Boston Climate Tech: March 8-March 21, 2023
YPE Boston Happy Hour, MIT CEP US Semi-final, Alpacas, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse & more
Hi all!
This is the Boston Climate Tech newsletter. This newsletter is a digest of community-submitted in-person climate tech events in the Greater Boston area coming up in the next two weeks or so.
YPE Boston March Happy Hour | Young Professionals in Energy Boston: 3/8 Wed
White House Forum on Campus and Community-Scale Climate Change Solutions - MIT Events: 3/8 Wed
Speaker Series: Liz Mettetal and Tory Clark — HUCEG: 3/8 Wed
Alpacas and Farm Friends - MIT Events: 3/16 Thu
MIT Climate Machine: The Image-in Session - MIT Events: 3/18 Sat
Energy storage student slam - MIT Events: 3/21 Tue
Announcements
Be sure to check out our full calendar here: https://airtable.cool/shrfu1ovRrNCh7SGy we have over 20 additional events listed for late March-April that are not on this week’s newsletter. To submit events, use this form
Here’s the climate essay of the week from our friends running the NY Climate Tech newsletter on climate change and water adaptation.
Special callout notice regarding the MIT Energy Conference (MITEC) happening April 11th and 12th. Since 2006 the MITEC has been a staple of the Boston cleantech/climate tech scene. Here’s a word from co-organizer Anne Liu:
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Get your 2023 MIT Energy Conference ticket soon to win a free VIP promotion! All attendees who purchase a General Admission ticket before March 17th, 2023 will automatically be entered into a VIP ticket raffle to win a free VIP promotion.
As a VIP ticket holder, you would be invited to the exclusive VIP & Speaker Dinner and receive 1-on-1 networking opportunities with speakers, VIP break room access, front-row seating, and merchandise. The 2023 MIT Energy Conference will bring together experts across the three key fields of technology, finance, and global policy to discuss critical solutions that will shape the future of the energy landscape, particularly during this time of uncertainty and hardship. To learn more about the Conference and purchase tickets, please click here.
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Investing In Our Future: Food, Science And Agriculture - MIT Food & Agriculture Club
🕑 Start time
3/7/2023 Tue 11:45 AM
🕓 End time
3/7/2023 Tue 12:45 PM
📍Location
Private Location (register to display)
📍Address
📝 Notes
Please join the Food & Agriculture Club on March 7th as we host Dr. Ashlie Burkhart, MD to discuss trends in sustainable investing and the emerging importance of a role of a CSO given the increasing intersection of science, food and agriculture.
Dr. Burkart is the Chief Scientific Officer at Germin8 Ventures (https://germin8ventures.com/) — a venture capital firm and thought-leader in food and agriculture innovation- and an Associate in the Environment and Natural Resources Program at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center. Dr. Burkart is also a practicing gastrointestinal pathologist and grant-funded researcher in gut health. We are also pleased to have Dr. Burkhart serve as a judge for the MIT Water, Food & Agriculture Innovation Prize in May 2023!
Our global food system is also a key contributor to our health crisis due to nutrient collapse, inequity of high-quality food, and lack of diversity in our diets – 75% of the world’s food is generated from only 12 plants and 5 animals. Additionally, the lack of crop and livestock diversity makes this sector extremely vulnerable to pests, diseases, climate change, and food security.
Food will be provided for those registered and attending in person.
🔗 Registration link
https://sloangroups.mit.edu/FoodandAg/rsvp_boot?id=1926489
White House Forum on Campus and Community-Scale Climate Change Solutions - MIT Events
🕑 Start time
3/8/2023 Wed 1:00 PM
🕓 End time
3/8/2023 Wed 3:30 PM
📍Location
Virtual
📍Address
📝 Notes
On March 8, 2023, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the University of Washington will convene U.S. Government officials with climate, sustainability, and resilience leaders and educators from colleges and universities—including MIT—for a virtual forum. These stakeholders will showcase how innovative ideas and actions can advance climate change efforts on college campuses while benefitting the surrounding communities and beyond.
The discussions will include:
Making campuses more sustainable and resilient, including pathways to demonstrating net-zero emissions;
Ensuring that students have the knowledge and skills to lead in the clean industries of tomorrow and to plan, deploy, and maintain the climate-smart infrastructure needed;
Providing climate information services to states, municipalities, and indigenous communities; and
Serving as proving grounds for new climate solutions and strategies to bring them into the innovation ecosystem.
Speakers will include:
Sally Benson – Deputy Director for Energy, OSTP
Mary Frances Repko – Deputy National Climate Advisor, White House
Alexandra Isern – Assistant Director for Geosciences, NSF
Laura Petes – Chief of Staff for Climate & Environment and Assistant Director for Climate Resilience, OSTP
Maya Tolstoy – Dean of the College of the Environment, University of Washington
College and University panelists will include:
Matt St. Clair, University of California System (Moderator)
Jennifer Haverkamp, University of Michigan
Chris Caldwell, College of Menominee Nation
Julie Newman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Randi Thomas, Miami University
Peter Dorhout, Iowa State University
Todd Crowl, Florida International University (Moderator)
Erika Bailey-Johnson, Bemidji State University
Robert Kopp, Rutgers University
Robert Bullard, Texas Southern University
Lara Skinner, Cornell University
Erica Fleishman, Oregon State University
U.S. Government panelists will include:
Costa Samaras, OSTP
Caitlin Simpson, NOAA
Julian Reyes, USDA
David Nemtzow, DOE
Anjuli Bamzai, NSF
🔗 Registration link
Speaker Series: Liz Mettetal and Tory Clark — HUCEG
🕑 Start time
3/8/2023 Wed 5:00 PM
🕓 End time
3/8/2023 Wed 6:00 PM
📍Location
Harvard University
📍Address
📝 Notes
Dr. Liz Mettetal teaches Economics of the Environment at Harvard and is an Associate Director of E3, an energy consulting firm. Tory Clark is a Partner at E3 and a trained engineer and expert in environmental policy. Come join our interactive discussion!
🔗 Registration link
https://www.huceg.org/calendar/speaker-series-liz-mettetal-and-tory-clark
YPE Boston March Happy Hour | Young Professionals in Energy Boston
🕑 Start time
3/8/2023 Wed 6:30 PM
🕓 End time
3/8/2023 Wed 8:30 PM
📍Location
730 Tavern
📍Address
730 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
📝 Notes
Come together with other energy enthusiasts to network and celebrate Holi, International Women's Day, and St. Paddy's Day! Open to both students and current YPE members. Bring your friends!
🔗 Registration link
https://www.linkedin.com/events/marchhappyhour7030972878229532672/
EBC Annual Meet the Committees Wine & Cheese Night - Environmental Business Council of New England, Inc.
🕑 Start time
3/15/2023 Wed 4:00 PM
🕓 End time
3/15/2023 Wed 4:00 PM
📍Location
Nutter, McClennen & Fish LLP
📍Address
Louis D. Brandeis Conference Center155 Seaport Boulevard, Boston MA
📝 Notes
Enjoy wine? How about a fine piece of cheese? Maybe a delightful mocktail? Well now is your chance to combine your love of good food, drink, and your curiosity about the various EBC Committees, Chapters, and Working Groups.
Join EBC’s Annual Meet the Committees Wine & Cheese Night to sample some lovely snacks and drinks all while mingling with your contacts in the industry and learning all about EBC’s ten Committees, three Working Groups, and three State Chapters.
Along with your registration comes unlimited (but responsible) beverages, appetizers, and great conversation.
To get a better understanding of the various EBC Committees, Chapters, and Working Groups who will be attending the event, please visit the ‘About’ section of the EBC website to brush-up on your EBC knowledge.
🔗 Registration link
https://ebcne.org/event/ebc-annual-meet-the-committees-wine-and-cheese-night/
2023 MIT Climate & Energy Prize: US Semi-Final
🕑 Start time
3/16/2023 Thu 2:00 PM
🕓 End time
3/16/2023 Thu 7:00 PM
📍Location
Greentown Labs Somerville
📍Address
444 Somerville Ave Somerville, Massachusetts 02143 United States
📝 Notes
US Semifinal of the MIT Climate and Energy Prize, the world's largest student-led competition for climate startups.
The MIT Climate & Energy Prize competition seeks to move the world closer to net zero carbon emissions by empowering ambitious entrepreneurs to solve the world’s most difficult climate-related challenges.
We are the largest and longest-running competition for student-led climate startups in the world. Since its founding in 2007, the MIT Climate & Energy Prize has received more than 750 applications, offered world-class mentoring to over 260 teams, and granted more than $3.3M in non-dilutive cash prizes. Teams compete for $100,000+ in prize money and have access to mentoring and other resources. Over 220 MIT Climate & Energy Prize companies have successfully launched and raised $1.7+ billion in follow-on funding.
During the semifinal round, teams of student entrepreneurs will present their business plans and prototypes to a panel of judges, who will then evaluate the teams based on criteria such as the potential impact of their solution, the feasibility of their business model, and the strength of their team. The semifinal round is an opportunity for the teams to receive feedback and guidance from experienced industry leaders and to compete for a chance to advance to the final in April.
🔗 Registration link
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-mit-climate-energy-prize-us-semi-final-tickets-512506620097
Alpacas and Farm Friends - MIT Events
🕑 Start time
3/16/2023 Thu 10:00 AM
🕓 End time
3/16/2023 Thu 10:00 AM
📍Location
Hockfield court
📍Address
Hockfield CourtCambridge, MA 02142
📝 Notes
Have you dreamed about alpacas and other farm animals by Kenall Square? Dream no more! Stop by Hockfield Court between 10am–2pm to say hello to alpacas and other furry friends from Pine Meadow Farm!
🔗 Registration link
https://calendar.mit.edu/event/alpacas_and_farm_friends
EBC Rhode Island Program: Congressional Briefing with U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse - Environmental Business Council of New England, Inc.
🕑 Start time
3/17/2023 Fri 8:30 AM
🕓 End time
3/17/2023 Fri 10:45 AM
📍Location
Hybrid
📍Address
📝 Notes
Plan to attend this EBC Rhode Island Leadership program with the Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Senator for the State of Rhode Island. This congressional briefing will update EBC members on recent developments in Washington, D.C. and on his priorities for the year ahead. The discussion will cover energy, the environment, and climate change.
A senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and a Senate climate champion, Whitehouse will discuss his focus on fighting for smart solutions to address climate change and position Rhode Island as a leader in the clean energy economy. As a co-founder of the Senate Oceans Caucus, Senator Whitehouse will discuss his role in crafting bipartisan policies to protect Rhode Island’s oceans and coasts.
Take this unique opportunity to meet with your US Senator (invite your clients) and discuss issues of importance to the growth of your business.
A moderated discussion will follow the keynote presentation.
8:30 a.m. Registration & Networking (in-person attendees)
9:00 a.m. Program Begins
9:35 a.m. Moderated Discussion
10:15 a.m. Networking Opportunity (in-person attendees)
10:45 a.m. Program Adjourns
🔗 Registration link
MIT Climate Machine: The Image-in Session - MIT Events
🕑 Start time
3/18/2023 Sat 11:00 AM
🕓 End time
3/18/2023 Sat 12:00 PM
📍Location
Virtual
📍Address
📝 Notes
The MIT Climate Machine, a program of the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, brings climate knowledge and engagement to arts experiences. After piloting its interactive exhibits at music festivals across the United States and Europe in 2022, the program is now seeking input on its products, strategy and future direction.
We all engage with climate change in our own ways. Your unique experiences in your neighborhood and hometown shape your vision for our climate's future. Join us for an hour-long workshop of music sharing, AI art, and sharing to envision the future of climate change.
🔗 Registration link
https://calendar.mit.edu/event/mit_climate_machine_the_image-in_session
👉 Event title
Energy storage student slam - MIT Events
🕑 Start time
3/21/2023 Tue 5:00 PM
🕓 End time
3/21/2023 Tue 6:30 PM
📍Location
MIT Welcome Center (E38)
📍Address
292 Main Street Cambridge, MA 02142
📝 Notes
This event is open to the MIT community.
Interested in finding out about energy storage projects at MIT? Join us for an exciting student competition! The energy storage student slam will be held on Tuesday, March 21 at 5:00 pm ET.
MIT undergraduate and graduate students will participate in a rapid-fire series of presentations on energy storage projects they are currently conducting or have recently completed that will help fight the climate crisis. The students will be judged in separate undergraduate and graduate student competitions—both will include prizes for first, second, and third place.
More information is available on the event webpage.
Agenda
5:00 pm Welcome and competition framing
5:05 pm Graduate student slam presentations
5:50 pm Undergraduate student slam presentations
Accessibility information
MIT is committed to providing an environment that is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you need a disability-related accommodation or have questions, please contact us at [email protected].
MIT Event Policy
All MIT Event Policy rules in place at the time of the event will be adhered to. By registering, you acknowledge that you will follow MIT policy. Current policy can be viewed here.
🔗 Registration link