84: Lee Frelich Explores Forest Ecology: Fires, Wind Storms, & Climate Change
Dr. Lee Frelich discusses his journey in ecology, the impact of earthworms on Minnesota forests, and the feasibility of planting a trillion trees with Matt Matern. He emphasizes reducing CO2 emissions and improving forest management to combat climate change and preserve Minnesota’s biomes.
83: Jordan Ramer on Revolutionizing EV Charging Infrastructure with EV Connect
Jordan Ramer, CEO of EV Connect, discusses improving EV charging infrastructure. He highlights the need for more stations, partnerships, and government incentives. Ramer envisions decentralized fueling and significant industry growth with an exceptional user experience.
82: Kate Williams Discusses 1% For The Planet’s Global Environmental Efforts
Matt Matern and Kate Williams, CEO of 1% For The Planet, discuss their mission for businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental causes. With $435M certified in 20 years and 5,500 members, she highlights Patagonia’s purpose trust and the Planet Impact Fund for climate impact.
81: Kathleen Merrigan and Mauro Guillen on Sustainable Food Systems
Matt speaks with Kathleen Merrigan and Mauro Guillen. They discuss the importance of organic agriculture, behavioral changes, and the role of businesses in combating climate change. They stress the need for faster adaptation and clearer regulations.
80: U.S. Department of Energy’s Patrick Gilman on Decarbonizing the Grid
Matt Matern talks with DOE’s Patrick Gilman about wind energy, its role in decarbonizing the grid by 2035, and integrating hydrogen for storage. Key goals: 30GW offshore wind by 2030, 15GW floating wind by 2035. Focus on community benefits and environmental impacts.
79: Solar Advances with Garrett Nilsen: DOE’s Vision for the Future
Matt Matern interviews Garrett Nilsen, Deputy Director of the DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office. They discuss ambitious solar goals, new tech like perovskites, integrating solar with the grid, and agrivoltaics. Garrett emphasizes immediate solar investment and DOE’s role in innovation and cost reduction.
78: Andy Marsh: Steering Plug Power to a Hydrogen-Fueled Future
Matt talks with Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh about evolving from Bell Labs to leading a green hydrogen revolution.
77: Jigar Shah’s Vision for a Greener Energy Sector
Jigar Shah, Director of the DOE’s Loan Programs Office, discusses financing clean energy projects, hydrogen storage, small modular reactors, and virtual power plants. He emphasizes reducing investment risks and the need for a diverse energy mix to ensure resilience and sustainability.
76: From EPA to Forward Party: Christine Todd Whitman’s Political Journey
Governor Christie Todd Whitman speaks with Matt Matern about the Forward Party, promoting democracy, open primaries, and ranked-choice voting. She reflects on her time at the EPA, advocating for a diverse energy mix and competent government workers. Join the Forward Party for practical solutions!
75: Jay Famiglietti Discusses Agriculture’s Role in California’s Water Crisis
Matt Matern interviews Jay Famiglietti about California’s worsening water crisis, emphasizing prolonged dry periods and excessive agricultural use. Jay calls for efficient practices, a national water strategy, and better industry water accounting. Urgent action is needed.
74b: From Sea Ice to Glaciers: Reflective Technology’s Impact
Matt Matern discusses glacier melt solutions with Dr. Leslie Field, Dr. Soumitra Das, and Dr. Subarna Bhattacharyya. They highlight Dr. Field’s reflective material, climate modeling, and a November climate concert to raise awareness and funds. Global cooperation is essential.
74: Michelle Moore on “Rural Renaissance” and Clean Energy Solutions
Matt Matern interviews Michelle Moore about “Rural Renaissance.” Moore, CEO of Groundswell, discusses community solar, energy efficiency, and local engagement in clean energy. She highlights local heroes and stresses the importance of local actions for climate goals.
73: Bill Nussey: Clean Energy Entrepreneur & Author of “Freeing Energy”
Matt Matern interviews Bill Nussey, author of “Freeing Energy.” Bill discusses the disruptive potential of small-scale solar systems, the need to reduce regulatory barriers, and the economic benefits of rooftop solar, envisioning millions of new jobs.
72: Mark Z. Jacobson: Pioneering a Renewable Future, One City at a Time
Matt Matern speaks with Dr. Mark Jacobson about renewable energy and climate policy. Jacobson advocates for 100% renewables by 2051, critiques nuclear power, and champions CO2 control and green technologies for a sustainable future.
71: Mike Barnard Discusses HVDC and The Future of Electric Grids
Michael Barnard of The Future Is Electric discusses his journey from tech to climate solutions. He emphasizes wind, solar, and storage over nuclear power, highlights HVDC’s potential for electricity transmission, and critiques hydrogen’s inefficiencies, advocating for battery advancements.
70: Jay Sinha, Co-Founder of Life Without Plastic
Matt Matern interviews Jay Sinha, co-founder of Life Without Plastic. Jay discusses the dangers of plastics, especially endocrine disruptors, and offers practical tips for reducing plastic use. He calls for stronger regulations and highlights the potential of bioplastics. #UniteAndHealAmerica #LifeWithoutPlastic
69: Ocean Conservancy’s Anja Brandon on Reducing Single-Use Plastics
Guest host Harry Artin talks with Anja Brandon, PhD, from Ocean Conservancy, about California’s SB 54. The bill aims to reduce single-use plastics by 25% in 10 years, cutting 23 million tons of waste. Anja emphasizes policy change and individual actions to fight plastic pollution.
68: Empowering Change: Brett Walter’s Climate Action Now App
Guest host Max Sloves interviews Brett Walter from Climate Action Now. Brett discusses his app that mobilizes public demand for climate action, emphasizing the urgency of the crisis. He encourages collective action through the app’s million messages campaign.
67: Dr. George Crabtree: Revolutionizing Energy Storage for a Greener Future
Guest host Corey Bennett interviews Dr. George Crabtree from Argonne National Laboratory about energy storage advancements. They discuss alternatives to lithium-ion batteries and the urgency for innovation driven by the Paris Accords.
66: Carolyn Dennett Exposes Shell’s Environmental Inaction
Carolyn Dennett, ex-Shell Oil consultant, left after 11 years due to Shell’s inaction on climate change. Frustrated by their continued oil and gas expansion, she urges companies to transition to sustainable practices. Dennett calls for collective action and praises Extinction Rebellion’s advocacy.
65: Inside Argonne Lab: Dr. Amgad Elgowainy on Hydrogen Breakthroughs
Matt Matern and Dr. Amgad Elgowainy of Argonne National Laboratory discuss developing hydrogen and electrification technologies. Argonne, funded by the Department of Energy, aims to produce hydrogen at $1/kg by 2031. The $8B Hydrogen Hubs initiative supports clean energy efforts.
64: Hydrogen Fuel: A Game Changer for Brian Goldstein’s Energy Independence Now
Matt Matern speaks with Brian Goldstein, director of Energy Independence Now (EIN), on hydrogen technology’s potential over batteries due to metal scarcity. Goldstein discusses California’s leadership, federal and state support for hydrogen, and the need for balanced climate solutions.
63: Renee Grogan, Chief Sustainability Officer & Co-Founder at Impossible Mining
Matt Matern interviews Renee Grogan from Impossible Mining about seabed mining. Renee emphasizes the need for sustainable practices and strong regulations, highlighting the critical need for metals for a green economy and the depletion of terrestrial resources.
62: Farming Our Future with Peter Lehner: A Climate Crusade
Matt Matern and Peter Lehner discuss agriculture’s role in global emissions, critiquing EPA estimates and highlighting methane from livestock. Proposes reforms and kelp feed to reduce impact.