CLIMATE ONE: John Doerr and Ryan Panchadsaram: Speed & Scale’s Reality Check

CLIMATE ONE: John Doerr and Ryan Panchadsaram: Speed & Scale’s Reality Check

Author: Commonwealth Club of California May 1, 2026 Duration: 58:20
In 2021, legendary investor John Doerr⁠ outlined his plan to solve climate change⁠ in his bestseller “Speed & Scale.” The plan outlines 10 objectives, each with their own set of key results, to cut emissions to net zero. And in true John Doerr style, the results are to be measurable and trackable.  ​Now, five years later, Doerr and co-author Ryan Panchadsaram unveil their 2026 update, revealing where the world is winning, where it's falling behind, and what it will take to close the gap. Guests: John Doerr, Venture capitalist; Chair, Kleiner Perkins Ryan Panchadsaram, Advisor to the Chairman, Kleiner Perkins Aliya Haq, President, Clean Economy Project (CleanEcon) Robinson Meyer, Founding Executive Editor, Heatmap News ​​Nancy E. Pfund,  Founder and Managing Partner, DBL Partners For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit https://www.climateone.org/podcasts Highlights: 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – John Doerr on how his plan differs from others 05:30 – Ryan Panchadsaram: updated plan focuses on what needs to be built, rather than cut 08:30 – Bright spot: deployment of solar and wind 10:00 – Big challenges: methane leaks 15:30 – Keeping accountable with shifting deadlines 19:00 – Where government succeeds and fails in addressing climate 21:30 – Where tech industry/VC succeeds and fails in addressing climate 29:00 – Reframing the climate narrative around the good news 33:20 – Aliya Haq: load growth is an incredible opportunity for us to advance clean 37:00 – Coalition uniting to fix the grid and make policy work for clean energy 39:00 – Robinson Meyer on geopolitical energy shocks and reconsideration of fuel sources 44:15 – Race for clean tech is a “frenemy” competition  48:00 – Nancy Pfund: Clean energy remains a very “investable” area  52:00 – Cost curves for EVs, solar are inexorable – we just need to build policy to support it 54:00 – Climate One More Thing ********** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today at ⁠patreon.com/ClimateOne⁠.  Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For nearly a century, the Commonwealth Club of California Podcast has served as a vital platform for civic dialogue, directly from the nation's largest public affairs forum. Each episode captures live, thoughtful conversations with leading voices from across the political spectrum and various fields, all committed to exploring the most pressing issues of our time. As a nonpartisan and nonprofit operation, the Club’s priority is substance over soundbite, fostering a depth of discussion that is increasingly rare. You’ll hear authors, policymakers, scientists, and cultural figures engage in nuanced debates and detailed analyses, reflecting a genuine diversity of perspectives. This isn't just a recording of events; it's an ongoing, accessible chronicle of American and global thought. The audio you find in this podcast feed originates from the longest-running weekly radio broadcast of its kind in the United States, a tradition started in 1924, now shared with a modern audience. Updated frequently throughout the week, the feed ensures you have direct access to a forum where complex ideas about government, society, and current events are given the time and respect they deserve. Tune in for a consistently enlightening experience that challenges assumptions and provides context far beyond the daily headlines.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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February 24, 2020, started out like any other day for journalist and television anchor Dion Lim of San Francisco’s ABC News. Planning her pitches for the morning’s editorial meeting, she checked her Instagram account and…
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