“What can companies who have pledged to source 100% of their energy from clean energy sources do to help coal country?” Heidi Binko Coal country is an endangered species, between new technologies and the shift to a clean energy economy. So, how do you pivot entire communities and industries for a 21st century economy? Listen… Continue reading Transitioning Coal Communities – Heidi Binko, Executive Director, Just Transition Fund
“It’s how you think about the money thing” that drives your spending and saving habits. Money. We need it, struggle to manage it and don’t know who to listen to for advice. Everyone seems to be telling us what to do – “On sale, Buy now!” “Save for retirement!” “Low interest rate!” What’s a money-smart person to do? Green Connections Radio went to one of the masters of personal finance to find out: Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist for the Washington Post and author of several books on the topic.
“We need to question the assumptions in our methodology…and figure out how we’re going to use all this data to solve problems.” Allison Sagraves on Electric Ladies Podcast (then known as Green Connections Radio) The 21st century economy is based on Big Data, especially when it comes to the new energy-sustainability paradigm. As Green Connections… Continue reading Best Big Data – Allison Sagraves, Big Data Guru, TED Talk
As recent events have shown, a single negative tweet can turn into a PR crisis firestorm with lasting impact on a brand’s reputation. Companies that respond quickly and with savvy are more able to weather the storm, which is why social media investor relations can be so powerful. But you can only respond quickly if… Continue reading Social media investor relations: Friend or foe?
“Change occurs when we vote with our wallets…We are in a revolution right now when we can use our portfolios to express our values and actually impact the policies that corporations are making.”
Christopher Cordaro on Green Connections Radio. One of the sure-bet investments over time has been energy stocks, mostly oil and gas, with companies like Exxon Mobil soaring. Yet, Hurricane Harvey and the reality of climate change have upset that long-held belief too. The hurricane brought Houston’s oil and gas hub to a halt for days or weeks. So, today we’re looking anew at how we can match our investment dollars with our values. Grab an iPad or pen and paper, because you’ll want to take notes on this one. Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s tips-packed conversation with investing master, Christopher Cordaro, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of RegentAtlantic about how to do it.
Do you want to invest with principle — and earn great financial returns too?
As the stock market hits all-time highs, and the Trump administration reduces regulations on financial institutions, automakers, water polluters and fossil fuel companies, among a long list, we have to take a more active role in managing our portfolios if we want them to reflect our environmental and clean energy values AND make a great return.
So, what to do?
Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s previous interview with a leader in socially-responsible investing, Barbara Krumsiek who was the CEO of Calvert Investments for a long time (and is now retired). Barbara candidly discusses the pros and cons of socially-responsible investing (SRI), which is now mainstream, thanks in part to Calvert and Krumsiek. But what if you’re new to it like most of us are?
With Congress poised to review President Trump’s proposal to cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 31%, it’s important to look at what the EPA does. One of the coolest EPA programs is the Small Business Innovation Grant (SBIR) program that provides much-needed seed funds to very early stage start-ups. Listen to… Continue reading Funding Eco-Start-ups – April Richards, EPA SBIR Program
Maybe you have a great idea or new app you developed that you’re itching to bring to life. Maybe you have a friend who does… Or, maybe you’re an entrepreneur who is running out of funds and fears not being able to continue. If this rings a bell, listen up. This podcast provides vital information about a federal grant program you can apply for. There’s no guarantee you’ll be approved, but you certainly won’t get it if you do not apply. It’s called the Small Business Innovation Research – or SBIR – grants (or STTRs). About half a dozen federal agencies offer them, all with different criteria. The SBIR program we’re talking about today is from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and has an open agenda, focused on the potential of the technology to make a big positive societal impact if it succeeds.
With so much innovation in the energy sector, the rapid expansion of renewable energy, development of a “smart grid” and the Internet of Things technologies, the utilities have to evolve too. And, without dropping any service to anyone, ever.
So, what’s a utility to do to survive – and to thrive? Enter Mary Powell, CEO of Green Mountain Power in Vermont, who was chosen as one of Fast Company’s most innovative people. She’s turning the business model of a utility on its head, and retains the support of her board because she’s succeeding in every way – customer service ratings in the 90%s and generating sold financial results. How? Listen up.
How do you create social value and make money at the same time? Whether you’re a big company or a small one, or a non-profit, listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s probing conversation with Cheryl Kiser, head of the Lewis Center for Social Innovation at Babson College and co-author of the new book, “Creating Social Value: A Guide for Leaders and Change Makers.”
