Happy Friday, readers. We are officially into November, which marks not only the true beginning of the end of the year, but it’s 12 days until I depart for the Galapagos Islands. If you’ve ventured there personally, do you have any recommendations? From species to watch out for to something I should pack, my inbox is open for your suggestions!
This week’s must read, aka, Angela and I co-wrote an op-ed
In our first collaborative effort, Engagement Director Angela Larck and I wrote this op-ed, Beyond the headlines: Bill Gates simply said innovation is key to addressing climate change. Published by our friends at The Invading Sea, we both found ourselves frustrated at the knee jerk reaction to the Gates memo which it feels like many neglected to actually read.
“If you move beyond the headlines and into the subtext, Gates is stating some pretty obvious facts: The status quo isn’t working and innovation is key — not just to solving climate change, but to doing it in a way that allows for global prosperity,” we wrote. “But nuance rarely survives the social-media churn. Within hours of publication, prominent figures were claiming victory over a ‘climate hoax.’ A post from President Donald Trump declared, ‘Bill Gates has finally admitted that he was completely WRONG on the issue.’ That’s not what Gates said — or even implied. His message was that climate change is serious but solvable, and that policy, innovation, adaptation and human welfare must advance together. Unfortunately, the sound-bite economy rewards outrage over understanding.”
But Bob Inglis made the most astute observation about the Gates memo: “Who am I to question Bill Gates’ faith in innovation?”
The EcoRight Speaks wants to know… is the future of fusion written in the stars?
Perhaps you’ve heard mention of fusion in the news lately but didn’t really understand what it is, what potential it offers, and how far off it is from widespread adoption. If that describes you then you will want to tune into this week’s episode featuring Andrew Holland, the founding CEO of the Fusion Industry Association. Andrew is a long-time expert on clean energy, especially as it pertains to climate change and national security and he’s here to break down all your (i.e. my) questions about fusion energy.
Coming up next week…
Earlier this year, I gave a keynote at Planet Forward and then sat on a panel with Hattie Hobart, who had recently moved from American Conservation Coalition to Nature is Nonpartisan. She is coming on the pod to talk about the mission of this latest nonprofit founded by Benji Backer and priorities for the upcoming year. We may talk about hiking too.
Calling all NYC dwellers
Looking to meet more like minded people and have a riveting discussion of climate science and zero-emissions energy engineering? If so, join EcoRighter Bill Chapman for November’s Monthly Climate Science and Energy Engineering dinner on Monday, the 10th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Skylight Diner see (map) at the southwest corner of 9th Avenue and West 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, within easy reach of the A/C/E & 7 subways, and a block away from LIRR and NJ Transit at Penn Station.
The restaurant has a large menu with many cuisines and does separate checks for large groups, so everyone can pay with their own credit card.
If you can’t make this one, they meet the second Monday of every month at the same time and place!
Talking free market solutions in Georgia
What a swing our ED Bob Inglis recenlty had in the Peach State. We will certainly share more in next week’s edition when we unveil “Bob’s Corner,” but for now, the teaser is that he met with hundreds of students at UGA, got together with Weather Geeks’ Dr. Marshall Shepherd (pictured above), and made contacts that will help us continue to make a big splash in this target state of ours.
Quote of the week
“When the costs of climate change become evident, there’s a political necessity to find policy that works,” Bob said in this interview. “When people see them on their utility bills and they see them in their property tax bills, that’s when they start asking, is there any way to head this off?”
WEBINAR: Last call to sign up (and potentially win a book)
Please join us on Thursday, November 13th at 6pm ET for our last webinar of 2025, featuring the fabulous Heather White, author of One Green Thing. Congrats to our members who have already won copies, Karen F. in New York, Dennis S. in Indiana, and Kimberly D. in Florida. We have two more to give away!
Register here.
That’s it for me! See you in a frenzied packing panic next Friday!