Send us a text

For this episode Chris was joined by Rebecca Karp (CEO and Founder) and Ali-Sutherland Brown (Principal) from Karp Strategies.

Chris recalls, "I first met Rebecca through the offshore wind space a few years ago when we were both presenting at the International Partnering Forum (IPF) event in Atlantic City, NJ. I was immediately struck by her expertise, her ability to connect with local communities, and understand multiple drivers affecting that community."

On this episode we discuss at length a few major issues affecting modern city planning and sustainability efforts; workforce development, climate change impacts, community partnership, stumbling blocks and challenges to renewables development, and more. Somehow we cover a ton in the hour and it felt like chatting with friends over coffee. Ali and Rebecca are great, and the first time all season that I invited two experts from the same company. We did that to show that even within one firm, differing perspectives can flourish and benefit projects.

Cities will play an increasingly critical role in our society in coming years, but they will also be faced with incredible logistic challenges and constraints. Smart planning now based on projected impacts helps to equitably alleviate those future constraints.

Send us a text

For this episode Chris was joined by Sarah Henderson (Scientific Director, British Columbia Centers for Disease Control) and Christine Wiedinmyer (Associate Director of Science at Cires at the University of Colorado Boulder). Chris went heavy on the graphics and visuals during his intro this time because wildfire is such a visceral issue. Annual acreage burned is rising each year, insurance costs are a huge problem that not enough people are addressing, and air quality impacts from wildfire smoke are substantial.

It seems like many of the east coast of the US woke up to this issue when their skies were darkened multiple times in 2023 by Canadian wildfire smoke. Perhaps this is due to the level of change that would be needed to cause such an effect? I say this every time, but this episode made me feel smarter on these issues, made me have more questions, and made me wonder what coming years would look like? Turns out that Sarah and Christine have pretty nifty modeling programs that can help answer many of those questions. They are two brilliant leaders, enjoy.

Send us a text

For this episode, Chris was joined by two colleagues to continue a discussion that the three of them started over breakfast in Minneapolis earlier this year. Michael Jung, Government Affairs & Public Policy at Modern Hydrogen, and Madeline Urbish, Orsted Head of Public Affairs for the Americas Region, both live these issues every day. Our climate is changing, impacts are stacking up, the cost of business is rising (as is associated uncertainties), and most importantly, health impacts are expected to also rise...unless we do something about it.

But these are really heavy issues and progress can be difficult to see at times. I'd like to list Hannah Ritchie's "Six Things to Keep in Mind" from her excellent book, Not the End of the World. Thanks Maddie for the great recommendation.

1. We face big and important environmental challenges
2. The fact that our environmental issues aren't humanity's largest existential risk doesn't mean we shouldn't work on them.
3. You will have to hold multiple thoughts at the same time.
4. None of this is inevitable, but it is possible.
5. We cannot afford to be complacent.
6. You are not alone in this.

It was a fantastic discussion among friends, hearing from two people who know this stuff darn well, and who are actively trying every day to do difficult legacy projects, and make a positive impact. That's laudable and I hope you enjoy what they had to say.