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The Giant Fireball That Could Save Us (with Bill McKibben)

Sep 19, 2025
Bill McKibben, a bestselling author and climate activist, discusses the transformative potential of solar energy in today's world. He highlights the solar revolution's tipping point and its impact on climate policy. McKibben delves into the history of solar technology, the efficiencies of solar paired with EVs, and solutions to battery and land use challenges. He outlines practical steps for accelerating solar deployment, fostering hope for a sustainable future despite political obstacles. Don't miss insights from his new book, *Here Comes the Sun*.
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INSIGHT

Solar Has Crossed The Economic Tipping Point

  • Solar became the cheapest way to make power and is now deployed at scale worldwide.
  • That cost shift can fundamentally end reliance on burning fossil fuels for energy.
ANECDOTE

From Carter's Panels To Germany's Energiewende

  • Jimmy Carter installed solar on the White House and proposed big federal spending in 1980, but Reagan reversed that policy.
  • Germany later paid rooftop owners for solar power, sparking global manufacturing and scale-up.
INSIGHT

Rapid Grid Transformation In Practice

  • Large economies like California now often produce over 100% of daytime power from renewables.
  • That shift reduced California's natural gas use by about 40% in two years, cutting emissions quickly.
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