Policy & Government Archives - Page 17 of 24

Tech Entrepreneur Funding – Anna Brady-Estevez, NSF, SBIR Grant Program Director, National Science Foundation

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.

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

Opportunities in Government Chaos – Kelly Carnes, TechVision21

Every new presidential administration brings a transition to new priorities – this time, it’s a radical shift into uncertainty. Clean energy and climate-related spending is being cut across the board in the new president’s budget. But Congress has yet to finalize it and advocates for clean energy and climate issues are flexing their muscles. What… Continue reading Opportunities in Government Chaos – Kelly Carnes, TechVision21

Flint Water Safety – Nayyirah Shariff, Community Organizer, Activist

Every time you turn on your tap, think about what you’d have to do if you couldn’t use it – ever. That’s what daily life is still like in Flint, Michigan as a result of lead in the city’s water. The story may not be a top the national news these days, but the crisis… Continue reading Flint Water Safety – Nayyirah Shariff, Community Organizer, Activist

Climate Science Data – Katharine Jacobs, Univ. of Arizona & Nat. Climate Assessment

“Our infrastructure was designed for the climate we had and not the climate we now have.” Kathy Jacobs Extreme weather, hurricanes, droughts and floods all affect us personally every single day either in our ability to go to work or school or the prices we pay for food. Is this “a normal cycle” of climate… Continue reading Climate Science Data – Katharine Jacobs, Univ. of Arizona & Nat. Climate Assessment

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.

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

Green Construction – Jessyca Henderson, American Institute of Architects

What is the International Green Construction Code and Why Does It Matter? “In 2015, about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption was consumed in residential and commercial building” According to the U.S. Green Building Council, “In the United States alone, buildings account for almost 40 percentof national CO2 emissions and out-consume both the industrial and transportation sectors, but LEED-certified… Continue reading Green Construction – Jessyca Henderson, American Institute of Architects

Gulf Oil Spill Lessons & Career Advice – Dr. Rita Colwell

Energy is the lifeblood of the economy. Where it we get it from matters, though. With several oil and gas folks set to take top posts in the new administration, it’s important to talk with one of the top people who was a liaison between BP and the clean up, from a scientific side: Rita… Continue reading Gulf Oil Spill Lessons & Career Advice – Dr. Rita Colwell