Inevitable

In today’s episode, we cover:Ken’s journey from making money on Wall Street to making meaning as a scientistThe perceived “information deficit” problem in public policyHow Ken distinguishes his role as a concerned citizen from his work as a scientistHow getting past social identities is a major challenge to effecting changeBill Gates’ support and patronage of Ken’s workThe various climate change research, pursued by Ken’s post-doc graduate studentsThe prospect and viability of a 100% renewable energy modelBill Gates’ notion of a “green premium”Carbon pricing solutionsThe problem of split-incentivesThe viability of geoengineering as a solutionThe need to reframe the problem and solutions to make it palatable for social acceptanceLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Caldeira Lab at the Carnegie Institution: https://carnegieenergyinnovation.org/Steve Schneider: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_SchneiderThe Charney Report (1979): https://www.bnl.gov/envsci/schwartz/charney_report1979.pdfManoela Romano De Orte: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/mromanoDavid Koweek: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/dkoweekYixuan Zheng: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/yxzhengEnrico Antonini: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/eantoniniCandise Henry: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/chenryRebecca Peer: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/rpeerVariable renewable energy source (“Intermittency”): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_renewable_energyProf. Mark Jacobson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Z._JacobsonAdvanced Research Projects Agency: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/ 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

In today’s episode, we cover:KoBold’s team and its businessWhy cobalt is known as the “goblin metal”The collaboration of software engineering, data science and mineral exploration at KoBoldKoBold’s “machine prospector”Kurt’s journey to taking action on climate changeWhy cobalt makes for a good ingredient in batteriesWhy cobalt is known as the “blood diamond of metals”KoBold’s technology and the “messy data problem”KoBold’s business modelInvestment from Equinor and reconciling working with an oil and gas companyLinks to topics discussed in this episode:KoBold Metals: https://www.koboldmetals.com/Connie Chan’s announcement of Andreessen Horowitz’ investment: https://a16z.com/2019/03/04/kobold-metals/Equinor: https://www.equinor.com/en.html 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

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Deep Isolation and how it’s addressing the issue of nuclear waste disposalThe half-a-century history of nuclear wasteGenesis of Deep Isolation and Elizabeth’s earlier work founding Berkeley EarthDirectional drilling as a solution for long-term storage of nuclear wastePartnerships with communitiesPollution studies performed by Berkeley EarthThe opportunity of using impermeable rockThe importance of being able to retrieve waste stored in drill-holesHow the issue of consent by a community underpins the solutionThe pros and cons of Yucca Mountain as a long-term storage planPartnership with BechtelHow it serves governments and utilities differentlyThe gamut of storage solutions used globallyStages of going to marketDeep Isolation’s funding to date and sources of capitalWhere it sees opportunities in terms of future financial partnersStakeholders in the nuclear waste spaceEngagement with environmental groupsLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Deep Isolation: https://www.deepisolation.com/Berkeley Earth: http://berkeleyearth.org/Directional drilling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directional_drillingBorehole disposal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_borehole_disposalYucca Mountain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_Mountain_nuclear_waste_repositoryBechtel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechtel 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

In today’s episode, we cover:The NAACP, its history and missionWhy climate is integral to promoting civil justice and equityClimate change’s disproportionate impact on communities of colorExamples of how the NAACP is taking action from a climate perspectiveJacqueline’s journey that led her to climate justiceHer role at the NAACP in addressing climate issues that affect vulnerable groupsThe intersectionality of the issues posed by climate changeNAACP’s climate prioritiesLinks to topics discussed in this episode:NAACP’s Environmental & Climate Justice Program: https://www.naacp.org/issues/environmental-justice/“Waxman Markey Bill”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Clean_Energy_and_Security_ActCancer Alley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_AlleyDemocracy Initiative: http://www.democracyinitiative.org/Democracy Collaborative: https://democracycollaborative.org/Move To Amend: http://www.movetoamend.org/Citizens United: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC 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

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Blueprint Power and how its unique business model worksWho’s its customers and what is their needHow her early-career at Google was a springboard into a career in energyThe genesis and inspiration behind Blueprint PowerThe current state of the renewable energy sectorThe role of the energy grid and its stakeholdersHow Robyn initially validated market demand for Blueprint PowerBlueprint’s current geographic footprint and market focusHow recent regulatory developments have served as a tailwind for the businessThe perspective of executives at commercial property firms with respect to renewable energyThe current role of incumbent utility companiesBlueprint’s customer traction to dateThe contributions Blueprint is making in combatting climate changeThe challenges and evolution of raising venture capital as an energy startupSquaring both impact and profit motivesAspects of Blueprint’s business that appealed to traditional VCsHow Robyn sees a significant opportunity in clean waterHow regulatory speed remains one of the biggest bottlenecksRobyn’s thoughts on those seeking to transition their career to the climate space 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

In today’s episode, we cover:Her journey from Geologist to Historian of ScienceThe genesis of her climate change awakeningWhat led to her seminal book on climate change, “Merchants of Doubt”How the science showing fossil fuels impact on climate change go way backHer work inspiring the movie, "An Inconvenient Truth"The foundational work of Prof. Ben Santer, proving climate changeHow the fossil fuel industry led a disinformation campaign, intent on discrediting climate scientistsHer views on how the fossil fuel industry is not a reliable partner in combatting climate change in this dayWhy science should be trusted by the publicThe significance of consensus in scienceRemaining topics of climate change debate within the scientific communityHow public policy changes is not in the domain of scienceHow the challenges with climate change are not within the science or technology but within policy and politicsWhy nuclear is not a viable solution to climate changeLinks to topics discussed in this episode:“Merchants of Doubt”: https://www.merchantsofdoubt.org/“Why Trust Science”: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691179001/why-trust-scienceRoger Revelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_RevelleCharles David Keeling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_David_KeelingProf. Ben Santer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_D._SanterJames Hansen's 1988 Congressional Testimony on Climate Change: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hansen#US_Senate_committee_testimony 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

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Elemental ExceleratorDawn’s journey to climate changeHawaii Clean Energy InitiativeApplying the startup accelerator model to energy and clean techInvesting focus and criteriaHolistic support for portfolio companiesGeographic focus for its projectsSources of funding for Elemental ExceleratorPurpose of pilotsCoaching supportLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Elemental Excelerator: https://elementalexcelerator.com/Emerson Collective: https://www.emersoncollective.com/Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative: http://www.hawaiicleanenergyinitiative.org/CarbonCure Technologies: https://www.carboncure.com/Zero Mass Water: https://www.zeromasswater.com/Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/Trove (f.k.a. Yerdle): https://www.trove.co/ 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

In today’s episode, we cover:What is Carbon Tracker and what’s it role in the financial markets?How fossil fuels and carbon emissions play into the valuation of stocks, etc.How Carbon Tracker influence investors and their strategiesThe investment risk associated with not factoring in climate changeThe meaning and examples of a “stranded asset”How the energy transition to cleaner technologies can disrupt incumbent industries to the detriment of investorsHow inertia continues to drive the construction of fossil fuel infrastructureAsset reallocation as the primary lever in Carbon Tracker’s strategiesKingsmill’s prognosis of the fossil fuel industryAllocating out of the “losers” than allocating into the “winners”Kingsmill’s journey to working on energy-transition financial strategyFossil fuel incumbents, friend or foe to the climate change movement?Links to topics discussed in this episode:Carbon Tracker: https://www.carbontracker.org/Carbon bubble: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_bubbleUnburnable carbon: https://www.carbontracker.org/terms/unburnable-carbon/Stranded assets: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranded_asset 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

In today’s episode, we cover:Jupiter and its missionRich’s journey from data analytics to climate changeParallels between the opportunity around cybersecurity and climate changeThe importance of physical climate riskHow Jupiter initially narrowed its focus on flood riskHow Jupiter develops a “peril model” to assess the risk of flooding and firesProfile of Jupiter’s customersHow critical infrastructure companies represent a major customerWhy insurers are not the ones who bear the financial risk of worsening climate disastersCorporate indictments as a symptom of unaddressed climate riskThe U.S.’ “armed lifeboat diplomacy”Jupiter’s nonprofit workResilience planning in the face of climate-related catastrophesThe need to restrict land use in at-risk areasLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Jupiter Intelligence: https://jupiterintel.com/PG&E bankruptcy: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/22/business/energy-environment/pge-bankruptcy-newsom.html 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

In today’s episode, we cover:What is CGC and its mission as a nonprofit?Why “green bank” is somewhat of a misnomerThe history of green banks in the U.S. both on the federal and state levelWhere the CGC adds value in the clean tech financing ecosystemCustomers served by green banksThe role green banks have played in jump starting new markets for clean techComparing green banks with for-profit investment firms (e.g. Ultra Capital, Generate Capital)Sources of funding for CGCOpportunities in the U.S. for green banksHow the U.S. Department of Energy loan program aids companies in getting through the commercialization gapJeffrey’s perspective on putting a price on carbonViews on the impact of the 2020 presidential elections and the various positions of candidatesLinks to topics discussed in this episode:Coalition for green Capital: http://coalitionforgreencapital.com/NY green bank: https://greenbank.ny.gov/Generate Capital: https://generatecapital.com/Ultra Capital: https://www.ultracapital.com/Prime Coalition: https://primecoalition.org/National Climate Bank Act: https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-and-van-hollen-introduce-legislation-to-create-a-national-climate-bank 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