Energy Switch Season 7, Episode 3: Extreme Weather part 1

Uncoventional Wisdom

Our guests argue against conventional wisdom, that oil companies must be part of decarbonization. That solar and wind will never replace them. And that we don’t value our environment enough to take meaningful action anyway. You may not agree, but you’ll still want to hear from Dr. Nate Hagens, of the Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future, and Tisha Schuller, CEO of Adamantine Energy.

Data Centers

Every text, email and social media post. Every digital photo, web search and credit card transaction. Every online purchase. Every streaming show. Nearly everything in our lives involves data coming in and out of data centers, with incredibly huge electricity demands. We discuss with Dr. Ayșe Coskun, from Boston University, and Josh Fluecke, who builds data centers for Syska Hennessy Group.

Extreme Weather part 2

Last episode, our experts referenced IPCC data to explain that heat, heat waves and precipitation are trending up. While floods, fires and storms are flat or down. However, in this episode we’ll see that risk and damages from these events have increased, and we’ll look at potential solutions. Again with acclaimed environmental journalist Andrew Revkin and climate scientist Dr. Patrick Brown.

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning has changed the world, allowing hot regions to develop, with increased comfort, health, and productivity. But these benefits come with challenges -- greater electricity demand and emissions. There are new ideas that could bring cooling to more people, with less impact. With Dr. Daniel Betts, CEO of Blue Frontier, and Dr. Chiara Delmastro from the International Energy Agency.

Russian Energy

Russia’s energy exports fund its government and war efforts. It’s the world’s 2nd largest producer of oil and natural gas, behind the US, and has avoided energy sanctions through careful maneuvering. Because of its energy, Russia will continue to play an outsized role in global politics. With Dr. Margarita Balmaceda from Seton Hall and Harvard, and Dr. Caroline Kissane, Associate Dean at NYU.

Air Quality in America

The Clean Air Act has reduced particulate matter pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides, ushering in capture technologies that have improved air quality and health. Further improvements, however, may be difficult to achieve. With Dr. Tracey Holloway, from the University of Wisconsin and NASA, and Emily Schilling, a law partner at Holland & Hart.

27 min

Fertilizers

Fertilizer drives modern agriculture, to feed the world. It turns natural gas, nitrogen from the atmosphere, and mined minerals into plant nutrients, which end up on our plates to nourish our bodies -- but with large energy and greenhouse gas footprints. We’ll discuss benefits, challenges and potential solutions with Chrystel Monthean from Yara and Dr. Jason Haegele from ICL Group.

27 min

Investing in Alternative Energy

Twenty years ago, wind, solar, grid-scale batteries, and the powerlines to connect them were rare. Now they’re mainstream. Our two guests have been there since the beginning. We’ll hear how they’ve led alternative energy development and investment companies with great success. With Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy, and Michael Harrington, Chief Investment Officer for Actis.

27 min

King Coal

Coal is still the leading source of electricity worldwide, but with serious downsides.