Adapting to Climate Change – Beth Gibbons, Adaptation Professionals

Local leaders are managing the very real devastation to their communities and economies caused by extreme weather events, while much-needed resources from the federal government are tied up in political wrangling over whether climate change is real.  
The people on the ground dealing with these effects are called “adaptation professionals,” so Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson went to them to find out what’s happening on the ground. Listen to her startling conversation with Beth Gibbons, Executive Director of Adaptation Professionals for great insights on all sides of this life-threatening, economy-threatening, polarizing issue.

Decision Making In 7 Steps – Nardia Haigh, Scenario Planning book author

The only thing certain is uncertainty – in our careers, our businesses, in preparing your community for the impact of climate change, or in our personal lives. So, how do we possibly prepare? Dr. Nardia Haigh suggests using scenario planning, a methodology she described in seven steps to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson in this enlightening interview, that we can apply to any decisions, as she did in her new book, Scenario Planning for Climate Change. She helps her students at the University of Massachusetts Boston apply it to their career decisions too.

“Sustainable” Cleaning Products – Kay Gebhardt, Seventh Generation

“Science can do amazing things and answer questions for us,” she told me, “but then we can use that knowledge to do this in a responsible way or in an irresponsible way….Science is good to have. Then, what are you going to use it for and how do you do it responsibly?” Kay Gebhardt on… Continue reading “Sustainable” Cleaning Products – Kay Gebhardt, Seventh Generation

How to Get More Women STEM Leaders  – Heather Metcalf, Assn. of Women in Science

“Research has repeatedly demonstrated that diverse teams, especially in leadership, outperform homogenous teams in innovation, research quality, decision-making, and complex thinking and bolster their organization’s financial success,” according to the new AWIS research. Yet, the statistics on women in leadership are pathetic, especially in STEM. Here are tips.

The Enthusiasm Gap Between Men & Women  – Kristin Haffert, Mine The Gap

We know that women and men are essentially recruited in the same amounts out of college, or in entry level jobs, yet only 6.6% of women are Fortune 500 CEO’s (as of 2019). Employers complain that women leave before they can be promoted, taking the employers’ investment in recruiting, training and developing their talent with them. Why are women leaving? It’s well, complicated. Listen here to learn what women are saying is missing at work and why they leave for another job.

Comedy & Innovation – Courtney Bickert, Comedienne & Social Innovator

To solve today’s most intractable problems – from climate change to inequality to combating terrorism and corruption – as well as business challenges, we need  the most creative ideas we can find, figure out how to do them, and then find ways to implement them. So, when I met my guest today, I knew I needed to introduce you to her.  Listen to my interview with Courtney Bickert, social innovator and comedienne, with her thoroughly different take on social innovation.

Building a Business with Care – Jules Pieri, CEO, The Grommet

Jules Pieri and her company The Grommet have learned so much from launching their own business and over 30,000 products on their e-commerce site that sells hand-picked products made by small “makers” — including the hazards of selling on Amazon — that she decided to write a book about it. In her extensive interview with Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson, about her book, “How We Make Stuff Now,” Pieri explains key lessons learned (including how to manage Amazon, if you do go to it.

Sustainability & Profitability – Suzanne Fallender, Sustainability Director, Intel

What if corporations took their responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint and as corporate citizens seriously and integrated it into their corporate strategies? That’s exactly what Suzanne Fallender, Director of Sustainability at Intel told Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson they are doing. From reducing energy and water use, eliminating the use of conflict minerals, to finding ways to recycle or reuse almost every by-product or waste material, she said Intel is leading industry. Listen to how they do it – profitably!

Electric Vehicle Obstacles – Bonnie Datta, Siemens Regulatory Affairs & Market Development

There’s a lot of buzz about electric vehicles (EVs), but adoption is still slow. Why? Bonnie Datta of Siemens told Joan Michelson of Green Connections Radio that much of the blame goes to regulators and utilities. Listen to this fascinating interview for why and great career advice too.

Climate as National Security Issue – Sherri Goodman, Former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

With a new Secretary of Defense coming in, and an Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, it’s important to remember the national security implications of climate change. Listen to Joan Michelson’s fascinating (and a bit frightening) interview with former Deputy Secretary of Defense, and former Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Military Advisor at CNA, a top national security think tank, Sherri Goodman on how climate relates to national security.