Welcome to The Zenergy Podcast. Today, Karan speaks with Amanda Leland, Executive Director at the Environmental Defense Fund. They talk about her work at the EDF, including what inspires her to stay at the organization for as long as she has, and they discuss the advice she’d give herself at various increments throughout her career journey. They discuss the launching of MethaneSAT, the genesis of the project, and the exciting data it will soon provide. Amanda gives insight on how the EDF is navigating the uncertain political landscape, and she also shares what future breakthroughs she can’t wait to happen. They wrap up with a very fun lightning round, so be sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear that.
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Listen to The Zenergy Podcast:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5HEZXoEfuDa548Ty81gBWN
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-zenergy-podcast-climate-leadership-finance/id1556215421
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:38 - Welcome
1:25 - Why Amanda has stayed at EDF for 20 years
3:58 - Amanda’s EDF origin story
5:54 - Advice for those working in environmentalism
8:42 - Turning points/”Aha!” moments
11:10 - MethaneSAT
16:20 - How to engage with stakeholders
19:15 - Leadership
22:15 - Tactics for managing a global organization
24:20 - How Amanda avoids jetlag, and how employees of EDF avoid burnout
27:00 - Book recommendations
30:10 - How EDF navigates political shifts
35:10 - EDF’s role in enforcing EPA rules
37:30 - Amanda’s hopes for the future
39:08 - The ocean could be more a part of the solution to climate change
43:15 - Lightning round of questions, including Amanda’s superpower, favorite historical figure, Amanda’s mantra, etc.
Credits:
Editing: Desta Wondirad, Wondir Studios
