The Green Hour

por Preston Poag Jr.

Emprendimiento Sin lucro

Policy on Sustainability with Max Castroparedes, Research Assistant at Harvard's Belfer Center

Policy moves the needle with all things, and that includes sustainability. The Biden Administration has recently passed policy that invests billions of dollars in infrastructure to encourage higher levels of environmental sustainability. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and The CHIPS and Science Act were all passed to move our country closer to net zero emissions. Today, you will hear from Max Castroparedes, who has his finger on the pulse of current policy. Max Castroparedes grew up in the Houston area and always felt led to policy and international affairs. During his time in undergraduate studies at the University of Virginia, he felt the urge to apply for an internship in the US Senate. Max ended up interning for US Senator John Cornyn and fell in love with policy. Since then, Max has spent time in the Department of Homeland Security in the Office of Policy, Strategy, and Plans and is currently a Research Assistant at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, where he works with Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky in the Future of Diplomacy Project and supports the project’s research agenda, and coordinates events.

Using Cellulose to Redefine Plastic Manufacturing with Alex Blum, Founder and CEO of Applied Bioplastics

Alex Blum was in a very successful career in technology sales when he realized he needed more purpose. The money was great, and his lifestyle was extravagant, but he felt he needed to produce more value for the world. This led him to look into humanitarian work, and he found himself in Bangladesh in the midst of the Rohingya Genocide, trying to help the refugees who were displaced. His story takes him from filming a documentary to increase visibility on the issue to meeting someone who would change his life forever. This person introduced Alex to the concept of bioplastics - using organic materials to make plastic products. Today, Alex Blum is the Founder and CEO of Applied Bioplastics. The company produces material for transitional housing for natural disaster response and uses the plant compound Cellulose to manufacture plastic products. Cellulose is combined with virgin resin to reduce CO2 levels in manufacturing and create a more renewable, sustainable product.

Injection Molding, Plastics, and Reutilization with Rodney Davenport, VP of CH3 Solutions

Rodney Davenport grew up in a rural town in Michigan that lacked recycling infrastructure and education on sustainability. As he grew up and entered the workforce, he entered an industry that he would never leave - plastics. Over time, this once-foreign process of sustainability became very important in the work that he was doing. Today, Rodney is the Vice President of CH3 Solutions, an injection molding outfit in Dalton, GA. Injection molding is a unique process that takes a small granular substance, resin, and turns it into a plastic product. CH3 Solutions uses injection molding to create plastic tiles that snap together to create recreational surfaces - basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and hockey, to name a few. Through his career in plastics, Rodney began to see the need for sustainability. He prioritized sustainability from the start at CH3 - utilizing resources that use less waste, closing the loop by finding new ways to use rejected products, cutting waste levels down to less than 1%, and creating a culture that strives to be better.

Reversing the Norm with Anwar Khan, CEO and Co-Founder of Cycle Technology

In his first year of college at the University of Miami, Anwar Khan and his roommate noticed the lack of recycling by students on campus. In an age of instant gratification, recycling was falling behind. Recycling campaigns on campus were impactful, but they were missing the big picture – incentivization. Anwar wanted to change all of that and reward people for recycling. Thus, he and his friends created Cycle Technology. The company uses a reverse vending machine (RVM) and a connecting app to incentivize recycling. All users have to do is insert a bottle or can, scan a QR code, and get rewarded. What started as an idea for a pitch competition is now a trailblazing company for sustainability. Today, Cycle Technology has its infrastructure at the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Nationals, and Inter Miami CF stadiums.

Coming August 2025: The Road to COP30 with The Nature Conservancy

Coming August 2025 — The Road to COP30 A six-episode podcast series in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy exploring the bold ideas and on-the-ground solutions shaping Latin America’s path to COP30 in Belém, Brazil. 🎧 Episode Guide: Episode 1: Overview of COP30 & Brazil as a Host Country 🎙️ Paula Caballero, Regional Managing Director, Latin America 🎙️ Marcio Sztutman, Executive Director, Brazil 📅 Coming August 6, 2025 Episode 2: The Role of Traceability in Combating Deforestation 🎙️ Jose Passos, Director, Amazon Region 🎙️ Josefina Vecino, Sustainable Soy Coordinator, Gran Chaco Region 📅 Coming August 13, 2025 Episode 3: Community-Led Conservation of Freshwater & Fisheries 🎙️ Flavia Rocha, Global Freshwater Policy Advisor 🎙️ Fernanda Silva, Amazon Freshwater Fisheries Scientist 📅 Coming August 20, 2025 Episode 4: Building a Sociobioeconomy in the Amazon 🎙️ Lisa Ferguson, Director, Regenerative Economies & Community Finance 📅 Coming August 27, 2025 Episode 5: Providing Access to Direct Funding to Indigenous Peoples 🎙️ Carolina Polania, Community-Based Conservation Specialist 🎙️ Fernanda Bartoloto, Climate Policy Specialist 📅 Coming September 3, 2025 Episode 6: Rethinking Carbon Markets 🎙️ Julio Giraldo, Carbon Markets Lead, Latin America 🎙️ Beatriz Machado, Senior International Climate Policy Advisor 📅 Coming September 10, 2025 🔔 Subscribe now and join us on the road to the most important climate dialogue of the year

Coming Soon: The Summit Series 2024 - Conversations from the Concordia Annual Summit

This ten-episode series was recorded live at the Concordia Annual Summit during Climate Week in New York City. Throughout this series, we’ll explore a diverse range of topics, including energy access, large-scale conservation efforts, the climate impact of cattle and beef production, youth leadership in climate action, regenerative agriculture, EV charging infrastructure, water access and health, the impact of Indigenous communities, sustainable business practices in developing countries, and cutting-edge technology for building decarbonization. The Summit Series 2024: Conversations from the Concordia Annual Summit Ep. 1: Conservation at Scale with Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks Ep. 2: Electrifying 300 Million Africans by 2030 with Andy Herscowitz, CEO of Mission 300 Accelerator Ep. 3: Climate Impact of Cattle and Beef Production with Jason Weller, Global CSO of JBS Foods Ep. 4: Youth Leading Climate Action with Michael Nyenhuis, CEO of UNICEF USA Ep. 5: Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Land Use with Richard Zaltzman, CEO of EIT Food Ep. 6: The Future of EV Charging with Hooman Shahidi, CEO of EVPassport Ep. 7: Water Access and Health with Greg Allgood, VP of Water Access and Health for World Vision Ep. 8: The Importance of Indigenous Communities in Protecting the Amazon with Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson, Founders of Amazon Frontlines Ep. 9: Closing the Funding Gap for SDG-related Investments in Developing Countries with Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact Nigeria Ep. 10: Technology for Building Decarbonization with Erika Gupta, Head of Sustainability for Siemens Financial Services Americas

Coming Soon: The Biodiversity Series - Conversations from Latin America

This seven-episode series explores the biodiversity within Latin America, with a special focus on the Amazon Rainforest. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Latin America, ten leaders discuss a range of topics focused on biodiversity. These topics include bird species, freshwater protection, indigenous communities, regenerative agriculture, finance mechanisms, and policy. Join us over the next 7 weeks as we journey through Latin America to understand the region’s biodiversity and learn about The Nature Conservancy's work in the region. The Biodiversity Series: Conversations from Latin America Ep. 1: Overview of the Amazon Rainforest and Biodiversity with Ian Thompson, Director to Accelerate Impact in the Latin America Region for The Nature Conservancy Ep. 2: Biodiversity in Colombia: Birds with Tomas Walschburger, Senior Scientist in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy Ep. 3: Freshwater Protection and Biodiversity with Silvia Benitez, Freshwater Director in Latin America for The Nature Conservancy Ep. 4: The Role of Indigenous Communities in the Amazon Rainforest with Gabriela Celi, Coordinator of the Ecuadorian Amazon Strategy for The Nature Conservancy, and Isai Victorino, Community-Based Conservation Leader in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy Ep. 5: Finance Mechanisms for Biodiversity with Daniel Ballesta Quintana, Director of Sustainable Debt in the Americas for The Nature Conservancy, and Julie Robinson, Belize Program Director for the Nature Conservancy Ep. 6: Regenerative Agriculture with Mauricio Nunez Regueiro, Gran Chaco Lead for The Nature Conservancy Ep. 7: Policy Driving Biodiversity with Catalina Gongora, Policy Leader in Colombia for The Nature Conservancy, and Karen Oliveira, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations in Brazil for The Nature Conservancy

Coming Soon: The Summit Series - Live conversations at the Concordia Annual Summit

Join Preston Poag on The Summit Series, a groundbreaking series featuring exclusive interviews with visionary leaders from around the world. Held at the Concordia Annual Summit, the largest nonpartisan forum alongside the UN General Assembly, The Green Hour Podcast serves as a Media Partner, standing alongside major organizations like Axios and BBC Media Action. Throughout October, every Tuesday and Thursday, explore pressing global issues with pioneers such as: •Raj Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation •Yosef Abramowitz, CEO of Gigawatt Global •Nich Logothetis, Co-founder and Chairman of Concordia •Sonia Scarselli, Vice President of BHP’s XPlor Program •Donny Simmons, President of Commercial HVAC Americas for Trane Technologies •Christian Spano, Director of Innovation for the International Council on Mining and Metals •Lisa Jacobson, President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy •Andy Kireta Jr., President of the Copper Development Association •Crystal Upperman, Senior Manager at Deloitte Discover their insights on topics ranging from renewable energy and climate change to environmental policy and justice. The Summit Series is where transformative ideas converge for a sustainable future—tune in, and let the dialogue begin.

Coming Soon: The Green Hour

Coming Soon is a Podcast for leaders in sustainability—people who care deeply about the environment and the future of our world. The Green Hour will feature innovators, activists, and government leaders in the world of sustainability. Hit the subscribe button to stay informed of future episodes!

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