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Some days it can feel as if climate catastrophe is inevitable. But history is full of cases – such as the banning of whaling and CFCs – that show humanity can come together to avert disaster By Kate Marvel. Read by Norma Butikofer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
What does it take for India to deliver electricity to hundreds of millions while simultaneously building a fast-growing clean energy system? Can it overcome its fossil dependence to secure its energy futures with renewables? And how will India's development choices shape the global climate fight in the decades ahead?India, like China, is home to over a billion people, and is highly reliant on imported fossil fuels and domestic coal. But unlike China, it still has a very rural population and has not yet experienced the rapid rise in per capita energy consumption that accompanied China's recent development boom. The future path India takes to development is therefore of critical importance.In this episode of Cleaning Up, Bryony Worthington sits down with Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, founder and CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, and Special Envoy for COP30. Together they explore India's “twin transition”, achieving universal energy access while driving a massive expansion of clean power. From the data-driven electrification of 130 million households, to innovations in market design that slashed solar prices, to India's push for secure, diversified green supply chains, this conversation reveals a rarely told side of India's energy transition story.Arunabha also shares insights on India's role in international climate diplomacy, the significance of cooperation with China and Brazil, and the urgent need for hyper-local climate risk assessment to protect communities from extreme weather.Leadership Circle:Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, Davidson Kempner, EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit https://www.cleaningup.live.Links and more:Council on Energy, Environment and Water website: https://www.ceew.in/India hits 50% non-fossil power milestone ahead of 2030 clean energy target: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/india-hits-50-non-fossil-power-milestone-ahead-2030-clean-energy-target-2025-07-14/How can India make the leap to become a green, clean country? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/28/huge-energy-challenges-how-can-india-make-leap-green-clean-country
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
In this episode Jason lays out the basic tensions in the fossil fuel market (mostly oil), and makes some predictions as to where it's headed. The analysis includes the future of the US oil industry and the extent to which the rest of the world is willing to be bullied to buy US fossil fuels. The DZA website is here.
Abigail Sawyer and Quinn Nakayama, senior director of Grid Innovation and Development for Pacific Gas &Electric, discuss the role of innovation and partnerships in solving California problems that include load-shifting, load management and utility undergrounding. Recorded live at PG&E's Innovation Pitch Fest 2025 in Oakland.
Climate activists gathered in Cape Town to protest against Africa Energy Week, calling out the expansion of coal, oil and gas on the continent. They argue that fossil fuels deepen inequality, worsen the climate crisis and trap communities in cycles of poverty. Instead, they are urging governments to invest in renewable energy and a just transition. Gabriel Klaasen from Climate Justice Coalition speaks to Lester Kiewit about why civil society is taking a stand outside the convention centre. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is a podcast of the CapeTalk breakfast show. This programme is your authentic Cape Town wake-up call. Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit is informative, enlightening and accessible. The team’s ability to spot & share relevant and unusual stories make the programme inclusive and thought-provoking. Don’t miss the popular World View feature at 7:45am daily. Listen out for #LesterInYourLounge which is an outside broadcast – from the home of a listener in a different part of Cape Town - on the first Wednesday of every month. This show introduces you to interesting Capetonians as well as their favourite communities, habits, local personalities and neighbourhood news. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Good Morning CapeTalk with Lester Kiewit broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/xGkqLbT or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/f9Eeb7i Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Churning quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at the rate we are going could lead the planet to another Great Dying By Peter Brannen. Read by Lincoln Conway. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
After winning a landmark climate case at the state level last year, a group of young Montanans are taking the fight to the federal government. They presented their arguments to a judge in Missoula last week.
Do you ever think about the inheritance we are leaving our children and grandchildren? Not monetary, but qualities like clean air, access to clean water, healthy food and a safe and nurturing environment to live in. OR are we on the path to guaranteeing them the opposite, where it will be hard to breath, too hot to go outdoors, food insecurity and famine will be rampant, water shortages a common experience, and we could go on. None of us want that, but the decisions we make today, and the actions we take right now, matter, and so we're going to look that future in the eye and call on all adults to get involved in any way we can. Local action does result in global impact. After that, it's time to dig into the news, and of course, unless you live under a rock, we had Trump's speech at the UN, Super Typhoon Ragasa hitting China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and soon Vietnam and Laos, Tylenol has been blamed for Autism, the Rapture… did it happen (?), the fact we're getting dumber and those Meta glasses ain't going to help, and of course, the fight for free speech continues. That's just a start when it comes to the weeks' news, and we never get through it all, but we give it a go. We are absolutely delighted to welcome Joseph Masembe who hails from Uganda, and he's the CEO and founder of Little Hands Go Green, as well as Regional Director, Climate Change Advocacy, East Africa. A passionate advocate for our children's future, Joseph launched Little Hands Go Green in 2012, as a civil society organization, with a goal to nurture and empower children as the main drivers of environmental conservation education in their schools, homes and communities. Joseph wants to foster a deep-rooted love and passion for the environment among children through engaging and entertaining activities, and get this, they have planted 872,000 trees since they started – amazing! Joseph is a delight, and you will love listening to what he has to share. So please, come and join us, get caught up on the news, get inspired into action, this Friday 26th September 2025, 8am UK, 9am EU, 10am Uganda, 2pm TH, 3pm SG, 5pm AEST. Streaming across various locations, and no doubt about it, we'd love your support. The Sh*t Show is a Livestream happening every Friday, where Andrea T Edwards, Dr. David Ko, Richard Busellato and Joe Augustin, as well as special guests, discuss the world's most pressing issues across all angles of the polycrisis, working to make sense of the extremely challenging and complex times we are all going through, plus what we can do about it. Help us move the needle so we can change the name of the show to something more genteel when (or if) it is no longer a sh*t show. #TheShitShow #UncommonCourageTo get in touch with me, all of my contact details are here https://linktr.ee/andreatedwards My book Uncommon Courage, an invitation, is here https://mybook.to/UncommonCourage My book 18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile, is here https://mybook.to/18stepstoanallstar
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
The “maximum power principle” may sound like the doctrine of an evil supervillain, but it actually applies to all living creatures. The principle states that biological systems organize to increase power whenever constraints allow. Given the way humans adhere to this principle, especially by overexploiting fossil fuels, we often do behave like supervillains, wielding power in wildly irresponsible ways and triggering climate change, biodiversity loss, and other aspects of our sustainability predicament. Sometimes it seems like we're using a backhoe to dig our own grave. Fortunately, once you understand efficiency and its different flavors, you can see opportunities to optimize power rather than maximize it. While considering the outlook for humanity, the Crazy Townies ponder a weird question: are we smarter than reindeer? Richard Heinberg, author of Power: Limits and Prospects for Human Survival, joins the team to share his research on how people can optimize power. Originally recorded on May 6, 2021.Sources/Links/Notes:Richard Heinberg's book is Power: Limits and Prospects for Human Survival.John DeLong's definition of the maximum power principle is that biological systems organize to increase power whenever the system constraints allow.DeLong also wrote: “The maximum power principle predicts the outcomes of two-species competition experiments“.Statistics on the Bagger 293 bucket-wheel excavatorDams powered airplane and ship building in the Pacific Northwest (Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams).The cross-Atlantic sailing voyage of Greta ThunbergShort comic with the story of reindeer on St. Matthew IslandEpisode of the Radiolab podcast with a wild story about mTORSupport the show
A generation ago, gas was fighting for its life. Now, it’s an essential part of keeping the lights on. But do we have enough? And will it hamper the net zero transition? View an edited transcript of this episode, plus photos and videos and additional reporting on the website or on The Australian’s app. This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Joshua Burton. Our team includes Lia Tsamoglou, Tiffany Dimmack, Stephanie Coombes and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Experts ‘Shocked and Appalled' Over Trump, RFK Jr. Claims on Autism, Tylenol. My new book is out today - "The Last American President." Well....looks like we're not a Democracy anymore - what do we do now? Experts ‘Shocked and Appalled' Over Trump, RFK Jr. Claims on Autism, Tylenol. Reckless countries are extracting double the fossil fuels consistent with 1.5 C and America is leading the path. Are Democrats looking at a shocking win in a red state? Is the GOP checking out? Hmmm.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As RE+ 2025 wrapped up in Las Vegas, the mood across the show floor was one of contradiction: anxiety, anger, optimism, and opportunity all rolled into one. In this episode, Sylvia Leyva Martinez – Research Director and analyst covering global solar markets - sits down with Chris Seiple, Vice Chair of Power & Renewables, and Kasim Khan, Senior Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, to unpack the forces shaping today's energy market. From the shockwaves of OB3 and FEOC restrictions, to investors navigating the whiplash of shifting subsidy regimes, Sylvia, Chris and Kassim talk about the conversations they've had with developers and manufacturers. Everyone is facing the same dilemma: double down on building compliant supply chains or hold back in anticipation of yet another policy reversal? Meanwhile, the collapse of early-stage development activity and the race to prove FEOC compliance are reshaping priorities across the industry.But there's more than just uncertainty, there's also innovation. Utilities are experimenting with new ways to fast-track data center interconnections, EPCs are doubling down on execution, and storage is emerging as the wildcard technology that could reshape both grid reliability and investor confidence. With US utilities already committed to 99 GW of new load from data centers - equivalent to nearly 15% of peak demand - the industry faces a defining test. Will the removal of subsidies finally level the playing field for capital, or will it strip away the last federal lever for climate policy? Tune in to hear why industry leaders believe we are living through the most uncertain moment in US clean energy history, and why that uncertainty could also create the biggest opportunities yet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing
In this episode, I sit down with Mark Campanale, founder of Carbon Tracker and Planet Tracker, best known for introducing one of the most disruptive ideas in climate finance: the carbon bubble.Mark's journey began in his 20s, crossing the Sahara and working in a famine camp, where he first saw how capital, policy, and poverty were deeply linked. After years supporting fair-trade cooperatives in East Africa, he shifted to sustainable finance in London, co-launching the Jupiter Ecology Fund and founding the Social Stock Exchange – until a loss of mission led him to step away. Around that time, he noticed a dangerous blind spot: fossil fuel prospectuses running hundreds of pages mentioned climate change in only a handful of lines. That raised a critical question: how much of the global carbon problem was sitting on corporate balance sheets?No one had run the numbers. So he did.He joined forces with Nick Robins and James Leaton to launch a nonprofit and publish a report – renamed last-minute to Unburnable Carbon.The idea was simple – and terrifying.We have a finite carbon budget if we want to stay under 2°C of warming. But the reserves held by fossil fuel companies – already financed, already capitalized – far exceeded that budget. Mark compared it to a game of musical chairs – but the players were oil majors, national oil companies, and gas producers, all scrambling for the planet's last remaining carbon budget. There aren't enough seats for everyone to win.That meant much of the fossil fuel industry's projected value was based on resources the world couldn't afford to burn. If countries kept their climate promises, those reserves would stay in the ground. And markets weren't ready for that.The report didn't just land. It exploded.Rolling Stone headlined it “Global Warming's Terrifying New Math,” and the term carbon bubble went global. University campaigns launched, the Financial Times ran a feature, and even analysts at JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs called Mark in to brief them.He hadn't meant to start a movement, but once it took off, he knew it needed structure. So he built Carbon Tracker – an independent research group now analyzing over 75 companies, using a traffic-light system to show whether business plans align with the Paris Agreement. Their reports, downloaded tens of thousands of times each month by banks and regulators, speak market language to translate climate risk into financial terms.One of their biggest impacts is that the industry's reserves life has fallen from 50 years to just 23. It didn't happen by accident. It happened because investors stopped believing those reserves would ever be developed.The idea of “stranded assets” has expanded beyond fossil fuels through Planet Tracker, Mark's second initiative applying the same forensic lens to oceans, land use, and natural systems. By following overlooked data, he exposed a deeper conflict between financial markets and the planet's future.Mark is not the loudest voice in the room. But his work has made some of the most powerful institutions take a second look.This is his story.—Connect with SRI360°:Sign up for the free weekly email updateVisit the SRI360° PODCASTVisit the SRI360° WEBSITEFollow SRI360° on XFollow SRI360° on FACEBOOK—Additional Resources:Mark Campanale LinkedInMark Campanale Twitter/XCarbon Tracker InitiativePlanet Tracker
In this episode, we are joined by Attzaz Rashid (Barratt London) and Joel Callow (Beyond Carbon) to talk about Barratt London's move into Passive House.It was a chance to get into what attracted Barratt to developing this Lo-E homes proposition and how they came to feel confident about committing to deliver certified Passive House apartments, the team effort that's been employed to make it work, and the way this change has brought about a renewed enthusiasm for the job in some of the project's participants.It's a really interesting exploration of how the rigour and challenges of Passive House has affected Barratt's approach to high-density building, and how the Passive House approach has come to be recognised as advantageous to Barratt, in all sorts of ways. Finally, the critique of M&E design that's made late on in the episode is not a Barratt critique—as Az makes abundantly clear—this is one founded in Joel's experience of inheriting issues that require Beyond Carbon's expertise for their resolution.Notes from the showAttzaz Rashid on LinkedInJoel Callow on LinkedIn The Barratt London websiteThe Beyond Carbon websiteDistrict heating and passive house - are they compatible? from the pages of Passive House PlusBarratt launches record passive house scheme also from the pages of Passive House Plus**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**
Amundi Investment Solutions. You may not have heard of them, but they're Europe's largest asset manager and one of the ten biggest worldwide, handling more than two trillion dollars in assets. The company claims to focus on green and responsible investments. But when IrpiMedia and Voxeurop looked closer at where the money actually goes, a very different picture emerged. So, how sustainable are Amundi's so-called green funds?Join us on our journey through the events that shape the European continent and the European Union.Production: By Europod, in co production with Sphera Network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Recorded live at RE+, Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, hosts Ryan Chen and Neil Bradshaw from Hithium to unpack the true costs of OB3, the constraints on innovation and fire safety as result of the bill, and the future possibilities for AIDC.Neil Bradshaw is Director of Global Applications Engineering, and takes the view that even US manufacturers aren't immune from the OBBA's sweeping impact on supply chains: “imagine you are a manufacturer based in the US but you're importing parts, and all of a sudden you have a policy that comes through that changes how you bring in parts and maybe you can't find local cells or you can't find a certain component,” he says. How are manufacturers responding to this uncertainty? How are they planning for the next few years, never mind decades?Ryan Chen is Chief of Staff to the Chairman at Hithium, and he shares with Sylvia how Hithium is betting big on Texas manufacturing, investing before they even had offtake agreements in place. You'll hear how they're importing not just equipment but full-scale Chinese manufacturing practices - down to autonomous container movers - and why true scale is the only way to compete.Plus, hear how AI is driving new demand for storage, how bankruptcies are shaking up the talent market, and why even something as small as a paint colour change can cost millions in safety testing.Got power? At Hithium Energy Storage, we make sure the answer is always yes. Ranked 7 times as a BNEF Tier 1 provider with the Top 2 global battery shipments in 2025, Hithium delivers safe, reliable, profitable energy solutions that keep the clean energy transition moving forward. Let green energy benefit all. Trusted worldwide, built to last.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Dr. Stephen Beaton is Co-founder and CEO of Circularity Fuels, which develops compact reactors that turn waste carbon streams into high-value fuels and chemicals. Rather than compete with fossil fuels from the start, Stephen identified high-purity methane for lab-grown diamonds as a beachhead market—where Circularity's product is 80–90% cheaper than incumbents while proving the core technology needed for clean liquid fuels.Stephen earned a chemistry PhD at Oxford and built deep expertise in synthetic fuels during his U.S. Air Force career, including overseeing jet fuel quality control in the Middle East and launching the Air Force's e-fuels program. His insight: build a fuels company that doesn't begin with fuel.Today, Circularity Fuels operates demonstration reactors in diamond facilities and is scaling toward biogas-to-SAF production using the same reactor platform. The company has raised $3M in venture funding, including from DCVC, plus $5M in grants from ARPA-E, NSF, and the California Energy Commission. MCJ is proud to be an investor.Episode recorded on Aug 12, 2025 (Published on Sept 16, 2025)In this episode, we cover: [03:09] Dr. Beaton's background in clean fuels[07:31] His work with Air Force petroleum in the Middle East[10:12] A brief overview of hydrocarbons[13:08] ESAF as resilience for Pacific operations[16:22] What e-SAF really means and why it matters[19:24] Circularity Fuels' origin story[21:20] The company's three principles[23:04] High-purity methane for diamonds as a beachhead[27:46] Recycling diamond exhaust with microwave-sized reactors[30:40] Building a fuel company without fuel as the initial product[34:35] Hardware sales vs metered methane service model[39:05] Biogas-to-SAF pathway via Fischer-Tropsch[42:38] Circularity's progress to date[44:01] Competing with fossil jet and carbon removals[48:41] How Circularity secured non-dilutive funding Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at info@mcj.vc.Connect with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
In this week's episode, host Daniel Raimi discusses fossil fuel subsidies with Paasha Mahdavi, an associate professor and cofounder of the 2035 Initiative at the University of California, Santa Barbara. They talk about how subsidies on goods such as gasoline and diesel lead to lower prices for consumers. However, because these subsidies encourage the use of fossil fuels, reforming such policies is important when promoting the use of renewable energy. Mahdavi explores why many attempts to reform fossil fuel subsidies have failed, and he proposes potential avenues for addressing the weaknesses of reforms which could lead to failure of the subsidies. References and recommendations: “Fossil fuel subsidy reforms have become more fragile” by Paasha Mahdavi, Michael L. Ross, and Evelyn Simoni; https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02283-4 “Why Do Governments Tax or Subsidize Fossil Fuels?” by Paasha Mahdavi, Cesar B. Martinez-Alvarez, and Michael L. Ross; https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/719272 “Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet” by Kate Marvel; https://www.harpercollins.com/products/human-nature-kate-marvel “Climate Change and National Security” TEDx talk by Josh Busby; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8neK0G0NJ8
Motheo Khoaripe speaks to Tracey Davies, Executive director of Just Share, about FutureCoal’s allegedly misleading campaign, which portrays coal as a sustainable energy source despite what climate activists and civil society bodies say is overwhelming evidence of its environmental harm and incompatibility with a just transition. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape. Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa Follow us on social media 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is the clean energy revolution finally here? Over the past few years, the world has experienced a sudden and overwhelming surge in renewable energy installation and generation, outpacing even the most optimistic predictions from experts. This week on the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer talks to Bill McKibben, an environmentalist and author, about the stakes and scale of the global energy transformation. His new book, Here Comes the Sun, argues renewables aren't just a climate fix—they're a political and economic opportunity. But while China and Europe are pushing ahead in the race to power the future, the Trump administration is doubling down on fossil fuels. What happens if the US puts the brakes on clean energy, just as the rest of the world hits the gas? Or rather... plugs in the solar battery? Do we risk being left in the dark?Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Bill McKibben Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.
Is the clean energy revolution finally here? Over the past few years, the world has experienced a sudden and overwhelming surge in renewable energy installation and generation, outpacing even the most optimistic predictions from experts. This week on the GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer talks to Bill McKibben, an environmentalist and author, about the stakes and scale of the global energy transformation. His new book, Here Comes the Sun, argues renewables aren't just a climate fix—they're a political and economic opportunity. But while China and Europe are pushing ahead in the race to power the future, the Trump administration is doubling down on fossil fuels. What happens if the US puts the brakes on clean energy, just as the rest of the world hits the gas? Or rather... plugs in the solar battery? Do we risk being left in the dark?Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Bill McKibben Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.
In this episode of People in Power, we hear from Mark Groves, vice-president of program development and innovations at the Northwest Lineman College. Mark, also a member of the International Lineman Hall of Fame, discusses with California Energy Markets Editor Jason Fordney his background as a lineman; what he looks for in lineman candidates; the rewards and challenges of this work, including its physicality and effects on family life; what it's like working storms; what you can learn from the old-timers; and nearly sinking a boat while on the job, while grizzled fisherman watch and place bets.
Despite the US adding 4.3 gigawatts of solar manufacturing capacity in Q2, there were no additions to the upstream components of polysilicon wafer and cell manufacturing. As gas prices continue to rise and the demand for alternative power supplies grows, get a detailed look at what big names in energy are doing to get over the hurdles. On her second day at RE+ in Las Vegas, Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, explores the trajectory of solar and storage. Alongside industry experts, this episode of Interchange Recharged discusses the exciting yet challenging future of solar energy and energy storage amidst changing policy landscapes and growing demand. Sylvia and her guests explore and explain the dynamics of solar capacity, regulatory and financial challenges such as One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) accelerating the phase-down of key tax credits, and emerging technologies fueling the renewable energy sector. This episode includes an exclusive excerpt from Sylvia's presentation with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). She discusses energy policy uncertainty, market saturation in the solar energy industry, and manufacturing hurdles in the renewable energy space. Featured guests in this episode of Interchange Recharged: · Sean Gallagher, Senior Vice President of Policy at SEIA · Steven Munson, Valuation and Tax Credit Advisor for Energy Transition at CohnReznik In this episode, Sylvia and her guests discuss: The State of Solar Energy and Storage - Sean discusses why solar and energy storage are crucial for power demands in the coming years, emphasizing their role in new energy infrastructures. Impact of Policy Changes - Sean and Sylvia explore the effects of recent legislative changes, including the projected decline in solar installations post-2027, and how peak chaos impacts the industry. Investor Perspectives and Valuations - Steven shares insights on current investor sentiments, valuation challenges, and trends in renewable energy financing. Technological Advancements – The guests discuss strategies to improve efficiencies in solar modules, automated permitting, and innovations aiming to lower costs. Looking Into the Future – Sylvia and her guests explore potential long-term effects of emerging technologies like AI on power markets and the need to adapt quickly to policy updates. Interchange Recharged explores clean tech, green finance and energy innovation, the three lanes on the road to a successful global energy transition. At the intersection of these lanes is a place where ideas on finance, technology and policy are shared and debated. Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, and her guests bring you data and forecasts on clean technology, climate change, and offer predictions on the build out of utility-scale projects and the future of green finance. Check out another leading clean tech global podcast by Wood Mackenzie, Energy Gang, at woodmac.com/podcasts/the-energy-gang Wood Mackenzie is the leading global data and analytics solutions provider for renewables, energy and natural resources. Learn more about Wood Mackenzie on the official website: https://www.woodmac.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
In a year defined by uncertainty, this RE+ special episode of Interchange Recharged flips the script from “build more” to “get more from what you've got.” Sylvia Leyva Martinez, Research Director at Wood Mackenzie, is joined by Alex Bamberger, VP of Digital Solutions at RES, to look at how owners are squeezing extra megawatt-hours from operating wind, solar and storage, opening OEM-level data, pairing software with smart hardware, and retuning controls for site realities. You'll hear real uplift figures (think low-single-digit AEP gains that add up to a year's worth of new installs at fleet scale) that show how new tech is optimising renewable energy assets.Then we widen the lens to the grid itself. Systems architect and founder and CEO of Dynamic Grid Kay Aikin makes the case that smarter controls, storage and flexible demand can raise distribution utilisation far beyond today's approximate 45%. Sylvia and Kay look at how performance-based models could unlock faster, cheaper reliability without waiting on every substation rebuild. You can find more on this at www.dynamicgrid.aiFinally, GridStor's VP of Finance Anna Astretsova breaks down the storage finance reality: plenty of capital, but higher costs. What's the impact been of OB3 on storage? Learn how safe-harbouring, earlier procurement, bankable tolling structures and better cycling assumptions are getting deals done, and why FEOC, tariffs and interconnection queues are reshaping who wins. It's been a packed first day of RE+, so get the key insights right here on the show.Make sure you're following wherever you listen to the podcast so you don't miss any of the coverage.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
00:45 Attributing extreme heat events to major energy producersMajor energy producers increased the likelihood and intensity of heatwaves, according to research published in Nature. Using data from an international disaster database, a team developed a methodology to investigate how much anthropogenic climate change had influenced heatwaves. They conclude that many of these events would have been “virtually impossible” without climate change, and that nearly a quarter of the heatwaves recorded from 2000 to 2023 can be directly linked to the greenhouse-gas emissions from individual energy giants.Research Article: Juvé et al.News and Views Forum: Heatwaves linked to emissions of individual fossil-fuel and cement producersNews: Dozens of heatwaves linked to carbon emissions from specific companies10:47 Research HighlightsHow shifting coastal tides may have spurred the rise of the world's oldest civilization — plus, the liquid crystal lenses that can refocus in a flash.Research Highlight: Changing tides ushered in the world's first civilizationResearch Highlight: Liquid-crystal specs refocus with the push of a button12:40 The growing resistance to the US war on scienceScience in the United States is facing an increasing crisis, in the face of swinging cuts and President Donald Trump's ongoing attack on anything with a connection to diversity, equity and inclusion. In the face of this crisis, many researchers are fighting back — we hear about some of their efforts, and what they think about their chances of success.News Feature: Scientists take on Trump: the researchers fighting back27:28 Briefing ChatHow CRISPR-edited pancreas cells could offer new hope for those with type 1 diabetes, and what brain scans reveal about how we process colour.Nature: Hope for diabetes: CRISPR-edited cells pump out insulin in a person — and evade immune detectionNature: My blue is your blue: different people's brains process colours in the same waySubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The policy environment in the US at the moment is challenging, but developers, utilities, and investors are still moving forward with decarbonisation goals and climate action; they're just talking about it and approaching it in a different way. As RE+ (North America's biggest clean energy event) kicks off, Sylvia Leyva Martinez talks to veteran climate journalist and cleantech investor Molly Wood, about the ways in which the industry is navigating the uncertainty. Molly talks about the outdated forecasts of 1–2% load growth which are being blown apart by real demand increases of up to 30% in some regions, driven by electrification, AI, and data centers. If you can't make it to the event this year, Interchange Recharged will bring you the key discussions and exclusive insights so you don't miss out. You'll hear why traditional load forecasts are being upended by surging demand from AI and data centers, and what that means for project planning and risk management. Despite policy headwinds, the money is still flowing, but in smarter ways: into scalable tech like batteries, grid modernization, and distributed solutions. Investors are refocusing on scalable, commercial-ready technologies like batteries, grid modernization, and distributed energy solutions. And as the narrative shifts from using terms like “net zero” to the more pragmatic “energy dominance,” the conversation explores how storytelling shapes strategy, and why hyperscalers like Google and Amazon may even build their own small modular reactors or power islands to secure the future of energy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
Is there a collaboration problem in retrofit within the social housing sector? That was the premise for this conversation with Rafe Bertram, an architect and retrofit expert—appearing in a personal capacity—who was very surprised when I posed the question because he's found collaboration to be a strength in the sector, at least in London.In the end it led to a conversation about what he's learned from the experiences he's had working on retrofits in the social housing sector, in his community, and even doing big flashy Apple stores.The most interesting bit though is the strategy he's using to reduce the cost of retrofit, with his theory of reactive planning. It's an approach that takes a systematic integrated asset management approach and adds strategic opportunism into the mix in a way that enables him to piggyback essential works, like roof replacement, and use them as a catalyst for getting into a building to do the sustainability stuff that's usually a lower priority.Notes from the showRafe Bertram on LinkedinRetrofit Kentish Town The Good Homes Alliance websiteRafe's finance report for the Good Homes Alliance — “The Green Shift – The existing financial incentives for higher environmental performance of new homes” (October 2023) More links to articles about green building, favourable finance, and better valuations:Homebuyers pay a ‘green premium' of up to £40,000 for the most energy efficient properties (September 2021)—Lloyds Banking GroupHalifax includes EPC ratings in maximum lending calculationsHalifax to use EPC rating in affordability calculationsOctopus reducing interest rates for finance capital: 4 criteria = 1.25% discount, 6+ criteria = 2.00% discount**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**We don't actually earn anything from this podcast, and it's quite a lot of work, so we have to promote the day jobs.Follow us on the Zero Ambitions LinkedIn page (we still don't have a proper website)Jeff and Dan about Zero Ambitions Partners (the consultancy) for help with positioning and communications strategy, customer/user research and engagement strategy, carbon calculations and EPDs – we're up to all sortsSubscribe and advertise with Passive House Plus (UK edition here too)Check Lloyd Alter's Substack: Carbon UpfrontJoin ACANJoin the AECB Join the IGBCCheck out Her Retrofit Space, the renovation and retrofit platform for women**END OF SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**
Today, POLITICO's Josh Siegel sits down for an extended conversation with Emily Domenech, executive director of the Federal Permitting Council and a top Trump administration official. They discuss the council's permitting strategy so far, the administration's behind-the-scenes approach to different energy sources, and what it wants from Congress on permitting reform. Josh Siegel is an energy reporter for POLITICO and the host of POLITICO Energy. Nirmal Mulaikal is the co-host and producer of POLITICO Energy. Alex Keeney is a senior audio producer at POLITICO. Ben Lefebvre is the deputy energy editor at POLITICO. Matt Daily is the energy editor for POLITICO. For more news on energy and the environment, subscribe to Power Switch, our free evening newsletter: https://www.politico.com/power-switch And for even deeper coverage and analysis, read our Morning Energy newsletter by subscribing to POLITICO Pro: https://subscriber.politicopro.com/newsletter-archive/morning-energy Our theme music is by Pran Bandi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Guest Name: Cliff May • Affiliation: Founder and President of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies • Summary: The conversation challenges current energy policies, noting that fossil fuels still provide over 81% of global energy despite decades of renewables promotion. Cliff May argues that climate policy often weakens the US while adversaries like China and Russia continue to rely on coal and hydrocarbons without climate concerns. He emphasizes energy security as intrinsic to national security, criticizing government subsidies as ineffective and prone to cronyism. 1900 MIAMI RIVER
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
TXOGA Talks is back for Part 2 of our Legislative Session recap! TXOGA President Todd Staples is joined by TXOGA Vice President & General Counsel Cory Pomeroy and TXOGA Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Tulsi Oberbeck for a discussion on oilfield theft, Texas business courts, and the booming liquefied natural gas industry.Tune in for a breakdown of key bills passed to address oilfield theft, including a DPS crime prevention unit and increased penalties, legislation supporting Texas's global leadership in LNG, refinements to Texas's business courts for quicker, more specialized resolution of commercial disputes, and incentives for research and development across Texas industries, including energy.There's so much to unpack, we couldn't fit everything into one episode! Be sure to listen to Part 1 released last month to learn more about produced water and well plugging efforts.
Fossil fuels are losing growth potential, while renewables continue to rise. Commodities like lithium and copper may shape the next wave of energy investments.Veteran oil trader, author, and Founder of The Energy Word, Dan Dicker, discusses why oil companies are facing flat returns, the role of politics in renewable energy, and why lithium and natural gas could be smart long-term plays.Find out in this interview how to separate hype from real opportunities in today's energy market.Learn more about The Energy Word and try the free subscription: https://dandicker.comWatch the full YouTube interview here: https://youtu.be/toYQAZaZTYUAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia?sub_confirmation=1
with Brad Friedman & Desi Doyen
https://youtu.be/hP682UrQY_EMatt and Sean talk about the Big Beautiful Bill, what its long term impacts might be on the renewable energy space, and how easy it might be to go in another direction.Watch the Undecided with Matt Ferrell episode, How the U.S. Just Handed the Renewable Future to China https://youtu.be/2tNp2vsxEzk?list=PLnTSM-ORSgi7uzySCXq8VXhodHB5B5OiQ(00:00) - - Intro & Feedback (14:20) - - The BBB Discussion YouTube version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/stilltbdpodcastGet in touch: https://undecidedmf.com/podcast-feedbackSupport the show: https://pod.fan/still-to-be-determinedFollow us on X: @stilltbdfm @byseanferrell @mattferrell or @undecidedmfUndecided with Matt Ferrell: https://www.youtube.com/undecidedmf ★ Support this podcast ★
Send me a messageIn this replay episode of the Climate Confident podcast, I revisit one of the most urgent and eye-opening conversations I've hosted - my conversation with Tzeporah Berman, Chair and Founder of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.We dig into the uncomfortable truth: while governments champion renewables and set emissions targets, fossil fuel exploration and extraction are still expanding at a pace that locks in climate chaos. Tzeporah explains why climate policy has largely ignored the supply side of the equation, how subsidies distort markets, and why the Paris Agreement doesn't even mention fossil fuels. Her insight is blunt, what we build today will be what we use tomorrow.Tzeporah outlines the vision for a Fossil Fuel Treaty, modelled on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, that could create international rules to phase out production fairly and equitably. We explore the role of debt-for-renewables swaps for the Global South, how equity must be baked into any transition, and why simply building “the good stuff” without constraining “the bad stuff” will never deliver climate safety.We also discuss how to shift public perception, challenge the fossil industry's greenwashing, and confront the false comfort of net zero targets. Tzeporah makes it clear: action is the antidote to despair, and citizens have more power than they think.This is not just a debate about emissions, but about survival, justice, and reshaping the rules of the global economy. If you care about ending fossil fuel expansion, ensuring a just transition, and accelerating real climate solutions, this episode is essential listening.
EV growth is moving, but is it moving quickly enough? Wood Mackenzie research projects battery electric vehicles to account for 58% of light vehicle sales globally by 2050. It won't be until 2045 that EVs surpass ICE vehicles on the roads globally. So how can consumers be incentivized to get an EV? Manufacturers are addressing concerns around range anxiety and price, so what else is there to tempt buyers? Perhaps shifting the conversation from EVs as just low-carbon emitting cars to seeing them as energy assets might do the trick. Could vehicles reliably charge your house? Or even stabilize the grid during peak demand? To find out, host Sylvia Leyva Martinez speaks with GM Energy's Aseem Kapur about their two-way charging EV project. They explore the potential of vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid systems, the lessons from early pilots, the importance of interoperability standards, and how incentives and customer trust will drive EV adoption – something that needs to accelerate if we're to stay on track for climate goals. The key questions to answer on the viability of using EVs as DERs: Why should EV owners risk their battery health and daily mobility needs to support the grid?With thousands of utilities across the US, can one interoperable system realistically work at scale?Will incentives be strong enough to convince consumers and utilities that EVs are more than just cars?Sylvia gets the answers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com
Prices for steak and ground beef are way up. In Wisconsin and nationwide, the population of beef cattle is down -- and continuing to decline. Then, a Door County tour guide uncovers a 19th-century shipwreck. And, Wisconsin scientists are learning about our forests -- by listening to them.
The federal government might give up its ability to regulate climate law — and businesses are concerned. NPR’s Michael Copley explains why. Israel is launching two controversial plans in what it calls the “next phase” of its war in Gaza. CNN’s Oren Liebermann details the country’s latest moves. Sudan’s civil war is reaching a breaking point. The Atlantic’s Anne Applebaum joins Apple News In Conversation to discuss the conditions she’s seen on the ground — and why American aid is fading away. Plus, the battle over gerrymandering heats up, a tumultuous week in Ukraine, and why some birds are staying up later at night. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.
In this eye-opening episode of Carbon Bros, we hear from special guest Vivian Taylor, a researcher on both trans rights and climate policy, on the shocking connections between fossil billionaires and anti-trans campaigns. Turns out, it's easy to distract people with genital inspectors so you don't have to deal with methane leakage inspectors. Amy and Vivian break down the disturbing overlap between anti-trans, anti-climate, and other right-wing movements, as well as the critical need for unity in tackling these pressing issues. It's a powerful conversation that uncovers the hidden networks funding social division and environmental degradation. Don't forget to join us next week for the final episode of Carbon Bros! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is AI the new “Need” from The Lorax—a shiny invention that looks harmless but comes with hidden costs? That's the tough question we're asking in today's episode, and the answer might change how you see both technology and energy forever. We're diving headfirst into whether artificial intelligence is truly a tool for abundance or just another story of progress that leaves us worse off. We have a new show on Lions of Liberty! The Politicks Podcast! Be sure to subscribe to the standalone Politicks Podcast feed. This is the absolute best way to support the show! Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And remember, they're all Blood Suckers! Studio Sponsor: Cardio Miracle - "Unlock the secret to a healthier heart, increased energy levels, and transform your cardiovascular fitness like never before.": CardioMiracle.com/TBNS Think about it: the Lorax warned us about cutting down truffula trees for a quick buck, but are we repeating that story today with AI? People celebrate chatbots, automation, and algorithms, but nobody asks the deeper question—what powers it all? The servers behind ChatGPT don't run on “good vibes” or environmental slogans. They run on massive amounts of energy, and right now, that means fossil fuels. In this episode, we break down the uncomfortable truth: without fossil fuels, AI doesn't exist. Net Zero activists may dream of a world powered by renewables, but the demand for AI is exploding faster than windmills and solar farms can keep up. From corporate ESG mandates to government green agendas, we're seeing a collision between fantasy and reality—and that's where the future of innovation hangs in the balance. But here's the twist: like the Lorax story, there's more at play than just the danger of cutting too many trees—or in this case, burning too much fuel. What if AI isn't just a flashy “need” but actually a tool that unlocks real abundance? From customer service to medical breakthroughs, from fighting human trafficking to expanding education, AI has the power to lift people up. The real question is: will we let fear and bad policy choke off that potential before it has the chance to grow? This episode isn't just about AI or energy—it's about how we think about progress itself. Is creation good, or should we always apologize for building? Is innovation dangerous, or is it the only way we survive and thrive? If you've ever wondered what the Lorax would say about ChatGPT, fossil fuels, and the future of human flourishing, you can't afford to miss this conversation. Order Cardio Miracle (CardioMiracle.com/TBNS) for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being! Submit Listener Questions to brian@briannicholsshow.com to hear your questions and perspectives answered and shared each and every week! WATCH The Brian Nichols Show, available on YouTube & Rumble. With over 1005 episodes featuring local candidates, elected officials, economists, CEOs, and more, each show educates, enlightens, and informs. Follow Brian on social media: X.com/Twitter (https://www.briannicholsshow.com/twitter) & Facebook (https://www.briannicholsshow.com/facebook) Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to The Brian Nichols Show for more captivating interviews and insights into common sense solutions for local problems! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're living in challenging times with an escalating climate disaster devastating communities from Texas and Louisiana to Richmond, CA. Few institutions are as responsible for these crisis as Wall Street and Big Insurance companies. We're also living in a time where large numbers of people have taken to the streets to confront those responsible for these crises. Moderated by Green and Red co-host, and long time climate finance campaigner, Scott Parkin, this panel discussed the role of major financial institutions in providing loans,investments and insurance to fossil fuel companies destroying communities from the Gulf South to Richmond, CA, and about the resistance to these companies. Panelist Bios//* Christa Mancias is the Executive Director for The Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas. She has spent many years in the movement along with her family and relatives fighting for Native Indigenous rights and Environmental justice. She continues to help with the Frontline Fights against Border Wall issues, LNG Terminals, Pipelines, Fracking, SpaceX and the continuous destruction and erasure of the Carrizo Comecurdo's Sacred Sites throughout Texas. *James Hiatt has more than a decade of firsthand experience in the petrochemical industry, he understands the tough choices many workers face—trying to make a living while dealing with the impacts these industries have on health and the environment. Born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, his deep connection to the community inspired him to seek a better way forward. In 2023, he founded For a Better Bayou, a nonprofit focused on helping Southwest Louisiana shift away from extraction-based industries toward a more sustainable, community-focused economy.* Mary Mijares is a first-generation immigrant born in the Philippinesand raised in Richmond, CA. As a campaigner for Amazon Watch, Mary seeks to uplift the demands and support the resistance of Indigenous organizations across the Amazon basin in international campaigns that challenge the fossil fuel industry and its financiers.*Connie Lu began her organizing journey as a student at Dartmouth College, where she was part of the successful campaign to divest the endowment from fossil fuels. Through a fellowship with the unfortunately now-defunct Divest Ed, she learned about climate finance as a crucial strategic piece of climate justice movements, and why we build people power instead of appealing to elites. Event co-hosted by Stop Billionaire Summer, the Green and Red Podcast and Gulf South Fossil Finance Hub.--------------------