Épisodes

  • The Potential and Challenges of the Voluntary Carbon Market

    The Potential and Challenges of the Voluntary Carbon Market
    Jan 29 2025
    Our second episode on the voluntary carbon market is a bonus episode of a panel discussion recorded at Harvard Climate Action Week in 2024. Harvard Kennedy School Professor Joe Aldy moderates this discussion with Nat Keohane from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Donna Lee from Calyx Global, UC San Diego Professor David Victor, and Carolyn Weinberg, formerly of Blackrock. Together, they bring perspectives from policy, business, and academia. The conversation explores the role of voluntary carbon markets in mobilizing finance for decarbonization, ensuring the integrity of carbon credits, and scaling high-quality projects. They also discuss emerging standards, innovative financial products, and how companies can leverage VCMs to achieve net-zero goals while addressing climate risks.
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    57 min
  • Building Integrity in Carbon Markets: A Conversation with Jennifer Jenkins of Rubicon Carbon

    Building Integrity in Carbon Markets: A Conversation with Jennifer Jenkins of Rubicon Carbon
    Jan 15 2025
    Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, Chief Science Officer at Rubicon Carbon, joins our host Mike to talk about the critical role of voluntary carbon markets in achieving net-zero goals. Dr. Jenkins shares insights on how Rubicon Carbon is advancing the integrity and scalability of carbon credit through tools like the Rubicon Carbon Integrity Framework (RCIF). The conversation explores the lifecycle of a carbon credit, the challenges of managing risks like additionality and leakage, and how voluntary carbon markets can incentivize global climate action. Dr. Jenkins also shares her outlook on the future of carbon markets and offers advice for those pursuing careers in sustainability and climate solutions.
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    47 min
  • Accelerating Battery Innovation with AI: A Conversation with Argonne’s Logan Ward

    Accelerating Battery Innovation with AI: A Conversation with Argonne’s Logan Ward
    Jan 1 2025
    Logan Ward, Deputy Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, joins host Mike Toffel to discuss how AI is transforming the discovery process for new materials in grid-scale batteries. Logan explains Argonne’s research on improving energy storage solutions, why AI plays a critical role, and the partnerships between national labs and the industry. He also shares his outlook on the future of AI in climate science and offers career advice for those interested in this field.
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    48 min
  • Using AI and Satellite Data to Transform Agriculture: A Conversation with Alyssa Whitcraft

    Using AI and Satellite Data to Transform Agriculture: A Conversation with Alyssa Whitcraft
    Dec 18 2024
    Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft is a professor at University of Maryland and a leading expert in agricultural remote sensing and climate adaptation. Dr. Whitcraft discusses her journey from co-founding NASA Harvest, a global program addressing food security with satellite data, to leading NASA Acres, which focuses on U.S. agriculture. She explains how AI and satellite technology are changing the agricultural sector, offering solutions ranging from crop yield prediction to regenerative farming practices. Alyssa also shares insights into Harvest SARA, a nonprofit she founded to foster collaboration between public and private sectors in advancing sustainable agriculture. Finally, she provides career advice for aspiring scientists and professionals interested in the intersection of AI, climate, and agriculture.
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    53 min
  • Using AI to Fight Wildfires: How Dryad Networks is Scaling Climate Technology

    Using AI to Fight Wildfires: How Dryad Networks is Scaling Climate Technology
    Dec 4 2024
    Carsten Brinkschulte is the CEO of Dryad, a company that leverages AI to detect wildfires early and prevent catastrophic damage. Carsten shares his journey from a telecom entrepreneur to climate tech innovator, explaining how Dryad’s solar-powered sensors and mesh networks detect wildfires at their inception and transmit real-time alerts to their customers. He also discusses the technical challenges of embedding machine learning into low-cost sensors, the importance of collaborating with public and private stakeholders, and the evolving landscape of wildfire detection technology. Carsten provides advice for aspiring climate tech entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need to align impact with profitability.
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    46 min
  • Using AI to Optimize Energy Demand

    Using AI to Optimize Energy Demand
    Nov 20 2024
    In this episode, host Mike Toffel speaks with Pasi Miettinen, CEO of Sagewell, a company that uses AI to help utilities and their customers manage energy demand efficiently. Pasi explains how Sagewell’s technology helps reduce peak electricity usage, which in turn lowers energy costs and lessens climate impact. He also discusses how smart data analytics can identify energy-saving opportunities and the importance of AI in optimizing energy usage patterns. Pasi provides insights on the challenges and successes in the utility sector and shares career advice for those looking to work in AI and clean energy.
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    53 min
  • A Preview of COP29: What Business Leaders Should Know with Outrage & Optimism Co-hosts

    A Preview of COP29: What Business Leaders Should Know with Outrage & Optimism Co-hosts
    Nov 6 2024
    In this episode, host Mike Toffel sits down with Paul Dickinson and Tom Rivett-Carnac, co-hosts of the climate podcast Outrage & Optimism, to preview COP29, the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. With their extensive experience in climate negotiations and industry collaboration, Paul and Tom share insights on how COP29 fits into the broader climate agenda, what business leaders should expect, and how they can best engage. The conversation delves into the evolving role of COP, from setting targets to ensuring implementation, and the critical importance of corporate involvement in driving ambitious climate action.
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    48 min
  • How Public Policy Can Drive Climate Innovation and Business Opportunities: A Conversation with USEPA’s David Cash

    How Public Policy Can Drive Climate Innovation and Business Opportunities: A Conversation with USEPA’s David Cash
    Oct 30 2024
    David Cash, the Regional Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for New England, shares his journey from environmental science to state and federal leadership roles. He highlights how the clean energy transition in the United States is being driven by public policy, community engagement, and new funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. He explains the U.S. EPA’s role in balancing climate action with economic development, while promoting environmental justice. David also offers insights on career opportunities at the intersection of business, climate, and government.
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    52 min