Inevitable

Today’s guest is Joseph Majkut, Director of Climate Policy at Niskanen Center. Joseph is an expert in climate science, climate policy, and risk and uncertainty analysis for decision making. He is frequently cited by prominent media outlets; his writing has been featured in scientific journals, public media, and environmental trade press; and he has been invited to testify before Congress on climate and scientific research. Before joining the Niskanen Center, he worked on climate change policy in Congress as a congressional science fellow, supported by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He holds a PhD from Princeton University in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, a master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the Delft University of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College. In today’s episode, we cover: Joseph’s background pre-Niskanen, including why he left academia and came to DC Overview of Niskanen and their work Niskanen origin story, including how it is similar and different to the Cato Institute Joseph’s role as director of climate policy and how his team fits in Initiatives they are currently working on, and how they select and prioritize Discussion about carbon pricing, viability and implications Discussion about political landscape and best way to make headway in polarized climate Advice to others looking to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: Niskanen Center: https://niskanencenter.org/ Joseph’s bio: https://niskanencenter.org/blog/staff/director-of-climate-science-2/ AAAS fellowship program: https://www.aaas.org/programs/science-technology-policy-fellowships Jerry Taylor bio: https://niskanencenter.org/blog/staff/jerry-taylor/ Cato Institute: https://www.cato.org/ Article on Supreme Court decision from 2014: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-limits-epas-ability-to-regulate-greenhouse-gas-emissions/2014/06/23/c56fc194-f1b1-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html Waxman-Markey: https://www.c2es.org/document/waxman-markey-short-summary/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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

Today’s guest is Steve Oldham, CEO of Carbon Engineering. Founded in 2009, CE is a Canadian-based clean energy company leading the commercialization of groundbreaking technology that captures CO₂ directly from the atmosphere, and a second technology that synthesizes it into clean, affordable transportation fuels. From a pilot plant in Squamish, B.C., CE has been removing CO₂ from the atmosphere since 2015 and converting it into fuels since 2017. Steve brings more than 20 years of executive experience to CE’s team, stemming from previous roles in technology, robotics, and aerospace sectors. Steve served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Business Development for MDA, a leading Canadian technology firm. At MDA, Steve held a variety of senior executive positions across Canada and the US, covering General Management, Business Development, and Strategy. He has secured financing from Government and commercial sources for a variety of complex technologies, including several large satellite programs. Steve holds a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Birmingham in England. In today’s episode, we cover: Overview of direct air capture and how it works Progress to date, long vision, and what is coming next Cost drivers, and go to market strategy Discussion about carbon math and why carbon removal is so important Discussion on 45Q tax credits, LCFS credits, what they are and why they matter Discussion around price on carbon, whether it is essential, and why it may make sense to distinguish legacy carbon removal from removal at point of emission and also why incentives may make sense based on carbon intensity Discussion about enhanced oil recovery vs pure CO2 removal services, and Carbon Engineerings short and longterm plans Discussion around historic role of big hydrocarbon companies, role going forward, and how important they are to the equation Discussion around CE and how they are working with some of the big hydrocarbon companies, and the nature of those relationships CE’s licensing model, profile of partners to take into other parts of the world What policy initiatives Steve finds to be most impactful Steve’s advice for others trying to find their lane in the climate fight Links to topics discussed in this episode: Carbon Engineering: https://carbonengineering.com/ Chevron: https://www.chevron.com/ Occidental Petroleum: https://www.oxy.com/aboutOccidental/Pages/default.aspx BHP: https://www.bhp.com/ Jim McDermott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesacmcdermott/ Direct air capture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_air_capture 45Q: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:26%20section:45Q%20edition:prelim) California Low Carbon Fuel Standard: https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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

Today’s guest is John Larsen, a Director at Rhodium Group who leads the firm’s US power sector and energy systems research. John specializes in analysis of national and state clean energy policy and market trends. Previously, John worked for the US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis where he served as an electric power policy advisor. Prior to working in government, John led federal and congressional policy analysis in the World Resources Institute’s Climate and Energy Program. John is a non-resident Senior Associate in the Energy and National Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He has lectured at several academic institutions including Johns Hopkins University and Amherst College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University. In today’s episode, we cover: Overview of Rhodium Group The state of the state in US in regards to climate policy, emissions projections, energy makeup looking forwards, and the role of specific technologies and policies Role of federal vs state government and what we can learn from history that applies looking forwards Links to topics discussed in this episode: Rhodium Group: https://rhg.com/ John’s bio: https://rhg.com/team/john-larsen/ Department of Energy: https://www.energy.gov/ Dr. Stephen Chu: https://www.energy.gov/contributors/dr-steven-chu Ernest J. Moniz: https://www.nti.org/about/leadership-and-staff/ernest-moniz/ Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy: https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/ Francis Rooney: https://francisrooney.house.gov/ Ted Deutch: https://teddeutch.house.gov/ California Low Carbon Fuel Standard: https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/lcfs.htm Direct air capture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_air_capture 45Q: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:26%20section:45Q%20edition:prelim) You can find me on twitter at @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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

Today’s guest is Nat Keohane, Senior Vice President of Climate at Environmental Defense Fund,  where he leads EDF’s Climate program and helps to shape the organizations advocacy for environmentally effective and economically sound climate policy.   EDF is one of the world's largest environmental organizations, with more than two million members and a staff of 700 scientists, economists, policy experts, and other professionals around the world. Guided by science and economics, they tackle urgent threats with practical solutions. An economist with expertise in energy and environmental policy, Nat also holds a position as Adjunct Professor of Law at New York University, where he teaches a seminar on climate change policy. Previously, Nat served in the Obama Administration as Special Assistant to the President for Energy and Environment in the National Economic Council and Domestic Policy Council, where he helped to develop and coordinate administration policy on a wide range of energy and environmental issues. Before joining the Administration, he directed economic policy and analysis at EDF, playing a lead role in the efforts to enact comprehensive cap-and-trade legislation in Congress. Prior to EDF, Nat was an Associate Professor of Economics at the Yale School of Management. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2001, and his B.A. from Yale College in 1993. In today’s episode, we cover: Nat’s history, what led him to care about climate change, and what led him to EDF What EDF does, and how Nat’s responsibilities have evolved at EDF since 1994 when he joined to today Nat’s time teaching at Yale, what he liked about it, and what ultimately led him back to the advocacy world at EDF His time at the White House in 2011/2012 as Special Assistant to President Obama for Energy and Environment in the National Economic Council and Domestic Policy Council The role of markets vs policy The importance of striking the right balance between urgency and hopefulness EDF’s focus on pragmatism and getting stuff done, not just what the right answer is in theory EDF’s bipartisan approach and the importance of that for any meaningful policy initiatives to be durable over the long term Importance of the 2020 US presidential election, and the stakes The role of China, and of geography in general when determining climate impacts and strategy Some reasons for optimism How Nat would allocate $100B to maximize its impact in the climate fight Nat’s advice for you and I on how to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: Nat Keohane’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathaniel-keohane-00809988/ Nat Keohane’s twitter: https://twitter.com/natkeohane?lang=en EDF: https://www.edf.org/ Yale School of Management: https://som.yale.edu/ Waxman-Markey bill: https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/glossary/1805110/waxman-markey-bill National Economic Council: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/eop/nec EPA: https://www.epa.gov/ Cap and trade: https://www.edf.org/climate/how-cap-and-trade-works China cap and trade: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/611372/china-is-creating-a-huge-carbon-market-but-not-a-particularly-aggressive-one/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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

Today’s guest is Kathy Hannun, the co-founder & CEO of Dandelion. Originally conceived at X, Alphabet’s innovation lab, Dandelion is now an independent company offering geothermal heating and cooling systems to homeowners, starting in the Northeastern US. Previously, Kathy was a product manager and Rapid Evaluator at Alphabet's X. Prior to Dandelion, Kathy led a team that created technology to extract carbon dioxide from seawater to create carbon-neutral fuel. Kathy has been recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, one of Albany Business Review's 40 under 40, and as a Leader of Tomorrow. Kathy graduated from Stanford with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Computer Science.  In today’s episode, we cover: Founding story of Dandelion Overview of geothermal and how it works Its market potential and what has been holding it back Why now is the right time for it to flourish and how Dandelion plans to make that happen The process that went into identifying the Dandelion opportunity, and what led to the decision to spin out from X What utilities like about the approach The impact Dandelion/geothermal can have @ scale on decarbonization How special it is that a high impact opportunity like this fits neatly in the venture capital model and timelines Whether the process to select Dandelion could be repeatable to find other ideas The pros/cons of launching at X vs independently and how to decide The magic of finding a solution that makes people’s lives easier while having a meaningful impact  Some key wishes Kathy has for things that would change that would help accelerate the clean energy transition Some surprising advice Kathy has for people concerned about climate change for how you can help Links to topics discussed in this episode: Kathy Hannun Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cooperkathy/ Dandelion website: https://dandelionenergy.com/ Geothermal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_energy Google X: https://x.company/ Dan Yates: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/dan-yates Con Edison partnership: https://dandelionenergy.com/press-release/con-edison-dandelion-energy-partner-offer-westchester-homeowners-5000-off-geothermal-installation Impossible Foods: https://impossiblefoods.com/ You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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

Today’s guest is Jessica Lovering, Director of Energy at The Breakthrough Institute. Jessica is the director of Breakthough’s Energy program and has worked on nuclear energy policy since 2012. Jessica’s research has focused on how innovation in nuclear energy can bring down costs and accelerate deployment to help mitigate climate change, as laid out in the reports How to Make Nuclear Cheap and How to Make Nuclear Innovative. Jessica was the lead author on the peer-reviewed paper, Historical construction costs of global nuclear power reactors, which was the top-rated paper in Energy Policy for over a year. She co-authored the report Atoms for Africa: Is There a Future for Civil Nuclear Energy in Sub-Saharan Africa?, with several Breakthrough Generation Fellows. She worked with experts from R Street Institute and ClearPath to publish a set of policy recommendation around micronuclear in Planting the Seeds of a Distributed Nuclear Revolution. And she has published more broadly on energy innovation and clean energy standards. Jessica has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, Vox, Forbes, Wired, and The Australian. You can hear her interviewed on The Interchange podcast and on Titans of Nuclear. Jessica is a frequent public speaker and has given talks across the US as well as in Japan, Australia, China, France, and Argentina. She is featured along with Ted Nordhaus in the documentary The New Fire. Jessica holds a B.A. in Astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as an M.S. in Astrophysics and Planetary Science and an M.S. in Environmental Policy, both from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She also worked for two years on NASA's New Horizons mission, which flew by Pluto in July 2015. Jessica grew up mostly in northern California, but has also lived in Texas, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. In her spare time she enjoys doing ballet, reading post-apocalyptic fiction, and pursuing a PhD. She is married to Linus Blomqvist. In this episode we cover: Jessica’s history and what led her down path to focus on climate change What led Jessica to BTI and to working on nuclear specifically What Jessica feels is the biggest thing holding nuclear back domestically, what led her to that conclusion and what we can do about it. The role, advantages, and stage of advanced nuclear development The role of the federal government versus the states The pros/cons of public utilities and deregulation The ecomodernist movement, and different flavors such as “hard ecomodernists” vs pragmatists The most impactful things that, if changed, would help accelerate rapid decarbonization What you and I can do to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: The Breakthrough Institute website: https://thebreakthrough.org/ The Breakthrough Institute funders: https://thebreakthrough.org/about/who-we-are/funders Jessica Lovering Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalovering/ Jessica Lovering twitter: https://twitter.com/J_Lovering Fukushima nuclear accident: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukushima_Daiichi_nuclear_disaster Ecomodernist Manifesto: http://www.ecomodernism.org/ Roger Pielke, Jr.: https://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/about_us/meet_us/roger_pielke/ Vogtle Power Plant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vogtle_Electric_Generating_Plant Climate Bathtub Model: https://scied.ucar.edu/climate-bathtub-model-animations Nuclear Energy Leadership Act: https://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/3/murkowski-booker-and-13-colleagues-reintroduce Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA): https://www.energy.gov/articles/president-trump-signs-bill-boost-advanced-nuclear-america Advanced nuclear: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_nuclear Highly enriched uranium: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enriched_uranium#Highly_enriched_uranium_(HEU) You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! (show addendum: Jessica moved on from the Breakthrough Institute in September 2019) 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

Today’s guest is Jim McDermott, Managing Director of Rusheen Capital Management, LLC. Rusheen Capital Management is a Santa Monica, CA-based private equity firm that invests in growth-stage companies in the carbon capture and utilization, low-carbon energy and water sustainability sectors. Prior to co-founding RCM, Jim has started, invested in and run numerous companies. These include: US Renewables Group (Founder & Managing Partner), Stamps.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:STMP – Founder), Spoke Software, Inc. (Founder & CEO), Archive, Inc. (Founder & CEO – sold to Cyclone Commerce), NanoH2O, Inc. (Founder & Board Member – sold to LG Chemical), SolarReserve (Founder & Board Member), Fulcrum Bioenergy, Inc. (Founder & Board Member), Common Assets (Founder & Board Member – sold to NASDAQ:SCTY), SET Technology (Board Member) and OH Energy, Inc. (Founder & Board Member). Jim holds a BA in Philosophy from Colorado College and an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA. In this episode we discuss: Jim’s transition from dot com entrepreneur (back) to energy/climate Formation and operation of US renewables group Some examples of companies Jim has backed His views on impact capital and how it returns relative to a more mercenary approach Importance and necessity of carbon removal Role of the big hydrocarbon companies looking backward and forward Importance of policies like the 45Q tax credit The emergence of the carbon-to-value economy Some of the most exciting innovations to keep an eye on What Jim would do with $100B if he could put it to work to maximize impact in the climate fight Jim’s advice to people trying to find a way to help Links to topics discussed in this episode: Jim McDermott Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesacmcdermott/ US Renewables Group: https://usregroup.com/ Fulcrum BioEnergy: http://fulcrum-bioenergy.com/ Bret Kugelmass: https://www.myclimatejourney.co/episodes/bret-kugelmass 45Q tax credit: https://www.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/CATF_FactSheet_45QCarbonCaptureIncentives.pdf Carbon Engineering: https://carbonengineering.com/ Renewable portfolio standard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_portfolio_standard Oil depletion allowance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_depletion_allowance Low carbon fuel standard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-carbon_fuel_standard Electrolysis: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-production-electrolysis Photocatalyst and hydrogen production: https://phys.org/news/2017-05-photocatalyst-hydrogen-production-efficient.html You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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

Today’s guest is David Buzby. David has been starting, building and investing in “impact” businesses for the last 27 years with an emphasis on renewable energy generation, energy storage/grid services, wastewater treatment and e-commerce. He currently sits on the Board of Cambrian Innovation, Leading Edge Crystal Technologies, Paragon Power and Stem, as well as being a member of the Investment Committee at the PRIME Coalition.  He has in the past been a founding investor and director of SunRun (NASD:RUN), SunEdison (NYSE: SUNE), Valueclick (NASD:VCLK), Brilliant Light Power, Bright Plain Renewable Energy, Prevalent Power, Resource Holdings and Best Internet. David has an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BA from Middlebury College. In this episode we discuss: The two moments in David’s life that led him to focus on impact based businesses How David got his start in the impact business world Some of the companies that David has started, invested in, and advised The criteria David uses for his investments and the dual focus on impact and profits Some of the issues with funding impact businesses with traditional venture capital, and thoughts on how to solve A teaser of what David is thinking about doing next David’s thoughts on science risk, time horizons, upside, price on carbon, nuclear, and more Links to topics discussed in this episode: David Buzby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-buzby-8840a217/  Johns Manville: https://www.jm.com/  SunEdison: http://www.sunedison.com/  Jigar Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jigarshahdc/  SunRun: https://www.sunrun.com/  Stem: https://www.stem.com/about-us/executive-team/  You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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

Today’s guest is Gregg Dixon, the CEO . of Voltus, Inc. Gregg connects customers, investors, teammates, and the world with Voltus value, ensuring that the vision for the company, and its culture, is meeting their expectations. Gregg is a world-renowned expert in commercial and industrial energy management and has pioneered many of today’s innovations that unlock the economic and environmental benefits of “intelligent energy.” Prior to co-founding Voltus, Gregg was the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales and a founding executive at EnerNOC, a leading provider of demand response, energy procurement, and energy intelligence software, where he led all facets of marketing, sales, product, and professional services. Gregg developed and executed EnerNOC’s award winning go-to-market strategy that took EnerNOC from $0 to nearly $500 million in revenue over the course of 10 years. Among his proudest achievements, he created more than 350 jobs, brought to market more than 10,000 MW’s of demand response around the world, delivered more than $1 billion in cash savings to customers, opened more than two dozen markets for the very first time to demand side resources, architected the company’s product strategy, and, before he left, led EnerNOC’s Supreme Court of the United States case on FERC Order 745, which was decided in favor of EnerNOC, ensuring that the demand response industry can continue to grow. Prior to joining EnerNOC, Gregg was Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Hess Microgen, the leading provider of commercial on-site co-generation systems and services in the United States, where he pioneered efforts to bring more than 100 co-generation systems to leading grocery, hospitality, commercial property, and manufacturing customers. Gregg was also a Partner at Mercer Management Consulting, where he advised Fortune 1000 companies on customer and product strategy, economic analysis, and new business development. Gregg has been the keynote and contributing speaker at hundreds of energy conferences, and his work in the industry has been cited broadly in the media, including The Wall St. Journal, The Economist, USA Today, Wired Magazine, and The Boston Globe, among others. Gregg graduated from Boston College with bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Information Systems and he is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Demand Side Management Professional, and Certified Sustainable Development Professional with the Association of Energy Engineers with whom he was also recognized as a “Lifetime Legend in Energy.” Gregg was also voted one of Boston’s “40 Under 40” by Boston Business Journal as recognition for having established himself as a leader to be watched in the field of technology and energy. In this episode we discuss: Overview of Voltus, Inc., including founding story Gregg’s history with EnerNOC, and how Voltus is a natural extension of that work Overview of demand response and how it works Discussion on climate change and capitalism, and how the two interrelate Discussion on climate impact Voltus can have, if successful What Voltus skeptics would say, and how Gregg responds Voltus value prop to customers and pitch What Gregg does to help combat climate change in his own life His advice for others trying to figure out how to make an impact How Gregg would allocate $100B to maximize impact in climate fight Links to topics discussed in this episode: Gregg Dixon Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-dixon-4521b61/ Gregg Dixon Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregg_dixon Voltus, Inc: https://www.voltus.co/  EnerNOC: https://www.enernoc.com/index.php  FERC Order 745: https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-of-demand-response You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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

Today’s guest is Andrew Beebe, Managing Director at Obvious Ventures. Andrew brings to Obvious Ventures a lifelong passion for building companies around sustainable systems and people power. For over a decade, Andrew has focused on clean technology and clean energy solutions. He started down the clean tech path with Energy Innovations in 2003, which he grew from a business plan to a major solar developer serving customers like Google, Disney, Sony Pictures, and British Telecom. After selling the company to Suntech in 2008, Andrew served as Chief Commercial Officer at Suntech as well as Vice President of Global Product Strategy. During his tenure, Suntech became the largest solar company in the world. After leaving Suntech, Andrew spent two years as Vice President of Distributed Generation for Nextera Energy, the largest clean energy developer in the US. Before his clean tech career, Andrew spent a decade building companies in the early days of “Web 1.0.” In 1998 Andrew co-founded Bigstep.com, an e-commerce platform designed to serve the needs of small businesses entering the Internet age. He has been supporting the enterprising ideas of people power ever since. A graduate from Dartmouth College, Andrew lives in Burlingame, CA with his wife and three children. When he's not helping to build early stage companies, Andrew builds wooden boats and furniture. Andrew was born in New York City and spent his formative years on an avocado ranch in Ojai, California. In this episode we discuss: What Obvious Ventures does and the types of investments they make How Andrew and Obvious Ventures think about and apply the term “purpose-driven” Thoughts on investing in companies with science risk Thoughts on time horizon and how that factors into investment decisions Thoughts on upside potential and how that factors into investment decisions How Obvious screens for purpose and impact, as applied to startups they back, members of their investment team, and LPs Areas of investment they are excited about Other areas outside of their investment focus Andrew thinks will be impactful in climate fight Advice for anyone trying to find their lane to help with this problem Links to the topics discussed in this episode: Andrew Beebe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbeebe/  Andrew Beebe Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewbeebe Obvious Ventures: https://obvious.com/  Beyond Meat: https://www.beyondmeat.com/  Diamond Foundry: https://diamondfoundry.com/ Amply Power: https://www.amplypower.com/  Good Eggs: https://www.goodeggs.com/sfbay/welcome/step/zip Lillium: https://lilium.com/  Canvas Technology: https://canvas.technology/  Article that Andrew wrote with Diann Eisnor: https://worldpositive.com/a-tale-of-two-cities-2030-edition-c9bceb8ea1e3 You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at info@myclimatejourney.co, where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests. Enjoy the show! 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