SPRINGNEWSLETTER | 2026

HELLO, SPRING

Spring brings the promise of renewal. Read on for inspiring industry news and words from the Green Biz conference in Phoenix in February.

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And, as always, I've assembled a variety of valuable events, sustainability jobs, resources and reading in the New & Noteworthy section. Check them out and take a step into your future.

Notes from GreenBiz '26, Phoenix

I attended an inspiring and informative stint at the GreenBiz conference in Phoenix in February. In addition to crossing paths with several Columbia SUMA alumni, I picked up these interesting factoids:

AI - Generating a static image with AI requires 10x the energy as using a conventional tool; generating a video with AI requires 100x the electricity.
Hyperscalers and water use - Amazon, Google and Meta are able to return to the environment more water than they consume; in Meta's case, they return 200% of water consumed. Amazon increased its water efficiency 40% through water-based cooling. Though their data center footprints are growing, their water use is not. Speakers acknowledged a quandary: they can save water by using energy or save energy by using water. Design for speed and plan for future readiness for CCS, fuel switching ability and adapting to energy storage going forward. A key metric to watch: water usage effectiveness (WUE), or how efficiently water is used.
Jobs - Ever on the lookout for jobs for students in my Digital Product Development for Sustainability course at Columbia and as bellwethers, I was heartened to speak with, among others, hyperscalers and commercial real estate energy efficiency companies who have robust hiring plans for 2026.
AI, the cloud and the supply chain - When considering expanding data centers, ask "Which of our suppliers have Net Zero targets? How are they investing in innovation?" Then share your findings with your deal team to incorporate in negotiations and decisions. When making choices about how to use AI, don't default to LLMs; use small language models where possible to reduce energy use.
Inspiring words:

"Don't let sustainability be a constraint. Let it be grounds for innovation."

"We're past the hand-waving stage [of sustainability adoption] and now are in the middle of the story, when Luke [Skywalker] goes in the cave to face his demons. We will get knocked down and have to spit out a couple of teeth."

"Whenever a problem can't be solved, make it bigger." -- President Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Photo: Teri Mendelsohn, Turtle Release, Zijuatenejo, Mexico, 2025

New and noteworthy

Events

Apr. 14 - Barclay's NextGen Energy Conference (New York)

Apr. 20-22 - EarthX (Dallas, TX)

May 19-21 - Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference (Anchorage, AK)

June 3-4 - Social Innovation Summit (Atlanta, GA)

June 25 - Bloomberg Sustainable Finance Forum (London)

July 6-9 - Aspen Business & Society Summit (Aspen, CO)

Jobs

Audubon - Senior Manager, Strategic Data Products & Programs

Bloomberg -- Sustainability Specialist, Data Management & Solutions Lead

Broadridge - Product Manager, Sustainability & Corp. Governance

Brookfield Renewable - Product Manager, Business Services

Ralph Lauren - Sustainability Manager, Design & Product Development

Watershed -- multiple roles

Resources

Living Lab: Smart City Solutions - Open call for tech groups to test smart city solutions that address operational & quality-of-life challenges in urban parks & public spaces; Help improve efficiency, experience, sustainability. (NYC)

Reading

AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can't, and How to Tell the Difference - Two Princeton researchers summarize the promise and perils of predictive AI, generative AI and content moderation.

GPS Jamming - Jamming GPS signals has affected air traffic in Europe, the war in Ukraine, and now shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Futerra's "Read the Waves" report - Futerra has tracked "waves" of interest in and prioritization of sustainability/environment since the 1960s. There have always been up- and downwaves, they observe; they predict the current slump in media coverage will recover in early 2027.

The Watercooler

Are you the proud parent of a new product or service? Hiring (including roles for Master's of Sustainability students or experienced professionals)? Making a career change? Impressed by a new digital solution or report? I'd love to hear your news and reconnect!

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Mendelsohn Coaching and Consulting, Inc.

Coaching and consulting at the intersection of

sustainability and digital product management

teri@mendelsohnconsulting.net

www.mendelsohnconsulting.net