Warnings We Miss – Michele Wucker, Author of “The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore.”

Why do we miss potentially dangerous trends, “a series of warnings and visible evidence”? It might be climate change, water scarcity, an infrastructure that is falling apart beneath our feet, terrorist threats, or an approaching business competitor or trend we had ignored, for example. How do we train ourselves to seepotential dangers we’re missing early enough to address them? Listen to author and global business strategy leader Michele Wucker with Green Connections Radio.

21st Century Infrastructure – Kelly Carnes, TechVision21

The U.S. infrastructure is literally crumbling beneath our feet and wheels. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave it a D+ in 2017. Cars are falling into sink holes from roads that literally sink, or falling into the water when a bridge collapses. Water pipes are breaking and leaking toxins into our drinking water. Subways… Continue reading 21st Century Infrastructure – Kelly Carnes, TechVision21

The “Un-Utility” – Mary Powell, Green Mountain Power

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.

Oyster Farming – Kay Olin, Panacea Oyster Cooperative

When we see the menu in an oyster bar, we see a list of sources of oysters from across the globe. Usually we order a couple each from different sources. But Florida oyster farms are not likely on the menu – yet. Where restaurants and markets obtain their oysters from matters – in taste, price,… Continue reading Oyster Farming – Kay Olin, Panacea Oyster Cooperative

Appliance Power! – Paul Hines, Packetized Energy & Univ. of Vermont, ARPA-E

ARPA-E, the innovation arm of the Department of Energy plays a pivotal role in nurturing promising new energy-related technologies that will improve our lives and reduce our costs and carbon footprints, including through increased use of renewable energy sources. A fundamental challenge to increasing the use of renewable energy is the intermittency issue – the… Continue reading Appliance Power! – Paul Hines, Packetized Energy & Univ. of Vermont, ARPA-E

“Broad Influence” – Ashley Milne-Tyte, “Marketplace” on NPR

We’ve taken the proverbial three steps forward and two steps back recently, when it comes to women’s advancement. Women have made great strides in the private sector, including being CEO of four top Fortune 500 STEM-related companies: Ginny Rometty at IBM, Mary Barra at General Motors, Marillyn Hewson at Lockheed Martin, and Ursula Burns at Xerox. Yet, most women are still stuck in middle management quicksand and looking for answers on how to advance their careers. It’s about managing our choices big and small, and managing moments, time and priorities.

Movies, Environment – Marilyn Weiner, Screenscope Inc.

“Find another way.” We all know the power of movies to move us. EMMY-winning documentary filmmaker – and co-executive producer of the masterful documentary “Dispatches From the Gulf” about the scientific impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill – Marilyn Weiner talks with Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson about the ups and downs… Continue reading Movies, Environment – Marilyn Weiner, Screenscope Inc.

Movies Made Sustainably – Emellie O’Brien, Earth Angel

Think about your favorite movies this Oscar season… Now think about what it took to produce it: energy for lighting, water and food for the crew, paper for the scripts, wood and other materials for the sets, cars and vans to transport people, maybe cars and buildings that get blown up…. All of that produces a lot of waste and uses a lot of energy and water, and puts CO2 into the air. Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s fascinating conversation with Emellie O’Brien, Founder and President of Earth Angel, an award-winning company focused on reducing the carbon footprint of movies and television shows. (I wonder what the carbon footprint is of the Oscars!)

Energy Storage – Dr. Kimberly McGrath, Maxwell Technologies

“Energy storage enables us to have energy and power when and where we need it.” The linchpin in the new energy revolution is storage – to “enable us to have energy and power when and where we need it,” as Dr. McGrath put it.  It’s a time of rapid innovation in energy and storage, though,… Continue reading Energy Storage – Dr. Kimberly McGrath, Maxwell Technologies

Taking Electric Cars Mainstream

Fundamental to the success of combating global climate change and reducing dependence on oil is changing each person’s behavior. This includes moving a critical mass of people from traditional gas-powered vehicles to eco-friendly electric vehicles. This means we need to create high demand for electric cars. We will always need electricity for our refrigerators, computers,… Continue reading Taking Electric Cars Mainstream