Putting heart into the clean economy — and a price on carbon

I’m excited to share (albeit belatedly) the video of my opening remarks at VERGE 19 — which includes a surprise performance by my band, The Seastars, to sing Governor Newsom on stage with a song about putting a price on carbon.

Last week, I celebrated my seven year anniversary with GreenBiz Group, and 15 months since stepping into my role as Executive Director of VERGE. As I reflect on this chapter, I feel tremendous gratitude:

Gratitude for the opportunity to lead what really truly is becoming a center point of gravity in the movement to accelerate a clean economy. Gratitude that I get to show up at work every day alongside an extraordinary team of passionate, creative and mission-driven people. Gratitude for the ways in which the fruits of our labor were born last fall at the most successful VERGE event to date (until, of course, VERGE 20 happens this October 27-29 in San Jose) — over 3,500 leaders descended on Oakland for a week of exploring systemic solutions to the climate crisis, and how to collaborate more effectively to advance them.

I believe firmly that the clean economy movement requires heart and soul. We can talk about technologies, policies, market forces and finance mechanisms all day; but rooting ourselves in inspired, creative visions of the world we are working to build, and how to make it work for all people and all life, is essential.

That’s why, of countless memorable moments at VERGE 19, the opportunity to do a surprise performance with The Seastars and Cello Joe to open the show — and sing Governor Newsom on stage — was, without question, a highlight. We sang about the need to put a price on carbon, with customized homages to California’s climate leadership and a call to action by the global community to get onboard with carbon pricing.

The standing ovation we received was, I believe, a signal not only of having rocked the room of over a thousand clean economy leaders, but also of resonance. On a practical note, resonance with the critical importance of putting a global price on carbon emissions as a central strategy to mitigate global warming and avert the worst of this climate emergency. On a more personal note, resonance with the ways in which bold, creative, courageous acts of performance can serve to inspire more bold, creative, courageous action in our work in the world.

I share the video belatedly, since it’s taken a while to get over my disappointment about the way in which tech issues and the imbalance in our microphones mutes the full effect of our harmonies. Suffice to say, and especially given the urgency of this work, perfection certainly isn’t the goal.

Good news! If you're inspired to support a price on carbon and The Seastars, you can do both at the same time. Check out our fundraising campaign (which includes the official recording and a teaser video) to produce a professional music video for Carbon Needs a Price Tag. We're in conversation with leaders from the World Bank and Citizens Climate Lobby about supporting their global campaign to put a price on carbon.

Big shout out to Paulette van Ommen for being the original inspiration for the song. And to each of you for your work in the world. I hope you enjoy!

#CarbonPriceTag