Climate Hive presents What Do You Solve?

Rethinking Water Demand, Supply and Management - What You Need To Know

In this episode of Climate Hive’s What Do You Solve? Show, we sit down with Heather Cooley, Chief Research and Program Officer, and Nicole Wickenhauser, Chief Growth Officer, from the Pacific Institute — a globally respected, nonpartisan water think tank founded in 1987. For nearly four decades, the Pacific Institute has helped advance practical, science-based solutions to some of the world’s most pressing water challenges. Together, we explore how water demand, supply, and management are changing in real time — and how governments, businesses, and communities can respond with resilience, equity, and action. Heather and Nicole share how the Pacific Institute advises organizations and decision-makers, highlights success stories, and supports meaningful change across sectors. We discuss the Colorado River crisis, behavior change, international collaboration through the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate / Collective Action work, and how our personal relationship with water shapes broader climate resilience. Throughout the conversation, one theme comes through clearly: water is not just part of the climate conversation — it is where climate change becomes visible, urgent, and deeply human. Learn more about the Pacific Institute: https://pacinst.org/ [https://pacinst.org/] In this episode, we cover: – How Pacific Institute supports governments, companies, and organizations – Real-world shifts in water demand, supply, and management – Lessons from the Colorado River crisis – Global water stewardship and collective action – Stories of behavior change and systems change – Why water is central to climate resilience – What gives the Pacific Institute hope Featured guests: Heather Cooley — Chief Research and Program Officer, Pacific Institute Nicole Wickenhauser — Chief Growth Officer, Pacific Institute About Climate Hive: Climate Hive brings together leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers working on the most important climate challenges of our time. #ClimateHive #PacificInstitute #WaterSecurity #ClimateAction #WaterStewardship #ColoradoRiver #ClimateResilience #Sustainability #WhatDoYouSolve

The Future Of Solar Is A Game Changer

🌍 What Do You Solve? | Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV | Perovskite Solar & The Future of Clean Energy In this episode of Climate Hive: What Do You Solve?, we sit down with Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV, to explore the future of Perovskite solar technology and its role in accelerating the clean energy transition. Scott shares his journey from successful tech entrepreneur to clean tech innovator, explains why he joined Tandem PV, and breaks down what makes Perovskite solar such a promising advancement in renewable energy. We dive into his perspective on the current state of the energy transition, the challenges ahead, and what gives him hope for a sustainable future. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:09 The Stanford Origins 04:05 Coming Full Circle to Solar 06:29 What is Perovskite Solar? 08:51 Solving for Durability 10:34 The "Holy Grail" of Solar 11:37 The 3-Phase Manufacturing Plan 13:39 The "Solar of Things" 15:28 Indoor Use & Abundant Materials 17:42 A Hopeful Global Outlook 19:35 Winning on Economics 23:34 China's Solar Deployment 25:43 How to Compete with China 28:18 Why Focus on Utility-Scale? 29:47 Innovation vs. "Doom-and-Gloom" 33:20 The "Valley of Death" 35:38 How to Help & Driving the Market Forward 👉 Topics Covered: What is Perovskite solar technology? Why Scott Wharton joined Tandem PV How Tandem PV is changing the solar game Scott’s entrepreneurial background What gives Scott hope about the climate future 📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated on more interviews with leaders tackling the climate crisis. 🔗 Learn more about Tandem PV: https://www.tandempv.com/ [https://www.tandempv.com/] Scott Wharton CEO Scott is the CEO of Tandem PV, a disruptive solar panel company based in Silicon Valley. Prior to Tandem, Scott was the Vice President and General Manager of Logitech for Business, a division that generates ~$2 billion in annual revenue and includes all products, software, and services for business and enterprise customers. Before leading the B2B group, Scott drove 25x growth in the Video Collaboration division, starting as a small player in 2015 ($62m) to over $1 billion in revenue, becoming the global market leader for video equipment. Under his leadership, Logitech has developed award-winning products recognized by CES, iF Design, Red Dot, and IDA for design innovation. For product excellence, the honors include TIME Best Inventions in 2022 and 2024 and Fast Company Next Big Thing in Tech for two consecutive years. Scott has held market-leading roles throughout his career in the communications space including as the founder of Vidtel, a pioneer in cloud-based video conferencing services. Vidtel had a successful exit in 2013. Scott was an early executive at BroadSoft (IPO; acquired by Cisco) and VocalTec (IPO) where he spearheaded numerous groundbreaking initiatives, including the development of the first commercial VoIP product, the creation of the cloud PBX market, and the VoIP service provider industry. Scott holds an MBA from Yale University. #PerovskiteSolar #CleanEnergy #ClimateTech #ScottWharton #TandemPV #EnergyTransition #Entrepreneurship #WhatDoYouSolve #ClimateHive #SustainableFuture

Is The Future Of Energy Perovskite Solar?

🌍 What Do You Solve? | Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV | Perovskite Solar & The Future of Clean Energy In this episode of Climate Hive: What Do You Solve?, we sit down with Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV, to explore the future of Perovskite solar technology and its role in accelerating the clean energy transition. Scott shares his journey from successful tech entrepreneur to clean tech innovator, explains why he joined Tandem PV, and breaks down what makes Perovskite solar such a promising advancement in renewable energy. We dive into his perspective on the current state of the energy transition, the challenges ahead, and what gives him hope for a sustainable future. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:09 The Stanford Origins 04:05 Coming Full Circle to Solar 06:29 What is Perovskite Solar? 08:51 Solving for Durability 10:34 The "Holy Grail" of Solar 11:37 The 3-Phase Manufacturing Plan 13:39 The "Solar of Things" 15:28 Indoor Use & Abundant Materials 17:42 A Hopeful Global Outlook 19:35 Winning on Economics 23:34 China's Solar Deployment 25:43 How to Compete with China 28:18 Why Focus on Utility-Scale? 29:47 Innovation vs. "Doom-and-Gloom" 33:20 The "Valley of Death" 35:38 How to Help & Driving the Market Forward 👉 Topics Covered: What is Perovskite solar technology? Why Scott Wharton joined Tandem PV How Tandem PV is changing the solar game Scott’s entrepreneurial background What gives Scott hope about the climate future 📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated on more interviews with leaders tackling the climate crisis. 🔗 Learn more about Tandem PV: https://www.tandempv.com/ [https://www.tandempv.com/] #PerovskiteSolar #CleanEnergy #ClimateTech #ScottWharton #TandemPV #EnergyTransition #Entrepreneurship #WhatDoYouSolve #ClimateHive #SustainableFuture

When Owning Locks Us Into the Past and Renting Is a Pathway to Change

What does it really take to drive behavior change in construction and industrial operations? In this episode of What Do You Solve?, we sit down with Bevan Hurlbert of Sunbelt Rentals to explore how electrification is reshaping jobsites, improving worker health and safety, and changing the way companies think about equipment ownership. We dig into why buying equipment can sometimes lock organizations into yesterday’s technology — and why renting creates a unique opportunity to experiment with electric equipment, reduce risk, and accelerate innovation. Bevan also shares insights from his own professional journey, how Sunbelt Rentals is approaching sustainability at scale, and what the future of cleaner, quieter, safer jobsites could look like. Topics covered include: Behavior change in construction and industrial operations The health and safety impact of electric equipment Why rental models can accelerate innovation adoption The hidden risks of long-term equipment ownership Electrification trends in construction Sustainability goals at Sunbelt Rentals Bevan Hurlbert’s career journey and perspective on industry transformation If you're interested in construction innovation, sustainability, electrification, fleet strategy, or the future of industrial operations, this conversation is for you. Learn more about Sunbelt Rentals: https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/ [https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/] Connect with Bevan Hurlbert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevanhurlbert/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevanhurlbert/] #Construction #Sustainability #Electrification #EquipmentRental #Innovation #SunbeltRentals #CleanTech #IndustrialInnovation #BehaviorChange #WorkplaceSafety

Spreading the Gospel of Water with Alexis Morgan - WWF Global Water Stewardship Lead

Water is everywhere — yet somehow absent from many of our biggest climate conversations. In this episode of Climate Hive: What Do You Solve?, we sit down with Alexis Morgan, Global Water Stewardship Lead at WWF (World Wildlife Fund), to explore why the future of climate resilience, business, food systems, AI infrastructure, and human wellbeing all depend on how we rethink our relationship with water. Alexis opens by challenging a critical idea: the shift from water management to water stewardship. What does stewardship actually mean? And how do companies, governments, communities, and industries work together at the scale needed to solve global water challenges? This conversation goes far beyond drought headlines and water scarcity statistics. We unpack: Why water may be the most underestimated climate issue How the global water crisis is already showing up around the world The hidden connections between water, food, ecosystems, and economic stability Why sediment matters more than most people realize The growing tension between AI data centers and water demand Why collaboration — not isolated action — is essential for meaningful impact How your personal “water story” shapes the way you see the world Alexis brings a rare systems-level perspective to one of the most urgent and misunderstood challenges of our time. If you care about climate, sustainability, business, innovation, or the future of society, this episode will change how you think about water. 🌍 Learn more about WWF’s water stewardship work: https://www.wwf.se/english/hm-partnership-results/water/ [https://www.wwf.se/english/hm-partnership-results/water/] Subscribe to What Do You Solve? for conversations with leaders solving the world’s toughest challenges through innovation, collaboration, and systems thinking.