Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

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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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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*INNOVATION ZERO DEADLINE*

We’re getting this out before 31 March 2024 to remind you of your last chance to get free tickets to Innovation Zero at the London Olympia next month. Where you also might get a chance to see Matt Winning who will host the Innovation Zero Awards (ticketed separately) on the evening of 30th April.

After the 31st, tickets for the 2-day event go for £199 each.

TODAY’S BONUS EPISODE

Richard Delevan sits down with Dr. Matt Winning, who strikes the balance of being the OG of climate comedy with capital-S Serious academic as Head of Climate Research at Oxford Economics.

In addition to pitching ourselves to Gary Lineker and Goalhanger to front “The Rest is Climate”, and suggesting that outgoing Climate Change Committee head Chris Stark could benefit from his own Anger Translator (if you’ve seen the Obama version), we explore how Matt keeps that balance.

Show Notes

The Intersection of Comedy and Climate:

Matt describes the moment he decided to merge his work on climate change with his passion for comedy.

The challenges and rewards of communicating serious topics through humor.

Career Path and Unexpected Turns:

Matt reflects on his unexpected journey from academia to the comedy stage.

Discussion on how current events, like Brexit and the election of Trump, influenced his comedy on climate change.

Audience Reactions Over Time:

How audience perceptions and knowledge of climate change have evolved since Matt started his comedy career.

The impact of global events, such as the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the rise of Greta Thunberg, on public awareness.

The Dynamics of Climate Comedy:

The process of crafting comedy that resonates with both climate experts and the general public.

Matt's experience with balancing humor and factual accuracy in his performances.

Comedy as a Vehicle for Climate Communication:

Insights into how comedy can break down barriers and engage people in climate conversations.

Examples from Matt's shows that have effectively combined laughter with learning.

Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Ambitions:

Matt shares his plans for future comedy projects, including shows that incorporate theatrical elements and staged protests.

The importance of creating new platforms and spaces for climate-related comedy.

Links and Resources:

Matt Winning's Website: mattwinning.com

Machynlleth Comedy Festival: Details about Matt's participation and how to get tickets.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival: Information on Matt's upcoming shows in August 2024.

And Matt is one of LinkedIn’s best follows.

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Richard Delevan reports from London Climate Week 2024. Starting at the Groucho Club, he brings listeners to the flagship event at the ExCel, showcasing the vibrancy of the climate tech sector. He highlights interviews with key industry leaders including Duncan Reid of Reset Connect, Sarah Mackintosh of Clean Tech UK, and Lukky Ahmed, CEO of ClimateX, who discusses their recent $18 million funding round.

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Ahmed explains how ClimateX focuses on helping financial institutions integrate climate risk into their models through sophisticated data analytics. Further discussions touch on the challenges and opportunities of the private sector in climate adaptation finance, the role of public policies, and the upcoming political developments that could impact the sector.

Additional insights come from of Carbon Risk, discussing the effects of political shifts on carbon markets. The terrific Carbon Risk political risk pricing analysis that led to this chat: Europe's green backlash was priced in a long time ago

And EDB’s Kenneth Ler on the ambitious sustainability goals of Singapore.

The episode underlines the importance of policy stability, innovation, and global collaboration in tackling climate change.

01:58 Overview of ClimateX's Mission

02:13 ClimateX's Unique Approach to Climate Risk

04:16 Focus on Financial Sector

06:23 Data and Technology Behind ClimateX

11:55 Adaptation and Future Plans

20:45 Advice for Founders

25:46 Introduction to Peter Sainsbury and Carbon Risk

27:50 European Elections and Green Backlash

33:35 Impact on Carbon Markets and Policies

40:23 UK Political Landscape and Climate Policies

45:44 Discussing Market Opportunities and Challenges

46:12 Singapore’s pitch at Reset Connect

Our ad-free member feed is at wickedproblems.earth. And check out our playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2AWvHdqqNAUCJcByQEokut?si=2320c971486e4799

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In this insightful episode of Wicked Problems, Richard Delevan interviews David Shukman, a seasoned journalist with a 38-year career at the BBC. They talk climate reporting, the challenges faced by the media in covering climate, and the changes in public perception and policy over. David shares personal anecdotes from his career, reflects on climate techn, and his transition to new roles in climate communication.

Key Topics Discussed

Career Reflections:

• David’s early journalism days at Coventry Evening Telegraph.
• Transition from typewriters and smoking in newsrooms to modern-day digital media.
• The evolution of climate reporting and the media’s struggle with recognizing trends.

Changes in Climate Reporting:

• The shift from giving equal weight to climate change deniers to emphasizing peer-reviewed science.
• The impact of the BBC’s move towards "due impartiality."
• Challenges in maintaining impartiality while conveying the scientific consensus on climate issues.

Personal Experiences and Stories:

• David’s transition from BBC to new endeavors.
• His work with business leaders and moderating events like Innovation Zero.
• Reflections on covering climate stories globally, including frontline reporting from Bangladesh.

Climate Technology and Solutions:

• Advances in renewable energy: solar power, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.
• The importance of government policies and incentives in driving technological change.

Future of Climate Communication:

• David’s new book project focusing on climate adaptation and the human impact of climate change.
• The need to bring new voices, like firefighters and first responders, into the climate conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• "The implausible becomes not only plausible but actually kind of normal in society."
• "We had some ludicrous and damaging situations where our coverage didn't reflect where the evidence lay."

Catalysts:

Adaptation in Bangladesh

• Ingenious local solutions like replacing chickens with ducks in flood-prone areas.

Energy Efficiency Insights

• Amory Lovins' perspective on the impact of efficient design in industrial processes.

Historical Inspiration

• David’s great-great-grandfather's embrace of technological transitions, from sail to steam, paralleling today’s shift to renewable energy.

Call to Action: If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it and leave us a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Consider becoming a paid subscriber at wickedproblems.earth for ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and to support climate tech storytelling.

Production Credits: Written and edited by Richard Delevan. Production assistance by Thedore Delevan. Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations is a production of Wicked Problems Limited. BBC footage from a documentary produced in Nov 2021 by Kate Stephens. Innovation Zero footage via @solutionshouse

Connect with Us:

• Website: wickedproblems.earth
• Twitter: @rdelevan
• David Shukman

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