Going Green had the chance to sit down with Brian Keane, the Co-Founder and CEO of WeeGreen. WeeGreen creates successful and engaging community-based green campaigns that combine “grassroots” outreach with our integrated digital marketplace. We had a chance to chat with Brian to learn how WeeGreen is utilizing technology for green goals.
Where do you work?
I am the Co-Founder and CEO of WeeGreen.
Tell us a little bit about you and your background:
I serve as Co-Founder & CEO of WeeGreen, (www.wee.green) a software as a service (SaaS) company mobilizing businesses, communities, universities and NGO’s to achieve their green outreach goals. Uniquely designed for peer-to-peer grassroots outreach WeeGreen’s “Campaign app” is connected to an integrated and curated marketplace in order to accelerate the adoption of green products and services. Since 2002 I have served as the founder and President of SmartPower, a Washington, DC-based non-profit renewable energy and energy efficiency outreach and marketing company.
I have been credited with driving the adoption of over $100 million in rooftop residential solar in just three years — creating tens of thousands of solar energy & energy efficiency customers. I am also the author of the highly acclaimed book, Green Is Good: Save Money, Make Money, and Help Your Community Profit from Clean Energy (Lyons Press, 2012). Named 2017’s CEO of the Year, Keane is a former Presidential Campaign advisor and congressional aide.
In 2017, The John Merck Fund, one of the leading environmental foundations in the US, awarded Keane the “Frank Hatch Award for Enlightened Public Service”. In 2011 Keane was the recipient of the American University American Eagle Award which recognizes the alumni who have rendered outstanding service to the University and the Alumni Association. Keane has extensive Capitol Hill experience, having served as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Les Aspin (D-WI) and as an aide to Congressman Joe Moakley (D-Massachusetts).
What is a fun fact about you?
I’m the 10th child in a family of 11; and my wife and I have five children of our own.
What was your motivation to get into this industry?
I’m cause-driven. If you’re gonna jump out of bed each day and get to work — you might as well do it to make a difference!
Why do you think climate change/sustainability is such an important topic today?
Because it’s happening! People can intuitively see climate change happening. The weather is weirder, the environment is changing. And even though they hear politicians tell them not to worry – they are smarter than they. They know something is up — and they want to be a part of the solution.
What do you envision your industry looking like 10 years from now?
People are embracing a “Green Lifestyle” because it is becoming mainstream. And that’s what we’ll see in 10 years — that sustainability and the green lifestyle are simply mainstream and commonplace. We’re already seeing it happen.
What can the average person do to make a difference?
Be a part of WeeGreen. That’s why we created — so everyone can be a part of the solution. Start a WeeGreen campaign — or join one. Being a part of the climate solution is each of us doing our small little part each and every day.
What positive changes are you seeing?
We’ve seen residential solar power drop in costs lower than conventional energy; we’ve seen the mainstreaming of energy efficiency products and services all over.
Thank you Brian for stopping by and to discus how WeeGreen is utilizing technology for green goals. Be sure to follow WeeGreen’s story, and learn more about Green Technology by subscribing to the Going Green Podcast.