

Reversing Climate Change
Carbon Removal Strategies LLC
Reversing Climate Change is a podcast that bridges science, technology, and policy with the richness of the humanities. From the forefront of carbon removal and climatetech to explorations of literature, history, philosophy, theology, and geopolitics, we dive deep into the people, ideas, and innovations shaping a better future for the planet and its inhabitants.
If you love the show, please become a paid subscriber on Spotify.
If you love the show, please become a paid subscriber on Spotify.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 7, 2023 • 46min
Carbon Capture & Carbon Removal: Friends or Foes?—w/ Gagan Porrwal of GE Gas Power's Carbon Solutions
Carbon capture and storage, or CCS, involves sequestering carbon dioxide emissions from a point source, whereas carbon removal takes existing emissions out of ambient air.And there are a lot of people in the climate community who are for carbon removal and against CCS, arguing that we should shut down these point sources and focus on renewable energy.But is choosing sides the right thing to do?Gagan Porrwal is Global Head of Partnerships for GE Gas Power's Carbon Solutions, where he is building an ecosystem of partners that enable, accelerate, and drive the adoption of CCS applications in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Asian Pacific.On this episode of Reversing Climate Change’s Happy Hour show, Gagan joins Ross and Siobhan to explain why we need CCS to meet our 2030 climate targets and how he thinks about capturing carbon in the flue versus ambient air.Gagan discusses how much power is currently generated by coal or natural gas and describes the reality of how long it will take to transition to wind and solar.Listen in to understand the four key problems facing CCS—social acceptance, economics, infrastructure, and permitting—and find out why we can’t transition to renewables tomorrow, but we can take the next rational step toward clean energy in any given geography.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesGagan on LinkedInGE Gas Power's Carbon SolutionsThanks a TonOn Deck Climate TechHolly Jean BuckThe Paris AgreementCarbon Removal Meme on Paying for Atmospheric CleanupIEA Climate Research

Jan 31, 2023 • 42min
S3E36: Why We Need More Sh*tty First Drafts in Carbon Removal—w/ Adina Mangubat & Tito Jankowski of AirMiners
You can judge the progress of an industry by its number of sh*tty first drafts.And if we have any hope of getting to gigatonne-scale carbon removal by 2030, we need a greater diversity of ideas in the CDR space. We need entrepreneurs who dare to think differently. We need more sh*tty first drafts.So, what can we do to encourage this kind of radical risk-taking in carbon removal? Where can entrepreneurs, investors, and carbon removal buyers go to generate their sh*tty first drafts and then iterate on each other’s ideas together?Adina Mangubat and Tito Jankowski are Accelerator Director and CEO, respectively, at AirMiners, a community that empowers people taking risks to accelerate the reversal of climate change through carbon removal.On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Tito and Adina join Ross to discuss the AirMiners Launchpad business accelerator, explaining how it serves early-stage carbon removal startups and why it supports companies across the spectrum of permanence.Tito describes his role in unlocking capital for early-stage CDR startups, exploring how AirMiners helps them sell future carbon credits as a complement to traditional equity investment.Listen in for Adina’s insight around what buyers are looking for in carbon removal startups and learn how you can get involved in the AirMiners community and contribute to the queue of sh*tty first drafts we need to save the planet.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesAirMinersAirMiners Launchpad Startup AcceleratorAirMiners Investor AcademyAirMiners Investor Demo DayAirMiners Investment FundY CombinatorAirMiners ‘How to Sell a Carbon Credit’ EventAirMiners Boot Up SeriesAirMiners Buyer Demo DayXPRIZE for Carbon RemovalAnne Lamott’s Idea of Sh*tty First Drafts

Jan 24, 2023 • 48min
How to Get Carbon Removal Startups the Support They Need!—w/ Neesha Mirchandani of Impact Stars
Startups in the CDR space need to succeed quickly if we want to reverse climate change before time runs out.But the current system requires that climatetech founders often devote time to pitching VCs and filling out multiple grant applications. Time that would be better spent developing their solutions.So, what can we do to connect emerging carbon removal companies with the funding they need to move forward?Neesha Mirchandani is Founder and CEO of Impact Stars, a consultancy that helps planet-positive entrepreneurs raise money and attract clients.On this episode of Reversing Climate Change Happy Hour, Neesha joins Ross, Siobhan and Asa to discuss the magnetic pitch method she uses to support CDR startups in attracting venture capital.Neesha explains what VCs look for in a climate startup and shares her frustration with philanthropy’s failure to fill in the funding gaps.Listen in to understand how we might streamline the grant application process for CDR entrepreneurs and get Neesha’s advice on how to apply business sense to your climate ventures!Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesImpact StarsThanks a TonNa’im Merchant at The Carbon CurveClimate Change vs. Artisanal Cheesemaking on Reversing Climate Change S3EP35AirMinersKiss the Ground Courses‘Who Should Pay for Carbon Removal?’ by Robert HoglundCalifornia Wilderness Coalition

Jan 17, 2023 • 57min
S3E35: Climate Change vs. Artisanal Cheesemaking—w/ Andy Hatch of Uplands Cheese
While large, industrial cheesemakers are known for consistency and scale, small operations like Uplands Cheese make boutique cheeses unique to the land where they’re produced.And these small, pasture-based dairy farms have their own unique concerns when it comes to climate change.So, how is extreme weather already affecting operations like Uplands Cheese? How does climate factor into future planning for a 300-acre dairy farm?Cheesemaker Andy Hatch is Co-Owner at Uplands, a dairy farm and cheesemaking operation in Southern Wisconsin. Andy’s team produces two award-winning artisan cheeses, Pleasant Ridge Reserve and Rush Creek Reserve.On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Andy joins Ross to explain why his team uses a seasonal model for cheesemaking, describing how Pleasant Ridge Reserve is made in the tradition of Alpine cheeses while Rush Creek is modeled after Vacherin Mont d’Or.Andy discusses how warmer, wetter weather is impacting his cows and what Uplands Cheese is doing to reduce its carbon footprint.Listen in for insight on trends in dairy farming influenced by climate change and learn how to support small dairy farmers like Andy who are good stewards of natural resources.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesUplands CheeseLiz Thorpe on Reversing Climate Change S3EP31The Book of Cheese by Liz ThorpeDeLaurentiDan Saladino on Reversing Climate Change S3EP16Eating to Extinction by Dan SaladinoColston Bassett Blue StiltonJasper Hill Farm Bayley Hazen BlueRoelli Cheese Dunbarton BluePoint Reyes Farmstead Cheese

Jan 3, 2023 • 51min
S3E34: The Environmental Impact of WWII in the Pacific Theatre—with Ian W. Toll, author of The Pacific War Trilogy
Much has been written about the European Theater in World War II.But the war in the Pacific Theater was the largest naval war ever fought. It covered the entire breadth of the Pacific Ocean, and much of the fighting took place in remote, wild environments.How did the conflict impact those environments heretofore untouched by the outside world? And what about the Indigenous peoples who lived there?Ian W. Toll is the author of Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the US Navy and the Pacific War Trilogy—Pacific Crucible, The Conquering Tide, and Twilight of the Gods.On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Ian joins Ross to explain how airbases were built on hundreds of Pacific islands during WWII and describe how the scale of development radically and irrevocably changed the ecosystems there.Ian discusses how hundreds of shipwrecks from WWII have the potential to turn into environmental disasters at any time and weighs in on what we can do to avoid a modern-day war in the Pacific—and why it’s crucial.Listen in for Ian’s insight on the logistical prowess of the US to ramp up shipbuilding during WWII and find out why Admiral Halsey ranked the bulldozer among the five most important weapons of the Pacific War.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesIan W. Toll on TwitterSix Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the US Navy by Ian W. TollIan W. Toll’s Pacific War TrilogyPatrick O’BrianTest Ban TreatyWith the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by E.B. SledgeThe PacificTales of the South Pacific by James A. MichenerAlfred Thayer Mahan

Dec 13, 2022 • 51min
S3E33: Time to Think... Small? Not Everything Must Scale—w/ Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center
With a problem as monumental as the climate crisis, we have a tendency toward proportionality bias. We often believe that the issue has a single cause and can only be solved with a few large-scale solutions.But in the case of climate change, a diversity of solutions may be faster and more effective than putting all our eggs in a few big baskets.And that’s why Todd Myers focuses on what individuals can do to solve climate change—while the politicians slug it out over broad policy measures.Todd serves as Environmental Director at the Washington Policy Center. He is also the author of the new book, Time to Think Small: How Nimble Environmental Technologies Can Solve the Planet’s Biggest Problems.On this episode of the Reversing Climate Change podcast, Todd joins Ross to explore how individual efforts can fill in the gaps left behind by government policies and explain how climate change differs from pollution in the 1970’s.Todd discusses the data collected by citizen science apps like iNaturalist or eBird and describes how we can use both moral suasion and financial incentives to promote climate solutions.Listen in for Todd’s insight on striking the right balance between private sector and government climate initiatives and learn how a business in the carbon removal space might identify the right scale for its unique solution.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesWashington Policy CenterTime to Think Small: How Nimble Environmental Technologies Can Solve the Planet’s Biggest Problems by Todd MyersTodd Myers on Reversing Climate Change EP052WILDLABSThe Earthshot PrizePuget Sound Salmon Recovery CouncilBill RuckelshausiNaturalistSeekeBirdMerlin Bird IDDr. Bryan Caplan on Reversing Climate Change S2EP2Octopus Energy Fan ClubSense Energy Monitor‘The Problem of Social Cost’ by RH CoaseGridWatch: Using Cell Sensors to Detect Power Outages

Nov 29, 2022 • 32min
S3E32: Tax-Deductible Carbon Removal?!—w/ Alex Roetter of Terraset
Of all philanthropy globally, only a couple percentage points go to climate in general. And of that couple percentage points, only something like 2% of climate giving is dedicated to carbon removal.The problem is, we need to fund several gigatonnes of carbon removal per year by 2050 to combat climate change. And that’s going to cost hundreds of billions of dollars.So, how do we encourage governments, corporations and philanthropists to support carbon removal? How might the average person make a tax-deductible donation to fund carbon removal?Alex Roetter is Founder of Terraset, a new nonprofit climate fund that uses private philanthropy to invest in carbon removal projects.On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Alex joins Ross to explain how the underfunding of carbon removal inspires his philanthropic work, and why reducing emissions alone is not enough to curb climate change.Alex discusses the well-known donors and carbon removal providers Terraset is working with and describes the criteria his team uses to evaluate the projects they choose to fund.Listen in to understand how giving to a 501(c)(3) makes your dollars go further and learn how to make your own tax-deductible carbon removal purchase through Terraset.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesTerrasetEmail hello@terrasetclimate.orgGates FoundationIPCCFrontier Climate45Q Tax CreditInflation Reduction ActFord FoundationDr. Marcius Extavour on Reversing Climate Change S3EP28 BonusCharm IndustrialHeirloomCharm Industrial on Reversing Climate Change S3EP27Heirloom on Carbon Removal Newsroom S3EP23Lowercarbon CapitalBreakthrough EnergyDARPAClimeworksYvon Chouinard Gives Away Patagonia

Nov 22, 2022 • 52min
S3E31: Loving Cheese in the Age of Climate Change—w/ Liz Thorpe, author of The Book of Cheese
Cheese can be both rarified and common. It is also an industry that impacts and is impacted by climate change.Today’s guest is author and cheese expert, Liz Thorpe. Liz is known for working her way up at New York City’s Murray’s Cheese shop, and taking it from a specialty shop to kiosks in Kroger stores across America, making cheese accessible and available to the American general public.Today, Liz serves as Founder of The People’s Cheese, a platform designed to teach a broader market why cheese matters and how to make it part of everyday life. She is also the author of The Book of Cheeseand The Cheese Chronicles.On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Liz joins Ross to explain how she pushes back against an elitist interpretation of cheese, and explores how the American desire for choice and innovation translates to the cheese market in the US.Liz discusses how our industrialized food system contributes to climate change and describes how government subsidies and taxes often exacerbate the problem. Some cheeses are becoming more available, and others less. How many cheeses are going extinct due to climate change among other factors?!Listen in for Liz’s insight on the mission-driven nature of cheesemaking and learn how you can take advantage of the explosion of great cheese produced in the US in the last fifteen years.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesLiz’s WebsiteLiz on InstagramLiz’s Course at StanfordThe Book of Cheese: The Essential Guide to Discovering Cheeses You’ll Love by Liz ThorpeThe Cheese Chronicles: A Journey Through the Making and Selling of Cheese in America, From Field to Farm to Table by Liz ThorpeMurray’s CheeseDan Saladino on Reversing Climate Change S3EP16Paul Wagner on Reversing Climate Change S3EP10Neal’s Yard DairyPoint Reyes Farmstead CheeseJasper Hill FarmCheese Sex Death

Nov 19, 2022 • 35min
S3E30: The Cleantech Bubble Burst. What About Climatetech?—w/ Joel Makower, Cofounder and Chairman of GreenBiz
The first cleantech bubble burst in the oughts, but the industry didn’t go away. And now, we’ve entered a second big wave of "climatetech" investment.So, is this wave more promising than the first? Are we moving into a golden age for climatetech? Or is it too dissimilar to make comparisons?Joel Makower is Cofounder and Chairman of GreenBiz, a leading media and events company at the intersection of business, sustainability, and innovation. He also serves as cohost of theGreenBiz 350 Podcast.On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Joel joins Ross to discuss how climatetech may have followed the Gartner Hype Cycle and describe what factors caused the first cleantech bubble to burst.Joel explains why corporations are much more involved in Cleantech 2.0 and explores the ongoing politicization of climate change, despite the efforts of some (like the military) to prepare for a climate crisis.Listen in for Joel’s insight on the near future of climatetech and learn about the extraordinary opportunity he believes we have to reinvent our world in a way that will benefit everyone.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesGreenBizGreenBiz EventsGreenBiz NewslettersGreenBiz 350 PodcastClean EdgeSolyndra CollapseGartner Hype CycleInflation Reduction ActTeslaThe Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future by Senator James InhofeCHIPS for America ActInfrastructure Investment and Jobs ActCOP 27

Nov 17, 2022 • 40min
Supporting Early-Stage Climatetech Startups—w/ Jennifer Wagner of Breakthrough Energy
To tackle the climate change problem, we need to move traditional industries closer to net-zero and create new industries from scratch.But how do you build a new carbon removal industry, for example? What is the best way to nurture startups in the climatetech space?Jennifer Wagner is a Breakthrough Energy Business Fellow where she helps early-stage climatetech startups advance the groundbreaking technologies we need to reach net-zero by 2050.Prior to joining Breakthrough, Jennifer served as VP of Sustainability, EVP of Corporate Development, and President of CarbonCure Technologies in her 12 years with the company.On this bonus episode of Reversing Climate Change, Jennifer joins Siobhan and Asa to walk us through the journey of a Breakthrough Energy Fellows startup and describe how the program supports its teams in scaling up.Jennifer discusses the three teams with female founders she works with directly and explains how to work through a high volume of applicants and find the right people for your climate tech startup.Listen in for Jennifer’s insight on securing funding for a carbon removal startup and find out how you can be part of the prestigious Breakthrough Energy Fellows program.Connect with NoriPurchase Nori Carbon RemovalsNori's websiteNori on TwitterCheck out our other podcast, Carbon Removal NewsroomCarbon Removal Memes on TwitterCarbon Removal Memes on InstagramResourcesBreakthrough EnergyBreakthrough Energy Fellows ProgramBreakthrough Energy on LinkedInBreakthrough Energy on TwitterBreakthrough Energy Job BoardJack Andreasen of Breakthrough Energy on Reversing Climate ChangeLanzaJetCarbonCureXPRIZEAmazon’s $53M Fund for Female Climate Tech FoundersAirMinersRemoraCharm IndustrialLithos CarbonHow to Pursue a Career in Carbon Removal on Reversing Climate ChangeClimate PeopleCDR.FYIRobert Niven