Altitude

David Hodgson, a former designer of computer games, is using his systems design expertise to support ecosystem regeneration strategies in Central and South America.  He explains the origins of the concept and why we so desperately need more of it.  The advancement of creative financing mechanisms and communication about these solutions are developing and will further support greater ecosystem restoration around the world. 

S2G Ventures is investing from soil to shelf in the sustainable food & agtech industries, finding where innovation can drive healthier and more environmentally conscious food choices. Aaron Rudberg, Managing Director sits down with us to tell us the motivation behind their investing strategy, how they tell the difference between a trend and a fad, and where they see this market going.

Paul Seidler, Managing Director of Clean Energy Trust, sits down to explain the 501(vc) model and investment thesis behind CET and the role that CET's early-stage investment plays in accelerating clean tech solutions.  He tells us about some of the most promising companies in CET's portfolio, the technological innovation he is most excited about, and where he sees the fund headed the next 2-3 years. 

Join us for a conversation with the Rodale Institute, the pioneers of the organic standard, and the people behind the longest running field trials of organic versus conventional agriculture.  Their work has helped shape the present and future of chemical-free agriculture, and now they are setting their sights on proving the links to carbon sequestration and human health.

Chad Reed of Blue Forest Conservation explains the concept of a Forest Resilience Bond, which is a new investment tool to incentivize proactive forest restoration, which can reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.  There are numerous ecological benefits associated with forest restoration, as well as job creation and protection of tourism, commercial, and insurance economic interests.

We sat down for a live conversation at Northwestern Law School with Eric Cohen, former associate regional counsel of the EPA Region 5, and Jane Montgomery, environmental attorney at Schiff Hardin to discuss EPA's new rule to regulate carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants, known as the Affordable Clean Energy Plan.  EPA promulgated this rule as a replacement for the Clean Power Plan, which was stayed by the Supreme Court two years ago.  Jane and Eric debate the pros and cons of the new rule and its likely impact.

Nicole Chavas, CEO of Greenprint Partners, shares how the company found an innovative financing structure to advance the installation of green stormwater infrastructure in urban cities across the US, and all of the benefits that go along with it: cleaner water, lower costs for water utilities, enhanced gardens and parks for residents, and habitat for birds and insects. All of that, plus a positive financial return, which makes Greenprint Partners an attractive option for impact investors. 

An author tells us how her personal health issues led her on a journey to discover the world of industrial agriculture, GMOs, pesticides, and herbicides, and learned about the potential side effects for human health.  Caitlin points out that many of the chemicals that Rachel Carson sounded the alarm about 50 years ago are still in uninhibited use across America, including 2-4-D, one of the major components in Agent Orange. The awareness that all of this stuff is at use in conventional farms presents us with an opportunity to choose organic, especially for our kids, and to tell everyone we know why. 

A geomorphologist explains the significance of healthy soil to the survival of civilizations throughout human history and the simple practices that can be adopted to rejuvenate soil health and reduce the need for chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. In addition to restoring soil health, regenerative agricultural practices can increase yields for farmers and reduce the need for labor and inputs. David gives some insight into how these practices are implemented across the world in different environments and climates.    Episode 9_This Is Regenerative Agriculture Show Notes   Guests David Montgomery, University of Washington Professor, Author Twitter: @dig2grow Website: dig2grow.com   Recommended Further Reading: Article: Junk Food is Bad for Plants Too Article: Trading biodiversity for pest problems   Episode Summary by the Minute:   Minute 00:00: Opening with Erin & Allyson Minute 3:00: Introduction to David Minute 7:00: David explains regegnerative agriculture

Sustainability strategy for businesses, universities, and organizations is not limited to green buildings anymore. Mike Stopka tells us about how he approaches sustainability holistically, by looking at an entire organization's footprint, what their brand is, how they define their objectives, and the values of their community, which results in a powerful cultural shift toward more environmentally conscious policies. He also explains how we have moved beyond LEED, and the gold standard being set by living buildings. Much of what's going on in this space is now focused on carbon drawdown, and innovation and creativity is driving new sustainability-driven businesses.

Sarah Nsikak, founder of Stone & Harper, tells us about why she started her sustainable and ethically focused clothing brand several years ago.  Cheap clothing products have hazardous chemicals in the end-product, which exposes its wearers to toxins, as well as the air and water impacted in the production process. Sarah also explains the design, sourcing, and different manufacturing processes she has explored in her efforts to bring something truly sustainable to consumers.  Fast fashion has become the norm in recent years, with manufacturers producing much more product than is ever actually used, typically with underpaid laborers, and leads to consumers buying more than they can wear, resulting in a culture of disposal and unnecessary waste.  Stone & Harper and other brands like Apiece Apart call for us to treat fashion and clothing as something intentional and a deliberate investment, but without totally segmenting this as an expensive path only available to the affluent. 

Locally Laid is a pasture-raised egg business! A book named for the farm was published in 2016 and described the Amundsens' crazy idea to start a pasture-raised egg farm from scratch, and do it successfully! Jason Amundsen tells us about his experience starting a business, the high barriers to entry, the difficulties in getting financing, and how hard it is to take care of chickens in a Minnesota winter. We also discuss the health benefits, the improved taste, and the improved outcome for the environment--basically pasture-raised eggs are a win-win. And there are ways to get them at reasonable prices, especially considering all of the hard work that went into growing them and doing it sustainably. Episode 6_Locally Laid Show Notes Guests Jason Amundsen of Locally Laid Farm Instagram: @LocallyLaidEggs Locally Laid, the book about his family farm, written by his wife, Lucie Amundsen Buy It on Amazon Book Website: www.locallylaid.com   Recommended Further Reading: Thank You for Being Late, Thomas Friedman

Mike Vandenbergh & Jonathan Gilligan explain the role of private governance in reducing carbon emissions even more since the US pulled out of the Paris Accord and how taking action now on climate is actually the best way to ensure small government intervention, how common misconceptions like idling your car and washing your hands with hot water can lead to unnecessary emissions, and the powerful impact we can all have by changing our behavior at home.    Show Notes   Guests Professor Jonathan Gilligan Check out his website at www.jonathangilligan.org More about Jonathan's background: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/ees/people/faculty/JonathanGilligan.php Find him on Twitter @jg_environ   Professor Michael Vandenbergh Email him at michael.vandenbergh@law.vanderbilt.edu https://law.vanderbilt.edu/bio/michael-vandenbergh   Their book: Beyond Politics Buy It on Amazon Book Website: www.beyondpoliticsbook.com Recommended Further Reading: www.beyondpoliticsbook.com/reading/ Jonathan Haidt

A paleoclimatologist from the University of Chicago explains the process of harvesting ice cores in Antarctica, how we use carbon isotopes to determine where carbon in the atmosphere is coming from, and what we can learn from the patterns in dust collection around the world and throughout history. Originally from Alaska, Sarah tells us about how her family and community is already experiencing the effects of climate change. She also gives us some perspective on the challenges women face in hers and other STEM fields and how each of us can adopt a zero waste mentality to reduce our impact on the planet.

Meet Ryan Harris, the founder of Earth Technologies and a former product designer for Nike, and hear how he has combined his dual passions for surfing and the design of high-performance athletic equipment. While learning about traditional surfboard manufacturing, he realized the big environmental downside --they're made out of toxic styrofoam, a conundrum for surfers dependent on a healthy ocean. Ryan has found sustainable suppliers, upcycled old boards, and now is turning his inorganic waste stream into organic soil with mealworms! He tells us the how, why, and all about his ongoing Kickstarter campaign.

Our guest Wayne Walker is driving private investment in conservation and species preservation through the development of species' mitigation banks around the United States. Wayne explains why mitigation banking is needed, how the development process works with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, and how these markets have developed following the stream and wetland mitigation banks under the Clean Water Act.  We discuss how mitigation banking can cut through the partisan divide when Common Ground Capital works with private farmers and ranchers to manage their lands for conservation in order to generate an additional revenue stream from the sale of mitigation credits. Wayne also explains how voluntary markets can drive change and a more suitable valuation of ecosystems. 

Daniel Menahem is a solar energy developer who has over 12 years of experience prospecting, developing and managing utility-scale solar and wind projects. On this episode, we talk about solar energy basics, the future of solar in the U.S., and the hurdles associated with marketing and development. In addition, we share an easy habit change you can implement to reduce your footprint on the planet: switching your electricity source at your home to renewable energy just by contacting your current utility provider.