
Eight Minute Climate Fix
Paul Schuster
Quick and concise, Eight Minute Climate Fix covers everything that's happening in climate action and the energy transition. We tackle the complexity of the changes happening in our world and make it easy, and quick, for anyone to understand.
Our sister podcast, More Than Eight Minutes, includes the extended versions with our guests for anyone who wants to go a level deeper into these issues.
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Top 10 Eight Minute Climate Fix Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Eight Minute Climate Fix episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Eight Minute Climate Fix for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Eight Minute Climate Fix episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Why is Heat Pump Deployment so Tough? (DR Richardson & Jan Keleher - Elephant Energy) - Episode 63
Eight Minute Climate Fix
02/05/24 • 8 min
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In this episode, Paul is joined by DR Richardson and Jan Keleher of Elephant Energy to discuss the challenges of the residential heat pump market. With an array of federal, state and local incentives, a myriad of technology options, sizing requirements, electrical upgrade decisions and other factors that play into installing these units, Elephant Energy has found a niche as a "one-stop shop" in helping homeowners.
We explore why business model innovations such as Elephant's may be necessary to ensure that this useful decarbonization technology gets deployed at scale.
For further research:
DR Richardson
Jan Keleher
Elephant Energy
Global Heat Pump Sales Continue Double Digit Growth - International Energy Agency
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2 Listeners

Decoupling the Utility Business Model - Episode 54
Eight Minute Climate Fix
11/20/23 • 7 min
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The utility business model is a bit unusual, given that power companies own a natural monopoly in the areas in which they operate. But just as the energy transition has upended a bunch of other industry models, it's doing something similar in the staid power industry.
Paul digs into the existing Cost of Service model most utilities employ today, as well as discussing the evolving role that decoupling and Performance Based Ratemaking play in aligning utility incentives with those of states and consumers.
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2 Listeners

The Grid Edge - Episode 45
Eight Minute Climate Fix
09/11/23 • 8 min
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In this episode, Paul discusses some of the emerging value propositions that exist at the grid edge - that point of power consumption. As utilities and start-ups offer up new technologies and solutions, Paul digs into what makes these propositions work and the challenges we have in realizing all of the potential value.
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2 Listeners

The Role and Need for Philanthropy in Climate Action (Randall Kempner - The Aspen Institute) - Episode 73
Eight Minute Climate Fix
04/15/24 • 8 min
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Philanthropic giving to climate related causes is woefully small. But charitable dollars have a really important role to play because of their flexibility and different motivations. They can catalyze investment in areas where private or governmental dollars can not.
In this episode, Paul sits with Randall Kempner, Senior Advisor to the Aspen Institute to discuss the role of philanthropic dollars in the capital stack, why foundations and donors have not contributed as much, yet, and what is needed to further catalyze this funding source.
For the extended version of the interview with Randall, please visit More Than Eight Minutes
And for further research:
Randall Kempner
The Aspen Institute's Energy & Environment Program
The Global Methane Hub
Much Alarm, Less Action: Foundations & Climate Change - The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Global Energy Alliance for People & Planet
Giving to Amplify Earth Action - World Economic Forum
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2 Listeners

45V Hydrogen Tax Credits - Episode 59
Eight Minute Climate Fix
01/08/24 • 8 min
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Just before Christmas, the US Treasury and IRS issued rules on how certain tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act should be considered. These 45V tax credits are critical to the growth and evolution of the hydrogen industry, but not everyone agrees on how these credits should be managed. Should they prioritize growth of a needed carbon-free fuel industry? Or should they ensure that dirty, fossil fired power stations aren't powering staying operational longer than needed?
In this episode, Paul outlines the issues at stake and the resultant ruling laid down by Treasury on these credits. As the climate industry ramps up new and important technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture and others - these wonky debates on business models, value chains and tax implications are going to be increasingly important.
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2 Listeners

The Good Climate News Episode - Episode 64
Eight Minute Climate Fix
02/12/24 • 7 min
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Getting discouraged by all of the negativity in climate news recently? In this week's episode, Paul takes a different tack - focusing on the good news that came out of 2023 and all of the positive results that we've *already* achieved in climate action. Take a bit of hope from this episode as to the trajectory of change that is occurring!
For further research:
"World’s renewable energy capacity grew at record pace in 2023" - The Guardian
"Chart: US EV sales are having a record-setting year" - Canary Media
"Which is it, already – is US EV demand slowing or growing?" - Electrek
"Have we reached peak greenhouse gas emissions?" - Brookings
Representative Concentration Pathways
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2 Listeners

Walmart Met Their Project Gigaton Goal - Now What? - Episode 66
Eight Minute Climate Fix
02/26/24 • 8 min
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When Walmart launched their Project Gigaton program in 2017, the idea that the retailer could get their suppliers to cumulatively reduce 1 BILLION tons for carbon emissions by 2030 was hailed as incredibly ambitious.
Last week, the company reported in their fourth quarter earnings call that they had not only surpassed that billion ton goal, but had done so 6 full years earlier than their target. In today's episode, Paul discusses how Walmart got here, what other companies can learn from Walmart's leadership, and what may be next in addressing supply chain (or Scope 3) emissions.
For further reference:
"Why Walmart's Project Gigaton is Corporate America's Moonshot" - Greenbiz (2017)
"Walmart Hits Supplier Emissions Goal 6 Years Early" - Retail Dive
"Walmart Suppliers Lead the Charge, Help Deliver Project Gigaton Goal More Than Six Years Early" - Kathleen McLaughlin, CSO Walmart, Blog Report 2/21/2024
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2 Listeners

The Dual Threat of Wildfires for Utilities - Episode 62
Eight Minute Climate Fix
01/29/24 • 7 min
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The intensity and impact of wildfires has dramatically increased over the past few decades due to climate change. And as those acres burn, those fires are releasing trapped carbon back into the atmosphere and only exasperating global warming.
Utilities have been at the center of the controversy around wildfires - taking the blame for devastating events in California and Maui, but also leading in developing solutions to mitigate the rise in and impact of wildfires.
For further research:
"Wildfire Risks in the US are Soaring. Here's What Utilities can do." - Utility Dive
US Drought Monitor Conditions - NDIS
"PG&E will bury 10,000 miles of power lines so they don't spark wildfires" - NPR
"Effects of Climactic Variability and Change on Forest Ecosystems" - NDA
Wildfire Climate Connection - NOAA
New York City Skyline Turns Orange Due to Wildfires - ABC News
Forest Fires are Getting Worse, 20 Years of Data Confirm - Mongabay
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2 Listeners

What Can the US Learn From European EV Adoption? - Episode 65
Eight Minute Climate Fix
02/19/24 • 8 min
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While EV global sales continue to surge, the uptick in the US lags significantly behind that of our European counterparts. And while obstacles such as a lack of charging infrastructure, high up-front costs, and battery range are affecting market share - those same issues are also at play in Europe. So what are they doing right that is helping that continent achieve over 20% market share of EVs?
In this episode, Paul dissects four areas where Europe's approach to EVs has been a bit different than that of the US in the hope that we can learn from our friends overseas.
For further research:
"Electric Vehicles are Here and Large-Scale Adoption is ... Near?" - Mckinsey
"Electric Car Sales Have Surged in Europe - So Why is Adoption Still Slow?" - World Economic Forum
"Six Essentials for Mainstream EV Adoption" - EY
"The Great NACS Migration: Who Is Switching to Tesla's Charging Port?" - Motortrend
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2 Listeners

The Clean Energy Workforce - Episode 48
Eight Minute Climate Fix
10/02/23 • 7 min
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Why is the transition to a green economy about more than just swapping out old tech for new, more sustainable options? Paul explores this pressing question, laying bare the complexities and challenges of shifting an entire workforce into the clean energy landscape.
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2 Listeners
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FAQ
How many episodes does Eight Minute Climate Fix have?
Eight Minute Climate Fix currently has 113 episodes available.
What topics does Eight Minute Climate Fix cover?
The podcast is about Management, Power, Earth Sciences, Energy, Climate Change, Podcasts, Science and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Eight Minute Climate Fix?
The episode title 'The Dual Threat of Wildfires for Utilities - Episode 62' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Eight Minute Climate Fix?
The average episode length on Eight Minute Climate Fix is 8 minutes.
How often are episodes of Eight Minute Climate Fix released?
Episodes of Eight Minute Climate Fix are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Eight Minute Climate Fix?
The first episode of Eight Minute Climate Fix was released on Oct 12, 2022.
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