Plain English with Derek Thompson An Optimistic Guide to America’s Clean-Energy Future
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May 2, 2023 
Ramez Naam, a clean energy expert, and Vinod Khosla, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, share their insights on America’s clean-energy future. They explore the historical significance of energy control and the urgent need for a renewable transition. Discussions include the exciting potential of fusion energy and innovative solutions in agriculture to tackle climate challenges. They emphasize the importance of reframing the clean energy narrative and the role of venture capital in driving technological advancements for a sustainable future.
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Clean Energy's Promise and Peril
- Clean energy technologies are experiencing exponential price declines, making them cheaper than fossil fuels.
- Limited time to address climate change is a concern, though the worst-case scenarios have been averted.
Clean Energy's Cost Advantage
- Clean energy will become the most cost-effective option, but building it requires overcoming obstacles.
- Unlike fluctuating commodity prices of fossil fuels, clean energy technologies consistently decrease in price.
Slow Transition, Growing Share
- Despite cost declines, clean energy's share remains low due to slow energy transitions and existing infrastructure.
- Solar and wind are surpassing coal in the U.S., and renewables dominate new global electricity capacity.