Climate Hive presents What Do You Solve?

In this episode of Climate Hive, we sit down with Richard Dickson, founder of Play It Green, to explore how companies can turn climate ambition into measurable action. #Reduce #Repair #RegivePlay It Green is redefining what corporate sustainability looks like making it accessible, behavioral, and scalable across organizations of all sizes. Richard shares the story behind launching the company, the pivotal moments that shaped its mission, and why empowering everyday employee actions is key to driving meaningful environmental impact.Key topics we cover:🌍 From idea to impact — Richard Dickson shares the origin story behind Play It Green and the moment that sparked its mission🧠 Why behavior change matters — how small, consistent employee actions can drive large-scale environmental outcomes🏢 Making sustainability accessible — breaking down how companies of any size can take meaningful climate action📊 Beyond pledges — turning climate commitments into measurable, trackable progress🤝 Engaging teams, not just policies — how to build a culture where sustainability becomes part of everyday work🚀 Scaling climate action — Richard’s vision for the future of Play It Green and its role in the global transitionWhether you're a sustainability leader, founder, or simply climate-curious, this conversation offers practical insight into making climate action part of how your organization operates—every day.If you’re interested in practical pathways to climate action and the mindset shifts required to get there this conversation offers both inspiration and a clear sense of what’s possible.Richard Dickson is the CEO of Play It Green, a platform helping organizations deliver measurable sustainability, nature repair, and social impact at scale. With a background in psychology and over two decades in retail, he brings a commercially grounded approach to driving behavior change and engagement.As former Head of Global Partnerships at Carbon Free Dining, Richard played a key role in planting more than one million trees through strategic collaborations. He now leads Play It Green with a clear philosophy of conscious capitalism—helping partners integrate sustainability in ways that are both impactful and commercially relevant.Contact infohttps://playitgreen.com/about-play-it-green/https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardiandickson/https://playitgreen.com/contact/

What if your retirement savings were quietly funding the very problem you care about solving?In this episode of *What Do You Solve?*, we sit down with Alex Wright-Gladstein, Founder and CEO of Sphere, to unpack the surprising realities behind 401(k) investing and why portfolios are still tied to less profitable fossil fuels investments without people realizing it. Alex shares the moment that led her to build Sphere, a platform designed to help individuals align their investments with their values—without sacrificing returns. We explore the hidden gaps in traditional retirement investing, why climate-focused portfolios can actually outperform, and how small shifts in behavior can unlock both financial and environmental impact.Learn more about Sphere: https://www.oursphere.orghttps://www.oursphere.org/fundhello@oursphere.comIf you’ve ever wondered where your money is really going—or how to make it work harder for both your future and the planet this conversation will change how you think about investing.🎧 Topics we cover:– The untold story behind most 401(k) investments– Why many investors are missing out on better-performing, climate-aligned options– How Sphere is redefining impact investing– The psychology behind financial decision-making and behavior changeAlex is an entrepreneur with a passion for addressing climate change. Prior to founding Sphere, she co-founded and was founding CEO of Ayar Labs, which makes data centers and supercomputers faster and more energy efficient by using light to move data between chips. She has also been the energy entrepreneurship practice leader at MIT, and an energy efficiency program manager and energy markets specialist at smart grid company EnerNOC. She received an MBA from MIT and a BA in Political Science and Economics from Tufts University.Subscribe for more conversations with founders and leaders solving real-world problems at scale.#WhatDoYouSolve #ClimateInvesting #SustainableFinance #ImpactInvesting #401k #ClimateTech #Leadership

What if the biggest climate problem in your kitchen isn’t what you’re cooking… but what you’re throwing away?In this episode of *What Do You Solve*, we sit down with Andrew Shakman, CEO & Founder of Leanpath, to unpack one of the most overlooked (and fixable) climate challenges: **food waste**.We dive into:* Why food waste is a massive contributor to climate change (hint: methane from landfills is no joke)* The hidden energy and economic costs behind wasted food* How Leanpath is helping the hospitality industry cut waste across **50+ countries*** Why solving food waste is *way easier than most people think** And how businesses can actually **save serious money** while doing the right thingIf you think sustainability has to be expensive or complicated… this episode might change your mind.---### 🎙️ About Andrew ShakmanAndrew Shakman is the CEO and Founder of Leanpath. From the beginning, Andrew has worked to catalyze the global movement to address the food waste crisis.He has been featured in **BusinessWeek, NPR, Forbes, and Fast Company**, and has spoken at the **World Bank, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Culinary Institute of America, Harvard**, and hundreds of other stages worldwide.---### 🔗 Learn More🌍 Leanpath Website: [https://www.leanpath.com](https://www.leanpath.com)👤 Andrew Shakman (LinkedIn): [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewshakman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewshakman)

The Art and Science of Building International Climate Startups | Robyn McGuckin | What Do You Solve?What does it take to build climate startups that are not only innovative—but economically viable and capable of scaling internationally?In this episode of What Do You Solve?, Climate Hive sits down with Robyn McGuckin, Executive Director of P4G. KDRO and Higgo learn how Robyn and P4G are growing global climate start ups and shaping real success stories in Africa, Asia and Europe. https://p4gpartnerships.org/P4G - Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 - contributes to green and inclusive growth in low- and middle-income countries by helping early-stage businesses become investment ready and supporting country climate transitions in food, water and energy systems. Since 2018, P4G has funded 75 partnerships that have leveraged more than US $90 million in commercial investment. P4G partnerships have avoided more than 10 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, generated more than 1,000 jobs and positively affected 1.6 million people. P4G supports early-stage climate startups by providing holistic support that helps them become financially viable businesses while delivering measurable climate impact. Through partnerships with governments, investors, NGOs, and corporate partners, P4G helps founders refine their business models, strengthen partnerships, and scale solutions in emerging markets.The organization currently focuses its work in six partner countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, and Vietnam, supporting startups addressing major climate challenges in areas such as clean energy, sustainable food systems, water resilience, mobility, and the circular economy.In this conversation, Robyn shares how climate innovation moves from promising ideas to real companies that can survive, grow, and create impact at scale.In this episode we explore:• The challenge of building climate startups that are economically viable• Why partnerships between governments, NGOs, investors, and entrepreneurs matter• How early-stage climate companies move from concept to scalable business• Lessons from supporting climate startups across multiple countries• The intersection of climate impact and financial sustainability• Why emerging markets are critical to global climate innovationAbout Robyn McGuckinRobyn has spent her career helping organizations develop and advance projects in the areas of clean energy, water, climate, and sustainable development. Most recently she worked in senior management for the non-profits Winrock and Global Communities. Prior to that, she was a business unit leader for the global engineering firm MWH (now Stantec). She also worked at USAID in the Middle East and South Asia, managing energy projects and infrastructure reconstruction. Prior to she was a consultant to the US EPA, US DOE’s EERE, the World Bank and UNDP. She has lived or worked in over 20 countries spanning the US, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.Robyn holds an M.S. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Georgia, and a B.S. in Biosystems Engineering from Virginia Tech.About What Do You Solve?What Do You Solve? is a podcast and video series from Climate Hive featuring innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders working on real climate solutions.climatehive.coEach episode centers around one question:What problem do you solve—and how are you solving it?Subscribe for more conversations with the people building the future of climate innovation.#ClimateTech #ClimateStartups #ClimateInnovation #Sustainability #ClimateSolutions #CleanEnergy #CircularEconomy #ClimateHive

Can cement fight climate change? Andy Onyango says yes — and he’s proving it.In this episode of Climate Hive: What Do You Solve?, we sit down with Andy Onyango, founder of Zen Carbon, to talk about the groundbreaking innovation behind their sustainable cement alternative — one that captures CO₂ rapidly, reduces material use, and outperforms traditional options on durability and cost.Andy shares:How Zen Carbon’s cement tech worksWhy CO₂ capture is central to the solutionThe startup story behind the scienceWhat it means to innovate from the Global SouthThe systemic biases founders face — and how his team is flipping the script by thinking globally and acting locally in KenyaIf you're interested in climate tech, materials science, or the future of sustainable construction, this conversation is for you.🔗 Subscribe for more founder stories and climate solutions.#ClimateTech #SustainableCement #CarbonCapture #KenyaInnovation #WhatDoYouSolve

Over 2,000 acres of U.S. farmland are lost every day. So who’s protecting the land that feeds us—and how?In this powerful interview, we talk with John Piotti, President of American Farmland Trust (AFT), about the urgent fight to save America’s disappearing farmland and rebuild a resilient, sustainable food system.We cover:🌱 How much farmland America has already lost—and what’s at stake if we don’t act🚜 What AFT is doing to permanently protect farmland and bring acres back into agricultural use👩‍🌾 Who the new generation of American farmers are—and why supporting them matters🌾 How AFT helps keep farmers on the land through smart policy, financial tools, and land access☀️ Why climate-smart farming practices are key to both soil health and carbon reduction📈 How regenerative agriculture benefits not just farmers—but all of usIf you’re concerned about food security, climate change, land use, or the future of farming in America, this episode is a must-watch.🔗 Watch now to understand why protecting farmland is one of the most powerful tools we have to secure a healthy, sustainable future.📌 Learn more at: https://farmland.org#AmericanFarmlandTrust #RegenerativeFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture #FarmlandPreservation #JohnPiotti #NewAmericanFarmer #SoilHealth #FoodSecurity #SustainableFarming #ClimateAndAgriculture

Over 2,000 acres of U.S. farmland are lost every day. So who’s protecting the land that feeds us—and how?In this powerful interview, we talk with John Piotti, President of American Farmland Trust (AFT), about the urgent fight to save America’s disappearing farmland and rebuild a resilient, sustainable food system.We cover:🌱 How much farmland America has already lost—and what’s at stake if we don’t act🚜 What AFT is doing to permanently protect farmland and bring acres back into agricultural use👩‍🌾 Who the new generation of American farmers are—and why supporting them matters🌾 How AFT helps keep farmers on the land through smart policy, financial tools, and land access☀️ Why climate-smart farming practices are key to both soil health and carbon reduction📈 How regenerative agriculture benefits not just farmers—but all of usIf you’re concerned about food security, climate change, land use, or the future of farming in America, this episode is a must-watch.🔗 Watch now to understand why protecting farmland is one of the most powerful tools we have to secure a healthy, sustainable future.📌 Learn more at: https://farmland.org#AmericanFarmlandTrust #RegenerativeFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture #FarmlandPreservation #JohnPiotti #NewAmericanFarmer #SoilHealth #FoodSecurity #SustainableFarming #ClimateAndAgriculture

What Do You Solve Troy Helming of EarthGrid on Revolutionizing Infrastructure with Plasma TunnelingIn this episode of The Climate Hive Show, we sit down with Troy Helming — serial clean energy entrepreneur and founder of EarthGrid — to explore his journey from leading massive solar deployments to launching a breakthrough tunneling company powered by plasma arc tech.We dig into the challenges of scaling bold infrastructure, the mindset shifts required for transformative leadership, and how EarthGrid aims to rewire the U.S. grid—literally—by making underground transmission faster, cheaper, and cleaner.Tune in for a wide-ranging conversation onThe leap from solar to subterranean innovationBuilding in the face of regulatory and market headwindsTroy’s long-term vision for a resilient, electrified future🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with the people solving climate at scale.#ClimateTech #InfrastructureInnovation #CleanEnergy #Tunneling #PlasmaTechnology #EarthGrid

Revolutionizing Energy Infrastructure | Troy Helming of EarthGrid on Plasma Tunneling & Clean Power SolutionsIn this episode of The Climate Hive Show, we dive into climate tech innovation with Troy Helming — renewable energy pioneer, impact entrepreneur, and founder of EarthGrid. Troy has developed over $10 billion in solar and wind energy projects and is now focused on transforming U.S. infrastructure with a breakthrough technology: plasma arc tunneling.EarthGrid’s patented tech makes it dramatically faster, cheaper, and cleaner to build underground transmission lines, opening a path to a more resilient and fully electrified grid. It’s a game-changing solution for modernizing energy infrastructure, decarbonizing the economy, and enabling nationwide clean energy deployment.Troy is also the author of The Clean Power Revolution — a guide to accelerating the transition to renewable energy. https://www.amazon.com/Clean-Power-Revolution-Troy-Helming/dp/0976761009, the book blends strategy, optimism, and practical insights for climate-conscious leaders.🎧 In this conversation, we explore:The evolution from large-scale solar and wind to infrastructure techOvercoming regulatory and engineering headwindsLeadership lessons from building climate solutions at scaleEarthGrid’s bold mission to revolutionize how tunnels are created for a clean energy futureIf you're interested in climate tech, sustainable infrastructure, or the future of clean energy transmission, this episode is for you.🔔 Subscribe for more in-depth interviews with climate innovators, startup founders, and system-level problem solvers.#ClimateTech #EnergyInfrastructure #CleanEnergy #EarthGrid #PlasmaTunneling #RenewableEnergy #TroyHelming #GreenTech #Decarbonization #SmartGrid

What Do You Solve? Podcast How Floating Wind Turbines Took Off — Dominique Roddier on the Future of Offshore WindIn this episode of What Do You Solve?, we sit down with Dr. Dominique Roddier, CEO of Ocergy and co-inventor of the revolutionary WindFloat platform, to explore the rise of floating offshore wind energy. We dive into Dominique’s journey—from his early days as a Naval Architect to becoming a key innovator in renewable ocean energy systems.🔹 Key Topics We Cover:How massive deep-sea wind turbines are made possibleDominique’s “a-ha” moment and the origins of floating windThe future of offshore wind energy—and the headwinds it facesThe story behind WindFloat and the founding of OcergySynergies in ocean technology and sustainable offshore solutionsWith decades of experience spanning ExxonMobil, Principle Power, and now Ocergy, Dominique shares rare insights into what it takes to pioneer clean energy at sea—and why floating wind is essential for the energy transition.🌊 Whether you’re passionate about renewables, offshore engineering, or climate innovation, this conversation is packed with value.🔗 Learn more about Ocergy: https://www.ocergy.com👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more deep dives into the future of energy!About Dr. Dominique Roddier:Dominique is a Naval Architect and ocean energy expert with over two decades of innovation in offshore renewable systems. As CEO of Ocergy, he leads the charge in developing sustain