The Prospect Podcast Ed Miliband and Bill McKibben: The solar revolution is here—and it isn’t going anywhere
Jan 7, 2026
This discussion features Ed Miliband, the UK's climate minister and former Labour Party leader, alongside Bill McKibben, a prominent American environmentalist and author. They explore the promising shift towards electrification, emphasizing its potential for energy security and economic benefits. The conversation highlights successful examples like Australia’s free electricity initiatives and the need for clear communication on clean technologies. They also tackle geopolitics, the role of China in green tech, and the importance of addressing the public's climate concerns amidst rising populism.
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Electrification Aligns Economics And Ethics
- The energy transition now promises better lives today as well as protection for future generations.
- Cheap solar, wind and batteries have aligned economics with environmental necessity making the shift effectively unstoppable.
The Economic Gravity Has Flipped
- The economic gravity has flipped: clean energy is now cheaper and drives adoption rather than policy punishment.
- That flip gives politicians a tool to speed the transition but timing is critical to avoid damaging climate impacts.
Lead With Tangible Benefits
- Talk about concrete benefits like free electricity hours, lower bills and energy sovereignty when campaigning.
- Contrast clean, abundant power with dependence on expensive fossil fuels to make the case tangible to voters.