This week, we had the chance to connect with renewable energy expert, Abigail Carson. As a Senior Business Development Manager with Aurora Solar and Executive Director of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, we were so fortunate to gain a deeper insight into the industry from this cleantech leader. Let’s get to know more about Abigail!
Tell us a little bit about you and your background:
Sustainability is my lifelong passion and I have always strived to turn that passion into action. I’ve worked in cleantech for the better part of a decade implementing complex Distributed Energy Resource projects. My professional experience spans both hardware and software, technologies like solar and storage, and program types like Demand Response and Virtual Power Plants.
My broad range of skills gives me a unique and holistic view on renewables. I’m currently working at Aurora Solar as a Senior Business Development Manager. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from University of Oregon and a professional certificate from Stanford University in “Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies“. Outside of work, I serve as a Board Member for Women in Cleantech & Sustainability, a non-profit whose mission is to advance the role of women working in the green economy.
What is a fun fact about you?
I briefly appear (for half a second) in the movie An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. I am in the audience where Al Gore delivers his speech which is featured throughout the film.
Why do you think climate change and sustainability is such an important topic today?
Climate change is impossible to ignore. We see signs of it in our every day life – a hazy polluted skyline, record breaking wildfire seasons, frequent and extreme weather events. Sustainability will be the one of the most important topics for the next few decades as our window of opportunity closes to address it. The time to act is now…and together we can do it.
What do you envision your industry looking like 10 years from now?
Ten years from now, we won’t just have the early adopters using renewable energy, but solar and storage will be installed at every home, office, and building. The intersection of affordable hardware and cutting edge software will make renewable energy cheap and accessible to all. Renewables will be the majority power generation source, making our grid clean, distributed, and resilient.
What can the average person do to make a difference?
First and foremost, never under estimate the power of individual action! Most people think their actions don’t have a big impact on the environment, but if you multiply that by several billion people it collectively makes a massive impact. While the average person may not commit to living a fully zero waste lifestyle, there are lots of things the average person can do to make a difference. Simplest mantra is reduce, reuse, recycle.
1. REDUCE CONSUMPTION – lower your energy consumption by turning your thermostat down a few degrees during winter months
2. REUSE ITEMS – find new life for your unwanted items by selling or donating them. Use your boxes, bags, and containers more than once
3. RECYCLE MATERIALS – be sure to recycle paper, glass, and certain plastic items. Bonus points for composting Say it with me again – reduce, reuse, recycle!
Green Success Stories is a television show, podcast, social media, and news platform, hosted by Dylan Welch, that highlights climate change scientists, renewable energy experts, and clean tech entrepreneurs by giving them a voice in the mainstream media. The Green podcast highlights leading experts in cleantech, sustainability, media, finance, and real estate. Tune in and subscribe to the podcast on Apple or Spotify to listen to interviews with leading cleantech and sustainable experts. If you are interested in being featured on Green, click HERE.