Climate Changers

In this episode we sit down with evolutionary biologist and serial entrepreneur Dr. Noah Wilson-Rich to discuss the critical transition from the "Save the Bees" movement to data-driven ecological restoration. As the founder of The Biodiversity Lab, Best Bees, and the non-profit Urban Bee Lab, Noah leverages "nature-tech"—including AI hive sensors and honey environmental DNA (eDNA) forensic tracking—to transform urban spaces from gray to green. We explore how his teams collaborate with institutions like NASA, MIT, and Harvard to track urban pollinator health, map local plant DNA, and help real estate developers and corporate leaders implement measurable biodiversity stra...

In this episode we sit down with Barclay Rogers, CEO of carbon-removal startup Graphyte, following the breaking news of their massive 60,000-ton, 10-year carbon removal agreement with JPMorganChase. Barclay breaks down how his company bypassed the massive energy demands and costs of popular Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems using a technique called Carbon Casting—and how cleaning up forest floors to prevent Western wildfires became the ultimate commercial selling point for major corporate buyers.

In this episode, Tom Chi—founding partner of At One Ventures and former Head of Product Experience at Google X, where he led the development of Google Glass and self-driving cars—discusses the core insights of his book, *Climate Capital: Investing in the Tools for a Regenerative Future*. Leveraging his extensive background as a physicist and designer, Chi challenges traditional economic models by framing economics as a practical design discipline that must align with the Earth's physical realities rather than theoretical pseudoscience. He moves past the polarizing extremes of blind tech-optimism and immobilizing climate doomism, offering a grounded, evidence-based toolkit that...

What do clean air, weekends off, and the freedom to marry whom you love have in common? They were all won through the power of peaceful protest. In this episode, we sit down with legendary activists Annie Marie Leonard (former Executive Director of Greenpeace USA) and André Carothers to discuss their powerful new book, *Protest: Respect It Defend It Use It*. Far from a standard how-to manual, this book is a sweeping, visual celebration of over 40 iconic global campaigns and the collective action that shaped our modern world. Together, we explore the incredible history of public dissent—featuring insights from gue...

Colorado is currently facing one of its most warm and dry winters on record, with snowpacks hitting historical lows and March heatwaves shattering 500-year records. In this episode, we sit down with Noah Molotch, Professor of Geography at CU Boulder, Research Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and a leading expert in snow hydrology, to make sense of this changing landscape. As Colorado faces record-shattering heat and historic snow lows, Noah joins us to break down the physics behind and implications of our changing landscape and climate.

In this episode, tech visionary and ECL CEO Yuval Bachar joins the conversation to unveil how hydrogen is solving the massive power and sustainability crisis currently facing the AI industry. Drawing on his leadership experience at Microsoft and Facebook, Bachar explains how ECL is moving beyond the traditional electrical grid to deploy modular, off-grid data centers that run entirely on hydrogen fuel cells, effectively eliminating carbon emissions and the need for external water cooling. The discussion dives into the radical efficiency of 3D-printed facility "blocks" that can be deployed in just months rather than years, the strategic importance of their...

How does your dinner table connect to climate change, corporate giants, and the future of life on Earth? Landscape designer and award-winning filmmaker Louis De Jaeger isn't afraid to ask the hard questions. Drawing from his work as an author and international speaker, Louis pulls back the curtain on the fight to save our soils. Follow Louis as he travels the globe, consulting top experts and challenging the status quo to find out what kind of food system truly benefits everyone. Tune in to transform your understanding of what you eat and how it shapes our world.

Anthony Myint, a celebrated chef and restaurateur, is best known for his work as the co-founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Zero Foodprint (ZFP). His innovative approach to climate activism through the food industry earned him two prestigious James Beard Awards. Zero Foodprint is a nonprofit that mobilizes the food and beverage industry to address climate change. It operates on a "Table to Farm" model, where participating restaurants add a small, opt-out surcharge to customer bills. ZFP then aggregates these funds and distributes them as grants to local farmers and ranchers. These grants help farmers implement regenerative agricultural...

Growing up in rural Indiana, author Kelsey Timmerman saw the toll of industrial agriculture firsthand. Think polluted ponds, air thick with manure — a system that's disconnected us from our food, our land, and each other. But Kelsey, a farmer's grandson, believes it doesn't have to be this way. In this podcast, we're diving into Kelsey's global journey, inspired by his book, Regenerating Earth. He's traveled the world — from Hawaiian kalo patches and the Amazon rainforest to the fields of Kenya with Maasai warriors and innovative American farms — to find people who are turning agriculture into a powerful solution. Join us as we...

Join us for a powerful conversation with Dr. Jonathan Foley, a scientist whose work is shaping the future of our planet. We discuss his impactful research on climate change, food security, and global sustainability, and how his insights are translated into real-world solutions. Learn from a leading voice who advises governments and organizations worldwide and has dedicated his career to understanding and protecting our natural world. Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges we face and the hopeful possibilities for a sustainable future.

How can a simple idea blossom into a movement that plants over a million trees and reshapes an entire industry? Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of MasayaCo, a global brand proving that beautiful furniture and a thriving planet can go hand in hand. Discover how their innovative "reforestation through design" philosophy tackles deforestation at its root, not by pointing fingers, but by creating economic opportunities through sustainable forestry in developing nations. We'll explore their unique whole-tree approach, minimizing waste and crafting timeless, handcrafted pieces from the very forests they cultivate. Learn how MasayaCo is not just...

Robert Politzer, Founder and CEO of GreenStreet Global, joins us to discuss navigating the complexities of green building and energy efficiency. He shares his expertise on reducing operating expenses and increasing net operating income for commercial real estate, with a focus on decarbonization regulations like NYC Local Law 97. Robert, NYC's first green building contractor, brings decades of experience in clean energy and smart building projects to the conversation.

In this episode, we dive into the innovative world of sustainable toys with Kate Reiman, founder and CEO of RogueWave Toys. Kate shares her journey of transforming beach toys from environmental hazards to eco-friendly alternatives through plant-based materials and compostable design. Learn how RogueWave Toys is tackling plastic pollution, the challenges of sustainable manufacturing, and the future of eco-conscious play. Kate offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs in the sustainability space and discusses emerging trends in sustainable materials. A must-listen for anyone interested in environmental innovation and the future of sustainable consumer products.

In this episode, we speak with Sarah Currie-Halpern from Think Zero LLC. Sarah and her team help businesses transform waste into valuable resources, exceeding environmental regulations and driving the circular economy. We'll discuss the challenges of waste management, the importance of strategic planning and implementation, and how Sarah's expertise as a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor guides their work towards a more sustainable future.

Eugene Kirpichov left his job at Google to focus on climate solutions and co-founded Work on Climate, a community for people who want to transition into climate jobs. The community offers resources, events, and job listings to help people find work in climate tech, clean energy, and other sustainability-focused fields. Work on Climate aims to make climate jobs more mainstream and connect employers with skilled professionals who are passionate about solving climate change.

Clean Energy for America (CE4A) is a leading network of business leaders, workers, and advocates driven by a common goal: decarbonize our economy and protect our planet. We’re committed to clean energy action by engaging and catalyzing our base, advocating on behalf of the industry, holding elected officials accountable, and amplifying worker stories.

Kristy Drutman, otherwise known as “Browngirl Green” is a speaker, consultant, media producer, and environmental educator passionate about working at the intersections between media, diversity, and environmentalism. As a young entrepreneur, Kristy has educated hundreds of thousands of people across the globe about modern-day environmental issues through speeches and media content as well as facilitates workshops centered around environmental media and storytelling in cities across the United States. Kristy is also the Co-Founder of the Green Jobs Board, a climate tech start-up bridging the equity and inclusion gap within the green economy through conversations, resources, and pathways to bring more dive...

Walden (1854) defined American environmentalism. A Sand County Almanac (1949) reinvented the field of conservation. Silent Spring (1962) alerted the world to persistent environmental toxins. The Ecology of Commerce (1994) offered a new vision for sustainable economies. Into this lineage, and at the eleventh hour of global environmental struggle, comes TERRIBLE BEAUTY: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering Our Soul, an expose on the failure of modern environmental movement and a roadmap for a new environmentalism in a world headed towards catastrophe. But TERRIBLE BEAUTY is less a climate polemic or environmental history and more a love letter to the world, an homage to...

Join Carly Peters, the visionary founder of Patchwork with Purpose. Discover how this inspiring organization is empowering young people to take action on climate change. Learn about their innovative approach to environmental sustainability that not only benefits the planet but also strengthens local communities. Tune in to hear about the passion and dedication driving this youth-led movement.

Aniya Butler is a 18 year old spoken word poet, published author, and youth organizer with Youth Vs. Apocalypse (YVA) from Oakland, California. Within YVA, she leads the Hip Hop & Climate Justice Team, writing workshops, and organizes community events that mobilizes youth throughout the Bay Area to learn creative writing skills and use their creative writing skills to target power holders and demand action. Through her poetry and organizing, she demands immediate and radical action to dismantle the foundational systems of oppression that are responsible for the climate crisis. Aniya believes through unity, resistance, and creativity we can rebuild a world...

Aishani Garg is a senior in high school and the co-chair of environmental youth organization BAYCS. She is passionate about youth organizing and bringing people together to fight for a common cause. Aishani is also the host of an environmental career podcast and launched a green career curriculum at her school, and hopes to encourage more high school students to pursue green careers after college. Listen to her podcast here: https://www.theclimatecareerkit.com

Cherish Lodico is a 17 year old Climate and Social Justice activist from Quezon City, Philippines and Daly City, California. She is a proud environmental leader in her high school's environmental action club, where she tackles multiple projects locally such as promoting a climate petition to pass a school board policy, a thrift store on campus, a local native plant garden, and more. Outside of school, she serves her Filipino-American migrant community with GABRIELA Daly City -- a Filipina women's organization fighting for national democracy in the Philippines and the fights for the rights and welfare of all women and children...

Avery Roslansky is a climate activist from San Francisco, California, studying architecture at UC Berkeley. Her work in climate activism ranges from public policy to aquatic insect research, and she's enthusiastic about doing whatever she can to stop the crisis. Currently, she is working on building mycelium-engineered living materials to replace conventional building materials that are harmful to the environment. When she's not working on school or research, she loves to hike, play guitar, or visit the beach.

Miki Agrawal, a renowned entrepreneur and social activist, joins us to discuss her journey of challenging societal norms and revolutionizing industries. Known for her bold and provocative approach, Miki has successfully launched companies that tackle taboos head-on, such as feminine hygiene, poop, and diapers. In this episode, Miki shares her insights on: - Breaking barriers: How she has challenged societal taboos and stigma surrounding personal care products. - Building successful businesses: The lessons she has learned through her entrepreneurial ventures. - Social impact: Her commitment to creating products that improve people's lives and contribute to a better world. Join us...

Radha Agrawal is an entrepreneurial force. She is the co-Founder, CEO and Chief Community Architect of Daybreaker, the global morning dance, music and wellness movement in five continents with a community of almost half a million people around the globe. She co-founded, sold and invested in multiple nine-figure businesses in the wellness space including THINX underwear, is a best-selling author, speaker, DJ, inventor, and investor in mostly female-owned businesses. She and her Daybreaker team spent the first 3 months of 2020 touring with Oprah and WW on a 9-arena sold-out tour where Radha opened every stop of the tour and led 155,000 people...

The Blue Plate: A Food Lover's Guide to Climate Chaos is the latest book by ecologist Mark J. Easter. Did you know more than a quarter of the dangerous climate-heating greenhouse gas emissions produced around the world today come from the simple steps of growing, catching, processing, transporting and cooking food—and then dealing with leftovers? This alarming statistic motivated Easter to dramatically change what and how he and his family eat. Easter researches the carbon footprint of food as part of a CSU team of “greenhouse gas accountants” whose mission is to understand how greenhouse gases move into and out of...

Allison Wolff is CEO of Vibrant Planet PBC which builds platforms that help build community and landscape resilience in the face of climate change and wildfire. After building the Netflix brand and digital experience, Allison advised corporate and nonprofit leadership teams on vision, strategy, and social and environmental innovation. Clients include Google, eBay, Facebook, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Omidyar Network, Patagonia, Nike, HP, Drawdown, Conservation International, and GlobalGiving. She is now leveraging her experience and network to develop solutions for forest and landscape resilience and carbon drawdown.

From prison to produce. This episode dives into the critical work of Restorative Farms, led by Director Owen Lynch, to combat the food desert crisis by creating a path to meaningful employment for those seeking a fresh start. Lynch's organization goes beyond simply growing food, focusing on planting careers through paid vocational training; this leads to incredible success stories where program graduates, including those leaving jail, secure stable, high-value jobs as farmers and agricultural trainers.

Daniel Goldsmith is Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of Julius, a company that is on a mission to address the talent needs of the energy transition by providing inclusive solutions - powered by AI and data - to start and grow green careers.

"The cheapest and most efficient kW of electricity is the one you don't use." -Bob Hinkle Bob established Metrus in 2009 and created the Efficiency Services Agreement (ESA) and Sustainable Energy Services Agreement (SESA) that are the contractual backbone of financing large-scale energy efficiency retrofit and renewable energy projects. Bob helped develop and grow the Energy as a Service market which is currently a $5.4 billion industry. He has developed and implemented over $500 million of large-scale energy efficiency projects and clean energy investment programs in the U.S. and in emerging global markets for utilities, major energy end-users, government agencies, export credit...

Raviv Turner is a serial big data and AI entrepreneur and the founding member of the Nature Tech Collective, a non-profit coalition of nature tech companies covering satellite imaging, drones, IoT, LIDAR, eDNA, bio-acoustics and other tech that helps financial institutions and corporations measure, report and verify their nature-related impact claims and disclosures, to fight greenwashing and accelerate investment in nature-based solutions. Raviv also sits on the TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) nature data working group. He speaks on the topics of biodiversity ESG, natural capital, spatial finance, and digital MRV.

Hannah Bellamy is Managing Director of charity: water, a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe water to people around the world.

Recently named one of “Time 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023,” Patagonia has been widely regarded over the years for its ground-breaking environmental and social practices. The company that pioneered corporate responsibility is now in its 50th year and has plans to thrive responsibly for another fifty. The Future of the Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned from Patagonia’s First 50 Years reveals how businesses and nonprofits can (and should) prioritize purpose over profit to restore and protect our home planet. Written by Vincent Stanley, Patagonia's Director of Philosophy (also one of the company's original employees), with Yvon Chouinard, founder and former owner of...

Steve Pantano is the Head of Market Transformation at Rewiring America, where he leads efforts to build and share comprehensive working knowledge of how to replace more than one billion fossil fuel devices with clean electric alternatives. For the past fifteen years Steve worked with CLASP and ICF International to develop policy, market development programs, research, and technical analysis aimed at maximizing the climate benefits that can be achieved with energy efficient appliances and equipment. He spent years before that tinkering with and testing everything from Hydrogen fuel cells to Space Shuttle hardware. He has a Master of Business...

Jo is an architect specialized in green home design and passive solar strategies. That means, the things you can do to your house that don't cost money running them (unlike your aircon).

You can find out more about Jo's projects here: 

https://maven.com/jopetroni/climateproof 

https://thecarbonalmanac.org/connect-the-dots 

https://permarchitecture.net/ 

https://jopetroni.substack.com/

As Head of Product and Sustainability, and founding member of Better for All, Raegan Kelly works with biopolymer engineers and manufacturing experts to create a unique line of PHBH™ home compostable bioplastic cups. Prior to Better for All, she produced creative projects for USC Annenberg, Warner Bros Records, LACMA, Otis College of Design, Disney’s Epcot Center and more.

Leslie Chang is Director of Strategy & Policy at Caelux Corporation, a pioneer in utilizing perovskites to make solar energy more powerful and cost-effective. Caelux’s proprietary technologies improve the performance of any new crystalline silicon module. Headquartered in Baldwin Park, California, Caelux is at the forefront of the emerging science of perovskites, a special class of nanomaterials. Its flagship product, Caelux™ One is an innovative product that integrates seamlessly into existing PV module manufacturing processes, boosting performance, reducing installed costs, and accelerating the proliferation of solar.