LEADERSHIP

"Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better."

- Harry S. Truman

Leadership and Progress: A Call to Courageous Action

Harry S. Truman's insightful words, "Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better," underscore the pivotal role of leadership in shaping the course of history. Let's reflect on the profound implications of this perspective for our shared journey.

Active Agency in History: Truman's statement challenges the notion that history unfolds passively. Instead, it asserts that individuals, through their actions and leadership, actively shape the trajectory of society. It places responsibility on leaders to play a decisive role in driving progress.

Leadership as a Catalyst for Change: In periods of stagnation, Truman suggests that it is leadership that propels society forward. True progress emerges when leaders exhibit courage, skill, and the vision to navigate challenges. Leadership becomes the driving force behind transformative change for the better.

Courageous Seizure of Opportunities: Truman's words emphasize the need for leaders to be proactive and bold. Progress doesn't happen by chance but through the intentional actions of leaders who identify opportunities and fearlessly seize them. Courage, coupled with skill, becomes the catalyst for positive transformation.

The Impact of Skillful Leadership: Skillful leadership is highlighted as a key component in Truman's perspective. It's not just about courage but also about the ability to navigate complexities, make informed decisions, and effectively guide society toward better outcomes. Skillful leaders are equipped to bring about meaningful change.

A Call to Action: As we navigate the challenges and opportunities before us, let Truman's words be a call to action. Each of us, in our respective roles, has the potential to contribute to the making of history. Let's embody courage, skill, and a proactive spirit as we work together to shape a future that reflects our shared values and aspirations.

May our collective leadership be a force for progress, and may our actions contribute to a legacy of positive change.

— Wayne Jensen

Presented by:

Wannemacher Jensen Architects, Inc.

INNOVATION

Innovating the Future of Construction: Challenges and Solutions

Kingspan's innovation center, IKON, recently hosted a panel of experts to discuss key challenges facing the modern built environment and potential solutions. The panel included Michael Bol, an architect, and Concepting Director at Buro Kade, Benjamin Constant, Director of Development and Partnerships at Neo-Eco Partner, and Sandra Del Bove, Kingspan Group Head of Innovation.

Bio-Based Materials: A Sustainable Option?

One major topic of discussion was the use of bio-based materials in construction. While these materials offer advantages in circularity and carbon footprint during a building's life, challenges like supply chain uncertainty, scalability issues, and potential environmental impacts during production need consideration. The panel emphasized the need for a balanced approach, as relying solely on bio-based materials may not meet the diverse needs of the built environment.

Michael Bol highlighted the importance of designing buildings that are adaptive and flexible, considering the potential variations in thermal performance associated with bio-based products. Benjamin Constant emphasized the role of client ambition in driving the market for sustainable products, encouraging innovative designs that depart from conventional approaches.

Challenges of Innovation and Practicalities

Sandra Del Bove delved into the practicalities of bringing new products to market, emphasizing the rigorous research and testing required to meet regulatory and performance standards. She highlighted a recent example of silica-based insulation with excellent thermal conductivity and a Euroclass rating of A2-s1,d0. The challenges of finding materials that perform well across thermal, fire, and structural criteria were acknowledged.

Innovation was also discussed in the context of improving circularity, including dealing with existing products that are harder to recycle. Benjamin Constant emphasized the innovation in incorporating recycled content from old products into new ones, maintaining performance and cost-effectiveness.

Data and Digital Integration

The importance of data, third-party certification, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction process was stressed. Michael Bol highlighted the architect's role in centralizing the design and build process through the effective use of BIM. Material passports were emphasized as a crucial tool for understanding building composition over time.

Effective Collaboration for Change

Collaboration emerged as a central theme throughout the discussion, emphasizing the need to work closely with clients, the supply chain, architects, and the market. Collaboration was seen not only in the design and build phase but also in the end-of-life phase of a building. Benjamin Constant stressed the fundamentally collaborative nature of the circular economy, requiring cooperation to achieve results at scale.

In conclusion, the panel acknowledged the variety of innovative materials entering the market to address specific challenges in construction. Architects seek assurance of supply, third-party certification, and clear data to instill confidence in these new products. The final sentiment highlighted by Benjamin Constant was the growing role of individuals as innovators, fostering a collective belief in the possibility of positive change.

TECHNOLOGY

Companies Featured at the US Climate Investor Conference 2023

The US Climate Investor Conference 2023, presented by Water Tower Research, aims to showcase a select group of companies in the climate tech and sustainable investing industry. The event will be held virtually on Thursday, December 7. Here is an overview of the confirmed companies for the conference:

1. Alternus Energy:

• Type: Clean energy independent power producer (IPP)

• Operations: Transatlantic, listed on Euronext Growth Oslo

• Focus: Develop, install, own, and operate utility-scale solar parks in Europe and the US

• Goal: Reach 3GW of operational projects within 5 years

2. Base Carbon Inc.:

• Expertise: Natural resources, environmental markets, portfolio construction, and technology infrastructure

• Focus: Providing innovative solutions to the carbon economy

• Vision: Envisioning a market for carbon credits worth upward of $50 billion in 2030

3. Gevo Inc.:

• Product Line: Decarbonization of processes for low-carbon animal feed and renewable fuels and chemicals

• Focus: Achieving the lowest carbon life-cycle inventory

• Technology: Innovative silica-based insulation

4. Greenland Technologies Holding Corp.:

• Expertise: Transmission and drivetrain systems for material handling equipment

• Focus: Leading developer of innovative solutions in the material handling industry

• Reputation: Leading transmission and drivetrain systems provider for material handling equipment in China

5. Loop Industries:

• Technology: Depolymerization for upcycling plastic from waste feedstocks

• Focus: Supporting the global shift to a circular plastics economy

• Process: Low-energy process for breaking down waste into base monomers and polymerizing into virgin-quality PET resin

6. Ocean Power Technologies:

• Services: Intelligent maritime solutions and services for ocean operations

• Platforms: PowerBuoy for clean and reliable electric power, WAM-V autonomous surface vessels, and marine robotics

• Markets: Defense, security, science, research, and offshore wind

7. RE Royalties:

• Approach: Applying the royalty financing model to the renewable energy sector

• Goal: Providing shareholders with strong capital returns, growth, and a stable distribution

• Impact: Helping reduce global greenhouse gas emissions

8. Revolve Renewable Power Corp.:

• Focus: Developing utility-scale renewable energy generation projects in North America

• Portfolio: 2838 MW of projects under active development and additional 'greenfield' opportunities

• Technologies: Wind, solar, and battery storage

9. SES AI Corporation:

• Specialization: Li-Metal batteries

• Development Tracks: Hermes (new material development), Apollo (engineering for automotive cells), Avatar (AI-powered safety software)

• Goal: Advancing Li-Metal battery technology through a systems approach

10. Soluna Holdings, Inc.:

• Mission: Harnessing computing power to accelerate the renewable energy future

• Data Centers: Utilizing excess megawatts for computing-intensive processes like cryptocurrency mining and machine learning

• Vision: Becoming the industry standard within 3 years

11. TECO 2030:

• Location: Norwegian-based clean tech company

• Focus: Developing zero-emission technology for the maritime and heavy industry

• Giga Production Facility: Building Europe's first hydrogen PEM fuel cell stacks facility in Norway

12. TMC the Metals Company:

• Objective: Scaling nodule collecting and onshore processing systems for lower-impact metals

• Innovation: Deriving CoSO4 from deep-sea polymetallic nodules for reduced environmental and social impacts

• Vision: Recycling battery metals in a closed-loop system

13. UGE:

• Operations: Developing, owning, and operating community and commercial solar and battery storage projects

• Distributed Energy Solutions: Providing cheaper, cleaner energy to businesses and households

• Project Experience: Over 500 MW of project experience, making renewable energy accessible and affordable

These companies will present their initiatives, technologies, and contributions to the climate tech and sustainable investing industry at the conference.

"13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" by Amy Morin offers a blueprint to develop mental strength which includes identifying and avoiding the self-limiting beliefs and behaviors that hold us back in life.

ECONOMY

Overview of Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum (GASSA)

The United States and the European Union have initiated historic negotiations on the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum (GASSA). The objective is to reach an agreement to increase trade in "green" steel and aluminum—products manufactured with lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional manufacturing practices. GASSA, if successfully concluded, holds the potential to reshape global supply chains, prioritize sustainability, protect U.S. workers, and contribute significantly to industrial decarbonization.

Context

Decarbonization Efforts:

• Both the U.S. and the EU are striving to decarbonize their heavy industries to achieve net-zero climate targets by midcentury.

• The steel industry, known for its high embedded carbon content, accounts for nearly one-third of global emissions from industry.

• Aluminum production is energy and carbon-intensive, contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Global Steel and Aluminum Markets:

• Excess capacity in global steel and aluminum markets has been a persistent issue.

Importance of GASSA

Trade and Climate Policy Alignment:

• GASSA represents a significant achievement in aligning trade policies with climate goals.

• The deal has the potential to serve as a model for addressing shared challenges through trade mechanisms.

Paradigm Shift in Cross-Border Commerce:

• The agreement could mark a paradigm shift wherein like-minded democracies use trade and institutions to address common problems.

• Transatlantic Climate Bloc: By laying the groundwork for a transatlantic climate bloc, GASSA strengthens U.S.-EU partnerships in confronting global challenges.

Challenges to Implementation

Divergent Approaches:

• Negotiations have reportedly stalled due to differing U.S. and EU approaches to linking market access to the carbon intensity of traded goods.

Risk of Shelving the Deal:

• The divergence in approaches raises the possibility of the deal being indefinitely shelved, leading to a missed opportunity.

Recommendations

Timely Progress:

• Emphasizes the importance of timely progress in GASSA negotiations to seize the opportunity for a groundbreaking agreement.

Exploration of Alternatives:

• If GASSA faces obstacles, suggests exploring similar partnerships with other high-ambition steel- and aluminum-producing nations.

Conclusion

GASSA, if successfully concluded in a manner that links market access to carbon intensity, has the potential to significantly advance the alignment of trade policies with climate action, counter abuses in the global trading system, and strengthen transatlantic relations. The brief underscores the importance of addressing challenges to ensure the timely progression of GASSA negotiations.

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SAFETY TOOLBOX

Bees and Wasps Safety Talk

Almost everyone has encountered a bee or wasp sting at some point in their lives. While these stings may be a minor inconvenience for most, some individuals face severe allergic reactions that can be life-threatening. It's crucial for all of us to be aware of the risks, how to prevent stings, and what to do in case of an emergency.

Bee and Insect Sting Facts:

According to NIOSH, thousands of people are stung by insects each year, and as many as 90–100 people in the United States die as a result of allergic reactions. Most individuals experience minor symptoms, but stings can lead to pain, redness, swelling, hives, itching, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Secondary Dangers of Bees and Wasps:

Beyond stings, these insects can cause panic, leading to incidents. For instance, a bee entering a vehicle can distract a driver, resulting in accidents. Disturbing a nest while working at heights can lead to falls due to panic after a sting.

Sting Prevention:

Site Walks:

• Before starting any work, conduct a site walk to identify hazards, including the presence of bees and wasps.

• Avoid areas with active hives.

Protective Clothing:

• Wear clothing that covers exposed skin to minimize the risk of stings.

If Stung:

Severe Allergic Reactions:

• Call 911 immediately for those with a history of severe reactions.

• Administer epinephrine if available.

Minor Reactions:

• Remove the stinger with the edge of a credit card.

• Apply ice to control swelling.

• Keep the sting area clean until healed.

Summary:

Take the hazards posed by bees and wasps seriously when working outdoors. Perform site checks, avoid areas with active hives, and wear protective clothing. If you or a coworker is severely allergic, always have an EPI pen nearby. In cases where nests pose a risk, consider professional removal to ensure safety.

Discussion Points:

Share Experiences:

• Discuss any encounters with bees or wasps and how they were handled.

Remember, a proactive approach to bee and wasp safety contributes to a safer work environment.

Stay safe!