MCJ

We often assume batteries are inherently good for the energy transition—but what if that's not the case? ?? This week, Jacob Mansfield, CEO of Tierra Climate, dives into a surprising truth: grid-scale batteries can actually increase emissions. ?? Why? A combination of efficiency losses, misaligned market signals, and a lack of incentives. But there’s hope — Jacob outlines actionable solutions, from updating carbon accounting standards to creating market mechanisms like carbon offsets for batteries. These steps can transform energy storage into the decarbonization hero it’s meant to be. Read more in this edition of the MCJ Newsletter.

The carbon removal industry often focuses on two big questions: which tech works, and who pays for it? But it’s not just about tech or financing. We need clarity on methodology, net-negativity, land use, permits, and funding before selling carbon credits at scale. As the ecosystem grows, organizations like Isometric, CarbonPlan, Enduring Planet and AirMiners are paving the way forward. Read Jamie Wong’s op-ed, "For Sale: A Promise to Remove Invisible Gas," in this earlier edition of the MCJ newsletter for the full story.

Our next guest is building the world’s largest aircraft, the WindRunner, to transport massive offshore-sized turbine blades to onshore sites. ?? Imagine wind turbines the height of the Eiffel Tower with blades longer than a football field. These larger turbines could transform the economics of onshore wind, making energy cheaper and more accessible. In this episode, Radia, Inc. CEO Mark Lundstrom and Cody dive into his company's verticalized approach to addressing a major challenge in wind energy: the physical limitations of transporting turbine blades via the U.S. interstate highway system. ??? Listen at the links below!

“There’s a predilection in this world to believe that the foundational status quo will stay the same... particularly in business, that’s not true.” – Tom Steyer, Galvanize Climate Solutions Cody Simms and Tom discussed how the energy landscape is fundamentally shifting. As costs drop and technology improves, renewables like EVs, heat pumps, and batteries are becoming not just viable but a clear choice for businesses and consumers alike. This isn’t just a trend—it’s the future we’re seeing unfold right now. Where do you think this transformation will lead and what’s your prediction for the “new” status quo in energy and industry? ?? ?? Listen to the full conversation: https://mcj.news/steyer

Next up on Inevitable, we're covering the evolving world of carbon markets. Earlier this year, many anticipated 2024 as a year of redemption for carbon markets—with new rules and tools aiming to restore trust and integrity across the industry.?So Cody sat down with Tom Montag, CEO of Rubicon Carbon, to unpack the current state of the voluntary carbon market. They discuss: ?? The parallels with financial services in the 1980s ??? Regulatory and compliance considerations ?? Challenges around additionality, financial hedging, and trust Catch the full episode on your favorite podcast player!

Can solar power meet the soaring energy demands of AI-driven data centers? Our next guest is betting on it. ?? Earlier this year, Exowatt turned heads by announcing a $20 million Seed round backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Atomic, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. Exowatt's CEO and Co-founder, Hannan P. shares his company's approach to capturing and storing solar heat, before transforming it into electricity on demand—a tailored solution for data centers beyond traditional PV and lithium-ion storage. ?? Cody and Hannan dive into how Exowatt’s tech fills the gap, tackling the limitations of conventional energy systems to fuel hyperscalers while paving the way for a fossil-free future. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform. Link below!

Our very own, Leone Baron, is running several events during the first-ever Europe Climate Week now through November 8. Join us for a series of free virtual events to accelerate your climate career! Throughout the week, you'll uncover exciting career paths in climate, find your unique fit, connect with industry leaders, and gain the strategies you need to succeed. Here’s a sample of some climate career sessions we’re facilitating with our friends at Terra.do: ?? Sales & Business Development: https://lu.ma/k18h1og2 ?? Product Management & Design: https://lu.ma/wayzrz0i ?? Mechanical & Electrical Engineering: https://lu.ma/9cwdbw79 ?? Software & Data Engineering: https://lu.ma/eyhe0e3d ?? Marketing & Communications: https://lu.ma/73tmxcol Visit EuropeClimateWeek.org for the full schedule.

By now, you’ve likely noticed our refreshed look. We’re evolving the show to focus on the inevitable impacts of climate change and the groundbreaking solutions shaping our future. To kick off this next chapter, our first guest is Tom Steyer, Co-Executive Chair at Galvanize Climate Solutions, author of the New York Times bestseller, Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War, and contributor to Project Drawdown. In this episode, Tom and Cody dive into: ?? Tom’s call to prioritize "the obvious thing" ? Shift from fossil fuels to renewables and its potential for shared prosperity ?? Why an all-of-society approach is essential for meaningful climate action ?? Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.?If you previously followed My Climate Journey, this episode will be in the same feed.

We're days away from what's considered the most important election for climate and clean energy. It's only fitting that this week's MCJ newsletter features a piece from Michelle Deatrick, Founder and Chair of DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council. With Vice President Harris’s tie-breaking vote in the Inflation Reduction Act, our clean energy economy has flourished, creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs and supporting the growth of innovators—including some of MCJ’s own portfolio companies like Moment Energy, Arcadia and Sublime Systems. But all this progress is at risk.?Read the article to find out how you can make an impact with the time we have left.

Since 2019, we’ve had 500+ conversations with the leaders and innovators driving the energy transition. Through these discussions, our perspective has evolved. ?? Between intensifying extreme weather, from wildfires to hurricanes, and the ripple effects across global markets, climate change is inevitable—it’s already here. It’s reshaping our lives, economies, insurance, and response systems. ??At the same time, the energy transition—the rewriting of industries to be cleaner, more profitable, and more resilient—is also inevitable. We’ve realized our show is less about any individual journey and more about understanding these inevitable forces shaping our future. It’s about navigating climate impacts, industry adaptation, and driving innovation. And with that in mind, our new name was right in front of us.