Inevitable

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is Kula Bio, its mission, and what it has developed
• The importance of nitrogen as an ingredient in fertilizer and agriculture
• The drawbacks and consequences of the Haber-Bosch process
• Kula Bio’s unique fertilizer and how it addresses carbon emissions
• The microbial process of developing the proprietary fertilizer
• Profile of customers, to which Kula Bio is catering
• Kula Bio’s value proposition to farmers
• Benefits of organic nitrogen-based fertilizer vs. synthetic
• Origins of Kula Bio’s technology in the Harvard Labs
• Kula Bio’s commercial traction and milestones
• The adjacent opportunities and long-term vision of the company
• Bill’s perspective on scaling and financing Kula Bio
• Insights and learnings derived from speaking with hundreds of farmers
• The impact on climate change of Kula Bio’s technology
• Bill’s reflection on his long-career as an entrepreneur and operator
• Bill’s view on making impact vs. profits
• How the economic viability of a climate solution is critical
• Why impact is an important motivation for entrepreneurs
• Bill’s retrospective on “Cleantech 1.0” and where it stumbled
• The role of family offices as a source of long-term financing for clean tech ventures
• How investor attention now focuses on specific milestones and pragmatic considerations
• The importance of education and the need to improve STEM as a solution to address climate change
• Bill’s perspective on nuclear as an important solution that should be scaled
• Bill’s recommendation on finding purpose-driven opportunities, regardless of your background or stage of life

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Kula Bio: https://www.kulabio.com/
• Haber-Bosch Process: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_process
• Carbon sequestration: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_sequestration
• Prof. Dan Nocera of Harvard: https://chemistry.harvard.edu/people/daniel-g-nocera
• Samuel Bodman, CEO of Cabot Corporation and former Energy Secretary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Bodman

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

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• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is CalPERS, its origins and its mission?
• How its priorities and concerns about climate change is rooted in its fiduciary responsibility to pensioners current and future
• Anne’s career at CalPERS and early work focusing on corporate governance
• What CalPERS learned from the 2008 financial crisis and how it informs its perspective and priorities regarding climate change
• CalPERS’ ten “Pension Beliefs” that define its investment strategy
• How being a longterm investor is both an advantage and a responsibility
• Avoiding the curse of short-termism and how simply following the money isn’t sufficient
• How CalPERS views types of capital beyond the financial
• How Anne developed a strategy for sustainable investment
• CalPERS’ top three sustainability factors (diversity & inclusion, demographics and climate change)
• The role CalPERS plays as a climate change advocate
• How it leverages its shareholder position to influence companies to be in accord with The Paris Agreement
• Research done to better understand the portfolio’s contributions to emissions
• Work performed to assess climate-risk among CalPERS’ assets
• The fund’s emissions commitments over the next thirty years
• The double-edged sword of divesting from companies not meeting climate goals

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• CalPERS: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/
• CalPERS Pension Beliefs: https://www.calpers.ca.gov/docs/board-agendas/201702/pension/item7-01.pdf
• Climate Action 100+: http://www.climateaction100.org/
• The Investor Agenda: https://theinvestoragenda.org/

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

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• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Ken’s journey from making money on Wall Street to making meaning as a scientist
• The perceived “information deficit” problem in public policy
• How Ken distinguishes his role as a concerned citizen from his work as a scientist
• How getting past social identities is a major challenge to effecting change
• Bill Gates’ support and patronage of Ken’s work
• The various climate change research, pursued by Ken’s post-doc graduate students
• The prospect and viability of a 100% renewable energy model
• Bill Gates’ notion of a “green premium”
• Carbon pricing solutions
• The problem of split-incentives
• The viability of geoengineering as a solution
• The need to reframe the problem and solutions to make it palatable for social acceptance

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Caldeira Lab at the Carnegie Institution: https://carnegieenergyinnovation.org/
• Steve Schneider: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Schneider
• The Charney Report (1979): https://www.bnl.gov/envsci/schwartz/charney_report1979.pdf
• Manoela Romano De Orte: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/mromano
• David Koweek: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/dkoweek
• Yixuan Zheng: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/yxzheng
• Enrico Antonini: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/eantonini
• Candise Henry: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/chenry
• Rebecca Peer: https://dge.carnegiescience.edu/people/rpeer
• Variable renewable energy source (“Intermittency”): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_renewable_energy
• Prof. Mark Jacobson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Z._Jacobson
• Advanced Research Projects Agency: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• KoBold’s team and its business
• Why cobalt is known as the “goblin metal”
• The collaboration of software engineering, data science and mineral exploration at KoBold
• KoBold’s “machine prospector”
• Kurt’s journey to taking action on climate change
• Why cobalt makes for a good ingredient in batteries
• Why cobalt is known as the “blood diamond of metals”
• KoBold’s technology and the “messy data problem”
• KoBold’s business model
• Investment from Equinor and reconciling working with an oil and gas company

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• KoBold Metals: https://www.koboldmetals.com/
• Connie Chan’s announcement of Andreessen Horowitz’ investment: https://a16z.com/2019/03/04/kobold-metals/
• Equinor: https://www.equinor.com/en.html

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is Deep Isolation and how it’s addressing the issue of nuclear waste disposal
• The half-a-century history of nuclear waste
• Genesis of Deep Isolation and Elizabeth’s earlier work founding Berkeley Earth
• Directional drilling as a solution for long-term storage of nuclear waste
• Partnerships with communities
• Pollution studies performed by Berkeley Earth
• The opportunity of using impermeable rock
• The importance of being able to retrieve waste stored in drill-holes
• How the issue of consent by a community underpins the solution
• The pros and cons of Yucca Mountain as a long-term storage plan
• Partnership with Bechtel
• How it serves governments and utilities differently
• The gamut of storage solutions used globally
• Stages of going to market
• Deep Isolation’s funding to date and sources of capital
• Where it sees opportunities in terms of future financial partners
• Stakeholders in the nuclear waste space
• Engagement with environmental groups

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Deep Isolation: https://www.deepisolation.com/
• Berkeley Earth: http://berkeleyearth.org/
• Directional drilling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directional_drilling
• Borehole disposal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_borehole_disposal
• Yucca Mountain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_Mountain_nuclear_waste_repository
• Bechtel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechtel

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• The NAACP, its history and mission
• Why climate is integral to promoting civil justice and equity
• Climate change’s disproportionate impact on communities of color
• Examples of how the NAACP is taking action from a climate perspective
• Jacqueline’s journey that led her to climate justice
• Her role at the NAACP in addressing climate issues that affect vulnerable groups
• The intersectionality of the issues posed by climate change
• NAACP’s climate priorities

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• NAACP’s Environmental & Climate Justice Program: https://www.naacp.org/issues/environmental-justice/
• “Waxman Markey Bill”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Clean_Energy_and_Security_Act
• Cancer Alley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_Alley
• Democracy Initiative: http://www.democracyinitiative.org/
• Democracy Collaborative: https://democracycollaborative.org/
• Move To Amend: http://www.movetoamend.org/
• Citizens United: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens_United_v._FEC

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is Blueprint Power and how its unique business model works
• Who’s its customers and what is their need
• How her early-career at Google was a springboard into a career in energy
• The genesis and inspiration behind Blueprint Power
• The current state of the renewable energy sector
• The role of the energy grid and its stakeholders
• How Robyn initially validated market demand for Blueprint Power
• Blueprint’s current geographic footprint and market focus
• How recent regulatory developments have served as a tailwind for the business
• The perspective of executives at commercial property firms with respect to renewable energy
• The current role of incumbent utility companies
• Blueprint’s customer traction to date
• The contributions Blueprint is making in combatting climate change
• The challenges and evolution of raising venture capital as an energy startup
• Squaring both impact and profit motives
• Aspects of Blueprint’s business that appealed to traditional VCs
• How Robyn sees a significant opportunity in clean water
• How regulatory speed remains one of the biggest bottlenecks
• Robyn’s thoughts on those seeking to transition their career to the climate space

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Her journey from Geologist to Historian of Science
• The genesis of her climate change awakening
• What led to her seminal book on climate change, “Merchants of Doubt”
• How the science showing fossil fuels impact on climate change go way backHer work inspiring the movie, "An Inconvenient Truth"
• The foundational work of Prof. Ben Santer, proving climate change
• How the fossil fuel industry led a disinformation campaign, intent on discrediting climate scientists
• Her views on how the fossil fuel industry is not a reliable partner in combatting climate change in this day
• Why science should be trusted by the public
• The significance of consensus in science
• Remaining topics of climate change debate within the scientific community
• How public policy changes is not in the domain of science
• How the challenges with climate change are not within the science or technology but within policy and politics
• Why nuclear is not a viable solution to climate change

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• “Merchants of Doubt”: https://www.merchantsofdoubt.org/
• “Why Trust Science”: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691179001/why-trust-science
• Roger Revelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Revelle
• Charles David Keeling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_David_Keeling
• Prof. Ben Santer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_D._Santer
• James Hansen's 1988 Congressional Testimony on Climate Change: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hansen#US_Senate_committee_testimony

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is Elemental Excelerator
• Dawn’s journey to climate change
• Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative
• Applying the startup accelerator model to energy and clean tech
• Investing focus and criteria
• Holistic support for portfolio companies
• Geographic focus for its projects
• Sources of funding for Elemental Excelerator
• Purpose of pilots
• Coaching support

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

Elemental Excelerator: https://elementalexcelerator.com/

Emerson Collective: https://www.emersoncollective.com/

Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative: http://www.hawaiicleanenergyinitiative.org/

CarbonCure Technologies: https://www.carboncure.com/

Zero Mass Water: https://www.zeromasswater.com/

Cyclotron Road: https://www.cyclotronroad.org/

Trove (f.k.a. Yerdle): https://www.trove.co/

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In today’s episode, we cover:

• What is Carbon Tracker and what’s it role in the financial markets?
• How fossil fuels and carbon emissions play into the valuation of stocks, etc.
• How Carbon Tracker influence investors and their strategies
• The investment risk associated with not factoring in climate change
• The meaning and examples of a “stranded asset”
• How the energy transition to cleaner technologies can disrupt incumbent industries to the detriment of investors
• How inertia continues to drive the construction of fossil fuel infrastructure
• Asset reallocation as the primary lever in Carbon Tracker’s strategies
• Kingsmill’s prognosis of the fossil fuel industry
• Allocating out of the “losers” than allocating into the “winners”
• Kingsmill’s journey to working on energy-transition financial strategy
• Fossil fuel incumbents, friend or foe to the climate change movement?

Links to topics discussed in this episode:

• Carbon Tracker: https://www.carbontracker.org/
• Carbon bubble: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_bubble
• Unburnable carbon: https://www.carbontracker.org/terms/unburnable-carbon/
• Stranded assets: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranded_asset

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant