Earlier this year, I had the chance to turn the tables on celebrated Forum Host, Michael Krasny, and interview him for Fresh Dialogues. He was surprisingly candid about how how he fights feelings of inadequacy and is driven to prepare thoroughly for each interview. The focus of this segment is the environment and why he has cause for optimism. He explains why he regularly chooses green topics for Forum and sees organizations like Sustainable Silicon Valleyas providing good models for bringing businesses, government and NGOs together to create a greener future. (more…)
I caught up with Elise Zoliat FountainBlue’sForum on Clean Green Transportation this month. Elise is a Boston based partner with law firm, Goodwin Procter, but is a frequently in Silicon Valley to serve her local clients. She specializes in energy, climate change and clean tech law.
We discussed:
Government – Its role as the Grinch and Santa Claus
“The Grinch side is limiting traditional industry and allowing new sectors, new technologies to emerge…with emissions standards, fuel tax…The Santa Claus side – direct funding – grants, loans, loan guarantees, tax subsidies…make a more favorable environment for emerging companies.” (more…)
I caught up with Vinod Khoslaat SD Forum’sVisionary Awards. In this exclusive interview, Vinod, a pioneer in clean tech investment, describes how in 2000, he started “looking for something new, something difficult and something large to invest in.” He found his first clean tech investment in Bloom Energy and has since gone on to invest and nurture dozens of clean tech businesses including Ausra, AltaRock and Stion
KR Sridharof Bloom Energyintroduced Vinod by saying: “We all need to root for his success, because his success is this planet’s success.”
And Vinod’s recipe for success? The freedom to fail. “The Silicon Valley ecosystem allows me to fail…you get more shots at goal.” Vinod Khosla
I talked to acclaimed actor and activist, Martin Sheenabout why he thinks everyone has a responsibility to do something about the environment.
His views are especially topical today in light of the historic Climate Change Bill that went to the House last week. Although the vote passed, 212 representatives voted no; something Paul Krugman describesas treason against our planet. Martin Sheen would probably agree with that description.
“We have to be aware of our responsibility to future generations…he who hath offspring giveth hostages to the future. Well I’ve given children and grandchildren, so they own that future.” (more…)