Veteran Energy Editor, Brand Storyteller Joins RMI to Boost Storytelling on Climate Solutions
Adam Aston, co-founder of The New York Times’ T Brand Studio and founding editor of BusinessWeek magazine’s green business beat, joins RMI to further advance the nonprofit’s storytelling efforts.
Boulder, CO – January 27, 2022
Reaching the right audiences and inspiring them to adopt climate solutions are critical to achieving the clean energy transition. For that reason, RMI is adding an innovative storyteller with deep expertise in how business has addressed environmental problems to its growing communications and marketing team.
Adam Aston, an energy, environment and sustainability writer and editor with three decades of experience across journalism, brand and multi-channel storytelling will join RMI in the newly created role of chief storyteller on January 31st.
Aston will be in charge of identifying and telling RMI’s story across owned, earned and social channels in ways that show key audiences that the solutions to climate change are technically feasible and affordable and, if implemented, can secure a clean, prosperous energy future for all.
“With news media contracting and climate coverage so often focusing on what is not achievable, RMI needs to start telling its side of the story, directly to its audiences to accelerate the energy transition at the scale and pace needed to address the climate crisis,” said Dina Cappiello, RMI managing director, Communications and Marketing. “I look forward to working with Adam to expand our storytelling and to begin telling stories in innovative ways.”
RMI has already started telling stories in innovative ways, launching RMI Reality Check, a series devoted to counteracting misconceptions that hinder climate action, and a video series called Climate & Cocktails, which features RMI CEO Jules Kortenhorst interviewing CEOs and other “movers and shakers” working to address climate change.
The organization has recently made other strategic hires, adding Alberto Cuadra, a renowned scientific illustrator who most recently led graphic design for Science magazine and had previous stints at The Washington Post and Houston Chronicle, as its creative director.
Aston spearheaded the creation of BusinessWeek’s first dedicated beat on green business, positioning the publication at the forefront of early coverage of cleantech, climate and sustainability reporting. Through this initiative, he developed industry-leading coverage on conventional energy, renewables and energy finance. As a co-founder of T Brand Studio at The New York Times, he led teams of journalists, designers, videographers, coders and strategists to develop branded content on behalf of the publication’s advertising partners.
As RMI’s new chief storyteller, Aston will apply his experience to showcasing the work RMI is doing across multiple sectors and geographies to advance the clean energy transition.
“RMI is an action-oriented organization driving climate solutions during a critical time,” said Aston. “Telling the stories of RMI’s researchers and partners across industry, government and NGOs offers unique opportunities to educate and inspire others to take action and build a better future.”
Media Inquiries please contact:
Nick Steel, RMI Director of Public Relations
T: +1 347.574.0887
About RMI
RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.
More information on RMI can be found at rmi.org or follow us on Twitter @RockyMtnInst.