110. Nicole Kelner; Science and Climate Artist

Published: June 14, 2023, 5 a.m.

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Nicole Kelner is a science and climate artist. She is the founder of Arts and Climate Change. Prior to founding Arts and Climate Change, she was an Artist in Residence at MCJ Collective. Prior to these two positions she worked in operations areas at climate companies. Nicole has a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Shreyer's Business College and Honors in Engineering Entrepreneurship from Penn State.

What do we talk about in this episode?

Nicole shares how she went from technical areas into art with a focus on science and climate. She talks about her journey figuring out her major in college, starting out work and how that lead her to where she is now. She shares what she does as a science and climate artist and some of her latest work.

  1. What is a science and climate artist and how did she get there?
  2. Her experience as an entrepreneur while she was still in college.
  3. Her college journey - from undecided to elementary education to advertising and communications. What seemed to be random prepared her for where she is now in her career and provides the perfect background for what she does now.
  4. Nicole's upcoming projects and where to find her work.
  5. Left brain vs. right brain - reality or myth?

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources

You can find Nicole's work here: https://nicolekelner.darkroom.com

The U.S. grid is divided into three major regions: The Eastern Interconnection, which operates in states east of the Rocky Mountains; the Western Interconnection, which covers the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountain states; the Texas Interconnected system.(https://www.epa.gov/green-power-markets/us-grid-regions)

A regional transmission organization (RTO) in the United States is an electric power transmission system operator (TSO) that coordinates, controls, and monitors a multi-state electric grid. The transfer of electricity between states is considered interstate commerce, and electric grids spanning multiple states are therefore regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The voluntary creation of RTOs was initiated by FERC Order No. 2000, issued on December 20, 1999. The purpose of the RTO is to promote economic efficiency, reliability, and non-discriminatory practices while reducing government oversight. An independent system operator (ISO) is similarly an organization formed at the recommendation of FERC. In the areas where an ISO is established, it coordinates, controls, and monitors the operation of the electrical power system, usually within a single US state, but sometimes encompassing multiple states. RTOs typically perform the same functions as ISOs but cover a larger geographic area. (Wikipedia)

Left Brain vs. Right Brain: According to recent research, the idea of people being "left-brained" or "right-brained" may also be less fixed than we'd thought. (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/right-brainleft-brain-right-2017082512222)

"A Brighter Future: Illustrating Climate Change and Solutions" In this beautifully illustrated book, Nicole Kelner has created an educational and playful way to learn about climate change. (https://www.amazon.com/Brighter-Future-Illustrating-Climate-Solutions/dp/1667870807)

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