I talked to acclaimed actor and activist, Martin Sheenabout why he thinks everyone has a responsibility to do something about the environment.
His views are especially topical today in light of the historic Climate Change Bill that went to the House last week. Although the vote passed, 212 representatives voted no; something Paul Krugman describesas treason against our planet. Martin Sheen would probably agree with that description.
“We have to be aware of our responsibility to future generations…he who hath offspring giveth hostages to the future. Well I’ve given children and grandchildren, so they own that future.” (more…)
I met with Rob Bernard, Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Strategist, at – appropriately enough – Green’s Restaurant in San Francisco to discuss the company’s green strategy and why it was late to embrace its green credentials.
What motivated Microsoft to appoint a Green Czar?
Why isn’t Microsoft more prominently green?
“This is not a competition issue for us. This is about literally lightening up the entire ecosystem of the IT industry; and we see it as a collective approach as opposed to an individual company, A or B.” Rob Bernard
Martin Sheensat down with me at the Flint Center in Cupertino to talk about what motivates him to be green and actively involved in environmental causes. He supports projects like the Sea Water Foundation, which is using seawater to create rich agriculture land from coastal deserts around the world. Check out the new Fresh Dialogues YouTube Channelmore exclusive interviews. (more…)
On Monday, I was invited to Greens Restaurantin San Francisco to meet Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Strategist, Rob Bernard. We then joined a small group of researchers and media to discuss Microsoft’s effortsto lower its carbon footprint and leverage information technology globally to address climate change and other environmental issues. The sun setting beyond Golden Gate Bridge was an apt backdrop for the conversation.
Cambridge scientist, Rich Williams (one of Microsoft’s 1000-strong Ph.D. researchers) emphasized that environmental challenges go beyond climate change and counting carbon footprints, “Just reducing CO2 to zero – and all will be fine – is not our goal.” The researchers have broader perspectives that take into account water resources, migration patterns, and longer term “blue sky” projects.
If we need any more evidence that clean tech is hot in Silicon Valley, this is it. Last Wednesday, I attended a lecture on Clean Tech Entrepreneurshipby Andres Wydlerat Stanford University. Originally planned for 20 to 30 students, the class was heavily oversubscribed and extended to 80 students. As of this writing, there are still 30 on the waiting list.
The class was packed with energetic people and ideas: a woman from National Geographic, just back from the Antarctic who’d witnessed the scale of the ice melting; a “green” executive from WallMart; entrepreneurs working in the solar, wind, and batteries sectors, and at least one VC. According to Andres’s questionnaire, two key factors are motivating attendees: making a living and making a difference. Several attendees are “between jobs” so the down economy is providing opportunities for some efficient reallocation of capital and labor.
Andres, founder of smartgrid company, BPL Global, wants to equip cleantech entrepreneurs with the tools they need to leverage their skills and ideas; and is bullish about Silicon Valley’s role in the world of clean tech. Admitting that the U.S. currently lags the rest of the world, he anticipates that we will be in the forefront of clean tech in certain sectors within the next 3-5 years.
“When Silicon Valley puts its mind to something, it’s a fantastic environment to pursue a cause,” he says.
The regulatory enviroment is moving in the right direction
Encumbant energy companies are motivated to change
FDR’s motivation: “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.” (heard again by President Obama’s chief of staff Rahm Emanuel most recently )
VC fundingfor clean tech is at record levels. Although 2008 Q4 showed a marked reduction in VC funding, Andres points out that it’s still attractive and alternative clean tech funding sources are available
Coming Soon: After his last class in February, I will interview Andres at length to find out what hot clean tech entrepreneurs he discovered, and get an overview of his conclusions and predictions for clean tech in Silicon Valley.
