Non-Toothaches: Reflections on 2023 and Wishes for 2024
Reflecting on 2023, I’m sharing some good things that happened as well as things I am grateful for– personally, professionally and beyond. Plus a few wishes for 2024.
PERSONAL
Something Good in 2023: As of yesterday, we finally completed our home energy upgrade projects (got the battery installed to complement the solar + insulation + electrification work we did earlier this year, and to power our new EV). Our house is more comfortable and our utility bills and emissions are way down.
I’m grateful for: Both our kids, one in high school and one in middle school, are thriving. So many kids are hurting in today’s world, so this is very precious.
Wish for 2024: Our family, in particular our elders, retain their good health both physically and mentally.
PROFESSIONAL
Something Good in 2023: I had the privilege of working with several great climate tech companies, ranging from utility-scale renewable project siting to physical climate risk analytics to wildfire detection, and supporting their missions to accelerate the energy transition and increase resilience.
I’m grateful for: When I was conducting primary research on climate risk analytics, which has very broad applicability, I tapped dozens of people from my network– friends, school parents, former colleagues and classmates (all the way back to junior high!)– for interviews and introductions. So many people, some of whom I haven’t spoken to in years, carved out time to help me out. This was a true testament to the power of weak ties. And it was just lovely catching up with folks.
Wish for 2024: In 2024, I’m looking forward to getting back into a hands-on leadership role, as well as coaching additional climate tech startups on their commercialization journey.
CLIMATE TECH INDUSTRY
Something Good in 2023: The COP28 deal, the world’s first agreement to move away from fossil fuels, was a last-minute happy surprise. It’s far from perfect, and far from enough, but it’s a huge step forward. Let’s take this win.
I’m grateful for: After ticking up in 2022 due to supply chain disruptions, prices for solar panels, batteries, and EVs, fell again in 2023. While there is now some post-ZIRP reckoning at play, in the long run, falling production costs are critical to growing adoption. Plus I was a personal beneficiary as the home battery and EV we just purchased were way, way down in price vs a year ago.
Wish for 2024: In the upcoming US elections, we put in power leaders (ideally from both parties) committed to combating climate change and investing in resiliency.
THE WORLD
Something Good in 2023: I discovered that Bobby McFerrin, the virtuoso jazz vocalist whose music I have loved for years, hosts Circlesongs every Monday in Berkeley. It’s a communal, improvisational singing space rather than a performance, and everyone can participate, even folks like me who can barely carry a tune. I have gone twice now and it’s pure joy.
Bonus item: I have a secret that until now, only my family and closest friends knew. I am a sucker for sea otters. So the story about the surfboard-stealing sea otter who turned out to be an expectant mom brought some much needed joy this year.
I’m grateful for: Taiwan is still at peace. While war, conflict and the ensuing devastation were unrelenting in 2023, one potential hot spot remained cool. We must remember to be grateful for the bad things that haven’t happened. Per Thich Nhat Hanh:
“When we’re having a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is a wonderful thing. Yet when we don’t have a toothache, we’re still not happy. A non-toothache is very pleasant.”
Wish for 2024: That more people recognize that empathy, moderation and deliberateness are not indicators of moral weakness or lack of integrity, but rather the only path forward to heal what divides us.
Happy holidays to everyone! I sincerely hope that each person can find a moment or three of joy, solace and gratitude this season.