Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

In a previous Climate One episode, we discussed the good, the bad, and the ugly impacts of artificial intelligence. But AI isn’t going away. Humans rarely give up a nifty new tool unless something better comes along. AI’s share of energy consumption is enormous, and the Department of Energy estimates that data center energy demands will double or even triple in just the next three years. Demand on fresh water is at least as big and isn’t talked about nearly enough. So, what can we do to reduce AI’s impact? Plenty of researchers have ideas — from site selection to energy efficiency to using zero-carbon sources of energy. But what will incentivize the AI corporations to take any of those actions?This episode is supported by Climate One Steward Noel Perry and Next 10.Episode Guests:KeShaun Pearson, Executive Director, Memphis Community Against PollutionKate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer, GoogleIrina Raicu, Director of the Internet Ethics Program at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara UniversityClimate One is once again hosting a series of live conversations as part of SF Climate Week 2025! Tickets for all four of our events, featuring leaders such as Jenny Odell, San José Mayor Matt Mahan, Rep. Jared Huffman, Abby Reyes, Margaret Gordon and two of this year's Goldman Prize winners are on sale now through the official SF Climate Week event calendar.Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today.For show notes and related links, visit our website.Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The energy transition is a monumental task, still in its early stages, with only about 10 percent of the necessary low-emissions technologies deployed to meet 2050 targets, according to the McKinsey Global Institute.As the world strives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while meeting growing global energy demand, significant challenges lie ahead. Join us as we explore the complexities of transforming the global energy infrastructure, and also the opportunities for innovation that lie ahead.Industry leaders will share insights on the progress being made and the critical steps needed to scale low-emission technologies while ensuring energy access and equity worldwide. Don’t miss this forward-looking discussion on the physical, technical and financial hurdles that must be overcome to achieve a sustainable energy future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Peter Som, nothing is quite as satisfying as the moment when everyone is gathered around the table and platters of food are set down for everyone to dig into together. Now culinary creator and lifestyle expert Som releases Family Style, a cookbook of 100 recipes with unique and creative flavor combinations, paying homage to his identity, heritage and family.He’s got powerfully flavorful recipes for breakfasts, dinners, desserts and more—all unfussy, comforting and creative. Perfect, he says, for an everyday meal at home, yet sophisticated, elegant and visually stunning to impress any guest.At the heart of each of the 100 recipes in Family Style are imaginative and personally unique flavor combinations. There are beloved nods to his grandma’s Cantonese flavor profiles, his mom’s deep love of French food, his Bay Area upbringing, and desserts that are “not too sweet”—the highest compliment in his family—and more, with recipes including: Burnt Miso Cinnamon Toast, Crispy Deviled Tea Eggs, Radicchio and Fennel Salad with Creamy Miso Maple Vinaigrette, Roasted Carrots with Gochujang Honey Butter, Cacio e Pepe Sticky Rice with Egg, Hoisin Honey Roast Chicken, Char Siu Bacon Cheeseburger, Chickpea Bourguignon, and Lychee Lime Pavlova.Join us to hear from this entertainment and lifestyle authority whose brand of effortless sophistication stems from his many years helming his own award-winning fashion brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Vince Hall, Chief Government Relations Officer at Feeding America, and Jennifer Steele, CEO of Meals on Wheels San Francisco, as they delve into the complexities of food policy and its direct impact on hunger relief. They discuss the urgent issue of food insecurity facing millions in the U.S., particularly children. With personal stories, they explore how Meals on Wheels combats hunger and loneliness among seniors. The conversation highlights the critical role of community advocacy and the need for innovative solutions to improve food access and nutrition for all.

Clare Fiesler, a Canary Media reporter, dives into the intricacies of the offshore wind industry. Jed Welder, a farmer facing local opposition to a wind farm, shares his firsthand experience navigating community dynamics. Barbara Kates-Garnick, a Tufts University energy policy expert, discusses the impact of political policies on renewable energy. They explore the contrasting landscapes of wind energy in the U.S. versus Europe, the irony of job growth in GOP districts, and the regulatory challenges that may shape the future of wind energy in America.

Debbie Chinn, a seasoned nonprofit arts leader and author, Sawyer Rose, an artist tackling women's labor inequity through data, Vera Maslova, a science and arts connector, and Anne W. Smith, an experienced arts educator, share their powerful journeys. They discuss the importance of women's mentorship and community in challenging societal norms. Their storytelling showcases resilience, creativity, and the vital role of arts in empowering women, highlighting the need for collective action to inspire future generations and drive change.

Join Gary Krist, author of "Trespassers at the Golden Gate," as he unravels the scandalous tale of Laura Fair, who shot her lover A.P. Crittenden amidst the chaos of Gilded Age San Francisco. Explore how the city's transformation during the Gold Rush intersected with issues of femininity and madness, spotlighting early courtroom dramas and societal perceptions of women. Krist shares riveting details from the trial that captivated the nation, illustrating the complexities of love, crime, and the relentless pursuit of reinvention.

Join Paul Hawken, a renowned environmentalist and author, as he explores the paradox of carbon—an essential life-giving element often blamed for climate change. He advocates for a narrative shift from fear to appreciation of nature, urging collective action against environmental challenges. Hawken shares personal stories of human connection, resilience during civil rights marches, and even a surreal encounter with a council of animals, emphasizing our intricate ties to all living beings and the importance of biodiversity.

Alissa Wilkinson, a film critic for the New York Times and author focused on Joan Didion, analyzes Didion's profound influence on American culture. They discuss Didion's iconic storytelling and her ability to capture societal anxieties through cinematic narratives. Wilkinson highlights Didion’s complicated relationship with Hollywood, balancing commercial screenwriting and personal memoir. She also reflects on Didion’s legacy of grief and political evolution, revealing how personal narratives shape both art and cultural discourse.

Catherine Coleman Flowers has dedicated her life to fighting for the most vulnerable communities — people who have been deprived of the basic civil right to a clean, safe and sustainable environment. When she was first on Climate One in 2021, Flowers talked about growing up in Lowndes County, Alabama, and working to stem the raw sewage contaminating homes and drinking water in her county and beyond. In recognition of this work she was granted a MacArthur “Genius Award.” Now, she picks up the story, discussing her awareness of racialized disinvestment in the South, the work of the inaugural White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the impact of unfettered fossil fuel production nationwide.Guests:Catherine Coleman Flowers, Founder, Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ)Justin J. Pearson, State Representative, Tennessee General AssemblyOn Monday, Google’s Chief Sustainability Officer Kate Brandt and Irina Raicu, Director of the Internet Ethics Program at the Markkula Center, will speak with Climate One about the development of sustainably powered artificial intelligence. Tickets are on sale through our website.And on April 22 and 24, Climate One will once again be hosting a series of SF Climate Week events at The Commonwealth Club! Join us for conversations with environmental luminaries such as Margaret Gordon, Jenny Odell, Project Drawdown, Grist, and Abby Reyes. Tickets are on sale now.For show notes and related links, visit our website.Ad sales by Multitude. Contact them for ad inquiries at multitude.productions/ads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices