Climate Swings

What if we could swap fear for courage as the key driver of the climate movement? Jenny Morgan, former business operations program manager at Microsoft and author of Cancel Culture in Climate, joins Climate Swings for a raw and wide-ranging conversation about the future of climate communication and advocacy. From designing inclusive experiences at Microsoft and championing B Corp values to confronting silence at COP26 and calling for empathy in an acrimonious era, Jenny unpacks how we can replace shame with curiosity, apprehension with dialogue, and paralysis with progress.Notes and resources* Jenny Morgan’s LinkedIn* Cancel Culture in Climate* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Neelambaree Prasad grew up in Mumbai the daughter of a mathematician and a nuclear scientist. She later became both a pharmacologist and a practitioner of traditional Indian dance. For sixteen years she built a corporate career in biotech and pharma, until the pandemic—and motherhood—cracked something open. What began as a restless question about purpose turned into ClimArts, a global collective weaving climate science with performance and storytelling, from stand-up comedy in Jakarta to ballet about coral reefs in Madagascar. In this conversation, Neelambaree talks about how art can illuminate evidence, how purpose can evolve, and how imagination might just be climate’s most renewable resource.Notes and resources* Neelambaree Prasad’s LinkedIn* ClimArts* Climate Swings interview with Kamal Kapadia* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

In this special crossover episode, we flip the mic: I sit down in the guest chair for a heart-to-heart with Jae Canetti of Terra.talk, the official podcast of Terra.do. Together we dive into the strange, sprawling world of climate communications—from my early days in global media (Global Times, Reuters, The Economist Group), to launching Word Clouds, my climate communications consultancy, to my reflections on how AI, authenticity, and attention economics are reshaping storytelling. The conversation ping-pongs from greenwashing and the economics of journalism to the human pulse behind good communications, the rise of curated communities over clickbait, and that infamous 2020 “Orange Sky Day” that pushed me fully into climate work. It’s a lively, meta, and sometimes philosophical tour through why we talk about climate the way we do—and why it still matters to keep talking.Notes and resources* Michael Gold’s LinkedIn* Climate Swings homepage* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

From scaling an AI startup before it was cool, to negotiating international trade deals, to building Canada’s first blue innovation cluster from a literal garden by the sea, Amelie Desrochers’ journey is anything but linear. In this episode, she traces the unlikely path that led her from Silicon Valley’s tech bubble and diplomatic corridors to the beating heart of the ocean economy. Now principal for blue economy and maritime sustainability at Cleantech Group, Amelie’s work represents the culmination of her search for meaning at the intersection of innovation, diplomacy, and nature—a place where technology meets tides, and purpose truly finds its depth.Notes and resources* Amelie Desrochers’ LinkedIn* Cleantech Group* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

When it comes to addressing climate change, sometimes it’s the “unworkable” ideas that are the ones we need the most. This episode features technologist-turned-sea-level-rise-provocateur Russ Walsh, who unpacks his audacious “SeaNet”: a globe-spanning lattice of canals and inland seas that would siphon ocean water inland and buy coastal cities time. Many will scoff—it’s too big, too messy, too hard. But with tides already licking at doorsteps and whole nations on the line, dismissing bold thinking is the riskiest move of all. Come for the skepticism; stay for the math, the engineering, and the unexpected upside (“blue gold”) that could turn adaptation into opportunity. If the water’s rising either way, shouldn’t we at least hear Russ out?Notes and resources* Russ Walsh’s LinkedIn* Climate Swings episode with Janelle Kellman, former mayor, city of Sausalito* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Lars Tallert took a wild swing from classical violinist to hard-hitting journalist early in his career, and then became an advisor to prime ministers, UN agencies, and The Guardian—and even served as a frontline witness in Nicaragua, where a reporting project on poisoned banana workers changed his life. Lars then co-founded the Sustainable Journalism Partnership—now 70 countries strong—to answer a simple, urgent question: how can climate journalism actually motivate people to act? In this conversation, Lars traces the thread from anti-apartheid campaigns to today’s “doom and gloom” news cycle, and lays out a blueprint for journalism that empowers communities instead of exhausting them—shifting audiences from consumers to participants, and linking climate change to the systems we live in, from culture to national resilience.Notes and resources* Lars Tallert's LinkedIn* Sustainable Journalism Partnership* Climate Swings episode with Peter Prengaman, global climate and environmental news director, the Associated Press* Climate Swings SubstackClimate Swings is an audience-supported podcast. To receive new episodes and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Tan took the long way to the front lines of the energy transition: UC-Berkeley chemical engineer turned field-hand in the cold of Edmonton and the deserts of Australia, installing wastewater and waste-gas recyclers—then co-founding Coreshell in 2017 after bootstrapping “the world’s cheapest battery lab” from auctioned equipment in a Richmond, California garage. Jonathan straddles business and deep tech, and he’s betting on a deceptively simple idea with huge stakes: swap today’s graphite anodes—mostly sourced from China—for a low-cost, abundant silicon alternative made with assets already operating in North America. If he’s right, EV batteries get cheaper, supply chains get sturdier, and decarbonization speeds up—not only as a moral imperative, but because the product is better for people’s lives. From rock-climbing calmly under pressure to building a team that’s stuck with him for eight years, Jonathan’s story is equal parts grit, chemistry, and clear-eyed pragmatism.Notes and resources* Jonathan Tan's LinkedIn* Coreshell* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Astrid Atkinson has a story that should inspire even the most jaded climate hawk. Growing up in rural Australia, she first got online when an internet-enabled train arrived in her village. She then decamped to the United States, dropped out of college to work for Google, and swung through a variety of high-impact roles at the search giant before founding her own company when the itch to do something about climate change got too strong to ignore. Now as the head of Camus, which provides digital solutions for the energy grid, she serves as a model of what it means to leave everything on the field when it comes to pursuing a climate career that can truly make a difference.Notes and resources* Astrid Atkinson's LinkedIn* Camus website* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

David Tze has crafted a unique career at the intersection of oceans, food, technology, investment, and climate. As the former CEO of NovoNutrients, he was, essentially, killing three birds with one stone: extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, growing synthetic protein that could feed the world, and finding new and more sustainable ways to harvest fish. This multi-pronged mission emerged out of a professional journey that saw him swing through a variety of crucible moments, including optimizing the online sale of baseball hats and founding an aquaculture investment firm alongside Jared Polis, the current governor of Colorado. Although NovoNutrients has closed up shop since this episode was recorded in March 2025—as all too often happens in the wild world of climate-tech startups—David’s story is a vivid reminder that climate careers can emerge from the most unexpected detours.Notes and resources* David Tze's LinkedIn* News item announcing the closure of NovoNutrients* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Climate change and racial inequality are problems that demand system change on a massive scale. Kory Murphy is working at the intersection of both. As program officer at The Lemelson Foundation, he empowers Black entrepreneurs in climate who are righting historical wrongs and creating a more liveable planet for all. His story starts in college, where his time on the football team helped him think strategically and holistically about how to maneuver and make change. Having swung through various roles managing critical infrastructure and child welfare services in Portland, Oregon, before landing at Lemelson, Kory has a sharp vision for how to move the needle on big, intractable problems in climate and racial justice.Notes and resources* Kory Murphy’s LinkedIn* The Lemelson Foundation* Climate Swings Substack Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Michael Liebreich is a household name in the energy world. As founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, he has unlocked vast amounts of data about the energy transition and provided invaluable insights for stakeholders up and down the value chain. His opinionated style and trademark wit has earned him a major audience as an analyst, writer, and podcaster on all things energy. On this episode of Climate Swings, we dive into his early years fixing his mother’s car, crunching numbers on the UK’s nuclear industry over 14-hour night shifts as a McKinsey consultant, and later founding New Energy Finance while he was unemployed and “unemployable”, in his telling. He also provides his current thoughts on the energy transition, including some opinions that will certainly, in trademark Michael Liebreich fashion, ruffle a few feathers.Notes and resources* Michael Liebreich’s website* Michael Liebreich’s Substack* Michael Liebreich’s LinkedIn* BloombergNEF* Cleaning Up Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

We all spend time in nature, but there is something truly unique about how John Muir Laws approaches his work (yes, that is his given name). John—who goes by the nickname Jack—is a naturalist, illustrator, and educator whose depictions of the great outdoors bring a fresh perspective to many places and spaces that we all take for granted. A few steps removed from your typical climate warrior, Jack works across vast political and socio-cultural divides to bring the joy of nature journaling to audiences around the world. In his journey, which took him from roaming the Sierra Nevadas to sparking an artistic movement, he demonstrates that the best way to succeed in difficult climate discussions is to find common ground with the simple things, like the birds and bees in our own backyards, that connect us. In this episode, Jack takes us through a lesson in nature art that could very well change how you see the world around you—and maybe inspire you to slow down and pay a bit more attention than you would otherwise. You’ll definitely want to WATCH this one!Notes and resources* John Muir Laws’s website* Americans’ partisan identities are stronger than race and ethnicity, Stanford scholar finds* Climate Swings Substack* Climate Swings YouTube* Climate Swings Spotify Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Join me on another special episode of Climate Swings, where I’m providing an update on the second leg of our Europe Summer travels. This time, I’m reporting from Madrid, which beats out Barcelona in terms of liveliness and being an undeniable seat of Spanish culture—but doesn’t quite measure up to Barcelona in other ways (including celebrity encounters 💃). Which city has the edge as the next place my husband and I might want to call home?Notes and resourcesLinkedIn Post: Barcelona Diaries Part II: Good Luck, Babe! 🇪🇸 Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

From small-town Pennsylvania to the halls of Stanford Law, from EPA environmental attorney to mayor of Sausalito, Janelle Kellman’s career has put her at the heart of the climate-community nexus—and could even see her become the next Lieutenant Governor of California. Join Janelle as she takes us through her "intellectual buffet" of roles—law firm partner, EPA Region 9 attorney, renewable energy consultant, planning commissioner, nonprofit founder, e-commerce entrepreneur, and elected official. Her secret sauce? An unshakeable belief that resilience beats sustainability every time, and that communities know best how to solve their own problems. Whether she’s securing $2 million in grants to flood-proof her waterfront town or hiking California’s watersheds to understand dam removal impacts, Janelle proves that the most effective climate leaders are those who listen first, act second, and never stop building coalitions. Her mantra is "community leader who took action" and she’s living it at every level from city hall to state politics.Notes and resources* Janelle Kellman’s LinkedIn* Center for Sea Rise Solutions* Janelle Kellman’s campaign website Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when you combine NASA research experience, an abandoned PhD, and a passion for getting game-changing climate-tech out of labs and into the real world? Meet Anku Madan, principal at Obvious Ventures, whose career has swung from engineering metallic alloys to co-founding a startup that created date rape drug detection technology, before finally finding his sweet spot funding climate solutions that could help save our planet. Today, Anku hunts for breakthrough innovations in carbon removal, synthetic biology, and geothermal energy—backing founders who are tackling trillion-dollar problems with deep-tech solutions. His story shows how technical chops paired with business savvy can accelerate the climate tech revolution we desperately need.Notes and resources* Anku Madan’s LinkedIn* Obvious Ventures Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode of Climate Swings, I'm breaking from my usual interview format to share a personal update from Barcelona, Spain—where I've been completely won over after just two weeks. Join me as I take you through the captivating blend of old-world charm and modern innovation that defines this Mediterranean gem, from its vibrant street life and exceptional public transit to its surprisingly robust climate action community. What started as the first stop on a three-city European tour has quickly evolved into something more significant: a potential future home. Listen in to discover why my husband and I have already changed our travel plans, how Barcelona compares to American urban life, and what this means for the future of Climate Swings as I explore the intersection of sustainable cities and climate careers from across the Atlantic. Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

How does a passionate environmentalist swing from managing garbage piles in India to launching a groundbreaking climate education platform that’s transformed thousands of careers? Join me as I interview Kamal Kapadia, co-founder of Terra.do. Her remarkable journey took her from crowded Indian cities to Oxford’s hallowed halls, from installing solar panels in Sri Lankan villages to teaching middle schoolers in Hawaiian tents, and finally to creating one of the most influential climate education programs in the world. Through her story of constant reinvention—from journalism to academia, from food gardens (including tending to an appropriately icky “worm bin”) to tech startups—Kamal reveals how education can be our most powerful tool for climate action, and why sometimes the most meaningful careers are built not from careful planning, but from a series of bold adventures guided by curiosity and conviction.Notes and resources* Kamal Kapadia’s LinkedIn* Terra.do Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Pop quiz: what is the most critical—yet criminally overlooked—frontier in our battle against climate change? If you said "cities", you get the gold star! Drawing from decades of global experience transforming urban landscapes, Gil Penalosa, today's guest and founder of 8 80 Cities, argues that how we design our cities in the next 40 years will fundamentally determine human sustainability for centuries to come. While most climate conversations obsess over energy, Penalosa, who came in second place in 2022's Toronto mayoral race, passionately demonstrates that urban planning is the secret weapon we've been missing—a holistic approach that combines health, equity, environmental sustainability, and human joy. His message is both urgent and optimistic: by reimagining cities as interconnected, walkable, green spaces that prioritize people over cars, we can create solutions that are not sacrifices, but pathways to a more vibrant, connected, and livable world. With infectious enthusiasm and razor-sharp insights, Gil challenges listeners to see urban design not as a technical challenge, but as a profound opportunity to reshape how humans live, move, and thrive together.Notes and resources* Cities for Everyone with Gil* 8 80 Cities* Gil Penalosa’s LinkedIn Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

In this personal episode of Climate Swings, host Michael Gold shares why he’s spending three months in Europe this summer—and why it might become permanent. After Trump's re-election and amid America's retreating climate leadership, he’s questioning what keeps him here. Join him as he explores Barcelona, Madrid, and Berlin while reflecting on where climate action truly lives in 2025. Is Europe calling? Listen to find out. Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe

Avroh Shah is a remarkable teenage climate activist who's already spent half his life advocating for environmental protection. Unlike my typical guests who've established professional careers, Avroh offers us something perhaps even more valuable: the unfiltered perspective of a generation inheriting our climate decisions. From organizing cleanups as an eight-year-old to becoming a plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit against the EPA, Avroh's journey demonstrates that age is no barrier to meaningful action. His clarity of purpose and unwavering commitment serve as a powerful reminder that passion and persistence can create change at any stage of life. Whether you're just starting your climate journey or decades into your career, Avroh's story challenges us all to examine what more we might do with the platforms we have.Also, if you’re going to be in town for San Francisco Climate Week at the end of the month, check out the two live Climate Swings recordings I’ll be hosting—links below. Would love to see you there!Notes and resources* Avroh Shah's LinkedIn* Genesis B. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency* LIVE podcast recording: Climate Swings interview with Terra.do co-founder Kamal Kapadia* Climate VC Dealmaker Live at KALW: Inside Anku Madan's Science-to-Investing Journey Get full access to Climate Swings at climateswings.substack.com/subscribe