Sustainability In Progress (SIP)

The clean energy transition isn’t just about swapping fossil fuels for renewables, it’s about building a new energy system built for the future. In this episode, we speak with Tim Montague, solar developer, clean-tech advisor, and host of The Clean Power Hour. We’ll discuss the realities of the energy transition, the current state of battery storage, the growing issue of solar panel end-of-life and recycling, and the environmental footprint of mining the critical minerals needed for EVs and batteries. The conversation also tackles how AI is reshaping energy demand and grid resilience, and what it will take to build a cleaner, smarter power system for generations ahead.

From the farms that grow it to the cafés that fuel our mornings, coffee is one of the world’s most beloved and climate-vulnerable commodities. In this episode of SIP, we sit down with Etelle Higonnet, environmental advocate and founder of Coffee Watch, to unpack how rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and shifting ecosystems are transforming global coffee production.We explore how climate change is affecting farmers’ livelihoods, what companies and policymakers are doing to adapt, and what the future of your daily cup might look like. So grab your favorite brew and join us for the conversation.Link to Coffee Watch petitions: https://coffeewatch.org/sign-petitions/

Today we had the opportunity to chat with the CEO of Natoora, Franco Fubini. Franco’s recent book, In Search of the Perfect Peach, explores how flavor and seasonality could hold the key to a more sustainable food system. He argues that when we push produce out of their natural seasons, we compromise taste, nutrient density, and the environment. We have also created a food system where our produce and fruit are increasingly flat, bland, and dull, and generally uninspiring. But the solution to more flavorful, rich, and sustainable produce might be within reach!

We are joined by Etelle Higonnet, who has an incredibly storied background and today, she shares her view on how the sector can become more sustainable, address environmental and social risks, and how we as consumers can make more informed choices. She is currently founding an NGO called Coffee Watch to reform coffee industry abuses like deforestation and slavery. Her work spans a broad range of environmental issues including climate, ecological agriculture, environmental justice and forest protection, and she has also dedicated a large portion of her career to human rights. And here’s the link to the Chocolate Scorecard Etelle discusses: https://www.chocolatescorecard.com/scorecards/

Welcome to our last episode of 2024! Today we speak with Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and CEO of Agritecture, an advisory and technology firm specializing in climate-smart agriculture. Our conversation explores the prospects for vertical farming and climate smart agriculture in reducing the environmental impacts of food systems and the role of emerging technologies in reshaping the way we feed a growing population.