A Climate Change with Matt Matern

Matt talks with Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh about evolving from Bell Labs to leading a green hydrogen revolution. They discuss the leap from research to hydrogen fuel cell technology leadership, electrolyzer innovation, and pushing towards a $3B revenue goal. A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so Check out our most downloaded episodes: 165: Decarbonizing th...

Matt Matern interviews Jigar Shah, Director of the DOE's Loan Programs Office, who shares his journey from early interest in energy to leading the office. Shah highlights his focus on financing sustainable technologies and taking on risks commercial banks avoid. He discusses hydrogen storage, small modular reactors, and virtual power plants.  Shah stresses the importance of a diverse energy portfo...

Matt Matern speaks with former New Jersey Governor Christie Todd Whitman, who discusses the Forward Party, aimed at preserving democracy and promoting open primaries and ranked-choice voting. Whitman highlights the need for competition in elections and bipartisan problem-solving.  Reflecting on her time at the EPA, she emphasizes the importance of a diverse energy mix and competent government work...

Matt Matern interviews Jay Famiglietti about California's water crisis. Jay explains the crisis is worsening due to prolonged dry periods and excessive agricultural water use, which consumes 80% of the state's supply.  He criticizes inadequate government actions and calls for efficient practices like drip irrigation. Famiglietti also stresses the need for a national water strategy, better industry...

Matt Matern speaks with Dr. Leslie Field, Dr. Soumitra Das, and Dr. Subarna Bhattacharyya. They discuss combating Himalayan glacier melt using Dr. Field's Bright Ice Initiative, which increases ice reflectivity. Dr. Das emphasizes policy engagement, and Dr. Bhattacharyya provides climate modeling expertise.  They announce a climate concert from November 5-10 to raise awareness and funds. The episo...

Matt Matern speaks with Michelle Moore, author of "Rural Renaissance." Moore, CEO of Groundswell, discusses community power, community solar projects, and energy efficiency. She emphasizes local engagement with power companies and the role of tax credits and grants in promoting clean energy.  Moore highlights local heroes like Ray Leon and Harriet Lankford, and encourages community-based efforts f...

Matt Matern speaks with Bill Nussey, author of "Freeing Energy." Bill, a successful entrepreneur, discusses the potential of small-scale solar systems to disrupt the energy industry by providing cheaper electricity. He highlights the need to reduce regulatory barriers and supports policies that foster renewable energy and local job creation.  Bill emphasizes the recyclability of solar panels and e...

Matt Matern interviews Dr. Mark Jacobson on 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. A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so Check out our most downloaded episodes: 165: Decarbonizing the Grid with Rob Gramlich 164:...

Michael Barnard of The Future Is Electric discusses his shift from tech to climate solutions, advising on sustainable investments. He emphasizes scalable solutions like wind, solar, and storage over nuclear power. Highlighting HVDC's potential for efficient electricity transmission, he criticizes US political constraints on infrastructure.  On hydrogen, Barnard points out inefficiencies in product...

Matt Matern interviews Jay Sinha, co-founder of Life Without Plastic. Jay shares the story behind the company's founding and discusses the dangers of plastics, particularly endocrine disruptors like BPA.  He explains the lifecycle and environmental impact of plastics, offering practical solutions for reducing plastic use, such as using non-plastic containers. Jay critiques recycling's effectivenes...

Guest host Harry Artin interviews Anja Brandon, PhD, US Plastics Policy Analyst with Ocean Conservancy, about California's Senate Bill 54 (SB 54). The bill aims to reduce single-use plastics by 25% over the next decade, equating to 23 million tons of waste.  Anja discusses her work in policy to reduce plastic pollution, the insufficiency of recycling alone, and the importance of systemic change. S...

Guest host Max Sloves speaks with Brett Walter from Climate Action Now about his app, designed to mobilize public demand for climate action. Brett highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and the benefits of transitioning to renewable energy.  The app helps users easily contact leaders, emphasizing collective action over individual efforts. Brett believes climate change can unite people...

Guest host Corey Bennett speaks with Dr. George Crabtree from Argonne National Laboratory about energy storage. They discuss the need for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, such as solid-state, lithium-sulfur, and lithium-oxygen batteries.  Dr. Crabtree emphasizes the impact of the Paris Accords on climate change and the urgency for innovation. He highlights the challenges of the lithium-ion s...

Carolyn Dennett, former Shell Oil consultant, discusses her 11-year tenure focused on improving safety culture post-Deepwater Horizon disaster. Despite initial success, Dennett grew disillusioned with Shell's inaction on climate change.  Observing Shell's continued pursuit of new oil and gas licenses, she publicly criticized the company and left. Carolyn urges oil and gas companies to transition t...

Matt Matern and Dr. Amgad Elgowainy of Argonne National Laboratory discuss his work on hydrogen and electrification. Funded by the Department of Energy, Argonne develops technologies and standards for clean energy. They aim to produce hydrogen at $1/kg by 2031, focusing on clean energy sources and efficient production. A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.s...

Matt Matern speaks with Brian Goldstein, director of Energy Independence Now (EIN), discussing hydrogen technology. Goldstein oversees the Faraday Exchange Conference and highlights California's leadership in hydrogen. He emphasizes hydrogen's potential over battery electric vehicles due to limited metal resources.  Goldstein talks about federal and state efforts to promote hydrogen, the role of u...

Matt Matern chats with Renee Grogan from Impossible Mining about seabed mining. Renee discusses her transition from terrestrial to seabed mining, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and strong regulations. She opposes a moratorium on seabed mining, arguing it would hinder necessary studies and innovation.  Renee highlights the critical need for metals for a green economy and the depleti...

Matt Matern and Peter Lehner discuss agriculture's environmental impact. He critiques the EPA’s emission estimates, explaining how modern farming techniques and methane from livestock significantly contribute to global warming. Lehner proposes solutions like kelp feed for livestock and regulatory reforms to reduce agriculture's carbon footprint. A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by...

Matt Matern and Mayor Rex Parris discuss Lancaster's sustainability efforts. Lancaster, the first U.S. city to mandate solar panels on new homes, aims to be the first hydrogen city. Parris highlights practical measures, electric public transportation, and innovative hydrogen production. A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so Check out our most downloaded e...

Matt Matern and Dr. Sandor Mulsow discuss the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and deep-sea mining. Dr. Mulsow highlights the conflict between environmental protection and exploitation for profit, inadequate impact assessments, and the need for a mining moratorium. He emphasizes robust scientific research and global action to protect our oceans. A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted...

Matt Matern speaks Dr. Brian Von Herzen, founder of the Climate Foundation. Dr. Von Herzen, a Princeton and Caltech graduate, developed marine permaculture using seaweed to restore ocean ecosystems and sequester carbon.  His resilient platform recently won the XPrize. The Climate Foundation aims to scale this technology globally, targeting gigaton-scale CO2 reduction. Additionally, Dr. Von Herzen...

Matt Matern and Traci Park, candidate for LA City Council, discuss her campaign priorities. With a legal background, she aims to address homelessness, public safety, economic recovery, infrastructure, and environmental issues through collaborative efforts with city leaders and the private sector. A Climate Change With Matt Matern is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so Check out our most do...

Matt Matern speaks with Charles Meneveau, Johns Hopkins professor. Charles discusses his work in wind energy, highlighting its growth in the U.S., where it now generates nearly 10% of electricity. He emphasizes the complementary roles of wind and solar energy and envisions achieving 100% renewable energy by 2050.  Charles highlights the potential of offshore wind and the importance of managing env...

Matt Matern speaks with Dr. Leslie Field and David Rosenfeld. Dr. Field discusses the Arctic Ice Project's efforts to combat Arctic melt using hollow glass microspheres. Rosenfeld opposes the California Public Utilities Commission's proposal to reduce payments to rooftop solar owners, emphasizing the need to maintain incentives for solar energy growth. Both guests stress the urgency of climate act...

Matt Matern speaks with California Senator Ben Allen about progress with SB 343 and the challenges of passing SB 54, aiming to phase out non-recyclable plastics. They discussed AB 1395's goals for emission reductions and the contentious role of carbon capture. Senator Allen emphasized public involvement in environmental legislation, the potential of green hydrogen, and the need to balance incentiv...