January 11, 2024

Episode 526: Investment in an Age Where Climate is Disrupting the Planet

53 minutes

In This Episode

2023 was the hottest year on record in terms of temperature. ESG, sustainability, clean tech / green tech and corporate responsibility have been hot topics. Are we at war with climate? This week we feature Brett King's recent sit down in Bangkok, Thailand with former banker, fintech investor and now venture capitalist, Paul Ark, with The Radical Fund, an early-stage VC fund investing in founders who are delivering climate resilience for Southeast Asia. Where are investment dollars going? Climate mitigation (how to prevent the world from getting warmer) and climate adaptation (dealing with a warmer world) and what it means for infrastructure resilience and food insecurity, to name some areas of concern, are top of mind. Climate is a complex systemic issue and requires a buffet of technologies to address, improve and help us reclaim our environment. It's an enlightening conversation with The Futurists!

Read the entire transcript here.

Podcast Content:

Chapter 1: [00:00] Welcome and Setting the Stage

Brett King introduces the episode and shares the significance of discussing climate disruption and sustainable investment strategies.

Chapter 2: [03:00] A Journey Through Asia and Venture Capital

Brett and guest Paul Ark discuss his background in Asia, his work at Apple, and his transition to venture capital with a focus on sustainability.

Chapter 3: [15:45] Southeast Asia's Economic Growth and Stability

Paul reflects on Southeast Asia's delayed economic growth trajectory and its current potential for sustainable development investments.

Chapter 4: [28:20] Forecasting the Future: From Apple Retail to Clean Tech

A look at how Paul's experiences in Apple retail informed his methodology for evaluating long-term opportunities in climate and green tech ventures.

Chapter 5: [40:15] Mitigation vs. Adaptation in Climate Investment

Paul explains the global focus on climate mitigation, the underinvestment in adaptation, and the need for more balanced funding strategies.

Chapter 6: [55:30] The "Pearl Harbor Moment" for Climate Action

The hosts debate what will trigger a global mobilization for climate efforts, comparing climate change's urgency to wartime efforts.

Chapter 7: [01:10:00] Climate Tech and the Future of Humanity

Exploring potential technologies like geoengineering, regenerative agriculture, and circular economies to counteract climate challenges.

Chapter 8: [01:25:00] Radical Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Paul shares insights into his Radical Fund's mission to promote inclusive climate solutions, particularly integrating gender perspectives.

Chapter 9: [01:40:30] Optimism Amidst Challenges

Closing with hope, Brett and Paul discuss how technological innovation and collective action can pave the way for a brighter future.

Chapter 10: [01:55:00] Outro and How to Stay Connected

Brett wraps up the episode with information on how listeners can follow Paul Ark and learn more about the Radical Fund.