On Becoming Known As A Climate Transition Leader

The ones who help catalyze much-needed climate transitions, like the renewable energy getting so much media coverage lately, are the ones who’ll be considered pioneering leaders. This is not news. But, as I watch this underway in energy as well as transportation and food systems (two of the areas I cover most), I continue to see the same-old names and stories in the news. The thing is, the majority of those innovators, entrepreneurs and big-thinkers who are making a key difference in this shift, have not done a good job of amplifying what they are up to.

A big part of that is that they have not owned their leadership voice or engaged with - and contributed to - any ongoing conversations in their broader sectors. They (you?) should find a wee bit of time to do so.

Why?

If you are a climate tech founder and looking for funding, for example, it pays for you to have an online-visible part in sector leadership conversations. It helps for funders/VC to do a scan and see that you are connected to and engaging in conversations with some of the long-standing influencers in your space. It only ADDS to your attractiveness as a candidate for funding.

If you are a corporate CEO of an established brand that is doing some major work to be part of the supply chain or overall cleaner/greener development of business, it pays for you to be seen talking about the pivot point or the reasons you moved your focus in that direction. It also pays to be engaging in some bit of online conversation, sharing content, or being seen at gatherings where bigger topics and a wider range of influencers convene.

In both (all) cases, if you step OUT a tad and get more visible with your personal story about climate-realization, your story about your product or service related to that topic is received with more trust. As well, you make it a lot easier for the media to see you, map out that you are generally contributing smart comments, and see you as an accessible future resource or source.

Do you see where I’m heading with all of this? Get more visible. Be seen #livingchange (there’s a reason that’s the name of my podcast!) and helping folks in all of your personal and business circles see how the dots connect with your professional ventures. Be seen moving forward on climate action from a variety of angles.

If you are reading the recent articles about the green energy transition and wish that YOUR name were in those articles about smart, early movers or long-time leaders in the sector, there’s something you should have been doing in advance that you’ve neglected.

It’s worth it. Own your leadership voice, figure out what’s comfortable for you (I mean - even paying attention to your LinkedIn account and picking five key influencers you intend to get more connected with), and “associate” more, add value, cheer on, love up and amplify all that’s good and moving the needle forward in your space. You WILL be noticed - and more folks will turn to you to stay in touch with leading thinkers they want to learn from.

Can you argue with the value in that? You know where to find me when you are ready to step it up.

News To Use

Re: Climate change storytelling via Sierra Club

Is it just me, or did you catch a whiff of Dashiell Hammett? The Parrot and the Igloo has a distinctly noir quality. Our narrator plays the role of the hard-bitten, seen-it-all private investigator trailing the perps through a fog-dimmed night.

Amazing Sierra Club book review on new book by David Lipsky. Described as “ a propulsive read that has the snap of a screenplay”…how can you resist. I’m getting a review copy soon, folks, so stay tuned.

RE: Climate behavior change via Katharine Hayhoe / Ideas.TED (from her archive)

When you hear or see or learn about what the real solutions look like and how many of them are already being implemented or will be in the near future, that can increase your efficacy. And when you see someone do something or find out about something you can do in your personal life — that increases your efficacy, too.

This excellent piece adds fodder for my theory that it DOES matter if mayors and other leaders are themselves seen practicing the suggested behavior changes. Imagine seeing your neighbor with an ebike (I’ve been the reason probably 10 of my neighbors have bought one) and then also seeing your city council person or mayor on one regularly. THAT is Climate Influence, people, and we need a lot more of it.

RE: food via Plantbased News

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden enlisted renowned plant-based chef Nina Curtis to curate the menu. Curtis worked with White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford and executive pastry chef Susan Morrison to celebrate American cuisine while incorporating Indian flavors and elements. According to chef Curtis, the state dinner “aimed to promote sustainability and inclusivity while bridging cultural influences.” 

The fact that a White House state dinner was plant-based (but for a fish option) is bigger news than was even noted here. I wish it had been the climate context more pointedly (of course). The climate influence in nudging even a few more leaders and folks with influence (i.e. guests at such a dinner) the opportunity to realize that everyone is just fine if they don’t eat meat (and dairy, and… other animal products) for a single meal. In fact, they may just love it.

***

My Climify podcast interview posted this week, and it’s a great backgrounder conversation on my climate influence mission and counterintuitive theory of change. Here’s a quote about my “naming and faming” (versus naming and shaming) approach:

…it's gonna involve naming and faming and it's going to involve finding political leaders in small towns like similar to where you live and helping Your leaders see that it's a good political move for them to help people get out, achieve and be able to ride a bike or choose less-car transportation. So you name and fame leaders, or you help your political leaders see that this is possible, and that other political leaders across the country who ride their bike are getting a lot of good press for doing it. Right. So kind of appeal to vanity in a leader.”

Reminder: I am planning to be at Climate Week NYC in late September. Please ping me if you know of events that seem like a fit for my climate influence focus. As well, and as a podcast host, I’d make an excellent moderator-for-hire who can bring to your panels and sessions my excellent sustainability and climate-focused leadership audiences (especially via my social platform amplification). You know where to find me…

Thanks *so much* for reading/sharing/subscribing. Please comment or message me with questions on building climate influence. I may cover your suggested topics in a future issue. In the meantime, feel free to follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram and T2 in the meantime (I also linger on “X”.)