January 8, 2020

In light of recent events that took place at our nation's capital, Leaders In Energy would like to take the time to denounce violence in all its forms and affirm its support of democracy. While peaceful protest is essential to the functioning of a democratic country, rioting, particularly within the halls of the Capitol Building, harms the idea at the very center of democracy: the peaceful transfer of power.

2020 has been full of immense suffering. From hospitals that continue to overflow with COVID-19 patients to economic and social justice issues, this year has been hard. Many have lost their jobs. Many are not in school.

The new year of 2021 provides us many opportunities including how we tackle the greatest challenge of our time in the climate crisis. We have the chance to reset and to build the world we want to see. Leaders In Energy looks forward to working with changemakers at every level to build back better from these many crises. To build a world that is more regenerative, more circular, more equitable, more just, and more sustainable. Thank you for your enduring support.

-Janine Finnell, Executive Director of Leaders In Energy

On Thursday, January 21st from 3:30-5:30 PM EST, LE and Potential Energy DC (PEDC) will be holding its 7th Annual Green Finance Forum (held virtually)! Our theme is "Green Finance for Climate, Clean Energy & Sustainability Technology."

More than ever, innovative financing solutions are needed for ‘climate tech’ companies and projects. We will examine the federal government’s and investors’ approach to accelerating innovative finance in targeted sectors of climate change, clean energy, and sustainability and how companies can take advantage of these offerings. It will focus on how ‘climate tech’ solutions can achieve commercial viability and growth through a combination of grant/equity finance and project finance. The program will consist of two panels of experts - 1) Grant and equity financing and 2) Renewable Energy project financing (e.g. green/blue bonds, tax credits) that explores financing arrangements that companies are pursuing.

Panelists include Dr. Madhav Acharya from the US Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) about its role in funding new energy technologies; Jamie Martin, Executive Director in Morgan Stanley’s Global Sustainable Finance group discussing green bonds; and companies such as True Algae and Arcadia utilizing innovative financial mechanisms. Dave McCarthy, Executive Director of PEDC, and Martin Silber, Chair of LE's Green Finance Working Group will serve as our panel moderators.

Our Circular Economy Working Group (CEWG) will reconvene on Wednesday, January 27th, from 6-8 pm. We are honored to have Stephanie Miller, founder of Zero Waste in DC, which provides consultation to individual households and corporations on reducing waste. She will discuss her recently published book Zero Waste Living, The 80/20 Way: The Busy Person’s Guide To A Lighter Footprint. Topics include zero waste and sustainable tips and strategies and how focusing on those things (the 20%) that make the biggest (80%) difference with the goal of reaching as wide an audience as possible to effect real impact. Previously, she had a 25-year career at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, where she served as Director of IFC's Climate Business Department and led global teams to find innovative solutions to climate change.

Did you miss our Four Gen Awards? Or want to listen to an awardee again that you admired at the event? Check out this half-hour video featuring our Four Generations Awards highlights produced by the Sustainable Scoop team. Thanks to Alistair Watson, Executive Director, for the great introduction. Check out their youth-focused programming and courses in engaging our next generation at sustainablescoop.com.

Leaders in Energy counts its blessings to have so many talented members in its community!

This year, it was uncanny how a number of themes came together when our Leaders in Energy Team Lead on Zero Waste, Dr. Elvin Yüzügüllü, utilized her artistic talents to create our Four Generations of Leaders Award plaques using Gamblin (one of our sponsors) oil-paints.

Gamblin’s Reclaimed Earth Colors are produced via a process that turns toxic sludge from polluted rivers into beautiful paint in a tube They also create paint from pigments collected in air filtration systems. This is a great example of the circular economy, where nothing is wasted and everything serves a purpose!  Thus, Gamblin's work dovetailed with our theme of "Regenerating--for a Positive Future." Elvin reached out to Gambin and they became an Environmental Leader sponsor for our Four GEN Awards.

Elvin then developed the concept of marrying the multigenerational theme with the four Earth elements...

Baby boomers-Earth. Stable and resilient like the land we live and depend on.

Gen X-Water. Born in the 20th century, living in the 21st, can take the shape of whatever situation it’s put in.

Millennials-Air. Born at the turn of a century, in the middle of changing times, fluent and flexible like the winds.

Gen Z-Fire. In our ever-intensifying times, they’re “on fire,” always at the forefront in the good fight. And how about our lifetime achievement awardee? Well, it was only fitting to include ALL the elements!

Dr. Elvin Yüzügüllü is in the process of starting her own business called "Full Steam Communications" where she is bringing together her technical expertise as an environmental engineer in clean energy and sustainability with her creativity in art and copywriting. She is also the author of the book, Synergies for Sustainable Energy by Artech House Power Engineering.

Climate Change Policy Advisor, EarthRights International

Director of Development, Clean Energy Trust

Oceans Climate Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund

Climate, Health and Equity Summer Internship, American Public Health Association

Senior People Partner, Rad Power Bikes