Stories for the future

How does a global company steeped in combustion engine technology navigate the energy transition?This episode dives into the intricacies of communication and innovation at Wärtsilä, a leader in marine and energy solutions. Meet Jane Jünger, who shares her journey from journalism to leading communications in a tech giant, and now to her role at the University of Bergen. We discuss the vital role of collaboration and transparency in engaging employees and the public about sustainable practices, as well as the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in tackling climate change.Takeaways:Communication is crucial in building trust and understanding around new energy technologies.Collaboration across different sectors is essential for driving successful energy transitions.Innovation should be owned by all employees, not just top management or R&D departments.Engaging local communities in discussions about renewable energy is vital for public acceptance.Academia and industry must work together to create relevant educational programs for future jobs.Diversity in skills and perspectives can lead to more effective problem-solving in energy transition projects.WärtsiläUniversity of BergenJane JüngerStories for the Future Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

Geoscientists are essential for shaping a sustainable future, and today's conversation dives deep into how they can transition away from traditional fossil fuel industries towards more innovative and environmentally friendly roles.I chat with Emer Caslin, a business development manager at ICRAG, who shares her journey from the oil and gas sector to exploring geoscience's contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals. We discuss the importance of engaging younger generations in geoscience, emphasizing the need for increased visibility and relevance in schools. Emer highlights the collaborative efforts between geoscientists and social scientists to tackle pressing challenges like climate change and resource management.Takeaways:Geoscientists have a crucial role to play in shaping a sustainable future for humanity.Transitioning away from fossil fuel industries is essential for geoscientists to remain relevant.Engaging younger generations in geoscience is vital for the future of the field.The collaboration between geoscience and social science enhances understanding of environmental issues.Mapping geoscience to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals highlights its importance in various sectors.Communication skills are increasingly important for geoscientists to convey their impact on society.Mentioned in this episode:ICRAGEAGEGeoscience in ActionEmer Caslin on LinkedInStoriesforthefuture.com Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

Creating optimistic and realistic narratives about the future is essential for inspiring collective action against climate change.In this episode, we meet Steve Willis, an author and innovator, who discusses his climate fiction novel "Fairhaven," which explores solutions to pressing environmental challenges.Steve emphasizes the need for large-scale projects to address the climate crisis and highlights the potential for industries traditionally seen as part of the problem, like oil and gas, to contribute to the solution. The conversation delves into the importance of fostering dialogue between the traditional energy sector and renewable solutions, as well as the role of storytelling in shaping a compelling vision for the future.Takeaways:Creating optimistic and realistic narratives about the future can inspire collective action.The oil and gas industry must adapt to meet climate challenges and leverage their resources.The importance of engaging diverse voices in the dialogue about climate solutions cannot be understated.Despair in the face of climate change leads to inaction; hope can ignite progress.We need multi-million dollar projects to combat climate change at the necessary scale.Fiction can be a powerful tool to visualize and communicate potential climate solutions.Links referenced in this episode:storiesforthefuture.comHerculean Climate SolutionsFairhaven: A Novel of Climate OptimismFairhaven on AmazonGet in touch with Steve on LinkedInThe chart and LinkedIn post mentioned in the episode Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of 'Stories for the Future,' I reconnect with one of my very first podcast guests, Anders Dræge, an ex-petroleum geophysicist who shifted from a successful career in Norway's state-owned energy company, Equinor, to a new role in the insurance sector.We discuss Anders' motivations for leaving the oil and gas industry due to environmental concerns, his transition and adaptation to a different field using skills from his previous career, and the current state and future of the energy industry. The episode highlights the importance of transferable skills and adaptability in career transitions, especially in the context of the global energy shift towards sustainability.Takeaways:The guest, Anders, transitioned from a successful career in the oil and gas industry to a new role in insurance, using skills like machine learning to adapt to a different sector.Despite changes in the industry, Anders would still choose to leave the oil and gas sector today, highlighting ongoing concerns about environmental impact and the pace of transition to renewables.The podcast explores the need for better dialogue between those inside and outside the oil and gas industry, emphasizing the importance of understanding different perspectives and bridging knowledge gaps.Universities and educational institutions are suggested as ideal venues for fostering constructive debates and discussions on energy transition, engaging both students and industry professionals.The episode touches on the complexity of balancing energy needs with environmental impact, pointing out the nuanced debates about energy shortage versus climate change risks.Anders expresses concern about the slow pace of change towards renewable energy, despite technological advancements and increasing global energy consumption driven by new technologies like AI. Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of the energy sector with Maximilian Haas, a geomechanical engineer at SLB.We talk about the binary perceptions of the oil and gas industry and the crucial gray areas often missed. Highlighting Max's journey from academia to the energy sector, this episode stresses the need for open-minded dialogue and collaboration in tackling climate and energy challenges.To learn more about Max, you can connect with him on LinkedInFor ideas, questions or suggestions about guests, please reach out to me on Storiesforthefuture.com or on LinkedIn Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

We kick off the new season with a special episode featuring six different voices from the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) Annual Conference in Oslo.The episode explores how to foster better understanding and dialogue between professionals in the oil and gas sector and the general public. Key themes include energy transition, sustainability, the role of geoscience, and the importance of collaboration and trust. The episode features soundbites with geoscientists and industry professionals, discussing the dilemmas and challenges in the energy transition.https://eage.org/https://www.icrag-centre.org/https://www.storiesforthefuture.com/ Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

In season 6, I revisit a topic that is both close to my heart and relevant to my career: how can we encourage dialogue between professionals in the oil and gas industry and those outside of it?As a professional who transitioned from oil and gas, I often find myself defending my past self, the one who wanted to highlight the positive aspects of the industry that are often overlooked or disregarded by outsiders.The vision driving this season is that today's oil and gas giants will become tomorrow's green energy pioneers, with all the talented individuals working in the industry leading the energy transition.My guests will include individuals who are still in the oil and gas industry, those who have transitioned to renewable energy, those with ideas on fostering understanding rather than division, and others who can see shades of gray where most see black and white. Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

In order to create the future, we first need to be able to imagine it.Today, on this last episode of the season, I'm joined by Merlin Bola, an enthusiast in ecology, psychology and storytelling. Merlin's journey began with a deep interest in environmental studies, leading him to some really big questions about life and humanity.Merlin advocates for the use of imagination as a tool to envision future possibilities, emphasizing the role of storytelling in bringing these concepts to life. His current focus is on integrating these ideas to support initiatives aimed at environmental regeneration. He believes in the power of storytelling to effectively communicate complex environmental challenges and solutions.This is one of the most philosophical conversations I've had on this podcast, but Merlin also manages make complex ideas easy to understand so that we can make it easier for people to rally around causes that matter.Merlin Bola on LinkedIn.GrowintoflowFor more information about this podcast and the rest of my work, please visit bycause.co Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

My guest today is an expert in climate communication.Her name is Katherine Duarte, and the reason I fist noticed her, was because she was a fresh breath on my Instagram feed. I noticed that she shared important, serious and very interesting stuff about climate and sustainability, but she did it in a very funny way.Today we discuss the complex, difficult, but very interesting topic about how to communicate hard issues like climate change.Katherine has her very own approach where she mixes in humour and relatebility with the hard facts. She has a very interesting career journey behind her, going from academia, via teaching and media, to now helping businesses communicate better about their sustainability initiatives without greenwashing.Links:Katherine's LinkedIn profile.Katherine's Instagram profile greenkathytaFor more information about what I'm up to in my own business, check out Bycause.co Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe

Meet Jøril Korperud Johnsen, a seasoned leader with 25 years' experience in leadership, innovation, and sustainability. Discover her journey from being the head of sustainability at IKEA Norway to establishing her own company, Fremvekst.Join us in this conversation where Jøril raises important questions like:What kind of world could we co-create, if each of us felt more nurtured, more part of rather than disconnected from ourselves, organizations and systemic communities?What kind of community could we weave together if we were all more present, felt more whole, seen, heard and loved?How do we reclaim nature within us and around us in our modern urbanized life?Key Highlights:A Female Perspective: Continuing the trend of featuring influential women who are making a mark in their respective fields.The Origins: Jøril's background, including her significant contributions at IKEA Norway and her evolution as a fifth-generation citizen of Oslo.Transitioning from IKEA: What prompted Jøril to make the leap? The inspirations and challenges faced during her transition.Regenerative Leadership with Laura Storm: Delving deeper into her association and learnings from this global network of leaders.Identity Beyond Profession: Jøril's take on professional identity, and how she navigated her personal evolution post-IKEA.Sustainability - Inside and Out: The growing focus on inner sustainability, its significance, and Jøril's views on the Inner Development Goals.The Magic Wand Question: What Jøril would change instantly in the business world, given the chance.Additional Resources:Learn more about the B Corp MovementInner Development Goals Catalysts: Delve deeper into this transformative approach to personal and professional growth.Laura Storm's Regenerative Leaders Network: Understand more about this global initiative and its impact.Connect with Jøril:LinkedIn: Jøril Korperud JohnsenIf you're looking to make a shift in your own career, go ahead and book a chat, and I'll help you in every way that I can! Get full access to Stories for the Future by Veslemøy Klavenes-Berge at vklavenes.substack.com/subscribe