share how the business has effectively scaled around the world as it races to impact one billion people by 2030.Show NotesGuest: Ned Tozun, Co-Founder and CEOCompany: d.lightTime Magazine's 2024 Time100 Climate List: Feature on Ned TozunVideo of d.light's product durability: See it on AmazonFor more Supercool climate solutions accelerating the low-carbon economy, subscribe to the podcast plus our:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Supercool on Instagram and Linkedin 

What moves people to ditch their cars and use their own feet? The key, says Jeff Speck, is that the walk must be as good as a drive. Jeff wrote the book on walkability—literally. Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America One Step at a Time is the best-selling city-planning title of the 21st century. On today’s show, Jeff presents the playbook for creating walkable neighborhoods and cities, the maddening obstacles standing in the way, and how to clear the path—one thoughtful step at a time.Show NotesGuest: Jeff Speck, FAICP, CNU-A, LEED-AP, Honorary ASLA; Partner, Speck DempseyOrganization: Speck DempseyBook: Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a TimeTED Talk: The Walkable CityReport: Foot Traffic Ahead by Smart Growth AmericaFor more Supercool climate solutions accelerating the low-carbon future, subscribe to the podcast plus our:* Youtube Channel* Weekly Newsletter* Supercool on Instagram and Linkedin