If the world is to thrive for many years to come, it must take action against climate change as soon as possible before it is too late. Corinna Bellizzi sits down with Jared Blumenfeld, President of Waverley Street Foundation, who pioneered a spend-down strategy in climate philanthropy to make green energy and regenerative food more accessible to the public. He talks about the role of solar energy to empower local communities, allowing them to adopt regenerative farming, improve food distribution and production, and initiate affordable climate solutions. Jared also explains how individual efforts can give birth to massive collaborative movements and emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with nature to build a more equitable future.
COMPLETE BLOG & TRANSCRIPT https://caremorebebetter.com/harness-green-energy-produce-regenerative-food-with-jared-blumenfeld/
About Guest: Jared is the president of Waverley Street Foundation, where he is tasked with spending the organization’s $3 billion endowment by the year 2035. Waverley is particularly focused on regenerative agriculture and renewable energy and invests in solutions emerging from communities experiencing the worst effects of climate change. Prior to joining WSF, he was California Secretary for Environmental Protection under Governor Gavin Newsom. In this role, he led the charge to implement California’s environmental agenda, including expanding access to safe and affordable drinking water, banning toxic pesticides, and advancing environmental protections for clean air and water. Before that, he served under President Obama as Regional Administrator of the U.S. EPA for the Pacific Southwest.
Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredblumenfeld/
Guest Website: https://www.waverleystreet.org/
Guest Social: https://www.instagram.com/waverleystreet/
Show Notes:
02:32 - How Jared Found Himself Into The Climate Philanthropy Space
05:08 - How Individual Action Can Lead To Collective Results
09:33 - How Regenerative Agriculture Prioritizes Soil Health
16:11 - Empowering Local Economies For Better Food Distribution
20:25 - Why We Must Not Tolerate Terrible School Lunches
28:40 - How Waverley Street Foundation Works Within Two Pillars Of Energy
33:35 - Why People Are Looking For Proof Of Concept
36:26 - Addressing The Crumbling Electrical Delivery System
47:28 - Ensuring Every Investment Reflects Community-Driven Priorities
52:21 - Balancing Local Context With Global Scalability
56:20 - What We Can Learn From Farmers And Indigenous Communities
01:01:48 - Making Climate Change A Less Complicated Topic For Everyone
01:04:28 - Finding Purpose In Connecting With Other People
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