Carbon Equity’s top reads and listens from 2023

Hi! I’m Liza Rubinstein, Co-Founder & Head of Impact at Carbon Equity. In this newsletter, I ask for your valuable opinion and share the teams' favorite reads and listens of the year. This edition is 750 words or a 2.5-minute read.

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Your engagement and support have made it all the more rewarding.

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Now, let's get to the section where I've compiled a list of our team's favorite books and podcasts of the past year — and why they think you'd enjoy it. We hope it might help you kickstart your New Year's resolutions 💡.

⚡️ Carbon Equity’s best reads and listens of 2023

Jeff (Co-Founder and CPO): Our Mathematical Universe
Why read:
This book turns complicated theoretical physics into something everyone can get excited about — and it blew my mind. It reminds me of how much we don't know, as well as how incredible the human brain is for knowing what we already do. Would definitely recommend it.

Jacqueline (Co-Founder and CEO): Think Again
Why read:
In a time of increasing polarisation I think this is one of the most important books I have read. It teaches us that in order to convince others we need to listen, not speak. And that to change the minds of others, we need to be willing to change our own minds first.

Berend (Senior Investor Solutions): The Changing World Order
Why read: Its thought-provoking perspectives make this book a must-read for those interested in navigating the complexities of our changing world. While this book may at times take shortcuts, it is a necessary compromise when attempting to compile an overarching analysis of global dynamics.

Sophie (Chief Legal and Risk Officer): If Books Could Kill
Why listen:
A smart and funny podcast by two guys (a journalist and an ex-lawyer) who discuss and debunk the airport bestsellers we all know and love (and sometimes other topics as well!).

Eva (Climate Tech Investment Analyst): What You Will Learn
Why listen:
This is a great listen for a big database of clear summaries for many books you don’t have time to read.

Bas (Chief of Staff): The Hard Things About Hard Things
Why read:
This is the best book I’ve read on building a startup, the challenges and how to overcome them.

Liz (Professional Solutions Manager): Diary of a CEO
Why listen: If you are looking for high-level and in-depth interviews with some of the world’s biggest CEOs.

Tessel (Junior Investor Solutions) and Pascal (Data & Automation Working Student): The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World
Why read:
It’s inspiring to read what a good dose of curiosity can bring to life and incredible to see how a person 200 years ago discovered the interconnectedness of nature and human activity.

Stefan (Growth Marketer): Being You
Why read:
If you ever contemplate the 'hard problem' of consciousness and wonder how far science has come in measuring consciousness, this one's for you. It also discusses the 'illusion' of free will, how our brain predicts reality, and consciousness in non-humans (including machines and AI). Definitely one to geek out to!

Michael (Content Lead): Catalyst or Volts
Why listen:
Both are great if you are looking for in-depth insights into the people and solutions enabling our clean energy transition (note: Volts is a bit more political).

Me: Bewilderment
Why read:
I’m personally impressed by the power of (science) fiction in bringing the urgency of the climate and nature crisis we live in, by creating more of an emotional experience of what is happening and what is to come. Richard Powers is able to awaken a deeper fascination, respect and love for nature in me that makes me more motivated and committed to do what I do.

Thank you again for your active engagement and invaluable feedback. Your involvement continues to inspire me, and I look forward to the strides we'll make together in 2024.

May your New Year bring you health and progress! I will be back with our regular newsletter at the end of this month.