Barry Vesser

Barry Vesser is The Climate Center's Chief Operating Officer. He leads the Center’s program and policy development and implementation teams.
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Two financial institutions find ways to be sustainable and successful

(Published July 11, 2016 in the North Bay Business Journal) Any financial institution that claims to protect its clients’ or members’ hard-earned investments needs to emulate the innovative sustainability programs of  Redwood Credit Union and Beneficial State Bank.The connection may not seem obvious but the reason is as simple as cause and effect.  Climate change … Read more

Categories Business Network Divestment
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Can we cool the earth through geoengineering?

This is a long article, but a good read. It is the best paper I have read on using geoengineering to address climate change. It takes a comprehensive look at all the possibilities and gives an analysis of how likely they are to produce results and the challenges associated with them. Without giving away too … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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Event Recap: Sustainable and Responsible Investing

by Barry Vesser and Kristin Berger Doing Well and Doing Good: Sustainable Investment From 2012 to 2014, sustainable and impact investing assets enjoyed a growth rate of more than 76%, increasing from $3.74 trillion in 2012 to over $6 trillion in 2014.  It is now possible to invest our money for our children’s education and our retirement … Read more

Categories Business Network
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Community Choice Takes Shape in Silicon Valley

By Barry Vesser, CCP  |  Nov. 12, 2015 [ San Jose City Councilmember Ash Kalra talks about his interest in Community Choice] Momentum is building for Community Choice Energy (CCE) in Silicon Valley. San Mateo aims to form a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), the legal framework for a multi-municipality Community Choice program, in February 2016, … Read more

Categories Business Network Community Choice Energy
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Senator McGuire on SB 350 – big climate legislation that could have been bigger

California Senator Mike McGuire recently spoke at a business breakfast hosted by The Climate Center’s Business for Clean Energy program at Labcon in Petaluma on September 17th. There were several climate and energy bills being considered by the legislature before the session ended. The biggest was SB 350 which passed after being amended at the … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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Valley fire: This could be the face of our future

I am so grateful for the rain that fell yesterday, so unusual for California in September. In these last months, I feel like I’ve had front row seats to the climate disaster unfolding as fire ravages our state, unable to do anything about it. The intensity and proximity of the Valley fire in Lake County … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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Are Republicans Politically Vulnerable on Climate Change?

by Barry Vesser |  August 28, 2015 The EPA’s recently-released Clean Power Plan has been taking a lot of flak from the Right. Although this is unsurprising, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s vehement opposition contradicts the values of most Americans and is not rooted in traditional conservative values or Republican political strengths. In the past, … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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Open House Celebration: June 25, 2015

The Climate Center invites you, our friends and supporters, to join us for an Open House & Celebration on our new “party patio” (at our new headquarters, shared with Sonoma Land Trust). The pre-party starts at 5:30 with snacks and beverages, a 30-minute program will begin at 6:30pm, and a group photo will be coordinated at 7:00pm.  … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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Silicon Valley Energy Summit: June 25, 2015

Sustainable Silicon Valley (SSV) is hosting a Solutions Showcase at the Silicon Valley Energy Summit 2015 in partnership with Stanford University’s Precourt Energy Efficiency Center. Join leaders from across a wide spectrum and get a peek into the future of sustainable energy. Featuring an impressive lineup of speakers, this event is a chance for engaging in powerful “Conversations for Action” on targeted topics and exploring innovative solutions at the … Read more

Categories Clean Energy