REWIND: Building a Better Battery Supply Chain with JB Straubel and Aimee Boulanger

Batteries are a critical part of the transition away from fossil fuels. From electric vehicles to grid scale storage for wind and solar, demand for batteries is expected to grow 500% by 2030. In order to meet that demand, we’re going to need a lot more batteries. 

And while companies like JB Straubel’s Redwood Materials are building capacity for recycling, for now that means a lot more mining. With the battery supply chain only growing more critical as the electric vehicle market matures, we’re revisiting this critical episode from last summer exploring how to build a battery supply chain that meets demand while reducing harm.  

This episode was underwritten by ClimateWorks.

JB Straubel

Founder and CEO, Redwood Materials

Aimee Boulanger

Executive Director, Initiative for Responsible Mining

There are climate heroes among us everywhere, but many go unnoticed in the thrum of everyday life. Matt Scott, director of storytelling and engagement at Project Drawdown, has been shining a light on the work of such people in cities across the country in his documentary short series “Drawdown’s Neighborhood.” In Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New Orleans and more, Scott lifts up underrepresented voices of those engaging in climate issues directly in their communities. And that diversity of voices — of women, Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color — is itself the point. “By passing the mic to underrepresented people working on the frontlines of climate change, we hope to share as many of these stories as possible while reshaping who society sees as climate heroes,” says Scott. 

The San Francisco Bay Area is the latest region in Drawdown’s Neighborhood, with full episodes premiering in August 2024. Join us for this unique Climate One event, as Scott hosts a live conversation with local climate heroes and showcases the diversity of people taking action all across the country to meaningfully address climate change.

We were thrilled to be a part of the second annual SF Climate Week, hosting live conversations with California leaders like Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, California Chamber of Commerce CEO Jennifer Barrera, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and California Environmental Justice Alliance’s Energy Justice Director Mari Rose Taruc.

The events covered topics ranging from how businesses can best measure their emissions, to balancing the need to fund climate resilience programs with the state’s budget shortfalll to the continual gender gap in the green jobs sector. We’ve released two bonus podcasts so far — one on Bonta’s lawsuit against the fossil fuel industry, and another featuring the discussion between California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph and Taruc about how the government weighs environmental justice when allocating public climate funds. You can also revisit livestreams of the conversations on our YouTube channel.

Tonight’s program, a climate-friendly fashion show in collaboration with Nothin But Hits, is sold out. To ensure you’re informed about future Climate One events as they’re announced, make sure you add this email address to your contact list!

During Tuesday’s program, Rewiring America’s Director of Local Engagement Rahul Young mentioned the organization’s breadth of resources available for those interested in starting their own home electrification journey. 

The nonprofit has a bevy of free tools on its website, including a savings calculator, a primer on the Inflation Reduction Act and its many financial benefits, and a guide for renters looking to join in on the green energy transition. You can access all these tools and more free of charge on Rewiring America’s website.