Mon, Jun 15, 2026
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Using AI to Unlock Geothermal Energy at Scale: Zanskar
Geothermal energy has long been seen as a promising, but challenging, clean energy resource. Unlike wind or solar, geothermal requires finding heat hidden deep underground, often with little surface indication of where to look. Joel Edwards, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Zanskar, joins Climate Rising to explain how advances in geoscience, data science, and machine learning are transforming geothermal exploration. By combining publicly available geologic data with modern modeling techniques, Zanskar is working to reduce the risk and cost of finding new geothermal resources. The conversation explores how geothermal systems work, why exploration has historically been challenging, and how Zanskar’s approach is enabling “blind discoveries”—finding viable geothermal resources that lack surface expressions such as hot springs or geysers. Joel also discusses the economics of geothermal, the role of data centers as a potential catalyst for growth, and what it will take to scale the industry.
Fri, Jun 5, 2026
Carbon Pricing and Climate Policy: A Conversation with Yale Professor Ken Gillingham
Kenneth Gillingham, Professor of Economics at the Yale School of the Environment, is the guest on this week's episode. Drawing upon his expertise in applied microeconomics, behavioral economics, industrial organization, and integrated assessment modeling of climate change, he and host Robert Stavins discuss carbon pricing mechanisms, energy policy, and the importance of distributional equity in designing climate policy. The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.
Fri, May 29, 2026
The Future of Biodiversity: Reconciling Nature and Economics
As part of Boston Climate Week, The Harvard University Biodiversity and Planetary Stewardship Initiative (HUBS) , anchored at the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, hosted a panel discussion and networking reception around the Future of Biodiversity.
Biodiversity underpins our planet’s life support systems, yet views differ on why biodiversity matters. On one end of the spectrum, nature matters because it supports the well-being of people, primarily through natural capital (the “utilitarian” perspective). On the other end of the spectrum, the diversity of nature has an intrinsic value, given its 3.9 billion years of evolutionary history, most of that in the absence of humans (the “nature for nature” perspective).
This panel explores these contrasting perspectives and how they can be reconciled. In doing so, we examine the roles and responsibilities humans bring to the table, whether it is protecting pristine environments, enjoying wildlife, or utilizing nature for its ecosystem services.
Wed, May 20, 2026
SGRP Lunch Talk: Thinking Well About Solar Geoengineering
Debates about solar geoengineering often move quickly to questions about whether the technology should be researched or eventually deployed. But those questions cannot be answered adequately if they are poorly framed. In this talk, Britta Clark, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Harvard Solar Geoengineering Research Program, examines several recurring errors in public and academic discussions of solar geoengineering. By bringing these errors into view, she aims to clear the way for a more precise, productive, and honest debate over the role of solar geoengineering in the energy transition.
Tue, May 19, 2026
David Potere at BCG X: Using AI & Satellites in Climate Solutions
AI and geospatial technologies are transforming how industries understand and respond to climate challenges. David Potere, Managing Director and Partner at BCG X, joins Climate Rising to describe how sensing, decision-making, and automation are reshaping and decarbonizing sectors like agriculture and energy. The conversation examines how satellite data, AI models, and real-time sensing systems are enabling new levels of transparency—from methane emissions in energy systems to crop yields and wildfire risks. David discusses the concept of “Industry 4.0” in outdoor environments, where deploying technology is significantly more complex than in controlled factory settings. The episode also highlights emerging applications in agriculture, energy infrastructure, and climate resilience, and explores how advances in AI and data systems are lowering barriers to innovation. David reflects on the future of consulting, the democratization of technology, and the growing role of builders in solving climate challenges.
Mon, May 18, 2026
CleanLaw - The Student Environmental Law Experience at HLS: Research, Clinics, and Community
Professor and EELP Founding Director Jody Freeman and Professor Richard Lazarus talk with three HLS students about what drew them to environmental law, their experience at the Emmett Environmental Law Center, including working at EELP and in the environmental law and policy clinic, favorite courses, and what life at HLS is really like.
Fri, May 8, 2026
Climate Risk Meets Finance: Modeling the Future of Real Estate with First Street
As climate risks intensify, understanding their financial implications is becoming critical for businesses, investors, and homeowners alike. Ed Kearns, Chief Science Officer at First Street, joins Climate Rising to explain how climate data is being translated into actionable financial risk insights. The conversation explores how First Street models physical climate risks—including flooding, wildfire, and extreme weather—and translates them into property-level financial impacts. Ed discusses why traditional tools like FEMA flood maps fall short in a changing climate, and how new approaches combine physics-based modeling with high-resolution data. The episode also examines how climate risk is reshaping real estate markets, insurance systems, and investment decisions, and why transparency is driving a fundamental shift in how risk is priced. Ed reflects on the growing demand for climate risk intelligence and the role of both private markets and public policy in adapting to a warming world.
Fri, May 1, 2026
Harvard Voices on Climate Change: Biodiversity and Climate Resilience
Featuring Jeaninne Cavender-Bares, Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology; Director of the Harvard University Herbaria, this discussion examines how biodiversity shapes ecosystem responses to a changing climate and how advances in science can support global efforts to monitor and assess biodiversity and ecosystem services. This work underpins the recently launched Harvard University Biodiversity Initiative for Planetary Stewardship (HUBS), which brings together cross-disciplinary research to better understand, monitor, and sustain biodiversity to advance scalable solutions.
Wed, Apr 29, 2026
The Prospects for Climate Adaptation: A Conversation with Matthew Kahn
Matthew Kahn, Provost Professor of Economics at the University of Southern California (USC), and one of the world's leading authorities on the intersection of urban economics, environment, and climate change, expressed his support for climate adaptation policies in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.”
Fri, Apr 24, 2026
Patagonia Provisions: Regenerative Organic Agriculture and Reimagining the Food System
Patagonia Provisions General Manager Paul Lightfoot joins Climate Rising to discuss why Patagonia expanded beyond apparel into food, and how regenerative organic agriculture is central to its mission of addressing climate change. Patagonia’s food business was built on the belief that agriculture is one of the largest drivers of environmental degradation—and therefore one of the most important opportunities and levers for change. The conversation explores how Patagonia’s early transition to organic cotton shaped its approach and evolution into regenerative organic agriculture. Paul that Patagonia’s focus seeks to encourage regenerative practices that improve soil health, nutrition, and environmental performance. Paul also describes some challenges of building regenerative supply chains, including working directly with farmers, creating demand signals, and managing supply constraints in a fast-growing business. He discusses the role of the Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) standard in addressing greenwashing and scaling adoption, as well as Patagonia’s broader strategy to influence industry practices—not just gain market share. The episode closes with a discussion of the future of regenerative agriculture, the limitations of policy-driven change, and Patagonia’s belief that market demand and consumer awareness will ultimately drive transformation in the food system.
Thu, Apr 16, 2026
Harvard Voices on Climate Change: Measuring Forest-Based Carbon Emission Reductions
This session explores the science and measurement behind forest-based carbon emission reductions. Featuring Missy Holbrook, Charles Bullard Professor of Forestry, and Benton Taylor, Associate Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, the discussion examines how researchers measure carbon stored in forests and assess the role of forest conservation and restoration in climate mitigation.
Tue, Apr 14, 2026