Putting Local Communities at the Forefront of the Climate Conversation
In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about local organizations keeping the residents in the communities they serve at the forefront of the climate conversation. Esteban is joined by Nicole Landers, Director of Communications & Partnerships @ GreenWealth Energy. Nicole is a longtime climate consultant and one of the founders of a community garden that helped nourish and support her local Venice community.
Nicole and Esteban discuss community-focused efforts to make electrical vehicle charging more accessible, how a few friends can make a real impact on the climate and on their community, how building sustainable communities is an investment in groups of people historically left out of the conversation, and so much more.
Additional References from the podcast:
Books
Michael Pollan | Bookshop
Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
Articles
Mandatory Commercial and Multifamily Organics Recycling (recycLA) | SB 1383
GFO-22-614 - Reliable, Equitable, and Accessible Charging for Multi-family Housing 2.0 (REACH 2.0)
My California Dream| Ben Stapleton
Sierra Club Insider
Charge4All — Southern California EVen Access
Videos
Healing our community, one garden box at a time. | Nicole Landers | TEDxVeniceBeach
Who Killed the Electric Car? - Wikipedia
Common Ground Film and Kiss the Ground Film
Podcasts
Travel With Meaning
People mentioned
Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator
US Green Building Council of California
The Carbonauts
New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
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Understanding Climate Policy Decision Making
In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about local clean energy projects and how they support a larger and greener statewide vision for California. He is joined by Heather Repenning, Vice President, Account Manager and Resilience Lead at Jacobs, and the former Executive Officer for Sustainability at LA Metro where she led efforts to support clean transportation and reduce emissions within LA Metro’s capital expansion program.
Heather and Esteban talk about the way design choices made by local governments impact the choices we make as we travel through southern California. They also discuss the opportunities for sustainable development leading up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games, and some of Heather’s favorite LA and climate books.
Additional References from the podcast:
Books
The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West
The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-Eun
Ecology of Fear: Los Angeles and the Imagination of Disaster by Mike Davis
City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles by Mike Davis
Articles
Here is the syllabus to the climate policy course Heather teaches at USC
Podcasts
People mentioned
Walter Moseley
James Elroy
Cyclavia LA 2025
LA Compost
New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
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Hi, Energy! is Back!
Hi, Energy! is back! This season, we’re diving deeper into real-world stories, smart energy solutions, and local community voices driving change right here in our neighborhoods.
Hear from Southern California’s best and brightest leaders rolling up their sleeves to make clean and sustainable energy work for everyone.And insights from experts who work with government officials to turn big climate goals into real climate action.
New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
Reducing energy use today is key to a safer, more affordable, and sustainable tomorrow.
Introducing Hi, Energy!, where we bring you front-row access to the innovators and leaders across Southern California who are making a real difference. From demystifying the benefits of heat pumps to breaking down what decarbonization really means, we’re here to help you navigate the path to a cleaner, greener future. From landing green jobs to rethinking how we get around, we’re diving into bold ideas and everyday actions that make a real difference. Whether you’re looking to make smarter energy choices at home, work, or in your community, this podcast connects you to the conversations that will inspire change. Join us as we light the way to a brighter, more sustainable future.
New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
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