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High Energy Planet

Tim McDonnell: Reporting on Climate and Energy With Empathy

Nov 30, 2023
Tim McDonnell, Climate & Energy Editor at Semafor, discusses his approach to climate reporting, the role of renewables in Ukraine's energy security, and his journey from geotagging rattlesnakes to reporting on climate and energy. They also cover empathy in climate change, rapid-fire questions on global energy transition, and engage in a light-hearted conversation covering various topics like Britney Spears and bread baking.
29:26

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Tim McDonnell emphasizes the importance of clean energy investment in developing countries for faster advancements in the energy transition.
  • The conflict in Ukraine has driven the country to invest in renewables as a means to enhance energy security and mitigate the impacts of conflict, showcasing the connection between the energy transition and geopolitical dynamics.

Deep dives

Tim McDonald's Diverse Background in Climate and Energy Reporting

Tim McDonald, a climate and energy editor at Semaphore, shares his journey in journalism and how he became interested in covering climate and energy topics. With a background in environmental science, his experiences in Africa and his passion for writing about energy, environment, and social issues, Tim found a career in science journalism. Over time, he narrowed his focus to climate and energy reporting, recognizing the importance of the economy and the private sector in driving the energy transition. Throughout his career, Tim has seen significant changes in the perception of solar energy and the growth of clean energy technologies. While progress has been made in emissions reduction, he still acknowledges the urgency for faster advancements in clean energy investment, especially in developing countries. Tim remains open-minded and seeks to shine a light on blind spots and emerging technologies in the energy transition.

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