GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Renewable energy and the case for climate optimism with Bill McKibben
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Sep 13, 2025 
Bill McKibben, an influential environmentalist and author of Here Comes the Sun, dives into the exhilarating rise of renewable energy in regions like China and Europe. He discusses the unexpected surge in clean energy adoption and its promise not just for climate solutions but also for economic growth. McKibben contrasts these advancements with the U.S. government's ongoing support for fossil fuels, raising concerns about America's future energy stance. He highlights innovative solutions, like 'balcony solar' in Europe, showcasing a potential path forward in the race for sustainability.
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Renewables' Rapid Global Surge
- Renewables have surged in the last 36 months, creating the fastest energy transition in history.
- China and California examples show large-scale deployment plus battery storage is already cutting fossil fuel use.
Learning Curves Make Sun Cheap
- Solar and wind improve with scale because the resource is human ingenuity, not fixed deposits.
- Every doubling of solar capacity historically halves the price, making sunlight the cheapest energy source.
Pace Determines Climate Outcomes
- If we rapidly deploy renewables, majority clean electricity could arrive by mid-2030s; pace matters more than eventual outcome.
- Delay of decades risks locking the planet into far worse climate damage and tipping points.
