In this episode of Climate on the Edge, I’m diving into a topic that’s been top of mind lately—what happens if the political winds shift, and we lose momentum on climate policy? With the election approaching, there’s a lot of talk about the potential rollback of the Inflation Reduction Act and what that could mean for climate infrastructure funding. I recently attended Voyagers’ Annual General Meeting, where industry experts discussed the resilience of climate tech companies in the face of political uncertainty, and it got me thinking.

One of the most interesting moments at the AGM was Nat Bullard’s presentation, where he highlighted how institutional predictions about renewables have consistently been wrong—renewables continue to grow exponentially. Even with concerns about reduced subsidies, other speakers made a strong case that the best climate companies can thrive on their own. They argued that while subsidies are helpful, they’re not the sole reason for success. So, when is it really safe for investors like us to dive into climate tech?

In this episode, I also take a look at the bigger picture when it comes to subsidies. Industries like oil, gas, and agriculture have benefited from billions in government support over the years, and climate tech should be no different. While some fear a shift in political power could direct subsidies back toward fossil fuels, I believe waiting for certainty could mean missing out on huge opportunities. We need to rethink how we view subsidies and invest in the companies building our future, regardless of political changes. Thanks for listening, and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Episode Resources

Nat Bullard’s website w/ links to past presentations: https://www.nathanielbullard.com/

Timestamps

00:00 The Election…

01:03 Insights from the Climate Tech Venture Fund Meeting

02:56 The Reality of Subsidies + Wild Statistics

09:15 Political Risks and Opportunities Ahead

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Supported by emrgnce - innovative minds exploring climate’s next frontier.

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As biodiversity faces mounting risk from the explosion of H5N1 bird flu and climate change, can investing in nature-focused startups unlock new ways to safeguard our planet’s species and ecosystems?

On this episode of Climate on the Edge we’re joined by Tom Quigley, who discusses his unique journey from conservation biology to technology and eventually becoming a venture capitalist focusing on biodiversity. His experiences in field conservation then tech startups shaped his understanding of leveraging technology for conservation challenges.

The conversation explores concepts of ecosystem services, biodiversity measurement, land-use change, and the interplay between technology and nature. Quigley emphasizes nature's resilience, existing initiatives for biodiversity protection, and the future of nature tech.

He also shares personal reflections from his career working to support nature, and how he hopes to see much more of the finance world join the trend of investing in “nature-tech”.

02:19 From Conservationist to Tech Enthusiast

07:51 Challenges and Opportunities in Nature Tech

11:41 Understanding Biodiversity and Its Importance

18:31 The Economic Value of Ecosystem Services

25:47 Complexity of Measuring Biodiversity

30:10 Nature as Humanity's Defense Against Climate Disaster

32:20 The Role of Mangroves in Storm Protection

33:24 Key Drivers of Biodiversity Loss

36:49 Understanding Zoonotic Diseases

42:12 Hopeful Solutions and Nature's Resilience

46:06 The Future of Nature Tech and Biodiversity Investments

54:56 Optimism for the Future

Episode Resources

Superorganism

Their blog

Book Review on ‘Legibility’

Bat Fungus Leads to Population Loss

‘Terrifying’ Article on H5N1’s Effect on Biodiversity

WWF Report

Sharkwater Documentary

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For more about the show and more information about episodes, visit Climate on the Edge.

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Supported by emrgnce - innovative minds exploring climate’s next frontier.

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This week host Susan Su takes you behind the scenes at the 2024 Carbon Removal Capital Summit, offering exclusive insights from the forefront of CDR innovation.

Experience the energy of the event as Susan interviews a broad lineup of industry pioneers from the most exciting carbon removal companies—live, on the conference floor.

Learn how these innovators are advancing CDR technologies from pilot projects to full-scale implementation, and discover the bold strategies they’re using to secure funding and scale their breakthrough solutions in the fight against climate change.

On this episode Susan and talks with Steve Oldham, CEO of Captura whose ocean-based carbon removal technology uses renewable electricity to extract CO2 directly from seawater.

02:29 Understanding Captura's Mechanism

03:54 The Shift from Air to Ocean Carbon Capture

05:40 Carbon Removal and Geoengineering: Plans B and C

11:46 Captura's Success and Innovation

14:51 Solutions for Captura’s Energy Needs

17:10 Hope and Motivation in Carbon Removal

22:40 Future Industry Outlook

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