Invested In Climate

Today’s episode focuses on what’s perhaps the easiest way for you to help move billions of dollars out of fossil fuels. That’s right, I said “you,” “billions of dollars,” and “easy,” all in the same sentence. The surprising answer to this riddle is your 401k—and a young company called Sphere. 

In this episode of Invested in Climate, I have a fascinating conversation with Sphere CEO and Founder Alex Wright-Gladstein, a serial entrepreneur who’s making it easy for everyday people and companies of all sizes to divest their 401ks from fossil fuels. I think you’ll learn a lot from this episode and walk away with a really easy and impactful action to take. 

• [2:35] When Alex realized her life’s work was to protect the planet
• [6:05] Learn more about Sphere and the problem it works to solve
• [10:30] Is divesting money from fossil fuels having an impact? 
• [15:11] What do you need to do to get started? 
• [16:04] Are climate-friendly 401k options more expensive? 
• [18:41] Details about the Sphere 500 Fossil-Free Index Fund
• [22:34] Raising awareness for fossil-free investing
• [25:49] Who is currently working with Sphere?
• [27:03] How to change investments in a 401k with a past employer 
• [29:32] Other investment strategies you should consider
• [32:04] Actionable ways Alex is making strides in other areas
• [34:32] Why you should focus on creating infrastructure change

• Ayar Labs
• Oursphere.org
• As You Sow
• Fossil Free Funds
• Marilyn Waite’s blog with link to green banks
• Ayana Elizabeth Johnsson’s venn diagram for climate action
• How University of California Decided to Let its Employees Divest from Fossil Fuels
• Learn more about Atmos Financial
• How to Save a Planet podcast

• Connect on LinkedIn

• https://InvestedInClimate.com 
• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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William “Bill” McDonough pioneered the green architecture field, creating buildings that create more energy than they use, clean their own air and water, and create habitats for native wildlife. His book and work on the “Cradle to Cradle” approach spread the idea that waste equals food, helping to spark the circular economy movement. 

Bill has won two presidential awards and was recognized by Time Magazine as a hero for the planet. Fortune ranked him #24 of the world’s 50 greatest leaders. He brings sage wisdom and poetry to this conversation. Are you ready to push the boundaries of your thinking?

• [3:29] A unified philosophy that is changing the design of the world
• [10:48] The balance between humility and ambition in design
• [11:40] How the climate movement has evolved
• [16:05] The tools Bill is using today
• [19:36] Net zero is a good place to start
• [23:56] Tangible steps you can take to make a difference 
• [26:07] Design is the first signal of human intention 
• [33:34] How do you get new ideas to spread?

• Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
• The Forest Partnership
• Walker Evans

• Bill’s website
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on Twitter

• https://InvestedInClimate.com 
• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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Jason Scott has been recruiting his coworkers at Google to directly support climate startups as both mentors and investors. Jason is also a partner at ANIM, an early-stage venture fund. He’s built funds and accelerator programs for Google including accelerators for black-led, women-led, and climate-focused companies.

He’s also launched the Black Angel Group as a way to take advantage of investing in climate tech companies and have a tangible impact on climate change. It’s also a great opportunity to learn from and collaborate with others. He shares numerous practical insights in this episode of Invested in Climate. 

• [4:12] Learn all about Google's climate accelerator
• [8:17] How Google helps startups get to the next level
• [11:40] How to be considered for future accelerators
• [12:47] Jason’s experience recruiting volunteers from within Google
• [16:36] How Jason supports climate tech startups through angel groups
• [21:16] What it’s like to be a member of Jason’s collective
• [23:02] The intersection between climate and underrepresented founders
• [25:41] Why now is the time to invest in a climate-focused startup
• [29:04] Learn about Jason’s global digital-first entrepreneurship fund
• [31:43] How to get involved in Jason’s endeavors
• [33:18] Ways to create positive change around issues you care about

• BlocPower™
• https://startup.google.com/
• AngelList

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Black Angel Group
• ANIM

• https://InvestedInClimate.com 
• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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Jamie Beck Alexander argues convincingly that to mitigate climate change, every job must be a climate job. What does that mean? You have to recognize the influence you have no matter your role, industry, or the level you’re at in your organization. You can be part of what’s driving change: a movement of committed employees who help their companies do more to address climate change. 

As the founding Director of Drawdown Labs, Jamie helped develop the “Climate Solutions At Work” guide and provides hands-on support to dozens of companies. In this episode of Invested in Climate, Jamie shares some tangible steps we can each take to accelerate progress. 

• [3:20] The mobilization of talent toward climate change jobs
• [5:23] Learn more about Project Drawdown and Drawdown Labs
• [8:31] The private sector’s role in addressing climate change
• [12:38] Jamie’s mantra: Every job must be a climate job
• [14:24] Learn about the “Climate Solutions at Work” guide
• [21:50] How to hold companies accountable to their green initiatives 
• [28:02] The impact of the Drawdown Project’s workshops
• [30:53] How to influence the organization you work at
• [32:43] How you can make an impact in all areas of your life

• Climate Solutions at Work Guide
• Changing Company Culture Requires a Movement, Not a Mandate
• SEC Proposes Long-Awaited Climate Change Disclosure Rules
• Jamie Beck Alexander’s TedX Talk
• Amazon Employees for Climate Justice
• Doughnut Economics

• Project Drawdown
• Drawdown Labs
• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on Twitter

• https://InvestedInClimate.com 
• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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Most people don’t put that much thought into where they bank. Do you? Do you choose a bank because it’s convenient? Is it simply somewhere your family has always banked? Do you look for the best interest rates? You probably haven’t considered how your bank invests the money you deposit in your savings or checking account(s). The majority of big banks are investing your money into fossil fuels.

Today’s guest—Ravi Mikkelsen—is the founder of Atmos Financial, a bank that ensures your deposits only fund climate-positive investments like renewable energy projects. Switching banks may sound like a hassle, but it’s likely easier and far more impactful than you think. In this episode of Invested in Climate, Ravi shares how Atmos Financial works and how you can make an impact with your money. 

• [3:11] What led Ravi to found Atmos Financial 
• [7:11] How Ravi navigated some bumps in the road
• [10:40] Lean how Atmos Financial works
• [15:50] Why should you consider Atmos Financial? 
• [18:34] Does divestment from fossil fuels make a difference?
• [20:34] Most people don't think twice about where they bank
• [26:28] Learn the ins and outs of banking with Atmos Financial
• [29:58] How the debit card works (cashback + roundup program) 
• [32:10] Why they have the ability to offer higher savings rates
• [33:55] How to get started with Atmos Financial
• [35:32] What else can listeners do to invest in climate?
• [41:15] What’s happening next with Atmos Financial

• Funding the Transition: A Tale of Two Banks
• Net-Zero Banking Alliance
• Carbon Collective
• Newday Impact Investing
• Etho Capital
• Change Finance
• Premiums for the Planet
• Climate Changemakers
• Environmental Voter Project

• Atmos Financial
• Connect with Ravi on LinkedIn
• Follow Ravi on Twitter

• https://InvestedInClimate.com 
• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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Can you imagine a time in the future when decarbonizing the economy and protecting the planet are such important priorities that half of all jobs are oriented toward climate issues? It’s hard for us to picture right now, but it’s the compelling vision of two startup founders, Anshuman Bapna and Kamal Kapadia.

Their company, Terra, offers education and community for the fast-growing climate workforce. Their insights into the explosion in climate work is valuable on a number of levels and I’m excited to bring them to you on this episode of Invested in Climate.

• [1:50] The vision of decarbonizing the economy and protecting the planet
• [3:08] How environmental concerns became a passion for Kamal and Anshuman
• [5:16] The workforce problems the team at Terra is working to solve
• [13:25] The support of a collaborative community in the opportunities Terra provides
• [19:50] Transitioning individuals from other industries into the climate space
• [22:43] Opportunities for anyone to create courses or experiences for the community
• [31:12] How climate issues impact every role within every company
• [36:26] The largest concerns Kamal has revolve around the issue of scale
• [38:11] A conscious tension exists between climate concerns and lifestyle choices
• [43:53] What you can do to take action for the sake of climate change
• [47:51] Personal strategies each guest implements to stay focused and renewed

• https://Terra.do - company website
• Anshuman on LinkedIn
• Kamal on LinkedIn
• Terra on LinkedIn
• Terra on Twitter
• Terra on Instagram
• Terra on Facebook

• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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The vast majority of people in the United States are frustrated with lawmakers' lack of action when it comes to climate policy. They want the government to fund renewable energy research, regulate CO2 emissions, and take other climate-positive measures. Yet the “Build Back Better” bill remains stuck in Congress. The country’s ability to meet its climate change commitments is uncertain at best.

So I sat down with Sean Kosofsky—the executive Director of the Climate Advocacy Lab—to learn about the state of climate advocacy in the US. The Climate Advocacy Lab is a community of over 3,000 climate advocates, organizers, researchers, and data specialists. They use evidence-based research to help climate advocates across the country run smarter and more effective campaigns. Sean has been part of several successful movements and has great insight into accelerating progress on the climate policy front. Listen in for a deep and passionate conversation about climate advocacy. 

• [3:10] How Sean got involved in climate advocacy
• [5:17] Learn all about the Climate Advocacy Lab
• [6:45] Why does climate advocacy matter?
• [8:53] The current state of climate advocacy 
• [10:55] The climate change wins from the Biden presidency
• [13:38] Senator Joe Manchin III blocking the Build Back Better Act
• [16:51] How to move past climate change being a political issue
• [19:04] Hope for the Justice40 Framework
• [21:23] The impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on climate initiatives 
• [23:14] The impact of local politics on climate change initiatives
• [25:13] What climate advocates can learn from other movements
• [27:58] Key challenges in the climate advocacy movement
• [29:42] What can listeners do to make an impact? 
• [35:17] What Sean is doing in his personal life to support climate advocacy 

• New York Times: How Joe Manchin Aided Coal, and Earned Millions
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
• The Justice40 Initiative
• Fridays for Future
• Sunrise Movement
• Sierra Club
• 350.org 
• Grist

• Learn more about the Climate Advocacy Lab
• Connect with Sean on LinkedIn
• Follow Sean on Twitter

• https://InvestedInClimate.com 
• On LinkedIn
• On Twitter

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Invested in Climate hosts conversations with leading thinkers to help our listeners find the right ways to do more to address the climate crisis through five categories of action: Work, Investments, Learning, Lifestyle and Activism.

People everywhere, communities, governments and all sectors of the economy are mobilizing to address climate change. The scale of this global action is unprecedented. Never before have so many people dedicated so much energy, creativity and capital to addressing a shared, global threat. Will it be enough? What else is needed? And, most importantly, what can you do?

We all have a part to play, so let’s go.

http://investedinclimate.com