Bridging The Gap

Reframe

Greg De Temmerman is building a bridge between science and decisions on climate.

In this episode of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols widens the aperture to explore how global climate-focused philanthropies are making a difference and helping to clear a path toward a more sustainable future. One such organization is the Quadrature Climate Foundation which has provided over a billion dollars to help communities prepare, adapt, and respond to the impacts of climate change. You’ll meet Greg De Temmerman, Quadrature’s Deputy CEO and Chief Science Officer–with decades of science and climate research experience, he knows how and why we need to shift our focus to climate readiness, resilience, and action.

A Marathon, Not a Sprint

Greg also knows that sweeping change is never easy–the path ahead will be bumpy and the pace of change will be slow. He reminds us, like all major technological and societal shifts, that “one system has to die before another one is born.” Given this reality, we gain a deeper perspective into Greg’s focus and the mission of his organization. Find out how Quadrature measures the impact of their philanthropic grants, what factors determine positive results, and why heading in the right direction may be good enough.

Signals and Noise

Today’s environment is full of mixed messages and differing views on climate, energy, and the role of science in these conversations. For Greg, it’s hard to see the future of global climate policy through all the signals and noise. As a scientist, how do you communicate the reality of the journey ahead without confusing or alienating people? Greg walks us through his perspective on how to adapt these conversations to the new climate reality. He explains why science needs to play a larger role in advising and informing decision-makers who may be reluctant to take action.

Yet, despite the noise, the effects of climate change are becoming clear to everyone, especially those who have been directly impacted. Greg explains why more collaborative partnerships between science, governments, communities, and businesses are vital for taking action and making meaningful progress towards the future. Like several of our previous podcast guests, Greg is seeing signals from both private and public entities, suggesting that the path forward may be a little less bumpy. Tune in to hear real stories of progress and discover more about what gives Greg hope.

• Follow Jeff Nichols on LinkedIn
• Follow Greg De Temmerman on LinkedIn
• See Greg’s TED Talk “Climate progress isn’t a sprint–it’s a marathon”
• Learn how Quadrature measures impact

Listen and Connect

If you have questions or feedback for the Reframe team, email [email protected]. You can also follow the podcast through your preferred app to stay updated on future episodes.

Reframe is hosted by Jeff Nichols and presented by Pilotlight.ai