Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

Here’s the second half of our series on Texas. If you missed the first one, it might be handy to go back listen first.

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Part 2: "Trading Places"

Quentin “Q” Scrimshire (MODO Energy)

Q discusses why Texas, particularly Austin, is becoming a major hub for energy storage and renewables. Modo Energy is a B2B SaaS platform helping battery storage owners maximize returns through benchmarking and revenue forecasting.

Why Texas?

Leading the U.S. in battery storage, Texas was the logical choice for Modo’s U.S. expansion. Austin's tech-friendly culture, lower living costs, and grid under ERCOT played key roles.

Challenges Ahead:

Despite fast renewable growth, Texas' energy market faces political challenges, with anti-net-zero rhetoric clashing against renewable energy's economic reality.

Hailey Eustace (Commplicated)

Hailey shares her experience working with the Texas governor’s office, spotlighting Texas’ strategic deep tech and climate tech investments that have made it a leading climate hub.

The Role of Policy:

Public-private partnerships have been crucial to driving innovation, with early SpaceX investments laying the groundwork for Texas’ tech boom.

Global Appeal:

As an angel investor, Hailey continues to back companies looking at Texas for their U.S. base, highlighting Austin’s central location, ecosystem, and talent.

Q’s Catalysts:

Ray Dalio’s Principles: Quentin uses Dalio’s systematic approach to decision-making to ensure his company’s success.

Jim Rickards: His insights into monetary economics help Q navigate investment and energy markets.

The Smiths (Morrissey): Morrissey’s music gives Quentin inspiration and calm amid startup chaos.

Listen now and subscribe to Wicked Problems for more climate tech conversations at WickedProblems.earth.

Links:

• MODO Energy
• Hailey Eustace (Commplicated, LinkedIn)

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If Texas, oil and gas capital of America, doesn’t come to mind as a climate tech and clean energy hub, you need to get right. Thankfully we’re here for you. Texas has been a magnet for European climate tech startups and scaleups looking to set up shop in the US. Not just for decent music and food, but because (despite Elon Musk’s relocation there) it’s putting innovation on steroids.

With the US election looming in less than three weeks, if you’re feeling glum about the prospects for continued progress on climate solutions in the US if things go…a certain way, take heart. Texas didn’t become the US leader in wind, solar, battery, and energy market design because hyper conservatives like Ted Cruz want to save the sky. It’s the all-American motive of making that bag. So there are plenty of things that founders, regulators, policymakers, and people framing narratives around climate could learn a lot from.

In this episode - which subscribers at wickedproblems.earth received first, so sign up! - we look at Texas's remarkable shift into a leader in renewable energy and a magnet for technology companies. The discussion covers the surprising rise of wind and solar projects in the state, which has led to significant economic growth, despite its conservative political backdrop. The migration trend from San Francisco to Austin, driven by favorable tax policies and a pro-business environment, is also explored.

Journalist Kelly Eisen and Michael Lee, CEO of Octopus Energy U.S., share insights on the complexities of Austin's tech culture, and Texas's energy market dilemmas.

Highlighting innovations in energy efficiency, load flexibility, and future expansion plans, the conversation underscores Texas's pioneering role in transitioning to a decentralized and resilient energy grid. The episode emphasizes the challenges and opportunities within Texas's ambitious energy landscape and concludes with a preview of upcoming industry voices.

In Part 2, coming out soon, we bring you Quentin 'Q' Scrimshire, co-founder and CEO of battery storage software Modo Energy who moved from the UK to Austin, TX to spearhead his company's US expansion. And former Austinite Hailey Eustace, now in the UK, co-founder of the advisory firm Commplicated and with a history of helping fund early-stage companies in Texas like SpaceX, shares insights on the big chasm in startup culture between the UK and US.

But if you sign up at wickedproblems.earth you don't have to wait, and can hear all episodes ad-free as well as our whole 85-episode back catalogue of shows.

00:00 That's Right You're Not from Texas (Ep 1)

01:27 Intro

08:15 Kelsey Eisen, journalist

24:01 Michael Lee, CEO Octopus Energy USA

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Rupert Read, co-director of the Climate Majority Project and Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at University of East Anglia.

We mentioned his role in amplifying a piece by Jonathan Leake in the Telegraph, which quoted IPCC jefeJim Skea, and the headline of which piece said he was calling time of death on the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5C.

Skea actually said, "1.5°C is slipping away"— a phrase he notes is usually associated with moment when a person is slipping away from life.

Rupert argues that it's time to admit this failure, embrace the psychological impact, and use it to build momentum for the next phase of the climate struggle. This isn't about giving up; it's about moving beyond the impossible and starting to take adaptation, loss, and damage seriously. Together, we dive into the implications of this hard truth, the resistance from within the climate community, and what happens once we stop pretending we can hold the line at 1.5°C.

Some key points from our conversation include:

* 1.5°C as the Maginot Line: Read compares the climate community’s adherence to the 1.5°C target to France’s ill-fated defense strategy during World War II. Like the Maginot Line, holding on to 1.5°C when it has already been breached does more harm than good by distracting from more realistic and necessary action.

* Admitting Failure, Unlocking Power: Read emphasizes the need to acknowledge failure as a turning point. He references his viral 2018 talk, This Civilization is Finished, which resonated because it wasn't about false hope—it was about truth, grief, and the courage to move forward together. Facing the reality of 1.5°C's loss could catalyze a powerful shift in climate action.

* Why Not Everyone Wants to Let Go: Throughout our conversation, we explore the reluctance from key figures in the climate establishment to publicly admit that 1.5°C is gone. Fear of triggering widespread despair or "doomerism" keeps many leaders in line with the 1.5°C goal, but Read counters that the real danger lies in continued denial, not in accepting reality.

* The Moral Case for Honesty: In addressing what Read calls the "noble lie" stratagem, he argues that the climate establishment’s reluctance to tell the truth may be well-intentioned, but ultimately, it's misguided. Instead, he advocates for a new narrative—one rooted in courage, collective responsibility, and shared resilience.

* Minutes to Midnight: As we edge closer to climate disaster, Read likens our current moment to the final minutes before midnight, where decisions made now will determine the fate of future generations. He believes that accepting we’ve passed the point of no return on 1.5°C is the wake-up call humanity needs to mobilize on adaptation and loss and damage at scale.

As always, we aim to spark difficult conversations, and this episode is no exception. It’s an honest, sometimes uncomfortable, but necessary discussion about where we are in the climate fight—and where we need to go next. Rupert’s insights are invaluable for anyone grappling with the reality of our climate crisis and looking for a path forward that doesn’t rely on false hope, but on actionable truth.

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In this special post-New York Climate Week episode, we dive deep into the takeaways from one of the most significant global gatherings on climate action. Joined by two thought leaders in the climate tech space—Colin Mahoney, communications strategist and founder at Mahoney Communications, and Ted Dillon, COO at Clean Energy Ventures—we reflect on how the week unfolded and what it means for the future of climate innovation and policy.

Key Highlights:

• New York Climate Week 2024 Vibe: Ted and Colin share their experiences hosting major events, engaging with industry insiders, and observing key shifts in climate tech discourse. They reflect on how adaptation and the complexities of funding climate solutions dominated discussions this year.
• Adaptation Takes Center Stage: Colin highlights a noticeable rise in conversations about climate adaptation—preparing for the climate impacts we can no longer avoid. This marks a significant shift from previous years where mitigation took precedence.
• Financing Challenges and Opportunities: Ted discusses the ever-present issue of scaling climate solutions, focusing on the missing middle of financing between early-stage investment and full-scale commercialization. What needs to change for groundbreaking technologies to get the capital they need to cross the “valley of death”?
• Tackling the ESG Backlash: The guests explore how the political rhetoric against ESG investments is impacting climate tech fundraising. Despite the pushback, Ted and Colin argue that ESG and impact investment principles are more crucial than ever in driving capital to the right places.
• Real Talk on Toxic Positivity: Colin responds to critics like Amy Westervelt who argue that New York Climate Week has a tendency to overlook the grim realities of climate change. He offers a candid take on how positivity is sometimes necessary to stay motivated in the face of overwhelming climate challenges

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In this episode, host Richard Delevan dives into the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton and why it’s time for North Carolina to sue Big Oil for damages. Joined by Richard Wiles from the Center for Climate Integrity, we explore how oil majors fueled the climate crisis and intensified storms like Helene. We argue that to win in court—and in public opinion—North Carolina must shift the narrative, hold Big Oil accountable, and move beyond cautious rhetoric around 1.5°C - which we discuss with Joe Lo from Climate Home News. The stakes couldn’t be higher: the future of climate action depends on it.

00:00 Helene, Milton, and the End

01:27 Intro

08:39 Interview with Richard Wiles, Center for Climate Integrity

34:42 World Weather Attribution Presser

39:00 W hy is 1.5 hard to talk about?

01:00:44 EarthSet event with Semafor's Prashant Rao, CCC's Sophie Vipond, Oxford Net Zero's Matilda Becker & Carbon Tracker's Mark Campanale

01:05:54 Outro

Links to some guests and things discussed in this episode:

Center for Climate Integrity

Joe Lo at Climate Home News | BlueSky | Twitter

World Weather Attribution project

Earth Set

Prashant Rao, Semafor

Carbon Tracker

Oxford Net Zero

Climate Change Committee

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In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan interviews author Stephen Markley about his book 'The Deluge,' which explores the impacts of the climate crisis on society and politics through a narrative spanning 30 years. The conversation delves into Markley's experiences and challenges while writing the novel, including its eerie real-world parallels and feedback loops in human behavior driven by climate change. They discuss how Markley uses literary fiction to depict complex human responses and radicalism's role in both social movements and reactionary politics. Key elements of 'The Deluge' include ideas like a progressive carbon tax and managed retreat, providing a platform for innovative policy discussions. The conversation also touches on climate-related technology and the importance of addressing unintended consequences, all while maintaining the book's realism. Markley shares insights from his interactions with influential climate figures, inspirational resources, and the critical task of mobilizing for effective climate action.

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In this episode of Wicked Problems, a guest contributor - chief demon Screwtape - praises Senator JD Vance's climate responses in a recent vice-presidential debate, Screwtape elaborates on how Vance used emotional appeals, subtle racism, and misdirection to deflect from critical issues.

00:00 Introduction to Wicked Problems

00:08 Climate Change in the Vice-Presidential Debate

00:44 JD Vance's Response and Misdirection

01:32 Screwtape's Analysis of Misdirection

02:26 Emotional Appeal as a Shield

03:38 Subtle Racism and Division

04:47 Clean vs. Dirty Economy

06:10 Creating an Illusion of Agreement

07:18 Replacing Complex Truths with Simple Half-Truths

08:14 Reframing the Debate with Economic Patriotism

09:13 Casting Doubt Through Opponent's Inconsistency

11:13 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Tim McDonnell of Semafor discusses the shifting dynamics of climate and energy policy in both the US and the UK. As political leaders struggle to balance energy security, climate action, and public perception, they explore the "green hush" happening in campaign messaging—why politicians are avoiding direct references to climate change and how this could impact both policy and public engagement.

The Green Hushing Phenomenon:

• "Green hushing" has emerged as a tactic in political campaigns, with politicians framing climate policy in terms of jobs, economic growth, and energy independence rather than climate impacts. Tim discusses how this strategic messaging shift might resonate with voters, particularly those in swing states like Pennsylvania.

The UK's Conservative Party and Climate Policy:

• Turning to the UK, they explore how political leaders such as Robert Jenrick are echoing skeptical stances on net zero commitments, driven in part by a broader conservative narrative of climate action as an economic burden. Richard and Tim highlight the similarities between messaging in the UK and the US, examining how climate denial has evolved into opposition to climate costs.

Climate Messaging in Campaign Ads:

• The duo analyzes recent campaign ads from environmental coalitions like the League of Conservation Voters and Environmental Defense Fund, which conspicuously avoid mentioning climate change, instead focusing on cost-of-living issues and corporate accountability. What does this say about the perceived salience of climate as a campaign issue?

Implications of the "Dog That Didn't Bark":

• Richard and Tim reflect on the broader implications of the absence of climate discourse in the political spotlight, particularly in light of recent natural disasters in the Southeastern United States. They question how this "silence" may impact public awareness, climate activism, and ultimately, policy effectiveness.

Transatlantic Messaging Echoes:

• The conversation also touches on the global nature of climate messaging, with the same rhetoric appearing across the US, UK, and even other parts of Europe. They discuss the role of think tanks and political alliances in propagating these talking points.

Key Moments:

• [00:03:00] - Introduction: Recap of the DNC and the notable absence of direct climate messaging.
• [00:10:20] - Tim McDonnell on the “green hushing” approach in Kamala Harris’ campaign.
• [00:19:50] - The UK's Conservative Party and skepticism around net zero: Comparing US and UK narratives.
• [00:28:30] - Richard shares insights on climate campaign ads and their strategic avoidance of climate language.
• [00:37:45] - Recent climate disasters in the Southeastern US and the “silent” climate policy response.
• [00:45:15] - Outro reflections: The need for direct climate discourse in politics.

Subscribe:

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This episode of 'Wicked Problems,' hosted by Richard Delavan, delves into the catastrophic potential impacts of climate change, particularly focusing on the possible shutdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and its global repercussions. Featuring insights from Dr. Anatol Lieven from the Quincy Institute, the discussion explores the tangible risks posed by climate tipping points, such as radical shifts in weather patterns, economic hardship, and political instability. The conversation extends to potential migration crises triggered by these environmental changes, illustrated by real-world examples like severe flooding in the US and UK this week. The episode also criticizes the politicization of climate science and examines the ramifications of defense and security policies, especially concerning the U.S. under a future Trump administration.

Bonus segments for subscribers include some highlights from New York Climate Week including Stefan Rahmstorf of Potsdam Institute, talking about the worrying evidence of AMOC. And we analyse a surprising speaker for the New York Times to invite to Climate Week: Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, regarding climate skepticism and the impact of policies like Project 2025 on global climate and political dynamics.

10:42 Dr Anatol Lieven and AMOC

38:56 Climate Week Bonus - AMOC

44:01 Slightly Deranged Kevin Roberts Takes

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In this two-part episode, host Richard Delevan digs in on critical minerals with Jeremy Wrathall, the founder and CEO of Cornish Lithium. As the UK and other nations navigate their climate goals, we explore how companies like Cornish Lithium are developing sustainable, domestic sources of lithium and other critical minerals essential for the green energy transition. With the recent Labour Party conference and discussions around industrial strategy, this conversation couldn't be more timely.

And we bring back our panel including Ben Cooke, Earth Editor at The Times, Freya Pratty from Sifted, and Ben Kilbey of BOLD VOODOO for insights into policy, energy infrastructure, and the broader European context.

Key Segments:

[00:02:14]

Jeremy explains why Cornish Lithium’s designation as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project is crucial, and how the company aims to supply lithium for EV batteries and grid-scale energy storage.

[00:04:07]

The discussion turns to the broader lithium market, its fluctuations, and the role of UK and European supply chains, especially after challenges faced by companies like Britishvolt and Northvolt.

[00:11:37]

Jeremy and Richard discuss future innovations in battery technology, including solid-state batteries and the importance of securing local, low-carbon sources of critical minerals like lithium.

[00:15:24]

Jeremy touches on the need for governmental support in de-risking critical mineral investments, comparing UK policy to the US Inflation Reduction Act.

[00:18:15]

Insights into European supply chains, partnerships, and the strategic importance of lithium beyond the UK.

[00:26:00]

Richard is joined by Ben Cooke (The Times), Freya Pratty (Sifted), and Ben Kilbey (Bold Voodoo) to analyze Labour's climate policy, UK battery supply chain challenges, and Northvolt's recent setbacks.

Links and Resources:

• Cornish Lithium: Learn more about the company Jeremy Wrathall leads, which is driving the UK's critical mineral extraction efforts. Cornish Lithium
• The Times Earth Summit: Join Ben Cook and other experts in London for an in-depth look at climate and energy policy. Register for The Times Earth Summit
• Sifted: Freya Pratty’s coverage of climate tech startups and subscribe to her Climate Tech newsletter. Sifted.eu

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