Welcome to ZERO.
Why the name ZERO?
Because in this weekly newsletter, I curate trends and tools to help catalyze…
ZERO greenhouse gas emissions
ZERO species extinction
ZERO pollution
ZERO distractions from what’s most important
ZERO inefficiency
ZERO racial and gender inequity
ZERO apathy and inaction
Are these goals realistic?
Probably not.
Are they worth striving for?
Yep.
What do I cover?
Climate finance and startups — e.g., venture capital, impact investing
Conscious leadership — e.g., social equity, bigger thinking
Personal development and productivity — e.g., better routines, getting more done
Attempts at humor (no guarantees) — e.g., life’s too important to be serious all the time
If that sounds like a lot of topics, I hear you.
But we’re complicated creatures, and my bet is that it takes all of these components to live a life with meaning, tackling one of the greatest challenges facing our species, and have the right perspective and habits to get ‘er done.
Hi, I’m Chris Wedding, your guide for this ride.
So, what perspectives do I bring to this newsletter?
Founder, Entrepreneurs for Impact — Private roundtables, investor intelligence, and executive coaching for climate CEOs
Managing Director, IronOak Energy Capital — Niche investment banking for climate tech and renewable energy projects, $250M+ catalyzed to date
Former private equity investor at a $2B firm — 500+ investments in green real estate and solar projects
Professor, Duke and UNC — Energy finance, ESG investing, green real estate, management consulting, cleantech startups and investors, social entrepreneurship
“Monk” with experience in various Buddhist and Catholic monasteries around the world, and a 25-year meditation practice (note: far from perfect, constantly failing, constantly learning)
Global citizen with experience in 20+ countries and (declining) language abilities in Spanish, Japanese, and Cape Verdean Creole
Former rainforest researcher in the jungles of Costa Rica and Panama
Long-haired dude who’s no stranger to incense, granola, hiking, and gardening
Father of three, husband, and family guy obsessed with teaching our kids to put this into practice: “To those to whom much is given, much is expected in return”
So what now?
I hope you’ll join me on this path. Eight billion people and nine million species need all the help we can get.
And as an added bonus, there are billions of dollars of profit to be made as we transition to this low carbon economy. Maybe you’ll be the next climate tycoon whose name appears on endowed public buildings in decades to come.
Onward and upward,
Chris
--
Dr. Chris Wedding
Founder and Chief Catalyst, Entrepreneurs for Impact
Executive Roundtables for Climate CEOs and Investors
