We just had an amazing conversation on the Earth Kind podcast with Paige Ruane and Vanessa Bertozzi from Partners for Climate Action, Hudson Valley.

They shared insights on their work supporting local communities in addressing the climate crisis and improving ecosystems in the Hudson River Valley watershed.

Did you know they've given out over $3 million in grants since starting? Their impact is truly inspiring!

Paige and Vanessa believe that the overlapping ecological crises are best addressed by the communities that are closest to them by using approaches that honor the uniqueness of each place.

Partners for Climate Action (PCA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2019 with a mission to catalyze bioregional climate action. They believe in addressing ecological crises at the local level, honoring the uniqueness of each community. PCA focuses on moving various forms of capital to where they can have the most impact, aiming to catalyze local action effectively. Their core work involves providing funding, knowledge, tools, and connections to support grantees in achieving success.

PCA's priority areas include ecological restoration, emphasizing the establishment of community forests and native habitat cultivation, as well as the decarbonization of existing building stock in underserved communities within the region. By prioritizing these initiatives, PCA aims to empower communities to take action on climate change at the local level, recognizing the importance of grassroots efforts in creating meaningful change.

About the Founders:

Paige Ruane is a co-founder of Partners for Climate Action, where she co-developed the Local Champions program and the Building DecarbonizationGrants program. She is a member of her Climate Smart Communities Task Forcein Austerlitz, NY where she contributed to the achievement of bronze certification. Paige has worked as a psychotherapist and documentary film and radio writer/producer.

Vanessa Bertozzi works as a consultant for Partners for Climate Action, where she co-developed the Local Champions program and the Building Decarbonization Grants program. Vanessa is an elected official on the Board of Trustees for the Village of Rhinebeck, NY, where she led her Climate Smart Community Task Force to bronze certification. As a consultant, Vanessa has worked for The New York Times and clean energy companies. Previously, she worked at Etsy.com for over a decade.

If you're looking for ways to get involved in climate action, this episode is a must-listen.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode

• Funding and Support for Local Communities: Partners for Climate Action provides funding and support to local communities addressing the climate crisis and improving ecosystems in the Hudson Valley watershed.

• Programs Overview: The podcast discusses the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and the Climate Smart Communities program, highlighting their goals and actions.

• Grant Programs: Details about the building decarbonization grant program and ecological restoration grants are shared, emphasizing the impact on reducing carbon emissions and restoring ecosystems.

• Community Engagement: The importance of community involvement, volunteerism, and collaboration in addressing climate change is highlighted, along with the role of local champions and organizations.

• Upcoming Events and Initiatives: Information about upcoming webinars, field trips, and grant opportunities, such as the pollinator action guide and forest health projects, is provided for listeners to engage with.

• …and many more

“Think locally. Act locally.” - Vanessa and Paige, PCA Founders

Resources:

PCA Awards Twenty Building Decarbonization Grants https://www.climateactionhv.org/decarb-grant

Connect with Climate Action HV

• https://www.climateactionhv.org

• Instagram @climateactionhv

• Be a Climate Action HV Supporter/ Donate: https://www.climateactionhv.org/checkout/donate?donatePageId=64b822edbd30a73b5c77c3ca

From plastic medicine bottles to sustainable healthcare products, learn how Cabinet Health is making a difference.

In this episode, we chat with Russell Gong, co-founder of Cabinet Health, about their mission to eliminate single-use plastic medicine bottles in the healthcare industry. Tune in for an inspiring conversation!

Russ shares his journey from recognizing the plastic medicine problem to founding a sustainable healthcare company.

Learn how Cabinet Health is innovating to make a positive impact on the environment and healthcare industry.

From appearing on Shark Tank to envisioning a future with circularity and refillability in healthcare packaging, Russ discusses the exciting possibilities ahead.

Discover more about Russ's impactful story and the future of sustainable healthcare in this episode.

Russ's story is a compelling reminder of the power of innovation and entrepreneurship in tackling some of the world's most pressing issues. His work with Cabinet Health not only addresses environmental concerns but also paves the way for a healthier planet. It's inspiring to see how businesses can lead change and make a significant impact on both industry standards and global sustainability.

Today’s awesome Earth Podcast is sponsored by Earth Energy Consulting. Earthkind Energy brings over 30 years of expertise in creating clean energy projects that reduce energy costs, provide outstanding returns on investments, lower carbon footprints, and leave a proud legacy for our children and all future generations. www.earthkindenergy.com.

Topics Covered:

• Journey of Russell Gong: Learn about Russ Gong, co-founder and President of Cabinet Health, and how the company is tackling the issue of plastic waste in healthcare.

• Problem of Plastic in Healthcare: Delve into the environmental impact of single-use plastic in the healthcare industry.

• Impact of Microplastics: Discover the effects of microplastics on human health and the environment.

• Experience on Shark Tank: Learn about the behind-the-scenes experience of appearing on the TV show Shark Tank and the lessons learned.

• Vision for Sustainable Healthcare Packaging: Understand the future vision for sustainable healthcare packaging and the potential transformation of the healthcare industry towards circularity and refillability.

• And many more…

"The best packaging is no packaging, right? - Russell Gong

Resources Mentioned:

• Beyond Zero: Directed by Nathan Havey

• Kellie Gillespie

Connect with Russell Gong

• Website: https://cabinethealth.com/

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-gong-b9528346

The entire world is transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy sources for our electricity, heating, cooling and transportation. Technologies such as energy efficient light bulbs and appliances, solar and wind powered electricity, air and ground source heat pumps, and electric vehicles are transforming our lives.

Communities, schools, and workplaces are adopting zero-carbon technologies that will also reduce costs and improve our health and safety. But did you know that the industrial sector is responsible for one third of global greenhouse gas emissions and that industry is projected to become America's biggest emission source by 2035.

For climate action to succeed, we need to develop sustainable industrial practices.

How can we revolutionize America's biggest emitters, the iron, steel, chemicals, and cement industries?

In today's episode, we meet Jeffrey Rissman. The Senior Director of Industry at Energy Innovation, Jeffrey focuses on technologies and policies that combat the rise in greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector.

Jeffrey has a new book, Zero-Carbon Industry: Transformative Technologies and Policies to Achieve Sustainable Prosperity, and it's now on sale worldwide.

In Zero-Carbon Industry, Jeffrey unpacks the complex challenges presented by climate change and offers clear actionable insights on how we can revamp the industrial world's heaviest emitters using cutting edge technologies and intelligent policies.

Cited in the Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Fast Company, Forbes, and elsewhere, his work shows how we can reshape our entire industrial landscape.

Today's awesome Earth Podcast is sponsored by Earth Energy Consulting. Earthkind Energy brings over 30 years of expertise in creating clean energy projects that reduce energy costs, provide outstanding returns on investments, lower carbon footprints, and leave a proud legacy for our children and all future generations. www.earthkindenergy.com.

Now let's hear Jeffrey Rissman tell us how Zero-Carbon Industry provides a roadmap to how smart investments in technology, people, and the planet can lead our transformative journey to a carbon-neutral industrial sector.

Topics Covered in this episode:

• Learn about the importance of decarbonizing the industrial sector.
• Find out about technologies and policies for achieving sustainable prosperity in the industrial sector.
• Learn about the concept of zero-carbon industry and how it can be achieved.
• Find out about the role of heat pumps in decarbonizing industrial heating processes.
• Learn about the various technologies available for delivering heat in industrial processes.
• And more…

“One thing I realized is that the industrial sector is very important. It's producing a lot of the emissions that humans are adding to the atmosphere, but it gets a lot less attention than the other sectors. “ - Jeffrey Rissman

Connect with Jeffrey Rissman:

• Zero-Carbon Industry: Transformative Technologies and Policies to Achieve Sustainable Prosperity (Center on Global Energy Policy Series) book: https://zerocarbonindustry.com/
• 20% Off the Book when you sign-up through this mailing list sign-up: https://energyinnovation.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0faf0f29db5d15d8b0c1411ad&id=b3d85e52c9
• https://www.jeffreyrissman.com/