Sometimes we worry too much about emerging technologies that we forget that there are powerful natural solutions as well, say like photosynthesis that takes carbon dioxide and water out of the air and converts it into chemical energy. Plants, especially hard wood trees, are the superheroes of the carbon cycle. The water cycle is essential for life. The problem is when human activity gets in the way of the earth’s processes that are trying to achieve balance for a livable planet. Maybe we should try to help the earth instead of fighting against it? In our “getting back to nature” episode, we have the privilege to talk to Flora Moon of Expressworks on nature-based solutions to climate change, to Dr. Mahta Moghaddam the director of the USC Viterbi Center for Arid climate (AWARE) and Terry Tamminen also from AltaSea and former head of California EPA. We need to keep our minds open to different kinds of solutions for the Energy Transition and these experts are just the ones we need to listen to.References: https://sites.usc.edu/watercenter/front-page/home/

While clean energy goals are critical, environmental groups have expressed their concerns around the environmental damage that would occur as a result of an increase in mining in the U.S. In addition to the lasting environmental harm, mining activities disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. According to a notable MSCI study, many of the transition mineral deposits in the U.S. are located near or within culturally or environmentally important areas to Indigenous Peoples. ” A recent study published in Nature Sustainability found that 54% of mining projects globally are located on or near Indigenous Peoples’ lands. In the United States, 79% of lithium, 68% of cobalt, 97% of nickel, and 89% of copper reserves and resources in the U.S. are located within 35 miles of Native American reservations. In our final episode of season two we get an opportunity to talk to two graduate students at the Colorado School of Mines from Native American communities, Kiara Billy and Alex Brunson. Their stories, like those of so many others in our podcast are fascinating and instructive.Stay tuned for season three with more perspectives on the Future of Energy.References . https://iasj.org/shifting-gears-part-ii-indigenous-peoples-rights-and-mining-in-the-u-s/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20%E2%80%9C97%25%20of%20nickel%2C%2089%25%20of%20copper%2C,located%20within%2035%20miles%20of%20Native%20American%20reservations.%E2%80%9D

Our second episode on the critical topic of Just Transition is with Dr. Richard Luarkie, the newly named director of the Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty initiative, or NAMES) at the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Luarkie is a member of the Laguna Pueblo nation from central New Mexico. Talking to Dr. Luarkie helps us to take on a different perspective to the future of energy and of ourselves. He helps us think about the difference between stewardship and ownership, between a clean energy future and a not so clean energy past and about a future that is not a gift from our forefathers but is a loan from future generations. The Laguna Pueblo reservation is on the site of the Jackpile-Anaconda uranium mine that from the 1950 to the early 1980 was one of the largest sources of uranium for the US nuclear stockpile. But when it was closed down, people weren’t thinking about the environment the way we do today. "Just push some dirt over the tailings and walk away was the solution for Indian Country". Sit down and listen carefully. This is a conversation that you don’t want to miss.

References

https://www.minesnewsroom.com/news/native-american-mining-and-energy-sovereignty-initiative-receives-support-alfred-p-sloan

https://payneinstitute.mines.edu/about-old/our-story/

“Energy won't end poverty, but we can't end poverty without energy." We can’t forget about the communities and people that will be affected by the energy transition. The concept of “just transition” has been around since the 1980s, when it was used in a movement by US trade unions to protect workers affected by new water and air pollution regulations.  In recent years, the concept has gained traction with reference to meeting climate goals by ensuring the whole of society – all communities, all workers, all social groups – are brought along in the pivot to a net-zero future. The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines it this way: “Greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.” These are the conversations that are sometimes uncomfortable but we must learn to be comfortable with the uncomfortable if we are to find common ground. You can’t leave sustainable development goals behind while battling greenhouse gas emission. The future of energy means a more equitable distribution of affordable and low-carbon energy for all humans on the planet. In this episode we talk to Ean Tafoya of the Colorado chapter of GreenLatinos.

References:

US Department of Labor Just Transition https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/just-transition

Green Latinos https://www.greenlatinos.org/

Despite its characteristics as a clean energy source, nuclear energy has not been a priority in the energy transition to date. Countries like Germany have shut down their last nuclear plants despite of the loss of pipeline natural gas from Russia and the US has been on a similar path with the Palisades and Diablo Canyon power plant closure decision as an example. You mention nuclear power and most people think of nuclear accidents like Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima Daiichi. But despite those high-profile safety accidents, nuclear energy maybe seeing a comeback. A new plant has opened at Vogtle in Burke County, near Waynesboro, Georgia. The first nuclear power plant in the Middle East has opened in the UAE and a fourth-generation plant opened in 2023 at the Shidaowan plant in China's northern Shandong province. Add to these events, talk of small modular reactors and growing interest in nuclear plants to power the new AI data centers and maybe the idea of a comeback is not so crazy. In this episode we talk with Dr. Naj Meshkati from USC about nuclear energy and risk management of potential future nuclear power plants.

Industrial processes like the manufacture of steel, cement, fertilizers and petrochemicals, especially plastics, account for one-third of our global energy use. The world now produces annually about 4.5 billion tons of cement, 1.8 billion tons of steel, nearly 400 million tons of plastics, and 180 million tons of ammonia. Their manufacture requires high temperatures, which is often the case, the heat comes from burning fossil fuels. What is the path to decarbonize industrial processes? In this episode we talk to two researchers from the Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines about their recent work on “green steel and carbon sequestration.” Let’s welcome Anna Littlefield and Edikan Udofia.

S2 E10 | Energy Security Plan for the Middle East

Many universities study the topic of the future of energy or the energy transition as a policy issue or from research in environmental science. USC is adding another facet with a look at energy systems from the aspect of business. Dr. Shon Hiatt from the Marshall School of Business at USC is our next guest on the podcast. Dr. Hiatt is the director of the Business of energy transition initiative. His new course looks at traditional business models for fossil fuel-based industries as well as new entrepreneurial models for alternative energy sources. This is a critical background for new graduates thinking about the start up route to join the energy transition. Listen in and see what you can learn from Dr. Hiatt.