Scaling Community Based Clean Energy Projects To End Energy Poverty

Scaling Community Based Clean Energy Projects To End Energy Poverty

In this episode of Climate Hive: What Do You Solve?, we sit down with Emily Teitsworth, Executive Director of the Honnold Foundation, to explore how clean energy can transform lives, strengthen communities, and help address energy poverty around the world. ☀️🌍 Emily shares the story behind the Honnold Foundation, how it began through the vision of legendary climber and founder Alex Honnold, and how the organization has grown its global impact in under a decade. We talk about what it takes to build resilient, community-led clean energy projects, why energy access is so closely tied to opportunity, and the challenges facing communities still living without reliable power. ⚡ We also reference insights from the 2025 Impact Report, highlighting the Foundation’s expanding reach and the meaningful outcomes being created through its work. 📊 And yes, this episode includes a very special cameo from show co-host Mike Higgins’ senior pug, Eddie. 🐶✨ Learn more about the Honnold Foundation and their mission: https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/#mission [https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/#mission] In this episode: ☀️ The origin story of the Honnold Foundation 🧗 Alex Honnold’s vision for climate and energy access 🌱 How community-led clean energy projects create lasting resilience ⚡ The global challenge of energy poverty 📊 Highlights from the 2025 Impact Report https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/news/2025impact [https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/news/2025impact] 🐾 Eddie the pug’s unforgettable guest appearance #ClimateHive #WhatDoYouSolve #HonnoldFoundation #CleanEnergy #EnergyAccess #ClimateAction #EnergyPoverty #AlexHonnold #Sustainability #Podcast #ClimateSolutions #RenewableEnergy

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