Climate on the Edge

In this episode of Climate on the Edge, I’m diving into a topic that’s been top of mind lately—what happens if the political winds shift, and we lose momentum on climate policy? With the election approaching, there’s a lot of talk about the potential rollback of the Inflation Reduction Act and what that could mean for climate infrastructure funding. I recently attended Voyagers’ Annual General Meeting, where industry experts discussed the resilience of climate tech companies in the face of political uncertainty, and it got me thinking.

One of the most interesting moments at the AGM was Nat Bullard’s presentation, where he highlighted how institutional predictions about renewables have consistently been wrong—renewables continue to grow exponentially. Even with concerns about reduced subsidies, other speakers made a strong case that the best climate companies can thrive on their own. They argued that while subsidies are helpful, they’re not the sole reason for success. So, when is it really safe for investors like us to dive into climate tech?

In this episode, I also take a look at the bigger picture when it comes to subsidies. Industries like oil, gas, and agriculture have benefited from billions in government support over the years, and climate tech should be no different. While some fear a shift in political power could direct subsidies back toward fossil fuels, I believe waiting for certainty could mean missing out on huge opportunities. We need to rethink how we view subsidies and invest in the companies building our future, regardless of political changes. Thanks for listening, and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Episode Resources

Nat Bullard’s website w/ links to past presentations: https://www.nathanielbullard.com/

Timestamps

00:00 The Election...

01:03 Insights from the Climate Tech Venture Fund Meeting

02:56 The Reality of Subsidies + Wild Statistics

09:15 Political Risks and Opportunities Ahead

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Supported by emrgnce - innovative minds exploring climate’s next frontier.

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In this episode of Climate on the Edge, host Susan Su sits down with Andrew Parker, founder and CEO of the Degrees Initiative, and a global leader in the field of Solar Radiation Management (SRM). Degrees uniquely focuses on SRM research for and by the Global South, and has pioneered groundbreaking research grants and initiatives from South Africa to Thailand.

This episode covers:

• Why SRM isn’t just a thought experiment, but a potential scientific and political lifeline for vulnerable regions in the Global South
• The Degrees Initiative’s groundbreaking efforts to empower researchers in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia
• The thorny ethical, political, and scientific challenges of governing an effort with global implications like SRM
• How SRM fits into a broader climate action framework and why the “moral hazard” critique doesn’t tell the whole story
• What the risk-risk framing of SRM tells us about how to proceed with its research and potential implementation
• A sneak peek at the Degrees Global Forum 2025 in Cape Town and how it could redefine the SRM debate

Andy brings over a decade of experience to this conversation, having been at the forefront of SRM research and governance since 2008. As the globe has continued to surpass climate thresholds and you've begun what's next and who should be involved, this episode will challenge your thinking.

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Supported by emrgnce - innovative minds exploring climate’s next frontier.

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Extreme heat is one of the deadliest—and least visible—threats of the climate crisis. In this episode of Climate on the Edge, we sit down with Anna Bershteyn, the driving force behind Project HEATWAVE at NYU Langone Health to look at the intersection of climate interventions and public health. Drawing from her background in global health systems and infectious disease modeling, Anna shares her team’s groundbreaking efforts to reduce mortality from extreme heat, a problem projected to threaten over a billion people this century.

We explore:

• How her research in HIV prevention led her to the frontlines of the climate crisis
• The gaps in evidence and understanding that hinder effective responses to extreme heat
• Innovative extreme heat interventions, from behavioral fixes to biomedical solutions to solar geoengineering
• The staggering complexity of preparing for a crisis that is both predictable and uncertain

Anna’s insights will challenge the way you think about climate adaptation and highlight the urgent need for global action. Whether you’re a policymaker, climate tech innovator, or just curious about how we can tackle the most pressing climate challenges, this episode is for you.

📌 Learn more about Project HEATWAVE

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for future episodes exploring frontier climate solutions

⭐️ Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

🌍 For more about the show and more information about episodes, visit Climate on the Edge and follow us on LinkedIn

Supported by emrgnce - innovative minds exploring climate’s next frontier.

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As a climate investor focused on energy transition and carbon dioxide removal, I've spent years understanding and supporting technologies that drive decarbonization. But lately I've grown concerned that our progress isn't happening fast enough. The urgency of our situation. Which has become very apparent has left me curious about what else is out there.

That's why I was so excited to speak with Kelly Wanser, Executive Director of SilverLining. SilverLining is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing climate risks through advancing research and equitable governance around solar radiation management. Kelly is an absolute powerhouse here and a true pioneer in this field. Our conversation will get into how SRM might work, where it's at today, what's needed to advance the field and why organizations like SilverLining and its backers believe that it should advance.

We'll explore the economic and practical aspects, including concerns about SRM's affordability and the actual, very real logistical challenges of deploying any form of SRM responsibly on a global scale. Kelly is one of the world's most influential figures on SRM and climate intervention beyond emissions reduction. I hope this conversation is as thought-provoking for you as it was for me.

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Supported by emrgnce - innovative minds exploring climate’s next frontier.

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This week host Susan Su takes you behind the scenes at the 2024 Carbon Removal Capital Summit, offering exclusive insights from the forefront of CDR innovation.

Experience the energy of the event as Susan interviews a broad lineup of industry pioneers from the most exciting carbon removal companies—live, on the conference floor.

Learn how these innovators are advancing CDR technologies from pilot projects to full-scale implementation, and discover the bold strategies they’re using to secure funding and scale their breakthrough solutions in the fight against climate change.

On this episode Susan and talks with Jim Mann, CEO and Founder of Undo which spreads finely crushed basalt rock onto farmlands, where it enhances soil health and sequesters CO2 through mineral weathering.

00:55 Interview with Jim Mann CEO of Undo

02:39 Enhanced Rock Weathering Explained

04:54 Innovations in Carbon Removal

05:40 Logistics and Software in ERW

10:47 Scaling Carbon Removal: Financial and Operational Insights

15:02 Future of Carbon Removal and Personal Reflections

Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts ⭐️

Follow us on X and Linkedin.

For more about the show and more information about episodes, visit Climate on the Edge.

Supported by emrgnce - innovative minds exploring climate’s next frontier.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.