Clever Carbon is spearheading efforts to cultivate a carbon literate society, recognizing that widespread understanding of carbon footprints is crucial to combating climate change. By using hip and engaging branding, the organization aims to demystify carbon emissions, making it easier for individuals and organizations to grasp the impact of their choices. For instance, a carbon literate individual knows that an apple typically generates 35 g of CO2, while a serving of beef produces a staggering 7,700 g. This awareness is vital as fossil fuel reliance continues to push CO2 levels in the atmosphere to 420 ppm—well above the safe threshold of 350 ppm.
CBR: Building on your extensive experience in Silicon Valley and at Salesforce, How did your background in tech influence your approach to launching Clever Carbon?
Michelle: My journey into climate activism began with a strong sense of common sense around sustainability. Even back in 2015, I was already adopting practices like using reusable cups and bags and went vegan in 2017, driven by both environmental concerns and a desire to reduce animal suffering. At that time, the implications of my choices on climate were not fully understood, but they felt inherently right given the growing population and resource constraints of our planet.
My tech background at companies like Salesforce and DocuSign played a significant role in this transition. It wasn’t just a shift in career, but a fusion of two seemingly disparate fields. Salesforce, for example, had a program called Volunteer Time Off (VTO), which was integral to our annual reviews. This fostered a culture of giving back that resonated deeply with me. Seeing how these tech companies managed to create a win-win scenario by engaging with the community and improving employee satisfaction left a lasting impression. It’s a testament to the potential of cross-disciplinary influence in addressing complex global issues like climate change.
When I started Clever Carbon, I wanted to leverage the branding and professionalism I had learned in the tech world. At that time, many climate-related organizations needed more branding and resources, so I aimed to create a more impactful presence through Clever Carbon and later, Women and Climate. This experience in tech taught me the importance of a well-crafted brand and effective communication.
CBR: Founding Women and Climate in 2022 marked a significant milestone in connecting women leaders in the climate space. What were some of the key challenges you encountered while establishing this network, and how did you navigate them?
Michelle: One major challenge was scalability. Initially, I was organizing all the events myself, which, as you can imagine, wasn’t sustainable. Expanding beyond New York City proved difficult. For instance, when we started in Boston, I faced differing opinions over branding with a local co-host. This experience highlighted the need for a more structured approach. It’s important to remember that every successful initiative has its share of challenges, and it’s the ability to overcome them that paves the way for success.
Over time, I formalized our approach by creating a framework for city leads to follow. This has enabled us to grow significantly. For example, London became a major success, where we now have around seven city leads working collaboratively to host regular events, led by team Kayleigh Potter. Our approach is to create repeatable, low-effort frameworks that still have a high impact, given that Women and Climate operates entirely on a volunteer basis and has now full-time staff.
CBR: You recently hosted the Carbon Newbie Summit at New York Climate Week. Can you share some of the key topics covered and how they enhanced participants’ understanding of climate literacy?
Michelle: The Carbon Newbie Summit was designed to educate professionals who might be interested in climate action but lack detailed knowledge because their day job is not related to climate. We covered fundamental topics such as greenhouse gases, carbon footprint, global warming potential, and carbon removal. The summit also featured panels and fireside chats on how companies engage in climate literacy and the practical steps individuals can take.
The goal was to make complex concepts accessible and actionable, bridging the gap for those new to climate change. We achieved this by providing a mix of technical presentations and real-world applications, breaking down the information into digestible pieces and presenting it in a way that resonates with people’s everyday experiences. This approach aimed to inspire participants to take informed actions in both their personal and professional lives.
CBR: What strategies are the most effective in achieving climate literacy?
Michelle: Effective climate literacy strategies must be simple, engaging, and have a positive message. We need to break down information into digestible pieces and present it in a way that resonates with people’s everyday experiences. Good branding and a positive tone are crucial because they make the subject more approachable. We avoid prescriptive messaging, focusing instead on providing information and data that empowers individuals to make their own decisions.
CBR: Looking ahead, how do you see the evolution of carbon literacy, and what role will technology and innovation play?
Michelle: I envision a future where climate metrics are integrated into our daily lives. For example, weather reports could include CO2 atmospheric concentrations, and apps might provide carbon footprint data for different modes of transportation, as an example. While technology and innovation will be important, I believe the focus should also be on investing in education. Governments, leaders, and corporations need to prioritize educating people about the importance of reducing their environmental impact.
CBR: As a woman with a tech background, how has your experience informed your climate advocacy, and what challenges have you faced in this transition?
Michelle: My experience as a woman in tech has highlighted the need for diverse representation and thought leadership. At Women and Climate, we address this by not only advocating for more women on panels but also by providing practical solutions like our speaker database. This helps ensure that women’s voices are heard and that opportunities are available for them to share their expertise.
CBR: Lastly, you’ll be hosting the Women in Climate Gala Dinner this September. What role do you see women playing in shaping future climate solutions, and what can we expect from this event?
Michelle: Women play a crucial role in shaping climate solutions. Their unique perspectives and ideas are invaluable in the fight against climate change. The Women and Climate gala dinner is an opportunity to celebrate and amplify these contributions. We’re excited to feature speakers like Xiye Bastida and Shyla Raghav. The event will highlight the innovative work being done by women in the climate space and foster connections that drive collective action. It’s a testament to the power of collective action and the hope it brings for a sustainable future.
