AI's Energy Footprint: Balancing Perspectives

In this episode, I’m joined by Hannah Ritchie, senior researcher at Our World in Data and author of Clearing the Air. We dive into the data behind climate change, exploring what’s driving it, how solutions are developing, and why optimism is not misplaced.

Hannah breaks down the role of food, energy, and industry in emissions, explains where media narratives can create “climate whiplash,” and shares why imperfect solutions still move us in the right direction.

What We Cover

• Food, diet, and agricultural emissions
• Renewable energy vs fossil fuels
• Electric vehicles and battery concerns
• Aviation’s role in climate change
• AI’s growing energy footprint
• Individual choices vs systemic change

This conversation is a reminder that climate change is solvable, and that progress is already underway.

You can connect with Hannah Ritchie on Bluesky and through her newsletter, Sustainability by Numbers, or explore her work at hannahritchie.com and Our World in Data.

• Why We Get Confused About Climate Solutions (00:00:00)
• The Real Barriers: Cost, Fear, and Trust (00:10:12)
• Climate Change Impacts on Heat, Health, and Food (00:19:01)
• Can Plant-Based Diets Meet Nutrition Needs? (00:36:56)
• Which Food Swaps Most Reduce Emissions? (00:43:02)
• Is Regenerative Beef Better for the Climate? (00:50:18)
• Do Plant-Based Meats Help the Environment? (00:57:49)
• Why We Still Rely on Fossil Fuels (01:04:17)
• Do Wealthy Countries Owe the World Clean Energy? (01:17:39)
• AI and Climate: Problem or Solution? (01:24:28)
• Electric vs Petrol Cars: Which Is Better? (01:29:09)
• Can Technology Decarbonize Aviation? (01:42:18)
• Who’s Responsible: Individuals or Government? (01:51:02)

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Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons)

• Creator of theproof.com
• Host of The Proof with Simon Hill
• Author of The Proof is in the Plants

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