Healthy Spaces
Healthy Spaces

Welcome to the Healthy Spaces podcast, where we explore how climate technology and innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work, learn and play. Join us for conversations with sustainability leaders, startups and scientists about what’s next and how we are making a positive impact on people and the planet. Listen in…

As companies work to address the challenge of sustainability, they face a secondary challenge along the way: How do they capture and share that work? Effective communications are essential in transforming sustainability from a buzzword into a movement.  In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, host Scott Tew facilitates a conversation between Suzanne Shelton, Founder of Shelton Group and Senior Partner with ERM Shelton, and Carrie Ruddy, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Trane Technologies, about the role of strategic communications in addressing climate on a broader, more impactful scale.   Listen to the full episode to learn more from two communications and marketing experts about the stories that connect, the importance of authenticity and audience, and why sustainability communications are at their most effective when they make the complex simple, the abstract tangible, and the global, personal. Episode guests Suzanne Shelton, Founder of Shelton Group and Senior Partner, ERM SheltonCarrie Ruddy, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Trane Technologies
Sustainability leaders must balance big picture, aspirational goals with practical solutions that meet customers’ needs. Remarkably, one of the most consistent needs from customers is clean, available water. So what role should water play in sustainability strategy?  In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ecolab, joins host Scott Tew for a conversation about the impact of climate change on our water, the importance of including water stewardship in sustainability targets and the ways in which industries can collaborate deliver innovative solutions that are good for business, people and the planet. Listen to the full episode to learn more about how the power of technology and collaboration are helping build a cleaner and more resilient global water supply – and why it matters.  Episode guest Emilio Tenuta, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ecolab
Ensuring we achieve a sustainable future is a team effort. But it's not just the citizens of today that need to work together - it's those of tomorrow, too. So how can we leverage a team approach to support the next generation of climate innovators?In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, Deidra Parrish Williams, Global Corporate Citizenship Leader at Trane Technologies; Alyssa Sharpe, CEO of DigiBridge; and Tyler, Texas science teacher Courtney Clague join us for a conversation about corporate citizenship, innovative education, and the importance of connecting future generations with real-world sustainability challenges and action, in their classrooms and their communities.Listen to the full episode to learn more about how meaningful partnerships are equipping today’s students with the literacy, pathways and inspiration they need to become tomorrow’s climate innovators.Episode guestsDeidra Parrish Williams, Global Corporate Citizenship Leader at Trane TechnologiesAlyssa Sharpe, CEO of Digi-BridgeCourtney Clague, 8th grade science teacher, Tyler Independent School District, Texas How are you building healthy spaces in your organization or community? Share your story with us and learn more about the Healthy Spaces podcast.
Globally, 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food loss and waste. A significant portion of that loss happens during transport. So how can innovative climate tech help reduce both food waste and carbon emissions? By creating a smarter and more efficient cold chain, from farm to fork. In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, Trane Technologies Marketing Leader Dominique Silva sits down with Claudio Zanframundo, President of Thermo King EMEA, and Renier Du Preez, CEO at Digistics and Chair of the Global Cold Chain Alliance – Africa, to discuss how innovative technologies like kinetic energy recovery systems are making significant strides in decarbonizing the long-haul transport sector -- while also improving food security. Listen to the full episode to learn more about how climate technology and a more holistic approach to logistics are helping to mitigate food loss and create a more sustainable cold chain. Episode guests Claudio Zanframundo, President, Thermo King EMEARenier Du Preez, CEO, Digistics
How can the digital transformation of the built environment and the cold chain impact sustainability? In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, host Oakley Roberts speaks with Riaz Raihan, chief digital officer of Trane Technologies and Bob Irvin and Ryan Rutledge from Joules Accelerator, the largest climate tech incubator in the southeastern U.S.  "There's a massive amount of goodness that comes out of this. It's not just about cost, but it's also about greenhouse emissions. It's about unnecessary heat, and it's about the reduction in the use of fossil fuels, explains Riaz Raihan, Chief Digital Officer, Trane Technologies. "Digital technology can play a really vital and a very tangible role.” And you can see how it connects back to our vision of challenging what's possible for a sustainable world.” Listen to the full episode to hear about the potential for computing power to reduce emissions, what’s next for AI in the built environment and how to harness this rapidly evolving technology to make a positive and sustainable impact.  Episode guests Bob Irvin, Executive Director, Joules Accelerator Ryan Rutledge, VP of Strategy & Innovation, Joules Accelerator Riaz Raihan, Chief Digital Officer, Trane Technologies Co-hosts Dominique Silva, Marketing Leader, EMEA, Trane Technologies Oakley Roberts, VP Innovation, Trane Technologies
According to NASA, July 22, 2024 was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth. This follows records set in July 2023. Extreme heat is now a part of our everyday lives. How can we rethink heat policy to make our communities more resilient?  In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, our VP of Sustainability Scott Tew talks with Ashley Ward, director of the Duke University Heat Policy Innovation Hub, and Helen Walter-Terrinoni, Trane Technologies Director of Global Climate Policy, about elevating science and community insights to protect people from extreme heat.  On the sidelines of Duke University’s first-of-its-kind Heatwise Summit, Ashley, Helen and Scott workshop an example of rethinking heat policy—the fact that 36,000 public schools in the United States lack adequate cooling. They talk about how to bring the public and private sector together to solve this challenge creatively and how schools could serve as a cooling hub for rural communities.  Listen to the full episode to learn more about how to address heat vulnerability in an equitable way and build resilience in our communities for the long term.  Episode guests Host: Dominique Silva, Marketing Leader EMEA, Trane TechnologiesHost: Scott Tew, VP Sustainability, Trane Technologies  Guest: Ashley Ward, Director, Duke University Heat Policy Innovation Hub Guest: Helen Walter-Terrinoni, Director of Global Climate Policy, Trane Technologies
Nearly 70 million working-age Americans have no college degree. At the same time, there’s a growing talent shortage across industries, including climate tech and manufacturing. We can’t risk missing out on a group of prospective employees with the skills and experience to help solve big challenges—like climate change. So how can companies and organizations bridge this gap and effectively build an innovative workforce of the future?  In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, host Dominique Silva speaks with Opportunity@Work CEO Byron Auguste and Trane Technologies’ VP of Talent Betsey Strobl about innovative approaches to workforce development and the importance of skills-based hiring over traditional qualifications.    Listen to the full episode to learn more about the Tear the Paper Ceiling campaign and other industry-shaping initiatives that are bridging the talent gap and cultivating tomorrow’s workforce.   Episode guests  Byron Auguste, CEO, Opportunity@Work Betsey Strobl, VP of Talent, Trane Technologies
What does it really take to get to net-zero? Listen to climate leader Avipsa Mahapatra talk about the challenge and importance of transforming global climate goals into meaningful action.  Achieving a net-zero economy is a huge challenge, requiring change on a global scale that impacts the way we live, work and do business. But it’s not enough to recognize the need for action. What does it really take to transform big goals into meaningful progress? In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, Avipsa Mahapatra, Climate Campaign Director at the Environmental Investigation Agency, joins host Scott Tew for a conversation inspired by the “Nitty-Gritty on Net-Zero Roadmaps” discussion held at South by Southwest 2024. Mahapatra has been leading a global decarbonization of the cooling sector with a particular focus on super pollutant HFCs for more than a decade. Listen to the full episode to learn more about the importance of transparency, data and ambition as companies develop and act on their sustainability goals to reach net-zero. Episode guest Avipsa Mahapatra, Climate Campaign Director at Environmental Investigation Agency  How are you building healthy spaces in your organization or community? Share your story with us and learn more about the Healthy Spaces podcast.
Climate tech scales rapidly when disruptive ideas become profitable. So how do start-ups and innovators sustain their industry-shaping solutions long enough to become mainstream? In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, host Oakley Roberts talks with venture capitalist Steve Westly about clean tech solutions, the next generation of innovators, and the visionaries who invest boldly in them. Listen to the full episode to learn more about what we can learn from the electrification of vehicles and what bold ideas are on the horizon for clean tech, energy storage, and circularity in water and the built environment. Episode guest Steve Westly, Founder and Managing Partner, The Westly Group
Welcome to Season 4 of the Healthy Spaces podcast, where we explore how climate technology and innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work, learn, and play. This season, Dominique Silva, Marketing Leader at Trane Technologies, will be joined by our new co-hosts, Scott Tew, VP of Sustainability, and Oakley Roberts, VP of Innovation. Building a net-zero future begins with crucial conversations with the innovators who are leading the way, one healthy space at a time. From climate tech startups and investors to STEM nonprofits and customers trialing new technologies, we’ll talk about what’s next and how we are making a positive impact on people and the planet. This season, we also want to hear from our listeners. Every episode, we’ll highlight stories from you about how you’re building healthy spaces in your own organizations and communities. Please visit tranetechnologies.com/healthyspacespodcast to share your story with us. The new season will launch July 15. Listen and subscribe to Healthy Spaces on your favorite podcast platforms.
This special episode features a moderated conversation between four sustainability leaders, recorded live from Climate Week NYC.Listen to the full episode to learn practical strategies to accelerate decarbonization of the built environment; harness the power of storytelling to effect real change; and understand the importance of diversity and inclusion in climate technology. Building a net-zero future begins with a shared vision of what it looks like. Conversations like this one are a critical part of getting there—together.Guests: Kristy Drutman, Co-CEO, Green Jobs BoardLisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable EnergyAli Mize, Senior Director of ESG, Belonging, and Corporate Philanthropy, Neiman Marcus GroupModerator: Ashlee Piper, sustainability expert, author, and speakerHost: Dominique Silva, Innovation Initiatives Leader, Trane Technologies
Did you know 15% of global GHG emissions come from heating and cooling buildings? The great news is that technology exists today to significantly decarbonize the built environment. How will we get there? We start with crucial conversations like this one. In this episode of the Healthy Spaces podcast, Trane Technologies Chair and CEO Dave Regnery and VP of Sustainability Scott Tew join us live from Climate Week New York to talk about the role of climate technology in building a healthier and more sustainable future. We are also joined by Avipsa Mahapatra, the Climate Campaign Lead at the Environmental Investigation Agency, who offers her perspective on what credible corporate action on climate looks like. Listen to the full episode as they talk about accelerating the decarbonization of the built environment, as well as empowering a skilled workforce. And discover why they're optimistic about a net-zero future.Guests: Dave Regnery, Chair and CEO, Trane TechnologiesScott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability, Trane TechnologiesAvipsa Mahapatra, Climate Campaign Lead, Environmental Investigation AgencyHost: Dominique Silva, Innovation Initiatives Leader, Trane Technologies
This summer, record-setting heat waves have impacted life and work around the globe. And although drought and wildfires are visible results of climate change, the most dangerous threat to humans is heatstroke. As extreme heat conditions become more widespread and frequent, how can climate technology help people stay safe and healthy? Listen in and learn from two climate innovators who are rapidly implementing climate solutions that help protect people – and their livelihoods – from extreme heat. Learn more about Extreme Heat Initiatives at the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center. Learn more about Operation Possible at Trane Technologies. Guests: Kurt Schickman, Director of Extreme Heat Initiatives at the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience CenterRohith BL, Director of Innovation at Trane Technologies
As climate change continues to negatively impact the health of our planet and its people, medical research is continuously producing new and more effective life-saving treatments.What does this mean for climate tech? Whether helping transport life-saving treatments or monitoring ventilation in indoor spaces, climate technology plays a role in helping us get better, faster – and in making our built spaces healthier to begin with.Listen in and learn from two innovators who are leading the way to ensure that climate technologies are working to support more resilient healthcare systems.Thanks to the iAIR Institute and Allergy Standards (ASL), the iAIR Academy Healthier Buildings Awareness Program is available to Healthy Spaces listeners for just $47 – a generous discount of $110, thanks to our partners. To benefit from the discount, visit https://www.iair.academy/healthier-buildings-awareness-with-the-iair-academy-trane and use the coupon code HBA-TRANE-70 at checkout. Guests:Holly Paeper, President of Life Science Solutions for Trane TechnologiesDr. John McKeon, CEO of iAir Institute and Allergy StandardsHost: Dominique Silva, Innovation Initiatives Leader, Trane TechnologiesReferences:Impact of climate change on human pathogenic diseases subject of new study by UH researchers: Over half of known human pathogenic diseases can be aggravated by greenhouse gas emissions -- ScienceDailyClimate change, emerging infections and blood donations | Journal of Travel Medicine | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
Did you know that high-tech greenhouses are making it possible to grow tomatoes in the desert? And that innovative solutions adopted by food transporters are helping to reduce food loss and pollution in cities? Climate technology helps to play role in making food systems more sustainable and resilient.Listen in and learn from business leaders who are reimagining the way we grow and move food in ways that enhance access to healthy food, while reducing environmental impact. From electrification to big data and AI, our guests reflect on how technology and innovation are helping food supply systems to become more efficient, less wasteful and more resilient. Guests:Majed Halawi, VP Engineering & Construction, Pure Harvest Smart FarmsAdnan Javed, General Manager, Trane Commercial HVAC EMEA, Trane TechnologiesMtu Pugh, VP Strategic Marketing, Thermo King Americas, Trane TechnologiesRaluca Radu, Portfolio Leader, Thermo King EMEA, Trane TechnologiesHost: Dominique Silva, Innovation Initiatives Leader, Trane Technologies
We like to think of our homes as a place of refuge and comfort from the outside world - but how is technology reducing the impact that homes have on our environment - while helping us thrive inside of them?Listen in and learn from three different sustainable home innovators who are redefining green building, combining energy efficiency and artificial intelligence to make climate technology smarter, and advancing the home experience for families and the planet. Guests:Brandon Weiss, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Dvele HomesKatie Davis, Vice President of Engineering, Trane ResidentialJoel Gouker, Innovation Director, Trane TechnologiesHost: Dominique Silva, Innovation Initiatives Leader, Trane Technologies
[Note: This episode was recorded before the wildfires in Canada spread out of control and reminds us how much human and planetary health are connected. We want to acknowledge the impact this event is having on the people of Canada and eastern U.S. and hope that everyone is staying safe. We believe that continued advancement in sustainable climate technologies will bring clearer skies for us all.]Scientists, doctors, and policymakers all agree that cleaner air means better outcomes for people and the planet. But is it possible to reduce air pollution without compromising energy efficiency?And with humans spending more and more time indoors, what role do our built spaces play in the overall quest to clear the air?Listen in and learn from three different clean air innovators who are disrupting the status quo, building coalitions across industries, letting data drive strategy, and making our world healthier, inside and out.Guests:Pierre Dornier, Founder, Chercheurs d’Air (“Air Seekers”)Sara Karerat, Managing Director, Center for Active DesignJeff Wiseman, Vertical Market Growth Director, Trane TechnologiesHost: Dominique Silva, Innovation Initiatives Leader, Trane Technologies
Did you know that 99% of the global population is breathing unhealthy air? What if it didn’t have to be that way? We believe that the relationship between human health and planetary health is so intertwined that it's impossible to talk about one without the other. Welcome to Season 3 of the Healthy Spaces podcast, where we’re exploring how technology and innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work and play. From building sustainable homes to growing and moving healthy food, we’re connecting the dots for listeners between climate tech and healthier spaces for people and the planet. We’ll talk to engineers, homebuilders, food growers and business leaders about the innovations they’re developing not only to improve comfort and health for people, but also to reduce the carbon footprint of the ecosystems we all depend on to live.Join us to listen, learn and get inspired to create healthier spaces in your community.
Are we able to reimagine a world where clean air, water, and food are available to all? Where economies are focused on health and wellbeing, where cities are livable, and people have control over their health and the health of the planet?These are the questions being asked by the World Health Organization to focus attention on the urgent actions needed to keep humans and the planet healthy.  In this special episode celebrating World Health Day, host Rasha Hasaneen speaks with Trane Technologies’ Sustainability leader, Scott Tew, to explore the link between indoor environments and the great outdoors, and what we can all do to make them better. Because it’s clear - the relationship between human health and planetary health is so intertwined, it's impossible to talk about one without the other.
Throughout our podcast series we have explored the link between indoor air quality and quality of life. In this episode, we dive deeper into how some strategies for improving indoor air quality can have a taxing effect on building efficiency, and how innovation and technology is evolving to address it. Manish Sharma, Vice President and Chief Technology and Product Officer at Honeywell Building Technologies, joins us to talk about how the pandemic has accelerated innovation and technology in this space. And, how building owners and engineers are engaging on the topic and recognizing the value of monitoring other parameters of indoor air quality, beyond carbon dioxide.
According to the EPA, transportation was responsible for 29% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. In this episode we will look specifically at mass transit and the advancements in technology that are lowering its impact on the environment.But, beyond the air quality outside, mass transit authorities must also balance increased passenger interest in keeping the air on the inside clean and building back trust among riders who shied away from mass transit at the height of the pandemic. Jared Schnader with CALSTART and Trane Technologies’ Dwayne Cowan join this episode to take an inside out look at the relationship between air quality, equitable mass transit and quality of life.
Sports and entertainment venues were among the first places to close their doors during the pandemic and often the last ones to open up. During that time many researched and learned ways to minimize the spread of the virus and outfitted their facilities to protect employees and patrons. The time-tested mantra that “the show must go on” never rang truer than it does today – with a goal to get people who work in the sports and entertainment sector back on the job, and bring people together to enjoy their favorite pastimes once more.In this episode, Melanie Koch, director of commercial at the International WELL Building Institute, shares what she learned as she partnered with different venues over the last couple of years and how her organization is helping facilities prepare and communicate the steps they have taken.
Most people believe that the quality of air inside their homes is better than the air outside. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that indoor air pollutants are two to five times higher indoors. This statistic really hits home today as many of us spend an extraordinary amount of time in our homes, whether it be cooking, sleeping, relaxing and more recently – working.While many of us may be able to identify some of the most obvious pollutants that affect the air quality in our home environment, some of the biggest offenders may not be as evident. In Episode 4 of our Healthy Spaces podcast series, we connect with two science-driven leaders who spend a lot of time understanding research in the field of indoor air quality - and transforming those insights into solutions that can help make home environments safer and healthier. Jennie Bergman from Trane Residential and Dr. Emer Duffy from Allergy Standards Ltd share their expertise and experience on steps we can all take to clear the air at home.
In this episode, co-host Portia Mount from Trane Commercial shares what she learned as she interviewed leaders in research and advocacy who are actively working to address the infrastructure of school buildings, including the quality of their indoor learning environments. In 2019, 41% of school districts in the U.S. needed to upgrade or renew their heating and cooling systems in at least half their schools. And since then, the pandemic has increased our need to address inadequacies. The call to action is clear.
Many employers are inviting their workforce back to the office, and it’s raised a lot of questions about the safety and efficacy of the workspace. The good news is that the building industry has learned a lot since the onset of the pandemic. When that new information is combined with pre-pandemic research about the benefits of healthier buildings, companies can make science-backed decisions that improve both employee physical health and create peace of mind.In this episode, Joanna Frank, president and CEO of the Center for Active Design, and Dr. Alberto Acosta, executive director of Medical Services at Trane Technologies, share some key lessons learned - and a way forward for employers and employees. Joanna also spotlights increasing interest among institutional investors on performance factors of health and overall wellness in the workforce.
As the world opens public spaces amid a lingering global pandemic, the topic of what we breathe is increasingly important. In Season 2, host Rasha Hasaneen, explores specific indoor environments – like office buildings, schools, homes and public transit. She talks to the people who are managing these spaces to see what’s changed in the needs of tenants, as well as researchers who are raising standards to increase safety, maximize performance and build trust with occupants.But first, Rasha looks back at takeaways from Season 1 that remain relevant for now. And she talks with her colleagues, Jeff Wiseman and Scott Wenger about the acceleration of trends across the industry and the customer-driven demands they see coming. They even share how increased knowledge about their own indoor environmental quality drove them to make some changes in their habits.
Why isn't there a single U.S. cabinet position dedicated to buildings? Buildings consume 35% of global energy, but get considerably less attention than transportation and other core infrastructure industries. In this episode, Russ Carnahan, co-founder of Building Action Coalition, shares how his 8 years in the U.S. Congress led him to create a unified voice across organizations, representing single family homes, skyscrapers, and everything in between. The goal: to help policymakers understand the impact and needs of the built environment, and start looking at healthy spaces as a sustainable economic growth engine.In this final episode of season 1, Russ shares how this void of representation in the industry hurts individuals, businesses and the environment. As we look to recover from a global pandemic and understand the important role the health of our indoor environments will play, the need has never been so great.
Maximising shareholder value is so last century! Stakeholder capitalism is here to stay and it's changing our organizations for the better. So, why does it matter for healthy spaces?Bill Sisson, Executive Director of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development in North America, joins us to explain how this powerful social contract that includes employees and customers is transforming business approaches to the role of indoor environments.In this episode, Bill gives an insider’s view on how business leaders are rising to the challenge. We discuss the evolving health and wellbeing demands of society and the planet, and why addressing core social and environmental issues is ultimately good for business too.
How would a symphony sound without a conductor? Uncoordinated, out of rhythm... you wouldn't pay to listen to them! So why do people still invest in buildings that are so unharmonious?In this episode, we unpack how buildings continue to be designed and managed as a set of independent systems, where it's impossible to make beautiful music without a serious design intervention. Plus, the wondrous possibilities of a world where buildings and indoor environmental quality are monitored with the same level of performance scrutiny as cars and planes.Join industry expert Jim Freihaut, Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering at Penn State, and host Rasha Hasaneen as they discuss why advancing the way we look at the air around us is paramount to our health – and it all starts with how we design, build and operate buildings.
15 years ago, Lidia Morawska from Queensland University gave a presentation on strategies to prevent the global spread of an invisible but deadly enemy - SARS. Years later, that same presentation has remained unnervingly relevant as she talks with global leaders about preventative measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. But this time she’s hopeful: if society bands together, our lessons of the past can pave the way for a better future.Together with host Rasha Hasaneen, Lidia lays out what must change in the planning and development of indoor environments, and the essential coordination among multidisciplinary groups to make a transformational shift. And, if appointed Queen of the World for a day, she shares a recipe for what a better world could look like.
What if you knew how the spaces you occupy were performing? Would your expectations change if you could read the carbon dioxide level in any given room of your house? What about humidity or acoustics? So many of these elements that are invisible to us impact our quality of life and our performance in our spaces.Today's guest, Memo Cedeno Laurent, Associate Director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard University, gets up every morning thinking about the spaces we occupy. In conversation with host, Rasha Hasaneen, Memo shares his unique insights on the foundational elements of a healthy building and his research into the impact of the invisible.Smart buildings need smart occupants – and it all starts with transparency. #healthyspaces
How healthy is your indoor environment? On average, we spend an incredible 94% of our time indoors! Factors like air, temperature, lighting and noise have sizeable, yet unseen impacts on our lives. The quality of our indoor spaces has never been more important. But do we need to sacrifice efficiency for quality when it comes to the air we breathe?Join your host, Rasha Hasaneen, as we dive into the realm of possibilities that exist today to build spaces that are good for tomorrow. Featuring our guest, Scott Tew, who spends his days focused on sustainability and thinking of ingenious ways Trane Technologies can put the planet first.Today, Rasha and Scott Tew have a no-trade-offs conversation based on what’s at stake for people and the planet. #healthyspaces
Introducing Healthy Spaces, launching December 2020. For more information, visit https://tranetechnologies.com/healthyspacespodcast