Episode 130: Leading the Clean Energy Transition with Mike Silvestrini

“If you want to be able to think big, you have to have a broad perspective and you develop perspective greatly through traveling.”

— Mike Silvestrini

On this special Earth Day episode, we’re joined by Mike Silvestrini, Partner and Co-Founder of Energea - a company that makes investing in renewable energy accessible for everyone. Mike’s love for adventure has taken him all over the world including time spent with the Peace Corps. Through these experiences, Mike began to develop passion and skills within renewable energy initiatives to become a protector of the planet including the Big Life Foundation which protects over 1.6 million acres of wilderness in East Africa. Mike also discusses:

2:10 - What is Energea?
4:15 - Investing in renewable energy and what that means
6:35 - Types of projects they’re working on
10:30 - An overview of decarbonization
15:20 - The importance of producing less
16:20 - Being a leader in the energy transition
19:00 - Thinking bigger to have more impact
24:00 - His early life and experiences that led him on this path
27:20 - Witnessing trends firsthand
29:05 - His passion for the environment
31:35 - How entrepreneurship played a part in his journey
34:00 - Next actions for someone deciding to take the grassroots route vs the entrepreneurial path
37:00 - What Energea looks like today
39:50 - What it’s like for him to bring renewable energy and investment opportunities together
42:30 - What is Big Life?
44:20 - The best way for people to get involved investing with Energea
45:30 - Early Phish tours and the impact they had on his life
47:30 - Who is going to play him in the Hollywood movie about his life