Coming up with climate solutions, no matter how beneficial or positive they may be for the greater good, has become so polarized. What does it take to bring people from both sides together and develop efforts that could satisfy everyone? Corinna Bellizzi chats with someone who is doing exactly that: Peter Simek, CEO of EarthX. He shares the hard work needed to unite leaders across businesses, policies, and industries to vastly accelerate solutions for a sustainable future. Peter also discusses the benefits of aligning bottom-line economic incentives with positive outcomes, the ideal way to scale sustainable projects, and the immense power of local action in building a more environmentally friendly world. COMPLETE BLOG & TRANSCRIPT: https://caremorebebetter.com/from-polarization-to-progress-climate-solutions-with-earthx-ceo-peter-simek/ About Guest: Peter Simek is the Chief Executive Officer of EarthX, one of the world’s premier conveners of leaders across business, policy, philanthropy, conservation, and advocacy to accelerate solutions for a sustainable future. In this role, he is leading EarthX’s evolution as a trusted global platform where investors, innovators, policymakers, and advocates can cut through polarization, find common ground, and advance pragmatic, market-based environmental solutions. Prior to his role at EarthX, he founded Simek Media, a boutique strategy and communications agency that helps mission-driven organizations shape campaigns, build brands, and design convenings that mobilize action. His work has spanned sectors from climate resilience to artificial intelligence, advising civic leaders, coalitions, and global nonprofits. Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthx.org/ Guest Website: https://earthx.org/ Guest Social: https://www.instagram.com/earthxorg/ https://www.facebook.com/earthxorg/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC79bJXPacuiS262Q5SB84Tg https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-simek-84507b41 Additional Resources Mentioned: Bioneers: https://bioneers.com Katharine Hayhoe's Book: Saving Us Show Notes: 01:52 - Origin Story And Mission Of EarthX 07:41 - Why Environmental Conversations Have Become Polarized 17:55 - Benefits Of Market-Driven Environmental Solutions 26:37 - Navigating The Challenge Of Scaling Sustainable Efforts 33:29 - Securing Successes And Avoiding Pitfalls In Cross-Sector Collaboration 36:48 - How To Turn Vision Into Real Action 39:12 - How Purist Ideas Get In The Way Of Sustainability 44:11 - What To Expect On EarthX’s Upcoming Dallas Event 49:27 - Working At The Intersection Of Different Complex Systems 51:27 - Looking Into The Future With Optimism 53:44 - Get In Touch With Peter And EarthX 55:28 - Discussion Wrap-up And Closing Words BUILD A GREENER FUTURE with CARE MORE BE BETTER: Together, we planted 36,044 trees in 2025 through our partnership with ForestPlanet. We screamed past our goal of planting 20,000 trees thanks to subscribers like you! CAUSE PARTNER FOR 2026! If you value open dialogue, sustainability, and social equity, I invite you to support our new cause partner — Prescott College. To learn more about this effort and to support the show, visit: https://caremorebebetter.com/support/ Follow us on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related