Plain English with Derek Thompson

The Energy Story of the Moment: The Unstoppable Rise of Solar Vs. the Unmovable Demand for Global Fossil Fuels

Feb 7, 2025

Nat Bullard, an independent energy analyst and author, shares insights into the complex landscape of global energy. He reveals that despite the rise of solar and battery technologies, fossil fuel demand remains high, with coal and oil production hitting record levels. The discussion highlights the unexpected resilience of energy sources like wood, while addressing the challenges of a green energy transition. Bullard emphasizes the potential of solar energy to mitigate climate change despite its competition with fossil fuels, painting a messy yet hopeful picture of the future.

01:12:27

Episode guests

Nat Bullard

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Despite a surge in solar energy advancements, global fossil fuel consumption continues to reach historic highs, highlighting the complexity of energy transition.

The podcast reveals substantial growth in lithium resources essential for battery production, alleviating initial concerns regarding material shortages for renewable technologies.

Political resistance and societal opposition pose significant challenges to decarbonization efforts, underscoring the need for collaboration among various stakeholders.

Deep dives

Introduction of Hosts and Podcast Theme

The new season of the podcast introduces Chris Vernon and his co-host Dave Jacoby, who will provide bi-weekly insights into the NBA. They will discuss various league happenings, including player performances, trade rumors, and team issues. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with the podcast through subscriptions and ratings while sharing their social media presence. The energetic opening sets the tone for an engaging exploration of the world of basketball.

Intro

2min

The Critical Role of Energy in Human Progress and Its Challenges

3min

Navigating the Energy Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities

22min

The Energy Tug-of-War: Solar Progress vs. Fossil Fuel Demand

2min

Navigating the Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities

19min

Energy Dynamics in AI Development

10min

BYD's Surge in the EV Market

13min

Fans of green energy like me face some inconvenient truths about the global energy picture. First, coal sounds like a dirty technology that the rich world is moving on from. But nearly 9 billion tons of coal were burned last year—an all-time high. Second, "peak oil" is a prediction that many analysts have thrown around in the past few years, but oil production is also near its all-time high. Third, we might not even be at peak wood: Global wood fuel production was higher in 2024 than in 1980.

At the same time, I think the renewable energy revolution is proving to be its own unstoppable phenomenon. Solar and battery installations are still exploding upward, and whereas some skeptics worried that the earth wouldn’t be able to provide the essential elements and metals to build out a green energy system, those doubts seem, for the moment, overwrought. Lithium, which is one of the most important metals for battery production, has seen its resources double since 2018.

So what we have is not a pretty picture but a messy one. A green energy boom matched with an enormous demand for fossil fuels, as billions of people around the world drive and eat and demand the middle-class lifestyle that is their right.

Today’s guest is Nat Bullard, an independent energy analyst and the author of a new extraordinary report on the state of energy and decarbonization. We talk about everything: coal, oil, wood, and natural gas; the history of nuclear vs. solar in America; the solar and battery revolution of the 21st century; the political barriers to its growth; the rise of BYD in China; the flatlining of Tesla's growth; and the future of energy technology.

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com.

Host: Derek Thompson

Guest: Nat Bullard

Producer: Devon Baroldi

Nat's report: https://www.nathanielbullard.com/presentations

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Plain English with Derek Thompson

The Energy Story of the Moment: The Unstoppable Rise of Solar Vs. the Unmovable Demand for Global Fossil Fuels

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Introduction of Hosts and Podcast Theme

The Importance of Energy in Human Progress

The Challenge of Fossil Fuel Demand

Optimism in Renewable Energy Growth

Examining Barriers to Energy Decarbonization

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts