Energy vs Climate: How climate is changing our energy systems

On Episode 20 of Energy vs Climate David, Sara, and Ed revisit some of the topics covered on previous episodes and answer outstanding audience questions about net zero oil sands, carbon capture, nuclear, enhanced oil recovery, the electricity grid, and their grand vision for Canada's energy future. This is the last episode of the season, but we'll be back in September with more guests, m...

The world has been taking carbon capture, utilization and storage seriously for a couple of decades now. It feels like we’re on the cusp of an explosion of CCUS projects, especially in the US. But will this be any different than Carbon Capture 1.0, which some consider a failure to launch? And if yes, why? On Episode 19 of the Energy vs Climate show, David, Sara and Ed host special guest Sally Bens...

On Episode 18 of Energy vs Climate, top climate scientist Andrew Weaver dives into Canada’s energy versus climate bunfight. Weaver, a professor of earth and ocean sciences at the University of Victoria and former leader of the BC Green Party shares the most surprising parts of moving from science to politics, what it’s like to negotiate the political tension between the go-slow right and the eager...

From cement to steel to mining, Canada has a lot of its economy wrapped up in heavy industry. What are the key opportunities and challenges on the path to decarbonizing heavy industry? What are some of the most promising technology and process solutions? What should governments do to help these sectors to decarbonize?  On Episode 17 of Energy vs Climate, David, Sara, Ed, and special guest Thomas K...

Climate and energy debates rest on predictions. How many years left to save the planet? How cheap will solar power get? We dive into the dirty world of making such projections. What’s the difference between climate models and energy system models? What do past forecasts tell us about the accuracy of these models? Hint: there’s no shortage of overconfidence.  On Episode 16 of Energy vs Climate, Dav...

From personal transportation to long haul freight, how fast can we decarbonize, how much will be electrified vs other solutions, and what are the limiting factors affecting the pace of change?  On Episode 15 of Energy vs Climate, David, Sara, Ed, and special guest Amy Myers Jaffe , research professor and managing director of the Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University,  break down the steps to deca...

As Albertans we want to build Alberta back better. What does this mean for Albertans and Calgarians, the future of jobs in the energy sector, new technologies, and the roles of government and industry in addressing climate change? For Episode 14 of the Energy vs Climate show, we partnered with the Calgary Climate Symposium to produce a live symposium webinar/podcast. Watch a video version of this...

The Energy vs Climate show partnered with Solar Alberta to produce a live in-conference podcast at the 2021 Solar Show. Tune in to hear our thoughts on the role of PV generation in Alberta and what its growth could mean for the electricity grid, jobs, and Canada's climate targets. In particular, David and Ed debated the pros and cons of Alberta producing its own solar power versus importing i...

Canada needs a more realistic and honest dialogue about the trade-offs between energy policy, the economy, and climate protection. But how do we facilitate that dialogue? What are the challenges for climate/energy policy actors when working with reporters, and vice-versa? How can energy and climate stakeholders work with the media to better communicate the scientific and economic realities of the...

Canada's new climate plan is big and bold. Will it deliver on our climate goals? Will it lead to “a healthy economy” as its title suggests, or crush it? What does a $170 per tonne carbon price by 2030 mean for Canadian industry? Is this a cost-effective way to cut emissions and get us to net zero? And, is it politically stable or might it be overturned with the next election?  On Episode 11 o...

Nuclear power: Our only solution to reach net zero, or threat to civilization and distraction from other low-carbon pathways? On Episode 10 of Energy vs Climate, David, Sara, and Ed welcome guest Elizabeth May, MP and former leader of the Green Party of Canada to examine the nuanced role of nuclear power in Canada. Get on the email list at www.energyvsclimate.com Send us a text (if you'd like...

'Climate finance' is an emerging field that aims to harness the power of finance for climate change mitigation and adaptation. From Blackrock Capital CEO Larry Fink’s game-changing letter to shareholders, to new clean finance reporting rules, and Canadian Mark Carney’s advocacy for climate finance as head of the Bank of England, climate finance is all over the news. In 2019, Canada’s Exp...

Break down what the U.S. election results may mean for Canadian energy and climate policy with David, Sara, Ed, and special guest Dr. Leah Stokes on Episode 8 of Energy vs Climate. Dr. Stokes is an assistant professor of political science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the author of Short Circuiting Policy . With her work on energy, climate, and environmental politics,...

The Canadian federal government has committed to using "nature-based solutions to fight climate change, including by planting two billion trees." But is reforesting an area the size of a European country and managing that forest, naturally a good form of climate/energy policy and public investment? On Episode 7 of Energy vs Climate, energy experts David Keith , Sara Hastings-Simon and Ed...

The federal government's September 23rd Speech from the Throne said "Canada has the resources – from nickel to copper – needed for clean technologies. This – combined with Canadian expertise – is Canada’s competitive edge." On Episode 6 of Energy vs Climate, energy experts David Keith, Sara Hastings-Simon and Ed Whittingham explain exactly what critical minerals such as lithium, cop...

Hydrogen is once again the #1 element in the energy transition world. Does the new hydrogen economy offer real potential as a pathway to net zero and Canadian leadership on climate and low carbon energy production, or is it just the latest overhyped tech-fix that avoids practical action? David, Sara and Ed share a brief introduction to the basics of hydrogen as it relates to energy systems, and di...

On episode 4 of the Energy vs Climate podcast, energy experts David Keith, Sara Hastings-Simon and Ed Whittingham discuss their recent editorial in the Globe & Mail , including the role of the oil sands in the economic future of the province, COVID-19 as a factor in peak oil, the dynamics of oil markets, and the risks in focusing on net zero oil moonshots. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts , S...

On episode 3 of the Energy vs Climate podcast, energy experts David Keith, Sara Hastings-Simon and Ed Whittingham welcome guest contributor Peter Tertzakian , Managing Director of ARC Financial, Deputy Director of the ARC Energy Research Institute and cohost of the ARC Energy Ideas podcast to discuss the divestment movement and what it means for the fossil fuel industry, for consumers, and for inv...

On Episode 2 of the Energy vs Climate podcast, energy experts David Keith , Sara Hastings-Simon and Ed Whittingham review and debunk Planet of the Humans, the 2019 documentary from producer Michael Moore. Get on the email list at www.energyvsclimate.com Send us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email) Follow us on: LinkedIn Bluesky X/Twitter Instagram Energy vs Climate reli...

On the first episode of the Energy vs Climate podcast, energy experts David Keith , Sara Hastings-Simon and Ed Whittingham discuss the energy crisis in Alberta and how the province and the country can overcome the challenges of a climate-driven energy transition. Get on the email list at www.energyvsclimate.com Send us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email) Follow us on:...

Break down the trade-offs and hard truths of the energy transition in Alberta, Canada, and beyond with energy experts David Keith , Sara Hastings-Simon and Ed Whittingham . Get on the email list at www.energyvsclimate.com Send us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email) Follow us on: LinkedIn Bluesky X/Twitter Instagram Energy vs Climate relies on the support of our generou...