The Clean Energy Show

A viral meme claims Norway installed sea-life-friendly underwater turbines. It's AI-generated nonsense—though there have been real tidal power projects in Norway and Scotland. We unpack the truth behind the clickbait. The United Nations' top court declares a clean, healthy environment a human right. But what does it really mean for international law and fossil fuel development? Wildfire smoke chok...

UN Secretary General António Guterres proclaims that the fossil fuel era is fading and the clean energy age is rising. Vietnam is banning gas-powered motorcycles in downtown Hanoi by 2026. Meanwhile, a new electric scooter hits 100 mph, and China begins building the world's largest hydroelectric dam. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks! Also on the show: 🚗 James's son's ca...

A Canadian Football League game was cancelled after fans waited six hours in thick wildfire smoke—smoked sausages, indeed. We dig into why air quality is getting worse and how it's connected to climate change. Plus, surprising new research shows that diesel generators are allowed to emit 48 times more nitrogen oxides than natural gas boilers. We explore the shocking pollution double standards that...

Amish E-Bikes, Balcony Solar, and a Djibouti Wind Boom E-bikes are quietly transforming Amish communities, balcony solar panels are powering up UK homes, and the tiny African nation of Djibouti is making huge renewable energy strides. Plus, Brian returns from London with fresh eyes on electric taxis, streetcars, and some eyebrow-raising climate solutions. We explore how indoor air quality is the o...

This week, we're bringing a special treat to the public: a previously exclusive Patreon bonus episode! Brian and James take a October, 2024 road trip in Brian's Tesla Model Y, which was recently upgraded with Full Self-Driving Beta. Yes, the car drove itself—and we captured the whole experience. The hosts discuss: Transferring FSD Beta from the Model S to the Model Y A 30-minute test drive across...

New groundbreaking new data on solar-plus-battery affordability, community-driven efforts to fight wildfire smoke, and the global decline of coal power. Brian prepares for a trip to London, and James shares his latest air quality observations from the smoky Canadian prairies. They also touch on some big global issues: India's indoor air pollution crisis, New York's unexpected plans for new nuclear...

Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian prairies drifts all the way to Switzerland, ruining a listener's hike—and James feels personally responsible. Meanwhile, Brian reports that global banks continue to pump money into fossil fuels, all while hiking credit card interest rates. He sums up their attitude perfectly: "We're evil, we just can't help it." Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on  Patre...

Our listeners bought an air quality monitoring station for the podcast and we plan to make the most out of it! Already, James is learning about some bad air from industry in his Canadian city.  💚 Support the show:  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cleanenergypod Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VMDCRPHLNR8YE E-transfer whittingham.james@gmail.com Free link to t...

Our city had the worst air quality in the world at the time of recording, with an Air Quality Index of 446 (that's like smoking over 60 cigarettes a day). We explore what led to these hazardous conditions, how wildfires are affecting our communities and even reaching Europe, and why Canada's air quality reporting system needs a 21st-century overhaul. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on  Pat...

Penguin poop might be cooling the planet by seeding clouds over Antarctica! A new study shows how ammonia from penguin guano helps form reflective cloud cover. Meanwhile, a $10 billion geoengineering plan proposes to deploy 500,000 undersea drones to regrow Arctic sea ice. Can technology save the poles—and should it? Support our podcast on Patreon and get exciting perks!  We also bust myths about...

This week on a special encore episode of  The Clean Energy Show , Brian is recovering from surgery, and James wonders if he's truly on the mend—or if it's a Schrödinger's host situation. Either way, they've queued up a listener-favorite episode for your enjoyment! Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on  Patreon  for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behi...

Canada approves its first Small Modular Reactor (SMR), but critics argue it's a costly, high-risk distraction from cheaper, proven renewables. Ontario Clean Air Alliance explains the financial and security risks Plug-and-play solar is finally coming to the U.S., launching in Utah this summer with no permits or installers required. EcoFlow's new modular solar kits, with similar kits already popular...

We dive into thorium nuclear reactors — a long-dormant technology with huge safety and environmental potential, now being revived by China. What are they, how do they work, and why aren't we using them already? Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on  Patreon  for exciting perks! Get our monthly bonus podcast and more! Meanwhile in Los Angeles, rebuilding after devastating wildfires has sparked...

A massive blackout brought Spain and Portugal to a standstill this week, reminding us just how deeply modern life depends on electricity. The outage disrupted everything from subways and air traffic to ATMs and elevators, leading to scenes of chaos in Madrid and emergency water deliveries by tractor. We break down the moment-by-moment collapse of daily life—and what it tells us about resilience an...

Pope Francis had become one of the most influential voices on the moral side of climate change. Back in 2015, he released an encyclical called Laudato Si', where he framed environmental issues not just as scientific or political problems, but as deep moral and spiritual ones. He emphasized that climate change affects everyone—but especially the poor and vulnerable who contribute the least to the p...

In Sierra Leone, solar power is saving lives—literally. A neonatal intensive care unit that once faced constant blackouts is now powered by a solar microgrid with lithium-ion batteries. The result? A surge from 10 newborns a month in 2013 to 140 today, with hundreds of lives saved each year thanks to reliable, renewable power. (Sorry, we had to remix this episode twice! James does NOT have a brain...

Texas offers billions to build gas power plants—but no one wants the cash. Developers say renewables are just too cheap. Meanwhile, Delhi cracks down on combustion cars, Viking unveils a zero-emission cruise ship, and salmon are swimming free thanks to dam removal. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on  Patreon  for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, beh...

Welcome to episode 256 of The Clean Energy Show! This week, we explore the challenges of allowing Chinese EVs into Canada, the arrival of USB-C charging for electric bikes, and how small amounts of solar power are transforming lives in Africa. Plus, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions are trending downward, and James Whittingham claims full credit. The Downside of Chinese EVs in Canada China is test...

Solar plus batteries are having a breakthrough moment, signaling a major shift in global energy. An aluminum plant in Australia is moving to solar plus battery storage, making its production greener than ever. We also hear from a listener who connected his heat pump hot water heater to his HVAC system, proving once again that our audience is the smartest around. And in a groundbreaking development...

James goes on a well-deserved rant about his local government doubling the road tax on electric vehicles. Despite rarely using highways, his Nissan LEAF EV is now subject to a tax that funds road repairs outside the city and it's six times what a similar gas vehicle would pay. It's a move that highlights how some governments continue to punish EV owners instead of encouraging clean transportation....

Alberta has long believed its oil would sell forever, but U.S. refineries are signaling they could drop Alberta crude in a heartbeat. Looks like "forever" lasts about as long as a duck on a tailings pond. Meanwhile, Korea's $800 billion pension fund is ditching coal, an 8-year-old activist has forced India's Supreme Court into action, and Brazil wants to reverse deforestation with reforestation. M...

The develping country of Pakistan has a terrible power grid but that's why it is experiencing a massive shift to solar, from the ground, up! With a payback period of just 1.5 years, solar is becoming a necessity for many Pakistanis. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on  Patreon for exciting perks! Also this week: Mapping industrial heat pump opportunities BYD and forced labor allegations   M...

In this episode of The Clean Energy Show, James and Brian explore a groundbreaking startup backed by OpenAI's Sam Altman that's turning sunlight into heat stored in bricks. These modular containers can be deployed anywhere, potentially revolutionizing data center power supply. They also discuss how heat pumps continue to outsell gas furnaces in the U.S., signaling a major shift in home heating tec...

Palm oil is one of the biggest environmental villains, but now a Dutch biotech company has scaled up a breakthrough yeast-based alternative that could drastically cut emissions and deforestation. Meanwhile, New York City is tackling unsafe e-bike batteries by handing out free replacement e-bikes to delivery workers. Plus, France is going all-in on nuclear power to support the AI boom. Undecided wi...

Our special fifth-anniversary episode! This week, we take a trip down memory lane to reflect on five years of clean energy news, predictions, and surprises. James takes us through just how much progress has been made in clean energy since we started the podcast five years ago. The growth is staggering, even compared to the most optimistic 2020 predictions! The Baltic states have officially disconn...