The Green Hour

On today's episode of the Green Hour, we explore the dynamic world of events with a focus on sustainability with Anthony Dittmann, Founder of Kilowatt Events. Kilowatt Events is an industry leader, orchestrating high-profile events from televised sporting spectacles to red carpets. Acting as general contractors, they have an extensive client list that includes some of the most recognizable names in the entertainment and corporate worlds, such as the NFL and ESPN.

About the guest

Anthony Dittmann founded Kilowatt Events after a 15-year career leading event operations for ESPN. He has been recognized on BizBash's top 1000 people in the US event industry, specifically in the Sustainability and Social Responsibility category. Beyond Kilowatt Events, Anthony is a co-founder of Cerobins and the creator of a new sport called OmegaBall.

On today's episode of the Green Hour, we're delving into the intersection of nature and climate with Tim Christophersen, VP of Climate Action for Salesforce. In this episode, we delve into Salesforce's Nature Positive Strategy, exploring its initiatives in nature restoration and uncovering the company's contributions to the goal of growing 100 million trees by 2030 through its partnership with 1t.org. Additionally, we'll navigate Salesforce's comprehensive Climate Action Plan, touching on crucial aspects like emissions reduction, carbon removal, ecosystem restoration, education, innovation, and engagement with regulation and policy. Tune in for insightful conversations on carbon credits and science-based targets as we explore the landscape of sustainability and climate action.

About the guest: Within the global Impact Team, Tim is focused on the role of nature-based solutions to climate change. Before joining Salesforce, Tim was Head of the ‘Nature for Climate’ Branch at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and led a growing global movement backed by all UN Member States and over 120 partner organizations to ‘prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. Tim's career has been dedicated to navigating the intersection of nature and climate, striving to find solutions that simultaneously stabilize the climate and preserve our precious ecosystems.

On today's episode of the Green Hour, we're delving into the dynamic world of urban management in Atlanta, Georgia, with Public Works Commissioner Al Wiggins Jr. We explore the intricate challenges of waste collection, addressing illegal dumping, and the innovative solutions employed, including surveillance cameras and artificial intelligence. Commissioner Wiggins, a seasoned leader with a background in the United States Air Force and various roles in local government, will share insights into managing a $90M annual budget and a workforce of nearly 700 employees. Join us as we navigate the complexities of urban management, discovering the strategies and resilience driving the heartbeat of a major city, especially in the face of challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On today's episode of the Green Hour, we're learning about how the Honnold Foundation deploys solar energy to the most underprivileged areas of the world. Joining us is Peter Walle, Development and Communications Manager for the Honnold Foundation, a non-profit that provides grants to organizations advancing solar energy access all over the world.

The Honnold Foundation was founded by Alex Honnold, a world-renowned rock climber, best known for his historic free solo ascent of El Capitan captured in the Netflix Documentary "Free Solo". Through solar initiatives, the foundation strives to empower communities, foster climate resilience, and enhance environmental well-being on a global scale.

On today's episode of the Green Hour, we're learning about the creation of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Joining us is Paula Caballero, former Director for Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. Paula is recognized as having created the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals concept, which is considered to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.”

In this episode, we explore the vital importance of global goals in sustainable development, delving into the historical context and progress of global goals. We examine the Millennium Development Goals which were adopted in 2002, looking at their creation, minimalist fashion, and evaluate their success. Paula Caballero guides us through the evolution from MDGs to the groundbreaking idea of SDGs, discussing the challenges and key actors in their launch. Lastly, we explore the United Nations’ negotiation process as well as the form of informal diplomacy Paula used to help launch the SDGs.

On today's episode of the Green Hour, we're diving into the problem of food waste in the United States. Joining us is Justin Kamine, CEO of Do Good Foods, a company that produces sustainable meat by diverting food waste from a system of supermarkets to use as animal feed. Do Good Foods was ranked by Fast Company amongst the Top 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World; Kamine was also named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for Food and he has received the Clean Tech Equity Award presented by the Prince of Monaco.

In this episode, we explore the food waste problem in the U.S., its economic implications, and the environmental impact on climate change. We dive into Do Good Foods' closed-loop system, preventing waste and reducing emissions. Join us for a conversation on reducing food waste, combating climate change, and shaping a better future on this episode of The Green Hour.

On today's episode of the Green Hour, we're diving into the first newly constructed nuclear units to be built in the United States in more than 30 years. Joining us is Tim Echols, Georgia Public Service Commissioner. We explore the U.S.'s leadership in nuclear energy and the challenges faced during the construction of Plant Vogtle. We dive into the national security perspective and implications for the workforce and explore the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on the nuclear industry. Lastly, we look into the future of nuclear energy, considering lessons from Plant Vogtle and the potential of modular reactors.

On today's episode of the Green Hour, we're tackling the challenge of recycling in areas without proper infrastructure. Joining us is Ryan Smith, the Founder and CEO of Recyclops, a company that focuses on providing recycling services in areas with limited or no access to traditional recycling infrastructure. We'll delve into their mission to make recycling universally accessible through smart-routing and a gig-economy model. Recyclops is currently operating in 30+ states, bringing accessible recycling to over 1 million households! In 2022 alone, the company recycled over 6.5 million pounds of materials including cardboard, aluminum, plastic, and glass. Ryan’s success has earned him a spot on the prestigious Forbes 30 under 30 list for the Social Entrepreneur category.

Coming to you live from the Concordia Annual Summit in New York City with Andy Kireta Jr., President of the Copper Development Association. In this episode, we explore the critical role of copper in driving environmental innovation. From understanding why copper is an essential component in clean energy technologies to its impact on the electric vehicle industry, we'll uncover the intricacies of this multi-faceted metal. Delving into the challenges faced by the copper industry, we'll discuss regulatory hurdles, supply chain disruptions, and the need for efficient permitting processes. Join us as we navigate the dynamic landscape of copper's significance in promoting a greener and more sustainable future.