Inevitable

Josh Silverman, CEO of Windfall Bio, discusses the use of methane-eating microbes to tackle the problem of atmospheric methane. They explore the challenges of capturing and controlling methane emissions and the role of these microbes in fixing nitrogen and increasing food supply. The podcast also delves into the process of using methane-eating microbes to reduce emissions in dairy farms and the value of methane capture for industries.

Ben Kortlang, partner at G2 Venture Partners, discusses his path to venture capital and climate investing, lessons from the Cleantech 1.0 wave, G2VP's investment approach, and insights into the clean energy transition. They also explore challenges in accessing capital for clean energy projects and the future of climate funds.

Danielle Deiseroth is the Executive Director of Data for Progress. Data for Progress produces polling, database messaging, and policy generation for progressive causes, campaigns and candidates. Danielle joined in 2020 and built the climate and environmental polling practice. She became interim executive director in December 2022 and was named executive director in June 2023.We have a robust conversation on what polling is and how it works, and then we dive into what polls are revealing about climate change from a messaging perspective and from a policy perspective. Cody and Danielle touch on trigger words in climate messaging and talk about popular policies related to climate change and policies that still concern folks. Spoiler alert: range anxiety with EVs is still very real. Lastly, we talk about some focus group work that Data for Progress recently conducted to get local insights from community members in a handful of geographies that are being considered for the Department of Energy's direct air capture (DAC) hubs program. Political polling can feel like a dark art, but we're grateful to Danielle for taking the time to help demystify it.In this episode, we cover: [2:40] An overview of Data for Progress and Danielle's background[7:38] The organization's earned media success[9:02] How Data for Progress is structured and the skill sets that contribute to its rapid response[13:02] Polling results regarding climate messaging and trigger words[21:00] Polarization around electric vehicles[23:36] The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and popular electrification rebates[26:10] Polling results from states that are receiving financial benefits from the IRA[27:32] The role of resiliency messaging[30:46] Direct air capture (DAC) hubs and regional differences in sentiment[35:42] The importance of environmental justice and workforce development in the clean energy transition[37:29] What's next for Data for Progress leading up to the 2024 election[40:53] How people can helpResources mentioned:New Bluegreen Alliance Data Visualization Identifies Hard-Hit Areas of the Country That Stand to Benefit from Federal Investments ShareYale Program on Climate Change CommunicationsGet connected: Danielle Deiseroth Twitter / LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 3, 2023 (Published on August 14, 2023) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Steve Simon is the founder of Simon Equity Partners and owner of the Indiana Pacers. Steve is not the ordinary guest you'd expect on a climate podcast. Beyond his professional pursuits, he has become more involved in climate-related matters behind the scenes for quite some time. This involvement spans various domains, including investment, advisory roles, and philanthropy. In this episode, Jason and Steve have a great discussion about Steve's journey to caring about climate, how he got started, how his thinking and activities have evolved, and where he'd like to see them go directionally, both for him and his family generationally. In this episode, we cover:[03:52]: Steve's real estate roots and early investments in retail and conscious consumer brands[06:43]: Transitioning from a traditional family office approach to impact investing with aligned values and returns[08:21]: Family office structures and how generational dynamics influence investment decisions[12:16]: Steve's early awareness of climate change and his involvement in conscious consumerism [15:02]: Flexibility in investment flavors, ranging from returns-focused to impact-driven investments[17:19]: Opportunistic climate investing across various sectors, focusing on regenerative ag, waste, electrification[18:51]: Optimizing learning, accountability, and data-driven impact assessment in investments [20:34]: The iterative process of investments driving learning, and learning influencing investments[24:23]: Leveraging family assets and competencies for positive impact on investments [24:49]: How insights from Pacers Sports & Entertainment ownership inform impact strategies[25:31]: Mentorships and partnerships (Scott Jacobs at Generate, Nat Simons the Energy Foundation)[27:35]: Merging policy advocacy with investments for impactful outcomes, focusing on regenerative ag opportunities in Indiana[28:26]: Balancing short-term self-interest (sports and entertainment) with planetary well-being [33:16]: Dealing with generational guilt and maintaining a positive mindset amid climate anxiety  [39:26]: Exciting opportunities in Indiana: wind/solar growth, coal retirement, ag reinvention [41:13]: Why Steve became a MCJ Collective LP[45:26]: What Steve hopes to accomplish in the next 10 years [46:25]: Who Steve wants to hear from  [47:13]: Steve’s call to action for other family offices  Get connected: Steve Simon Twitter / LinkedInJason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on July 13, 2023 (Published on August 9, 2023)  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Alan Leung is SVP of Threat Intelligence on the Global Security team at Macquarie Group, a global financial services firm. They're one of the world's largest infrastructure asset managers. Alan is an active MCJ community member who a year or so ago started writing his own personal newsletter on climate and geopolitical risk at securingclimate.substack.com. The conversation in this episode is inspired by much of what Alan has written and shared there. Cody and Alan cover a range of topics, starting with a framework for how to think about systemic climate risk, to climate change-influenced conflict, to national responses to the energy transition, and lastly to how Alan thinks adaptation and resiliency responses will evolve.In this episode, we cover: [02:01]: Alan’s framework for defining “hazard” and “risk”[04:23]: Examples of climate hazards and impacts[06:19]: Understanding climate's nuanced impact on security and conflicts[09:18]: Early warning signs and triggers for conflict; climate's role in exacerbating risks[10:25]: Water scarcity's role in conflicts in different regions (e.g., Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uruguay, India, South Africa)[14:52]: The need to accommodate for more extreme swings in weather[18:01]: Rebuilding with resilience and new tech after conflict[21:10]: Global cooperation vs. local protectionism and “geopolitical realities” in the energy transition[27:03]: The need for more investment in resilience and adaptation strategies[30:03]: How insurance companies are reacting to increasing climate risks[33:56]: How organizations can connect risks with opportunities[37:43]: Advice for other risk professionals looking to develop knowledge in the climate space[40:25]: COVID-19's impact on risk thinking, agility, and value of actionable insights[42:50]: An overview of Macquarie Group and Alan’s role in the firm[44:47]: Areas where Alan sees opportunities for risk analysis and security in climate solutions[46:39]: How traditional ecological practices especially among indigenous cultures may offer the most resilient solutions[48:41]: Water security and innovation in cooling systemsResources mentioned: Chatham House climate change risk assessment 2021Get connected: Alan LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jul 28, 2023 (Published on Aug 8, 2023) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Leopold Spenner is CEO and Co-founder of alcemy, which is accelerating the decarbonization of cement and concrete via software. Concrete is one of the most abundant manmade materials on earth, and it's exceedingly hard to decarbonize. Most of its emissions footprint comes from the production of cement, the materials that provide concrete with its strength. By most estimates, cement is responsible for upwards of 8% of global emissions. Cement production generates emissions in two major ways. One is from a chemical reaction during the cracking of limestone that's used to produce cement. And the other is from the extreme heat that this process requires. Many cement plants around the world have begun employing carbon capture technologies on premises to get to net-zero. Beyond that, there are companies working to lower cement emissions by changing the ingredients mix or by trying to take away the need for extreme heat. It's a hard problem, but alcemy introduces another possible solution: efficiency. Their software helps cement and ready-made concrete producers to create product more efficiently, which should result in less waste and in less limestone that needs to be heated and cracked. Enjoy the show!In this episode, we cover: [2:07] Leo's background and how he got involved in decarbonizing cement[5:57] Innovation in the cement and concrete industry [10:39] The production challenges of cement and concrete [13:34] An overview of limestone[16:28] The 28-day quality sampling process for cement and concrete [18:58] Emissions reductions potential for both [21:24] alcemy's predictive analytics software [23:35] How the company's tech improves quality, cost, and emissions reductions [25:09] alcemy's results to date [26:03] How the company helps to create concrete mixes[29:30] The scaling hurdle of integrating with legacy software systems [33:55] The role of clinker efficiency and what it entails [37:02] alcemy's traction to date and funding milestones [38:12] Who Leo wants to hear from and what's next for alcemy [41:20] How the market is evolving around lower carbon cement, including the carbon market Episodes mentioned: Startup Seres: Sublime SystemsStartup Series: Enhanced Rock Weathering w/ Lithos Carbon & Eion CarbonEpisode 224: Rebecca Dell, ClimateWorks FoundationGet connected:Leopold Spenner LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on July 27, 2023 (Published on August 3, 2023)  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. James Lindsay is a principal on the Builders Initiative Investment Team, which is part of Builders Vision. In late 2021, Walmart heir Lukas Walton publicly launched Builders Vision, a platform that combines philanthropy, direct investment, and advocacy in four key areas: food, ocean health, energy transition, and community building. At Builders Initiative, James leads an investment vehicle focused on the energy transition and climate justice, in addition to co-leading a key effort to promote innovative funding in the ocean space. Both platforms attempt to provide innovative solutions and invest in emerging venture capital and private equity fund managers, accelerators, and emerging startups. We have a great discussion in this episode about James' journey, the important work that they're doing at Builders Vision, and most importantly, how to get other significant family offices to pursue similar work, putting impact front and center.In this episode, we cover: [02:13]: An overview of Builders Vision (BV), its mission, and origin story[07:18]: Collaboration among BV's teams and programs[08:25]: BV’s involvement in the 1000 Ocean Startups coalition tracking ocean sector investments[11:29]: How BV is distinct among family offices[13:10]: James’ transition from oil and gas to impact investing[18:04]: Overlaps and distinctions between BV and Seed 2 Growth (S2G) [24:18]: BV's core fund size preference [26:33]: How the company measures impact and thinks about returns[32:23]: BV's distinct strategies for oceans (opportunistic) and energy (thesis-driven)  [36:33]: Accelerating adoption of new technologies in hard-to-abate sectors [39:35]: Potential for market-rate investors with creative structuring[44:08]: Barriers holding back other ultra-wealthy families from impact investing, including generational divides and reluctance towards hard tech  [47:53]: BV's approach to the built environment, with a focus on retrofits and microgrid improvements[50:50]: BV’s involvement in policy discussions and the need for clearer federal and regional policies[54:35]: The importance of investing in harder tech solutions to accelerate the transition[55:40]: Parting words: Builders Vision is hiring!Get connected: James Lindsay LinkedInJason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jul 3, 2023 (Published Aug 2, 2023)  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Antti Vihavainen is the Co-founder and CEO of Helsinki-based Puro.earth, a leading crediting platform and registry for engineered carbon removal. In 2021, NASDAQ acquired a controlling stake in Puro, helping further establish its credibility in the marketplace. Puro is actively offering engineered carbon removal credits today for a few dozen projects that primarily consist of biochar and bio-construction initiatives.In addition, Puro has an initiative called Puro Accelerate that enables buyers to purchase essentially futures credits for other forms of carbon removal that still need to produce at scale, but which Puro has deemed highly credible and likely to produce in the near term. Puro Accelerate’s projects include efforts in direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (or BECCS) geologically stored carbon, woody biomass burial, and additional biochar projects.Antti and Cody trace how Puro came to be, and cover the details of their current registry offerings and futures offerings. They discuss Puro's business model and how they compare to other carbon credit and offset registries. Additionally, Antti shares his thoughts on how he sees carbon removal scaling in the years to come. In this episode, we cover: [02:46]: Antti's background and climate journey[04:14]: Starting Puro.earth and creating a new asset class [06:29]: Puro's focus on projects with measurable atom-level carbon removal[07:26]: The company’s initial methodologies, including biochar, carbonated building materials, and woody elements[10:52]: Collaboration with NASDAQ [11:56]: How Puro issues CO2 Removal Credits (CORCs)[14:52]: How Puro Accelerate supports emerging carbon removal technologies[17:34]: Risks and benefits for companies buying pre-CORCs[21:18]: Qualification process for pre-CORC futures credits[23:02]: Early demand for pre-CORCs from pioneers and future market expansion[25:25]: Potential for third-party innovation to address verification, payment, and capitalization bottlenecks[29:36]: Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS)[31:41]: Speculative buying in pre-CORC space and innovations in bottleneck problems[34:59]: Potential for blockchain-based solutions in this space[37:05]: Research listings and supporting R&D for emerging technology, like enhanced rock weathering [39:08]: Antti's invitation to large companies and capital deployers to engage with PuroGet connected: Antti LinkedInPuro.earth Twitter / LinkedInCody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jun 14, 2023 (Published on Jul 31, 2023) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Christof Franzsen is head of the Apprenticeship Program at Forge, a residential construction company based out of Boston, Massachusetts. In this episode, we learn how this novel program is being designed to meet the growing job demands in the residential construction industry through small cohort-based learning versus the traditional one-on-one model. They do this through a super intentional focus on mastering four skills: windows, cabinet, trim and door installations. Forge uses video technology to help apprentices get more face time with seasoned mentors while on the job. We also learn about Christof's journey leaving his job as an actuary to take a risk in becoming a carpenter and finding his way to becoming an instructor of woodworking. Enjoy the show!  In this episode, we cover: [01:53]: Overview of Forge and its focus on workforce development[02:58]: Forge’s services[04:18]: Forge’s Apprenticeship Program[05:46]: Joining a crew as an apprentice and on-the-job training[08:55]: The traditional path to becoming a carpenter and drawbacks of one-on-one training[11:29]: The diversity of applicants to Forge’s Apprenticeship Program[12:44]: Christof’s background and connection to carpentry[16:01]: His transition from a white-collar career to woodworking[17:06]: How Forge measures success: crew contribution, financial performance, and a happy workforce[20:45]: How Forge supports apprentices financially during their training[22:50]: Key elements of Forge’s apprenticeship curriculum[26:23]: How climate change figures into Forge’s work[27:49]: The company’s aim to reduce climate impact through reduced drive time, accurate measurements, technology, and creating a trained skilled labor forceGet connected: Forge Instagram / LinkedInYin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on Jun 28, 2023 (Published on Jul 27, 2023) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores various capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. Irena Spazzapan is Managing Partner at Systemiq Capital, the climate-tech VC spin-off from the world's largest pure-play climate advisory firm, Systemiq. Irena built the current team and led most investments in Fund I, including companies like Charm Industrial and Brimstone. And in 2022, she led the spin-out of Systemiq Capital from Systemiq with the launch of Fund II, which continues to back early-stage companies across the UK, EU, and North America. In this episode, Irena and Jason have a great discussion about the origin story of Systemiq Capital, their approach to climate investing, and how they evolved over time. We also cover a bevy of related topics, including what's been happening in the macro, some of the bottlenecks that are holding up progress, what we can do to accelerate progress and, of course,  where Systemiq Capital and early-stage climate tech innovation generally fit in. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [2:17] An overview of Systemiq Capital [3:17] The fund's origin story spun out of McKinsey [5:17] Irena's background and professional journey [7:26] The impetus for Systemiq's investing efforts[10:49] The fund's investing matrix and their rationale for it[14:42] The role of family offices in Systemiq's pilot fund [16:43] Systemiq's goals for its pilot fund [18:36] Systemiq's views on impact vs returns [21:21] Why are LPs mostly climate folks? [24:36] The working relationships and collaboration between Systemiq and Systemiq Capital[27:27] How learnings from Systemiq's Fund I informed Fund II[31:27] The importance of timing and impact on returns [33:38] Irena's thoughts on regulation and upcoming directives [35:45] Risks Systemiq is comfortable taking vs. non-starters [37:13] FOAK projects and Irena's views on how they should be funded [40:06] Differences between real assets experts vs. Silicon Valley founders [44:19] Differences between climate tech innovation in Europe vs. the US [47:05] Challenges of getting financially-driven institutional capital allocators to invest in climate[52:32] Systemiq's current deployment status and returns [54:05] Types of capital Systemiq doesn't take and Irena's thoughts on the topic generally[59:21] How Systemiq measures and tracks success[01:01:16] Irena's theory of changeGet connected: Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedInIrena Spazzapan LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at info@mcjcollective.com, where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on July 11, 2023 (Published on July 26, 2023)  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant