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Reliability concerns keep power plant open, for now Danskammer Energy, which runs a gas-fired plant on the Hudson River in the Town of Newburgh that operates only during peak demand, and which the company hoped to convert to full-time operation, filed for bankruptcy on June 10. The Chapter 11 petition, filed in Delaware, says the company owes creditors $13 million, including $11.8 million to the New York Independent System Operator, which manages the state power grid, and $760,000 in property taxes to Orange County. Danskammer did not respond to requests for comment. The filing comes five months after the company requested permission from NYISO to close the plant, which typically operates for only 5 to 10 days a year during heat waves. In response, NYISO said the plant must remain available until at least August and possibly January, in part due to concerns that the state lacks sufficient emissions-free energy sources to replace aging fossil-fuel plants. It also cited "demand forecasts based on expected weather, expected generator availability, transmission limitations and risks associated with the availability of key future planned projects." The latter refers to an executive order, signed by President Donald Trump on the first day of his return to office, that halted the permitting process for offshore wind projects. After a court ruled that the order was illegal, the administration adopted a different strategy. On Wednesday (June 17), Invenergy announced that the administration would pay $765 million for it to abandon four wind projects, including one that would have delivered at least 2 gigawatts to New York and New Jersey. NYISO does have wiggle room. Earlier this week, New York State announced the completion of the 339-mile Champlain-Hudson Power Express, a transmission line between Canada and New York City that passes the Highlands beneath the Hudson River. In addition, the state dropped plans to close two barge-mounted peaker plants that provide up to 608 megawatts to New York City. In 2018, Danskammer said it would renovate the Newburgh plant for continuous operation, but community pushback led to a lengthy legal battle. In 2021, the state denied the plant the clean-air permit it would need to proceed, arguing that upgrading the plant would violate the state's newly enacted Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. It was during this time that Scenic Hudson released its own proposal for large-scale battery storage at the site to bring more renewable energy to the Hudson Valley. "We would love to see the dirty gas power plant get replaced with something that generates jobs and tax revenue for the town without also emitting pollution," said Stephen Ballentine of Scenic Hudson. The bankruptcy filing, as well as the state's recent relaxation of many of its climate targets as part of the 2026-27 budget, could open the door for another company to take over Danskammer and operate year-round. "I would imagine that it's still permissible for courts to reject applications based on CLCPA incompatibility, but we'll have to see how this changes things," said Ballentine. "That's part of the reason we were disappointed to see the rollback to the CLCPA."
How do we move from simply rewarding industry leaders to transforming entire global systems? In this episode of Before The Tipping Point, we sit down with Lucas Mereyes Dos Santos—a global sustainability catalyst, international project manager, and co-host of the Gossip Gills podcast.With over seven years of experience bridging the gap between policy, science, and on-the-ground implementation across five continents, Lucas shares his insights on how to scale responsible practices beyond standard certifications. We dive deep into streamlining complex assurance processes, reducing audit burdens, and the double-edged sword of technology: how AI can revolutionize compliance data, and where its limitations lie when it comes to human ethical judgment.Support the show
The future of our oceans will shape the future of our planet.In Episode 5, Season 15 of Before The Tipping Point Podcast: Where AI and Sustainability Meet Climate Leadership, host Lourdes Gant welcomes Xuefei Shi, an Ocean and Blue Economy Specialist whose work bridges marine policy, ecology, international development, and sustainable governance across Africa, China, and the Indo-Pacific.With more than 15 years of experience spanning fisheries, aquaculture, ocean governance, and development cooperation, Xuefei brings a unique global perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing coastal communities and marine ecosystems. From the Western Indian Ocean and Singapore to Australia and Norway, his work explores how governments, organizations, and local stakeholders can build resilient blue economies while balancing climate, nature, and social equity priorities.In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore:• How interdisciplinary research is shaping sustainable ocean policy and blue economy transitions across Africa and the Indo-Pacific • The realities and challenges of implementing climate-nature governance at the local level in coastal communities • The role of environmental justice, inclusive development, and aid effectiveness in marine sustainability initiatives • The future of ocean governance and its importance in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and economic resilienceJoin us as we examine how stronger governance, evidence-based policy, and international collaboration can help protect our oceans while creating sustainable opportunities for communities that depend on them.Listen now and discover why the blue economy is becoming one of the most important frontiers in global sustainability and climate leadership.Support the show
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a plan to increase affordable housing, protect tenants, and create investments for public housing. WFUV's Sienna Reinders has more. Last night was the first time the public was able to see language changes Governor Hochul will make to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This comes among ongoing debates about energy affordability. WFUV's Mia Barth explains. The New York Knicks are heading to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. WFUV's Lainey Nguyen went out in the Bronx to see how fans felt after the team's historic series win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the ease of digital streaming platforms, many people don't feel the need to own physical copies of their favorite movies and tv shows. But one shop in Brooklyn pledges two things: death to streaming – and physical media forever. WFUV's Joseph Vizza takes us to NightOwl Video, a video store dedicated to buying and selling movies new and old, from VHS to DVD. Host/Producer: Xenia Gonikberg Editor: Nathan Ray Reporter: Sienna Reinders Reporter: Mia Barth Reporter: Lainey Nguyen Reporter: Joseph Vizza Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker
EcoRadio KC is glad to encourage awareness and protection of our world. Our goal is to ensure our listeners are aware of how we can create a sustainable present for a sustainable future! We experience more extreme temperatures because of global energy increase. As we move to the future, it will take ALL of us to make the world habitable for millennia to come. You can trust that KKFI will strive to broadcast relevant, accurate, and timely information. You share KKFI's mission of providing an independent voice to information underserved or ignored by mainstream media. Host Terri Wilke with speak with Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, author of Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home, published by Amber Lotus Publishing, May 5, 2026. https://www.kkwilkinson.com/ When maps come up short and the path ahead is uncertain, how do we find our way? Visionary climate leader Katharine K. Wilkinson offers a compassionate and empowering guide to navigating from ache to action, doubt to possibility. Through transformational programs and books, including the national bestseller All We Can Save, Wilkinson has inspired hundreds of thousands of climate journeys. Whether steeped in climate or newly curious, readers will discover something grounding and generative in these pages. She shares a proven process for looking inward with care, outward with curiosity, and forward with courage. Ultimately, readers chart a course toward playing their unique part in our collective healing. Wilkinson lights the way through stirring personal essays, interwoven with the wisdom of other climate leaders and the beauty of poetry, art, and song. Whether steeped in climate or newly curious, readers will discover something grounding and generative in these pages. Dr. Katharine K. Wilkinson's publications include the bestselling anthology All We Can Save, the podcast A Matter of Degrees, and the New York Times bestseller Drawdown. Dr. Wilkinson co-founded and leads The All We Can Save Project, where she shaped the much-beloved programs All We Can Save Circles and Climate Wayfinding. She holds a DPhil in geography and environment from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and a BA in religion from Sewanee: The University of the South. EcoRadio KC supports the work for a future in which humans flourish as members of a thriving ecosphere. We are all in this together and it will take all of us to make the world safe. This will be a great radio hour! “The whole world is one neighborhood.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
What happens when sustainability, technology, and global leadership converge beneath the surface of one of the world's most complex industries?In Episode 3 of Season 15 of Before The Tipping Point, where AI and Sustainability meet Climate Leadership, we sit down with His Excellency Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi — Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Seafood Souq, Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, UAE, and a leading advocate for ocean stewardship and the blue economy.From transforming seafood traceability through AI-driven digital infrastructure to advancing marine conservation and international sustainability partnerships, Sheikh Fahim is helping redefine how the world thinks about trust, transparency, and accountability across global supply chains.In this episode, we explore:
Most grassroots voices are ignored in global climate politics — until now. Dorcas Naishorua, Miss Climate Kenya 2023-2025 and fierce advocate from Kajiado County, shares how her lived experiences as a Maasai woman are reshaping climate leadership from the ground up. Growing up as a pastoralist girl facing drought, water scarcity, and cultural barriers, Dorcas reveals how her personal journey ignited her passionfor community-driven change. She breaks down the false priorities of international conferences, exposing how billions are spent without real impact—unless indigenous voices lead the way. Through her story, you'll discover her unconventional path from fetching water as a child to becoming Kenya's first Miss Climate, harnessing beauty and leadership as tools for disruption. Enjoy and be Inspired
Today, we hear from writers Yann Martel, Carl Safina and David George Haskell on the practice of listening to the living world. Tom Chi discusses the dangerous volatility of a one-degree shift. Clayton Aldern explores how climate change alters brain health and behavior, while Ami Vitale,Osprey Orielle Lake and Martín Von Hildebrand remind us of the kinship we share with nature. Fred Pearce discusses 40 years as a journalist reporting on climate from around the world, while Richard Black of the environmental think tank Ember and Paula Pinho, European Commission's Chief Spokesperson, talk about policy, hope and the radical empathy required to protect the planet for future generations.(0:00) Clayton Page Aldern – Finding awe and beauty in the world(0:40) David George Haskell – On consequences of humans tuning out the sounds of the living world(2:11) Yann Martel – How animals ask us to step out of our humanity(3:12) Carl Safina – The interior lives of non-human animals(5:08) Ami Vitale – Environmental collapse and human conflict(6:37) Martín von Hildebrand – Indigenous views of nature(8:00) Richard Black – Transition to clean energy vs. massive fossil fuel subsidies(10:01) Tom Chi – Climate destabilization(11:07) Paula Pinho – Europe's vision for energy independence(14:04) Osprey Orielle Lake – Māori concept of "I am the river and the river is me”(16:08) Bill Hare – On limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees(17:19) Fred Pearce – Finding hope in nature's resilienceTo hear more from each guest, listen to their full interviews.Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/pod@creativeprocesspodcast
In the latest budget development, Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed a property tax on New York City homes worth more than $5 million that serve as a secondary properties for out of town owners. David Lombardo, of WCNY's the Capitol Pressroom, and POLITICO's Marie French dive into the ongoing conversations around energy, gas emissions and the state's 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act at the state capitol. Longtime Assembly Member and Former Republican Minority Leader Will Barclay unpacks his tenure in politics and the complex political positioning of Republicans in the Legislature. EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org
April 16, 2026- While Gov. Kathy Hochul is looking to backtrack on the implementation of New York's greenhouse gas reduction law from 2019, a former state energy official is calling for New York policymakers to lean into this mission. We talk about implementing the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act with Jamie Dickerson, senior director of Clean Energy and Climate Programs at Acadia Center.
In this episode, I'm sitting down with Yeritza Bohorquez, a powerhouse partner in one of the world's leading AI agency groups. Yeritza isn't your typical tech expert—she brings over a decade of experience in molecular biology and chemical ecology to the table. This unique background has taught her how to detect hidden patterns, manage extreme complexity, and make high-stakes, data-driven decisions under pressure.Today, she's applying those same analytical superpowers to lead process optimization and digital growth strategies alongside her husband at their successful digital content company.We're diving deep into:•The Future of AI: What trends are actually going to move the needle?•The Great Shift: What will fundamentally change in the next 3 years?•The Constants: In a world of rapid evolution, what will not change?Join us for a conversation that bridges the gap between biological systems and artificial intelligence to redefine what it means to lead in the age of climate change.Support the show
Explore how climate leadership measures should be a routine part of decision-making with Emeritus Professor Mark Howden and Aurecon’s Dr Ben McGarry. Together they discuss the role engineers play in shaping a low-carbon and resilient future; and why starting with values, incorporating systems thinking, and highlighting long-term benefits all matter when engaging stakeholders and delivering meaningful change. This episode of Engineering Reimagined was recorded live at the 2025 CAETS conference. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 24, 2026- Earthjustice New York Policy Advocate Liz Moran discusses Gov. Kathy Hochul's potential rollbacks of the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and argues the changes won't prevent energy cost increases.
New York's largest student-led climate action, TREEage, held its 5th annual Youth Day of Action on March 17th at the Capitol, in partnership with NY Renews, Invest in Our New York, Make the Road NY, and others. An estimated 1000 attended to tell Governor Hochul to maintain hard-fought mandates under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and address additional, timely, pressing issues like tax inequality and passing New York for All to protect immigrants. At a rally on the Million Dollar Staircase, we hear from Assembly Members Jessica González-Rojas, Anna Kelles, Sarahana Shestha, Diana Moreno, Senator Kristen Gonzales, and Assemblymember Claire Valdez. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.
Feb. 27, 2026 - State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Pete Harckham, a Westchester County Democrat, argues against curtailing the state's green energy and emissions goals adopted as part of the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act. Gov. Kathy Hochul is making the case that the law is driving up costs and needs to be amended.
Rural nurse training in North Dakota, Icelandic pioneer reflections, Indigenous climate leadership, America's protein debate, and the week's top water stories.
How do you put a price tag on nature?In this episode of Before the Tipping Point — where AI and Sustainability meet Climate Leadership, we explore the economics behind seaweed farming and ecosystem services with Ngoc Pham, Aquaculture and Marine Economist at Wageningen Social and Economic Research, Wageningen University & Research.Ngoc has worked on blue economy projects since 2012, and in this conversation, we unpack the complex challenge of assigning monetary value to ecosystem services provided by seaweed farming. The discussion examines:How ecosystem services from seaweed farming can be valuedThe economic and methodological challenges of pricing these servicesWhy seaweed farmers struggle to access markets such as carbon creditsWhether payments for ecosystem services could improve the profitability of seaweed farmingThis episode offers a grounded, economics-driven look at what it takes to move ecosystem services from theory into real-world markets — and what that could mean for the future of sustainable aquaculture.Support the show
Eugene Kirpichov is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Work on Climate, a global community helping professionals take action on climate across industries and disciplines. Originally created to help people transition into climate-related careers, the organization is now evolving toward a deeper goal: empowering individuals to become climate leaders—people who transform their companies, sectors, and communities from within.In this episode of Inevitable, Kirpichov shares why the “get a climate job” model is no longer enough, and why systemic change depends on how professionals use their power. The conversation explores the concept of regenerative economics, the breakdown of siloed climate thinking, and the need for new economic architectures that support resilience, not extraction. We also dive into what it means to build bottom-up leadership, how Work on Climate is shifting its model, and why now is a critical moment to invest in alternatives that go beyond federal policy.Episode recorded on Jan 22, 2026 (Published on Feb 3, 2026)In this episode, we cover:(0:00) Intro(2:40) Climate as one piece of a larger systemic crisis(7:19) An overview of Work on Climate(11:28) Why the climate job market isn't enough(17:08) The shift from jobs to leadership and power(24:49) What a regenerative economy actually means(32:00) Building new economic operating systems(37:00) The Work on Climate member experience (46:49) Final thoughts on reclaiming powerLinks:Eugene Kirpichov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekirpichovWork on Climate: https://workonclimate.org/ 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 this episode of Before The Tipping Point: Where AI & Sustainability Meet Climate Leadership, we're joined by Richard Page, CEO of Avancil Consulting and Island Innovation Ambassador.Richard brings a multidisciplinary lens to sustainability, drawing on his experience as an educator, project manager, and scientist working at the intersection of environmental consulting and climate resilience.Together, we explore how AI-driven solutions can be adapted to meet the unique environmental, infrastructural, and economic realities of small island communities. The conversation focuses on practical applications—not hype—covering:How AI can support sustainability efforts tailored specifically to small island contextsThe role of AI in optimizing resource management and renewable energy adoption at an island scaleHow AI-enabled data analytics can strengthen consulting approaches for climate adaptation and resilience-building in vulnerable island economiesThis episode offers grounded insights for sustainability professionals, consultants, policymakers, and innovators working to advance climate leadership where the stakes—and constraints—are highest.
World leaders are flocking to Beijing. In the first weeks of 2026, Canada's Mark Carney, the UK's Sir Keir Starmer and South Korea's Lee Jae-myung have all made high-profile visits - an unmistakable signal of global power recalibrating.China's dominance in clean energy manufacturing is already well established: from solar panels and batteries to wind turbines. The question now is whether this transition remains merely made in China, or whether it is increasingly being shaped and led from Beijing.Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson consider what this shift may mean for the future of climate leadership - and for the institutions, alliances and norms that have shaped global climate cooperation for decades. They're joined by scholar of China's political economy and climate governance Yixian Sun, who has recently advised the UK government on their engagement with China. He unpacks the country's own vision of leadership, its evolving role in the Global South, and the risks and opportunities of an increasingly multipolar climate order.As the world recalibrates around China's growing role, how does Beijing see itself? And what are other governments actually seeking as they turn towards it? We spoke to the man advising the UK government ahead of Keir Starmer's arrival in Beijing.
Climate Can't Wait, a statewide coalition of over 55 environmental, climate, and community groups, released its second climate report card for Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY). The final grade was an F based on her track record of backsliding on implementation of critical climate legislation and failing to take actions to achieve the mandates of New York State's 2019 Climate Law (the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act or CLCPA). An Albany Supreme Court decision last October, Citizen Action of New York vs. DEC, found that the Hochul administration's failure to issue greenhouse gas reduction regulations as required by the Climate Law was illegal. Bob Cohen reviews the report card with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.
This episode explores what China's subnational climate experiments tell us about the possibilities and limits of climate leadership in an era of intensified geopolitics. We discuss how China's domestic governance dynamics matter for international climate cooperation and competition, especially as Chinese actors become central in the global low-carbon transition. Thus, we turn our attention away from headline-grabbing climate summits and national pledges to examine the less visible, but often decisive, actors shaping China's low-carbon transition. Implementing a Low-Carbon Future: Climate Leadership in Chinese Cities (Oxford University Press, 2025), a new book by Weila Gong, opens the black box of subnational climate governance in China and asks: who actually makes low-carbon policy work on the ground? Our guest, Weila Gong, is a visiting scholar at UC Davis's Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior and a nonresident scholar at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center. She has held fellowships at Georgetown, Harvard, and UC Berkeley School of Law, and brings more than a decade of experience studying the politics and policies of low-carbon energy transitions in China. Her work is timely. Despite being the world's largest carbon emitter, China has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, commitments that place it at the center of global climate cooperation and competition. We're recording this episode in November 2025 as COP30 unfolds in Brazil, and at a moment when China is stepping into a more assertive role as a climate-technology power. Chinese officials and firms increasingly frame the country's dominance in renewables, electric vehicles, and clean-energy supply chains as central to the global transition. Yet, as Gong's book shows, climate leadership is not only forged through clean technologies or in international negotiating rooms and national policy announcements. It is also built, often unevenly, across hundreds of cities and counties within China. At the heart of this variation, Gong identifies a pivotal group of actors: mid-level local bureaucrats. These officials function as “bridge leaders,” translating national directives into locally workable policies, mediating between political leadership changes, and sustaining experimentation over time. In doing so, they challenge top-down views of China's climate governance and reveal how bottom-up dynamics shape both domestic outcomes and China's role as a global climate leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
This episode explores what China's subnational climate experiments tell us about the possibilities and limits of climate leadership in an era of intensified geopolitics. We discuss how China's domestic governance dynamics matter for international climate cooperation and competition, especially as Chinese actors become central in the global low-carbon transition. Thus, we turn our attention away from headline-grabbing climate summits and national pledges to examine the less visible, but often decisive, actors shaping China's low-carbon transition. Implementing a Low-Carbon Future: Climate Leadership in Chinese Cities (Oxford University Press, 2025), a new book by Weila Gong, opens the black box of subnational climate governance in China and asks: who actually makes low-carbon policy work on the ground? Our guest, Weila Gong, is a visiting scholar at UC Davis's Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior and a nonresident scholar at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center. She has held fellowships at Georgetown, Harvard, and UC Berkeley School of Law, and brings more than a decade of experience studying the politics and policies of low-carbon energy transitions in China. Her work is timely. Despite being the world's largest carbon emitter, China has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, commitments that place it at the center of global climate cooperation and competition. We're recording this episode in November 2025 as COP30 unfolds in Brazil, and at a moment when China is stepping into a more assertive role as a climate-technology power. Chinese officials and firms increasingly frame the country's dominance in renewables, electric vehicles, and clean-energy supply chains as central to the global transition. Yet, as Gong's book shows, climate leadership is not only forged through clean technologies or in international negotiating rooms and national policy announcements. It is also built, often unevenly, across hundreds of cities and counties within China. At the heart of this variation, Gong identifies a pivotal group of actors: mid-level local bureaucrats. These officials function as “bridge leaders,” translating national directives into locally workable policies, mediating between political leadership changes, and sustaining experimentation over time. In doing so, they challenge top-down views of China's climate governance and reveal how bottom-up dynamics shape both domestic outcomes and China's role as a global climate leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies
This episode explores what China's subnational climate experiments tell us about the possibilities and limits of climate leadership in an era of intensified geopolitics. We discuss how China's domestic governance dynamics matter for international climate cooperation and competition, especially as Chinese actors become central in the global low-carbon transition. Thus, we turn our attention away from headline-grabbing climate summits and national pledges to examine the less visible, but often decisive, actors shaping China's low-carbon transition. Implementing a Low-Carbon Future: Climate Leadership in Chinese Cities (Oxford University Press, 2025), a new book by Weila Gong, opens the black box of subnational climate governance in China and asks: who actually makes low-carbon policy work on the ground? Our guest, Weila Gong, is a visiting scholar at UC Davis's Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior and a nonresident scholar at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center. She has held fellowships at Georgetown, Harvard, and UC Berkeley School of Law, and brings more than a decade of experience studying the politics and policies of low-carbon energy transitions in China. Her work is timely. Despite being the world's largest carbon emitter, China has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, commitments that place it at the center of global climate cooperation and competition. We're recording this episode in November 2025 as COP30 unfolds in Brazil, and at a moment when China is stepping into a more assertive role as a climate-technology power. Chinese officials and firms increasingly frame the country's dominance in renewables, electric vehicles, and clean-energy supply chains as central to the global transition. Yet, as Gong's book shows, climate leadership is not only forged through clean technologies or in international negotiating rooms and national policy announcements. It is also built, often unevenly, across hundreds of cities and counties within China. At the heart of this variation, Gong identifies a pivotal group of actors: mid-level local bureaucrats. These officials function as “bridge leaders,” translating national directives into locally workable policies, mediating between political leadership changes, and sustaining experimentation over time. In doing so, they challenge top-down views of China's climate governance and reveal how bottom-up dynamics shape both domestic outcomes and China's role as a global climate leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science
This episode explores what China's subnational climate experiments tell us about the possibilities and limits of climate leadership in an era of intensified geopolitics. We discuss how China's domestic governance dynamics matter for international climate cooperation and competition, especially as Chinese actors become central in the global low-carbon transition. Thus, we turn our attention away from headline-grabbing climate summits and national pledges to examine the less visible, but often decisive, actors shaping China's low-carbon transition. Implementing a Low-Carbon Future: Climate Leadership in Chinese Cities (Oxford University Press, 2025), a new book by Weila Gong, opens the black box of subnational climate governance in China and asks: who actually makes low-carbon policy work on the ground? Our guest, Weila Gong, is a visiting scholar at UC Davis's Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior and a nonresident scholar at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center. She has held fellowships at Georgetown, Harvard, and UC Berkeley School of Law, and brings more than a decade of experience studying the politics and policies of low-carbon energy transitions in China. Her work is timely. Despite being the world's largest carbon emitter, China has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, commitments that place it at the center of global climate cooperation and competition. We're recording this episode in November 2025 as COP30 unfolds in Brazil, and at a moment when China is stepping into a more assertive role as a climate-technology power. Chinese officials and firms increasingly frame the country's dominance in renewables, electric vehicles, and clean-energy supply chains as central to the global transition. Yet, as Gong's book shows, climate leadership is not only forged through clean technologies or in international negotiating rooms and national policy announcements. It is also built, often unevenly, across hundreds of cities and counties within China. At the heart of this variation, Gong identifies a pivotal group of actors: mid-level local bureaucrats. These officials function as “bridge leaders,” translating national directives into locally workable policies, mediating between political leadership changes, and sustaining experimentation over time. In doing so, they challenge top-down views of China's climate governance and reveal how bottom-up dynamics shape both domestic outcomes and China's role as a global climate leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies
This episode explores what China's subnational climate experiments tell us about the possibilities and limits of climate leadership in an era of intensified geopolitics. We discuss how China's domestic governance dynamics matter for international climate cooperation and competition, especially as Chinese actors become central in the global low-carbon transition. Thus, we turn our attention away from headline-grabbing climate summits and national pledges to examine the less visible, but often decisive, actors shaping China's low-carbon transition. Implementing a Low-Carbon Future: Climate Leadership in Chinese Cities (Oxford University Press, 2025), a new book by Weila Gong, opens the black box of subnational climate governance in China and asks: who actually makes low-carbon policy work on the ground? Our guest, Weila Gong, is a visiting scholar at UC Davis's Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior and a nonresident scholar at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center. She has held fellowships at Georgetown, Harvard, and UC Berkeley School of Law, and brings more than a decade of experience studying the politics and policies of low-carbon energy transitions in China. Her work is timely. Despite being the world's largest carbon emitter, China has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, commitments that place it at the center of global climate cooperation and competition. We're recording this episode in November 2025 as COP30 unfolds in Brazil, and at a moment when China is stepping into a more assertive role as a climate-technology power. Chinese officials and firms increasingly frame the country's dominance in renewables, electric vehicles, and clean-energy supply chains as central to the global transition. Yet, as Gong's book shows, climate leadership is not only forged through clean technologies or in international negotiating rooms and national policy announcements. It is also built, often unevenly, across hundreds of cities and counties within China. At the heart of this variation, Gong identifies a pivotal group of actors: mid-level local bureaucrats. These officials function as “bridge leaders,” translating national directives into locally workable policies, mediating between political leadership changes, and sustaining experimentation over time. In doing so, they challenge top-down views of China's climate governance and reveal how bottom-up dynamics shape both domestic outcomes and China's role as a global climate leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies
This episode explores what China's subnational climate experiments tell us about the possibilities and limits of climate leadership in an era of intensified geopolitics. We discuss how China's domestic governance dynamics matter for international climate cooperation and competition, especially as Chinese actors become central in the global low-carbon transition. Thus, we turn our attention away from headline-grabbing climate summits and national pledges to examine the less visible, but often decisive, actors shaping China's low-carbon transition. Implementing a Low-Carbon Future: Climate Leadership in Chinese Cities (Oxford University Press, 2025), a new book by Weila Gong, opens the black box of subnational climate governance in China and asks: who actually makes low-carbon policy work on the ground? Our guest, Weila Gong, is a visiting scholar at UC Davis's Center for Environmental Policy and Behavior and a nonresident scholar at UC San Diego's 21st Century China Center. She has held fellowships at Georgetown, Harvard, and UC Berkeley School of Law, and brings more than a decade of experience studying the politics and policies of low-carbon energy transitions in China. Her work is timely. Despite being the world's largest carbon emitter, China has pledged to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, commitments that place it at the center of global climate cooperation and competition. We're recording this episode in November 2025 as COP30 unfolds in Brazil, and at a moment when China is stepping into a more assertive role as a climate-technology power. Chinese officials and firms increasingly frame the country's dominance in renewables, electric vehicles, and clean-energy supply chains as central to the global transition. Yet, as Gong's book shows, climate leadership is not only forged through clean technologies or in international negotiating rooms and national policy announcements. It is also built, often unevenly, across hundreds of cities and counties within China. At the heart of this variation, Gong identifies a pivotal group of actors: mid-level local bureaucrats. These officials function as “bridge leaders,” translating national directives into locally workable policies, mediating between political leadership changes, and sustaining experimentation over time. In doing so, they challenge top-down views of China's climate governance and reveal how bottom-up dynamics shape both domestic outcomes and China's role as a global climate leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on Sinica, I'm delighted to have Iza Ding as guest host. Iza is a professor of political science at Northwestern University and a good friend whose work on Chinese governance I greatly admire. She's joined by Deborah Seligsohn, who has been a favorite guest on this show many times. Deb is an associate professor of political science at Villanova University and was previously a science and environmental counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. This episode was recorded in three parts: the first two in Belém, Brazil during COP30 (the 30th UN Climate Change Conference), and the final segment after the conference concluded. Iza and Deb discuss China's role at the climate summit, the real story behind the famous 2007 U.S. Embassy air quality monitor in Beijing (spoiler: it wasn't China's "Silent Spring moment"), Brazil's management of the conference, why China leads on technology but not on negotiation, and what the outcomes of COP30 mean for the future of global climate cooperation. This is an insider's view of how climate diplomacy actually works, complete with unexpected fire evacuations and glut-shaming of The New York Times.3:43 – Deb's impressions of COP30 and Brazil's inclusive approach 9:21 – China's presence at COP30: technology leadership without negotiation leadership 15:34 – Xie Zhenhua's absence and the U.S.-China dynamic at previous COPs 24:46 – Inside the negotiation rooms: language, politeness, and obstruction 33:06 – BYD's presence in Brazil and Chinese EV expansion 40:54 – The real story of the 2007 U.S. Embassy air quality monitor in Beijing 45:00 – Fire evacuation at COP30 and UN territorial sovereignty 1:22:06 – What actually drove China's air pollution control: the 2003 power plant standards 1:41:27 – The dramatic final plenary and the Mutirão decision 1:55:17 – China's NDC 3.0: under-promise and over-deliver strategySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week, U.S. markets have been fuelled by AI-driven tech rallies and the increased hope for a December rate cut. But this will end a relatively flat month. Closer to home, the TSX is moderately up in November. And globally, market action has been recently lead by European recovery and Asian exports, also capping off a flat month. Today's episode features portfolio manager Hugo Lavallée, who keeps tabs on both US, Canadian and global equities, all through his contrarian lens. This makes him the ideal guest today to share his market thoughts, with December and 2026 just around the corner. Hugo manages Fidelity Greater Canada Fund, Canadian Opportunities Fund, Climate Leadership, and is underlying manager on Global Equity+. Recorded on November 26, 2025. At Fidelity, our mission is to build a better future for Canadian investors and help them stay ahead. We offer investors and institutions a range of innovative and trusted investment portfolios to help them reach their financial and life goals. Fidelity mutual funds and ETFs are available by working with a financial advisor or through an online brokerage account. Visit fidelity.ca/howtobuy for more information. For a fourth year in a row, FidelityConnects by Fidelity Investments Canada was ranked #1 podcast by Canadian financial advisors in the 2024 Environics' Advisor Digital Experience Study.
This week, we explore how music, storytelling, and environmental leadership are bringing our communities together. First, we'll hear from the Master Chorale's Outreach Committee about the power of choral music to connect people and inspire participation. Next, local author Chris Blake shares his journey of searching for meaning and connection in his new book, Searching for a God to Love. And finally, we'll talk with leaders from Cal Poly's Initiative for Climate Leadership and Resilience about their work to support regenerative agriculture and climate solutions through the Zero Foodprint program.
What is Brazil trying to achieve with COP30? It's Day Two in Belém and all eyes are on the host nation. Join Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac as they unpack how the country is shaping the first days of COP30 - and the quiet strategy behind Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago's leadership. With the release of the Call of Belém for the Climate, they explore what may be a masterstroke of multilateral diplomacy. And friend of the show Thais Bilenky joins us to break down how the early days of the summit are playing out in Brazilian media and on the streets of Belém.With the support of the Arapyaú Institute, this episode also turns the spotlight on Brazil's own climate progress. How is a nation, standing at the bridge between the Global North and the emerging Global Majority, using this moment of global attention to tell a new story: one defined by solutions, not sacrifice? We hear from Renata Piazzon, Director General of Arapyaú, whose mission is to reframe Brazil's climate story - showing the opportunity that lies in regeneration, restoration, and a thriving social bioeconomy. And Marina Silva, Brazil's Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, joins Christiana to share her call for an Ethical Global Stocktake - a reminder that sustainability is not only a way of doing, but a way of being.Learn more:
Send me a messageWhat if business, not politics, held the real key to ending the climate crisis?In this week's episode, I sit down with Rinaldo Brutoco, founder and CEO of the World Business Academy, to explore a radical but beautifully simple idea: that stakeholder capitalism - where companies serve people and planet, not just shareholders, can actually outperform the old profit-only model. Rinaldo's been proving it for decades, from helping shut down a dangerous nuclear plant in California to showing how responsible companies consistently beat the market.You'll hear how he believes we can replace 100% of fossil fuels in California within ten years, at lower cost than maintaining the current grid. We unpack why distributed microgrids could end blackouts and wildfires, how geothermal energy is finally having its moment, and why green hydrogen, done right, could power the next industrial era. You might be surprised by Rinaldo's blunt take on corporate inertia, his optimism about AI as a tool for truth (not hype), and his warning that business must act now or face a market collapse of its own making.This is one of those wide-ranging, perspective-shifting conversations that'll make you rethink who's really steering the energy transition, and why it has to be the private sector leading the charge.
We form a lot of different kinds of relationships in our careers. Some are transactional, and others are more personal. Drew Wilkinson, founder of the Climate Leadership Collective, makes the case that understanding the various natures of these relationships – and fostering as many as possible – can help both individuals and the planet. After working his way from musician to the leader of Microsoft's employee sustainability community, Drew now works as a consultant. He helps others grow the social ecosystems that will help us all thrive. Resources: If you're looking for a climate community, this list is a great place to start: https://www.climatedraft.org/resourcesHere are some of the communities Drew has been tapping into: Work on Climate: https://workonclimate.org/about-us/Project Drawdown: https://drawdown.org/aboutEmployee Climate Action Network: https://employeeclimateaction.network/You can learn more about Drew on his website: https://www.drewwilkinson.earth/And LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmartinwilkinson/The punk rock song you heard was Destroy All Calendars from Drew's band, Run with The Hunted. Check them out on Bandcamp here: https://runwiththehunted.bandcamp.com/Related episodes:How a punk-rocking paralegal harnessed employee power to green MicrosoftTransfer your skills to a green job with Work on Climate's Eugene KirpichovJob hunting? Visit our comprehensive Green Jobs Hub for job listings, networking resources, skills and certification information and more. Find climate professionals willing to connect on the #OpenDoorClimate Directory.Follow and rate Degrees on Apple, Spotify, CastBox, or your favorite listening app. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on green careers, upcoming episodes and more.Connect with Yesh Pavlik Slenk and Daniel Hill on LinkedInFollow up on social media:@environmental_defense_fund on Instagram@EnvDefenseFund on X@EnvDefenseFund on TikTokEnvironmental Defense Fund on LinkedIn***Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers is presented by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Yesh Pavlik Slenk and Daniel Hill are our hosts. Amy Morse is EDF's producer. Emily Shaw Creates is our production company. The Degrees production team includes executive producer Emily Shaw, producers Anna Van Dine and Gabby Bulgarelli, technical director Jacob Winik, and mixing engineer Aja Simpson. Our theme song is Shame, Shame, Shame from Yesh's favorite band, Lake Street Dive. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Ahead of COP30, Brazil is positioning itself as a leader of the climate agenda, while moving ahead with increasing ambitions in oil exploration. Can the host of the UN's convention against global warming strike a balance? Join the talk between Camila Fontana, deputy bureau chief of the Argus office in Sao Paulo, and Brazil news editor Lucas Parolin, who will be covering the COP30 in Belem in November.
Send me a messageIn this week's episode of the Climate Confident Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Gary Yohe, one of the world's leading climate economists, long-time IPCC author, and a member of the Nobel Peace Prize, winning IPCC team of 2007. Gary has spent over four decades shaping how we understand climate change, not just as an environmental issue, but as a fundamental risk management challenge.We explore his powerful framework: abate, adapt, or suffer. These are, he argues, the only three choices humanity has left, and crucially, some level of suffering is now unavoidable. Mitigation slows the pace of warming, adaptation reduces impacts, but neither can eliminate all risks. The insurance crisis unfolding in California and beyond shows what happens when climate risks become uninsurable, raising the threat of financial instability on a global scale.Gary also reminds us that climate decisions must be iterative. Policies cannot be fixed for 100 years; they must evolve as science, technology, and risk tolerance change. He illustrates this with striking examples, from New York's evacuation planning after Hurricane Sandy to San Francisco's flexible approach to sea-level rise.Yet, despite the scale of the challenge, Gary insists on hope, not blind optimism, but the conviction, as Václav Havel wrote, that action makes sense regardless of outcome. It's this perspective that has kept him, and many others, working relentlessly on solutions for over 40 years.If you want to understand why climate change is ultimately a risk management problem, why insurance, finance, and resilience are inseparable, and why hope is a strategy we can't do without, this episode is essential listening.Podcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Ben Gross Jerry Sweeney Andreas Werner Stephen Carroll Roger Arnold And remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.ContactIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show. CreditsMusic credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper
Send me a messageIn this episode of the Climate Confident Podcast, I sit down with Tom Day from the NewClimate Institute to unpack one of the thorniest issues in corporate climate action: credibility. Over the past few years, big tech companies and multinationals have rolled out bold net zero pledges, but how much of it is substance, and how much is smoke and mirrors?Tom argues that offsets, once seen as a solution, have become a dangerous distraction. Instead of reducing their own emissions, too many firms hide behind carbon credits and creative accounting. We discuss why greenhouse gas accounting, while essential, is riddled with blind spots and loopholes that allow companies to look greener on paper than they are in reality.The conversation digs into the tech sector specifically, where energy demand from data centres and AI is skyrocketing. While firms like Google and Microsoft have pushed promising practices such as 24/7 renewable matching, others continue to claim progress by buying certificates far removed from the grids they actually use. We also ask the tough question: should software and cloud services that help fossil fuel companies extract oil and gas more efficiently really count as climate leadership?From supply chain decarbonisation and product circularity to the future role of carbon removals, Tom challenges us to demand more transparency and honesty from corporate climate strategies. If we want tech, and business at large, to play a meaningful role in a 1.5°C world, we need to move beyond glossy PR and focus on genuine transitions.The Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor 2025 that Tom referenced in the episode is available here.Podcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing subscribers: Jerry Sweeney Andreas Werner Stephen Carroll Roger Arnold And remember you too can Subscribe to the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one, as well as give you access to the entire back catalog of Climate Confident episodes.ContactIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show. CreditsMusic credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper
Czy odpowiedzialny biznes to oksymoron? Czy firma, która w swoich strategiach uwzględnia ESG (wpływ na środowisko, społeczeństwo i sposób zarządzania w kontekście zrównoważonego rozwoju) to "frajer biznesu"? Czy unijne "regulacyjne tsunami", które miało wymuszać proces dekarbonizacji, ochronę bioróżnorodności i zamknięcie obiegu materiałów okaże się jedynie "regulacyjną mżawką"? Zapraszam na rozmowę z prof. dr hab. Bolesławem Rokiem, który kieruje Centrum Badań Przedsiębiorczości Pozytywnego Wpływu w ALK oraz studiami podyplomowymi „Perspektywa ESG. Odpowiedzialne i zrównoważone zarządzanie”. Jest też współautorem Rankingu Odpowiedzialnych Firm i Startupów Pozytywnego Wpływu, współtwórcą programu Climate Leadership powered by UN Environment i uczestnikiem licznych projektów z zakresu neutralności klimatycznej biznesu, GOZ i ESG.Jeśli doceniasz moje treści, rozważ proszę wsparcie tego kanału:Postaw mi kawę na https://buycoffee.to/odpowiedzialnamoda Dołącz do Patronite: https://patronite.pl/odpowiedzialnamodaKup moją książkę "Odpowiedzialna moda" (wydawnictwo Znak) - dostępną także jako e-book i audiobook. Instagram: @odpowiedzialnamodaPodcastu Odpowiedzialna Moda można słuchać także w aplikacjach: m.in. na Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor i EmpikGo.
In this episode, we reflect on how science diplomacy can bridge divides and build trust across regions. Today's crises, characterized by rising conflicts, climate change, mass displacement, and growing science denial, are deeply interconnected, with ripple effects felt across the globe, from the Arctic to the Himalaya–Third Pole. In this age of division, collaboration across borders and disciplines is more important than ever.Joining us for this conversation are:M Ravichandran, Secretary at the Ministry of Earth Sciences of IndiaJean Lemire, Envoy for Climate Change and Northern and Arctic Affairs of the Government of QuébecJan-Gunnar Winther, Pro-rector for Research and Development at UiT The Arctic University of NorwayPema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD - International Centre for Integrated Mountain DevelopmentH.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue, former Prime Minister of Iceland, and moderator of this panel.This conversation was recorded live at the Arctic Circle India Forum, held in New Delhi on May 3–4, 2025, and is part of the Polar Dialogue.Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org
Can climate advocates continue without basic economic security? The answer, unsurprisingly, is no. Mauricio Porras, co-founder of HERO - a groundbreaking platform providing basic income to climate activists worldwide and TEDx speaker- explains the economics of climate action. He unpacks the importance of reimagining activism, strategies to fund frontline climate leaders, and how to build bridges between communities. His goal is simple, develop a counterforce to the political lobbyists that work for people.
“How do we get people in the tent to even hear the story? With ‘Living with Ed' and other projects, we were a family they could identify with. We were yelling, laughing, loving each other while talking about real issues. I represented the average person's perspective on issues like taking the subway. There's the funny, and there's the conflict. If it's not entertaining, it's not going to connect.” Rachelle Begley on Electric Ladies Podcast Culture wars around climate change do more harm than good. As climate-driven extreme weather events become more frequent, proposed cuts to climate-related programs at the federal, state, or corporate level, pose a growing threat to public safety. The climate crisis is a safety issue – this isn't political. Fresh from The Earth Day Women's Summit at Earthx2025, listen to a live recording of a panel moderated by Joan Michelson about how we can find common ground in a climate crisis. Hear from women who have successfully bridged culture, politics and platforms to reframe conversations around the climate crisis. You'll hear from Inna Modja, Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, on humanizing climate migration. Rachelle Carson Begley, Actor and Environmentalist, on engaging through entertainment. Hayden Begley, Content Creator, on using social media to engage diverse audiences. Chelsea Henderson, Director of Editorial Content at RepublicEn, on bridging the political divide, and who also shares insightful career advice, and… Joan Michelson, host of Electric Ladies Podcast “Playing into your interests and strengths is important. It's become a bit of a cliché to say, ‘Do what you love, and everything will fall into place,' because it's not that easy. I try not to say no to opportunities. Instead, I try to say yes more and engage with other women, because women are incredible at supporting one another. Leaning into that support system – hearing about the pitfalls, the challenges, what was hard, what was easy – is invaluable.” Chelsea Henderson on Electric Ladies Podcast You'll also like: Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer of Michigan, on how the state leverages the Inflation Reduction Act to increase climate resilience and drive growth. Chelsea Henderson, Director of Editorial Content at RepublicEn, on bridging the partisan divide on climate. Daniella Ortega, Director of “Carbon: An Unauthorized Biography”, on communicating non-preachy climate messages Courtney Bickert, social innovator and comedienne, on how comedy could help us solve today's biggest problems. Joan Michelson's Forbes article on Communicating Creatively On Climate To Save Lives Read more of Joan's Forbes articles here. More from Electric Ladies Podcast! JUST LAUNCHED: Join our global community at electric-ladies.mykajabi.com! For a limited time, be a member of the Electric Ladies Founders' Circle at an exclusive special rate. Elevate your career with expert coaching and ESG advisory with Electric Ladies Podcast. Unlock new opportunities, gain confidence, and achieve your career goals with the right guidance. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, articles, events and career advice – and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio and Spotify and leaving us a review! Don't forget to follow us on our socials Twitter: @joanmichelson LinkedIn: Electric Ladies Podcast with Joan Michelson Twitter: @joanmichelson Facebook: Green Connections Radio
Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha's top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: The significance of noted green banker Mark Carney's new role as Canadian Prime Minister; what's at stake as US climate policy heads to the courts (06:41); and, why one impact fund manager says low-income customers are more profitable – and has the data to prove it (12:25)Story Links:"Canada puts a green banker in charge of its response to Trump,” by Amy Cortese and David Bank.“EPA raises the stakes in battle over $20 billion in green bank grants,” by Amy Cortese and Isaac Silk.“Climate United carries legal banner in battle for the green bank,” by David Bank and Amy Cortese."Elevar Equity says low-income customers are more profitable – and has the data to prove it," by Shefali Anand.
Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha's top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: The significance of noted green banker Mark Carney's new role as Canadian Prime Minister; what's at stake as US climate policy heads to the courts (06:41); and, why one impact fund manager says low-income customers are more profitable – and has the data to prove it (12:25).Story links:"Canada puts a green banker in charge of its response to Trump,” by Amy Cortese and David Bank.“EPA raises the stakes in battle over $20 billion in green bank grants,” by Amy Cortese and Isaac Silk.“Climate United carries legal banner in battle for the green bank,” by David Bank and Amy Cortese."Elevar Equity says low-income customers are more profitable – and has the data to prove it," by Shefali Anand.
Send me a messageIn this episode of Climate Confident, I sit down with Jenny Morgan, author of Cancel Culture in Climate, to explore how public shaming and polarisation are holding back real progress on climate solutions.We already have the tools and technologies needed to reduce emissions, yet fear of criticism—whether from activists, media, or the public—often paralyses businesses and leaders. Jenny explains how cancel culture leads to three major pitfalls:Greenwashing – Overstating sustainability efforts to avoid backlash.Greenhushing – Staying silent about genuine climate initiatives to escape scrutiny.Green recanting – Companies reversing climate commitments due to heightened pressure.Rather than tearing down imperfect efforts, Jenny advocates for empathetic accountability—holding organisations to account while keeping the door open for progress. We discuss how companies like Patagonia and Allbirds have embraced transparency over perfection, and how social media can be both a force for good and a major obstacle to climate communication.Key takeaways:✔ Why fear of being “called out” prevents meaningful climate action.✔ How businesses can regain trust after sustainability missteps.✔ Practical strategies to foster productive climate conversations.Tune in to rethink how we approach climate accountability—and why working with people is more effective than working against them.
In this episode of Alternative Power Plays, hosts Alan Seltzer and Elizabeth Rosentel, a senior advisor in Buchanan's state government relations group, interview Pennsylvania State House Representative Greg Vitali, who has dedicated decades to environmental and energy issues. As the first legislator in Pennsylvania to introduce climate change legislation and propose a severance tax on natural gas, Representative Vitali shares his journey from community environmental activism to chairing the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. This episode covers the challenges and opportunities in advancing renewable energy policies, as well as the political dynamics of Pennsylvania's energy landscape. The trio explore community solar, net metering, electric vehicle infrastructure, and the changing demand for electricity. Representative Vitali emphasizes the obstacles posed by bipartisan governance, the influence of industry and labor unions, and the urgent need for climate action in light of evolving federal and state dynamics. To learn more about Pennsylvania State House Representative Greg Vitali: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=210 To learn more about Alan Seltzer, visit: https://www.bipc.com/alan-seltzer To learn more about Elizabeth Rosentel: https://www.bipc.com/elizabeth-a.-rosentel
In June of 2019, New York signed into the law the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) to help address climate change. This was furthered by Governor Hochul's Executive Order 22: which directs state agencies to adopt a sustainability and decarbonization program. On this episode of The DOT POD, we welcome in someone who is helping to lead the charge, New York State Department of Transportation's Assistant Commissioner for Sustainability, Carolyn Ryan. Josh and Anya had a chance to talk with Carolyn about her office, and the critical role they play in helping to achieve New York State's lofty climate goals.
Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about the dwindling prospects of Oregon landing more tech jobs, our new city leaders' stance on much-needed climate action, and our city starting to tow vehicles without notice. Joining host Claudia Meza on this week's Friday news roundup are Portland Business Journal reporter Malia Spencer and our very own executive producer, John Notarianni. Discussed in Today's Episode: Oregon's Chance for Semiconductor Hub Diminished by Trump Victory, Intel Tension with Biden Administration [Oregonian] One Last Chance for Hillsboro and Oregon To Win Big Tech Lottery With Trump's Influence Shrinking Our Chances [Hillsboro Herald] Will a Fresh Batch of City Leaders Transform Portland's Climate Leadership? [Portland Mercury] Portland's Impending Environmental Disaster [City Cast Portland] State Puts Hold on Zenith Energy's Controversial Air Permit Process in Surprise Move [Oregonian] PBOT Starts Towing Vehicles Without License Plates or VINs Without Warning [OPB] Become a member of City Cast Portland today! Get all the details and sign up here. Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448. Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram. Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 15th episode: MUBI - You can start streaming for 30 DAYS FREE at mubi.com/citycast Habitat for Humanity Portland Region ReStores Forrit Credit Union Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha's top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: Previewing next week's Agents of Impact Call (RSVP NOW!) The search is on for global climate leadership at COP29-- and women are front and center. How hospitals are partnering with community lenders to invest in the social determinants of health Plus, a look at some of our top deals of the week.
Zero is in Baku, Azerbaijan, where delegates and heads of state from around the world have gathered for COP29. Can a petrostate make a summit on decarbonization a success? And how much will the election of President Trump damage the US's credibility on climate– and set negotiations back? Akshat Rathi tells producer Mythili Rao what's in store in the two weeks ahead, and COP29 President Mukhtar Babyaev explains how Azerbaijan is trying to make the summit a success, despite concerns that NGOs and protesters will have limited access to the proceedings. Plus, Columbia University's Jason Bordoff explains how the US's role in climate diplomacy is about to change. Explore further: Past episode with Avinash Persaud about the big fights about finance expected at this COP Past episode about a play dramatizing COP3, the 1997 Kyoto summit Past episode about the achievements of COP28 in Dubai Zero is a production of Bloomberg Green. Our producer is Mythili Rao. Special thanks this week to Siobhan Wagner, Blake Maples, and Ethan Steinberg. Thoughts or suggestions? Email us at zeropod@bloomberg.net. For more coverage of climate change and solutions, visit https://www.bloomberg.com/green.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Send me a messageHere's a deep dive into sustainable IT with Ralph Loura, co-founder and Chairman of SustainableIT.org. In this episode, Ralph shares his journey from CIO to sustainability advocate and outlines why the tech industry must take accountability for its environmental impact. We cover the unique role of technology leaders in driving sustainability, tackling issues like e-waste, energy overuse, and the soaring environmental cost of AI.Ralph introduces SustainableIT.org's mission, which goes beyond carbon reduction. The organisation focuses on creating frameworks and standards for sustainable IT practices, encouraging tech leaders to adopt efficient, ethical, and green strategies in their operations. We also discuss their work on “sustainable AI,” a concept that pushes for energy-conscious AI applications by minimising resource consumption and carbon output.A key highlight of our chat was Ralph's practical advice for IT leaders navigating sustainability amidst growing regulations. He emphasises balancing AI's promises with its power demands and urges CIOs to consider long-term impacts on communities and the planet. Plus, Ralph discusses the importance of metrics, recommending KPIs that go beyond compliance to reflect real, measurable impact.If you're interested in practical steps to make tech greener and more responsible, you'll find this episode insightful. You can check out SustainableIT.org and download their white paper on sustainable AI for more resources.Support the showPodcast supportersI'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing supporters: Lorcan Sheehan Jerry Sweeney Andreas Werner Stephen Carroll Roger Arnold And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one.ContactIf you have any comments/suggestions or questions for the podcast - get in touch via direct message on Twitter/LinkedIn. If you liked this show, please don't forget to rate and/or review it. It makes a big difference to help new people discover the show. CreditsMusic credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper
Welcome back for a special bonus episode of A Matter of Degrees! In this episode, we are taking a look back at our live conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris. Since we are once again at a pivotal moment for the climate, we wanted to kick off our new season by looking back at this incredible climate leader who has played a key role in getting us where we are today. We are excited to share this inspiring conversation with you one more time… “We must understand that we are in a very specific moment in time, and this window is going to shut on us. But it doesn't have to shut on us, if we act.” — Vice President Kamala Harris on A Matter of Degrees Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, we had the honor of joining Vice President Harris live in San Francisco for a conversation about climate leadership, justice, and solutions. She underlined the critical importance of the current moment, and the need to act with urgency in service of what's still possible. This episode covers a lot of ground, from electric school buses and job creation to the direct link between reproductive justice and climate justice. Vice President Harris shares her personal motivation for doing environmental work, and explains what the Biden-Harris administration is doing on the policy front. Leah cites this academic study on the intergenerational impacts of prenatal exposure to air pollution and points us to a tool for calculating EV and heat pump rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act. Katharine references the Pentagon's 2014 report describing climate change as a “threat multiplier.” We hope you find the conversation informative and inspiring. Fun fact, this is our first appearance in front of a live audience!