New Portable Energy – Rita Hansen, OnBoard Dynamics

What if we had a way to get power to devastated areas quickly in an emergency, such as a natural disaster like a hurricane? Listen to host Joan Michelson’s fascinating conversation with Rita Hansen, CEO of OnBoard Dynamics about their new mobile natural gas-powered energy source that could provide that much-needed power at these critical… Continue reading New Portable Energy – Rita Hansen, OnBoard Dynamics

Water Science Lessons? Rita Colwell, Gulf Water Expert, fmr NSF Administrator

Stories abound about the potential contaminants in the water flooding Houston and its environs from Hurricane Harvey. But what might we learn from all that water? Perhaps we can learn something about it from the team that studied the Gulf of Mexico after the catastrophic BP Oil Spill. Dr. Rita Colwell, renowned microbiologist and oceanographer,… Continue reading Water Science Lessons? Rita Colwell, Gulf Water Expert, fmr NSF Administrator

Earth Science & Climate – Katharine Hayhoe, Renowned Climate Scientist, Time 100

One or the most prominent voices on climate change is one of our amazing scientist guests, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, who was chosen as one of Time magazine’s “Top 100 Pioneers” and is great fun too. Dr. Hayhoe is an Atmospheric Scientist and the Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University – and teaches in the Political Science Department. An interesting combination…Listen to her easy way of helping us understand the science..

Gov’t Does Climate – Rebecca Rubin, Marstel Day

Guess who’s taking serious steps to reduce their carbon footprint and partner with the local community? As the new administration seeks to cut all climate and clean energy, we thought it was a good time to re-air our interview with Rebecca R. Rubin, Founder/CEO of Marstel Day, the environmental consulting firm that’s been helping the… Continue reading Gov’t Does Climate – Rebecca Rubin, Marstel Day

Local Resilience – Nicole Ferrini, Chief Resilience Officer, El Paso, Texas

“Listen for the unexpected,” Nicole Ferrini, El Paso, Texas As the new administration seeks to cut climate change budgets nationwide, Mother Nature doesn’t wait, so local communities are left having to take action regardless of what the federal government does.  So, we’re talking with folks on the front lines in our communities who are doing… Continue reading Local Resilience – Nicole Ferrini, Chief Resilience Officer, El Paso, Texas

States Innovating Energy – Catherine Williams, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

With the Trump administration cutting energy innovation and climate change initiatives, and saying that the states can pick up the slack, it’s a good time to re-air our enlightening episode with a woman on the front lines of a state leading the way: Catherine Williams of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MCEC). From solar energy… Continue reading States Innovating Energy – Catherine Williams, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Paris Climate Accord Front Lines – with Rachel Kyte, CEO of the U.N’s Sustainable Energy for All Programme

With the Trump administration having pulled out of the historic Paris Climate Accord, we thought it a good time to re-air our fascinating episode with the woman on the front lines of implementing that accord: Rachel Kyte, CEO of the United Nation’s Sustainable Energy for All Programme.
Kyte articulates the impetus for the Paris Climate Accord in the first place – and how it can be implemented. It’s a fine dance of diplomacy, technology, science, negotiation, creative business and financial modeling, and entrenched positions – with human survival in the balance.

Resilient Communities – Katharine Burgess, Director of Urban Resilience, Urban Land Institute

With our communities on the front lines of climate change risk – homes, businesses, schools and local economies – we are relieved that there are courageous, innovative leaders who are taking action and creating added value (with low budgets). They are using natural solutions and conservation methods that we can all learn. Meet Katharine Burgess, Director of Urban Resilience at the Urban Land Institute, as she shares her insights from working with communities on Green Connections Radio in this conversation with host Joan Michelson. You may want to forward this podcast to your mayor, Congressperson or City Manager – and take notes for your own community!

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.