November Notes: Fellowship Updates and other Goodies

Greetings Friends and Family!

I get it.

We all have a lot on our minds right now—the US election, pressing climate change challenges, and perhaps… Super Bowl picks?— Still, finding ways to stay grounded remains crucial.

Recently, I wrote about reaching an unexpected milestone: 12 months of professional transition. It has been a challenging yet enriching year of deep reflection and carving a new career path in climate tech. I invite you to read more about my journey here

My Climatebase fellowship continues to provide invaluable insights into environmental solutions. So far, my favorite segments have been in Nature Based Solutions (NBS) and Corporate Sustainability. Additionally, my Capstone Project on citizen science platforms is revealing fascinating patterns about how technology can amplify conservation efforts. Stay tuned for my final presentation in next month's issue!

Shameless Plug: Bird Buddy

This month's spotlight features Bird Buddy, an AI-powered smart bird feeder revolutionizing backyard citizen science. While not officially sponsored, I'm impressed by their approach to making scientific observation accessible to everyone. Their smart feeder

• Captures high-quality photos of your feathered visitors

• Contributes valuable data to bird population studies

• Demonstrates how consumer technology can serve both entertainment and scientific purposes

Learn more about Bird Buddy by clicking below:

🌱 Sustainability Corner: Beyond the Green Facade

As professionals in the sustainability space, we're witnessing a surge of "net-zero" commitments as COP28 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) approaches. Let's explore how to distinguish authentic environmental initiatives from greenwashing.

Red Flags in Green Messaging:

1. Vague Timeline Syndrome

   • Watch out for: "Committed to becoming carbon neutral" without specific dates

   • Reality Check: True sustainability initiatives have clear, measurable milestones

2. The Offset Obsession

   • Watch out for: Over-reliance on carbon offsets while core business practices remain unchanged

   • Reality Check: Carbon offsets should supplement, not replace, actual emissions reductions

3. Data Theater

   • Watch out for: Cherry-picked environmental statistics that don't tell the full story

   • Reality Check: Meaningful sustainability data should be comprehensive and contextual

How to Support Genuine Green Initiatives:

1. Follow the Data Trail

   • Look for companies publishing detailed environmental impact reports

   • Check for third-party verification of environmental claims

   • Examine the methodology behind sustainability metrics

2. Investigate Supply Chains

   • Research upstream and downstream environmental impacts

   • Look for companies taking responsibility for their entire value chain

   • Support businesses with transparent supplier sustainability requirements

3. Evaluate Long-term Commitment

   • Look for sustained investment in green technologies

   • Check for environmental considerations in core business decisions

   • Assess the company's history of environmental accountability

Real-World Example:
Consider the contrast between H&M and Patagonia. H&M promotes their “Conscious Collection” while investigations reveal they burn more clothing than they produce sustainably. Meanwhile, Patagonia consistently implements sustainability into their business model, often prioritizing environmental impact over profits.

📋 Productivity Tip: Show NOT Tell and ELI5

My 4-year-old son has become my unexpected teacher in effective communication. He naturally demonstrates the "Show Not Tell" approach through ELI5 (Explain Like I'm Five)—a skill we as product professionals should master. The ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms is crucial for effective communication.

This approach:

• Reduces cognitive load

• Contextualizes understanding across multiple departments and stakeholder levels

• Makes information memorable

Try the ELI5 approach in your next technical presentation—you'll be amazed at how much more you accomplish

Resource(s) of the Month

Book Recommendation: "Cool Grey City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco" by Gary Kamiya - A fascinating exploration of San Francisco's history through 49 chapters, each focusing on a different area of the 49-square-mile city. One of my favorite reads this year.

Tool of the Month: Road to 10 Gigatons - An interactive tool for data enthusiasts to build custom carbon-offsetting portfolios based on specific timeframes and budgets. Perfect for understanding the impact of different carbon reduction strategies.

Your Feedback Matters!

As we approach the end of the year, I'd love to hear how this newsletter has influenced your approach to sustainable technology and conservation. What topics would you like to see covered in 2025?

Stay inspired and grounded 🫡

Patrick

P.S. Are you using any interesting tech tools to patterns in your area? Whether it's through eBird data visualization, custom analytics, or innovative monitoring solutions, PLEASE share your approach - your technical insights could help fellow sustainability leaders in next month's issue!