Drawdown with Jon Foley

How does your dinner table connect to climate change, corporate giants, and the future of life on Earth? Landscape designer and award-winning filmmaker Louis De Jaeger isn't afraid to ask the hard questions. Drawing from his work as an author and international speaker, Louis pulls back the curtain on the fight to save our soils. Follow Louis as he travels the globe, consulting top experts and challenging the status quo to find out what kind of food system truly benefits everyone. Tune in to transform your understanding of what you eat and how it shapes our world.

Anthony Myint, a celebrated chef and restaurateur, is best known for his work as the co-founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Zero Foodprint (ZFP). His innovative approach to climate activism through the food industry earned him two prestigious James Beard Awards. Zero Foodprint is a nonprofit that mobilizes the food and beverage industry to address climate change. It operates on a "Table to Farm" model, where participating restaurants add a small, opt-out surcharge to customer bills. ZFP then aggregates these funds and distributes them as grants to local farmers and ranchers. These grants help farmers implement regenerative agricultural practices, such as compost application, cover cropping, and reduced tillage. The goal is to improve soil health, which naturally sequesters carbon from the atmosphere, creating a powerful, scalable climate solution.

Growing up in rural Indiana, author Kelsey Timmerman saw the toll of industrial agriculture firsthand. Think polluted ponds, air thick with manure — a system that's disconnected us from our food, our land, and each other. But Kelsey, a farmer's grandson, believes it doesn't have to be this way. In this podcast, we're diving into Kelsey's global journey, inspired by his book, Regenerating Earth. He's traveled the world — from Hawaiian kalo patches and the Amazon rainforest to the fields of Kenya with Maasai warriors and innovative American farms — to find people who are turning agriculture into a powerful solution. Join us as we explore how regenerative farming practices are rebuilding soil, boosting biodiversity, creating meaningful livelihoods, and even sequestering enough carbon to combat climate change. Kelsey weaves together local stories with global insights, showing us how our food choices, our lifestyles, and our connection to nature are deeply tied to environmental and social justice. Discover how embracing a regenerative future can add meaning and purpose to your life, connecting you to everything from microscopic fungi to majestic lions. It all starts with understanding our role in creating a healthier planet.

Join us for a powerful conversation with Dr. Jonathan Foley, a scientist whose work is shaping the future of our planet. We discuss his impactful research on climate change, food security, and global sustainability, and how his insights are translated into real-world solutions. Learn from a leading voice who advises governments and organizations worldwide and has dedicated his career to understanding and protecting our natural world. Get ready to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges we face and the hopeful possibilities for a sustainable future.

How can a simple idea blossom into a movement that plants over a million trees and reshapes an entire industry? Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of MasayaCo, a global brand proving that beautiful furniture and a thriving planet can go hand in hand. Discover how their innovative "reforestation through design" philosophy tackles deforestation at its root, not by pointing fingers, but by creating economic opportunities through sustainable forestry in developing nations. We'll explore their unique whole-tree approach, minimizing waste and crafting timeless, handcrafted pieces from the very forests they cultivate. Learn how MasayaCo is not just making furniture; they're cultivating hope, one seedling at a time, and emerging as a true beacon for a more sustainable future.

Robert Politzer, Founder and CEO of GreenStreet Global, joins us to discuss navigating the complexities of green building and energy efficiency. He shares his expertise on reducing operating expenses and increasing net operating income for commercial real estate, with a focus on decarbonization regulations like NYC Local Law 97. Robert, NYC's first green building contractor, brings decades of experience in clean energy and smart building projects to the conversation.

In this episode, we dive into the innovative world of sustainable toys with Kate Reiman, founder and CEO of RogueWave Toys. Kate shares her journey of transforming beach toys from environmental hazards to eco-friendly alternatives through plant-based materials and compostable design. Learn how RogueWave Toys is tackling plastic pollution, the challenges of sustainable manufacturing, and the future of eco-conscious play. Kate offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs in the sustainability space and discusses emerging trends in sustainable materials. A must-listen for anyone interested in environmental innovation and the future of sustainable consumer products.

In this episode, we speak with Sarah Currie-Halpern from Think Zero LLC. Sarah and her team help businesses transform waste into valuable resources, exceeding environmental regulations and driving the circular economy. We'll discuss the challenges of waste management, the importance of strategic planning and implementation, and how Sarah's expertise as a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor guides their work towards a more sustainable future.

Eugene Kirpichov left his job at Google to focus on climate solutions and co-founded Work on Climate, a community for people who want to transition into climate jobs. The community offers resources, events, and job listings to help people find work in climate tech, clean energy, and other sustainability-focused fields. Work on Climate aims to make climate jobs more mainstream and connect employers with skilled professionals who are passionate about solving climate change.

Clean Energy for America (CE4A) is a leading network of business leaders, workers, and advocates driven by a common goal: decarbonize our economy and protect our planet. We’re committed to clean energy action by engaging and catalyzing our base, advocating on behalf of the industry, holding elected officials accountable, and amplifying worker stories.