Tom Steyer, is the founder and co-executive chair of Galvanize Climate Solutions, a climate-focused global investment firm, former presidential candidate and leading advocate for climate action he will be in conversation with David Ackerly, Dean of the Rausser College of Natural Resources, and David C. Wilson, Dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy.
The imperative to decarbonize society and the resilience of our economic system are deeply interconnected. Innovation, scale, and speed—essential to addressing climate change—are also fundamental traits of capitalism. Responding to and finding opportunity within the disruptive forces of the climate crisis is crucial for the long-term success of any business, nation, or economic system. Decarbonization is not just an environmental necessity but a competitive advantage, driving the creation of cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient products and services. Nations that lead in this transition will define the economic landscape of the future, securing jobs, investment, and strategic influence. In a time of tumult, discontent, and deep frustration with economic and political systems, climate leadership might be the best and only way forward.
Tom Steyer is the founder and co-executive chair of Galvanize Climate Solutions, a climate-focused global investment firm. Central to the firm’s thesis is the belief of an absolute, unequivocal need to win in the marketplace with clean products and services that are cheaper, faster, and better. He is also a New York Times bestselling author, having released his first book Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War in May 2024.
After earning his MBA from Stanford, in 1986 Steyer founded Farallon Capital Management, a San Francisco-based hedge fund that pioneered the strategy known as “absolute return investing,” and which grew to $36 billion in assets under management. In 2012, he left his firm to devote his time, money, and energy to climate issues.
Steyer played a key role in preserving California's Global Warming Solutions Act, while also working to pass clean energy initiatives and advocate for environmental justice across the country. He also co-founded Beneficial State Bank, a triple bottom line community development bank focused on justice and sustainability, and TomKat Ranch, a regenerative ranch dedicated to raising cattle with a negative carbon footprint.
In 2013, Steyer founded NextGen America (formerly known as NextGen Climate), the largest youth voter engagement organization in American history, whose climate-focused messaging and outreach helped lead to record levels of youth turnout in recent elections.
He was a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate with a campaign centered on addressing climate change, and later that year he served as co-chair for California Governor Gavin Newsom's Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force. In addition, he co-chaired Vice President Biden’s Climate Engagement Advisory Council to help mobilize climate voters.
He lives in San Francisco, enjoys spending time with family, and can always be counted on by friends to relay the latest climate data (whether they are interested in hearing it or not).
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