Author name: Mark Tercek

There’s No Substitute for Policy If the costs of developing and generating solar and wind electricity have fallen significantly over recent years — it is now reported that they are often lower than those for hydrocarbon-based power — why are so many fossil fuel-based plants (coal, natural gas) still being built?  It’s true that investments […]

Follow the Money Editor’s Note: Many non-profit organizations are pursuing financial innovation. Their goals are to raise additional, low-cost capital (beyond donations) and to engage new partners so that they can do more good work. We enthusiastically support these efforts and are actively discussing such opportunities with various organizations. This series summarizes key lessons. Catch

The Problem with Voluntary Corporate Climate Commitments It’s never easy for environmentalists to succeed. And I never want to be ungrateful for everyone’s hard work. Nor take for granted the significant progress we’ve made.  But when I see smoke, I ring the alarm bell. The last few years have been a golden era for voluntary

First Things First There is good news underway for all of us who admire the important work done by NGOs. Many of them are now actively pursuing financial innovation to achieve their goals.  The NGOs are generally seeking additional and lower-cost funding through initiatives like debt swaps, blended capital, impact funds, tech accelerators, insurance deals,

And How Fungi Make our Worlds, Change Our Minds, & Shape Our Futures One of the best parts of my job is that I get to meet very cool people. Call me biased, but I think the natural world attracts some of the world’s most inspiring and creative people. One of these very cool people

You’ve got great timing. I saw my good friend Jeremy Grantham this past week, and he mentioned he was recently interviewed on The Great Simplification podcast.  I had a long drive right after our visit, so I gave the lengthy episode a complete listen. I loved it! And I thought you might enjoy it too. If

Onward to 2024 Dear Readers, Another year is coming to an end. And as it does, I want to say thank you.  One of the highlights of my year took place just recently. At COP28 in Dubai, and at various holiday gatherings over the last several weeks, I had the opportunity to see old friends

3 Observations I’m back from COP28 in Dubai and wanted to share a few observations in my areas of focus that you might not see elsewhere. 

The drawdown potential of fungal networks Last week, we shared some of the questions on our minds as we prepare for COP28 in Dubai next week. I’d like to raise one more critical opportunity here for everyone who will participate in this important event. As some of you may know, I chair the board of SPUN and have therefore

COP28 is the ideal setting for global climate collaboration The Instigator is co-authored this week by me and my friend Peter Ebsen. (See here, here, here, and here for past articles we’ve written together.) The next climate COP is taking place in a few short weeks. And it’s a good thing, because many important matters demand the attention of the climate