By Alison van Diggelen, host of Fresh Dialogues
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Judy Estrin is an influential tech entrepreneur, CEO of JLabs, and author of Closing the Innovation Gap. I caught up with her at SD Forum’s 12th annual Visionary Awards in Atherton, where she was one of four recipients. We talked about whether clean energy solutions can save the planet; the importance of new innovation in revitalizing the economy; and the role of government in making it happen.
“For an industry to take off, you need a grand challenge, or a grand problem that needs to be solved and you need research and scientific discovery…In the area of clean energy, it’s a problem that must be solved and it’s very broad in nature.”
Can clean energy save the planet?
“The real question is: will we as a people, our government as leaders, and will our business leaders all have the courage and commitment to understand that along with new technologies and forms of energy has to come behavioral change? It’s not just about inventing something new, it’s going to take change from everybody.”
Should the government be doing more?
“The government’s role should be funding research, using the bully pulpitto rally people around the new industry. I do not believe the government should pick winners, but it needs to evaluate policy… encourage the behavioral change that needs to happen.”
On behavioral change
“Corporations need to look at how they’re using energy. Do you need the air conditioning on all the time? Do you need the lights? ?”
What are the ingredients of a healthy and sustainable innovation ecosystem?
Research, commercialization, and a willingness to take risk.
“Real sustainable innovation and a foundation of growth takes time. We’re going to have to try a number of different things. There are a number of industries that over time will provide the growth to reinvigorate the economy ..including clean energy.”
“Clean energy won’t just drive new products; it’ll drive research, products, applications community…along a broad spectrum of industry.”
The interview was recorded at SD Forum’s Visionary Awards, hosted by Heidi Roizen on June 25, 2009. To hear more Fresh Dialogues interviews at the Visionary Awards, click here
