Ep 67 David Roberts (Volts Podcast) on Moving away from Fossil Fuels, Climate Policy and the Inflation Reduction Act
Dec 29, 2023
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David Roberts, an influential writer and communicator on clean energy and climate change policy, discusses topics such as transitioning from academia to journalism, the dominance of luxury vehicles in the US EV market, climate change technology investing, the relationship between the IRA and the Build Back Better Act, perspectives on climate change within the Republican Party, carbon sequestration and carbon capture, and the benefits of transitioning to renewable energy.
The urgency of decarbonizing the economy and the importance of renewable energy becoming cheaper and more accessible.
The power of large companies to drive change by demanding clean energy sources throughout their supply chains.
The challenges faced by clean tech investments due to the venture capital mindset and the need for stable policy support.
Deep dives
Decarbonizing the Economy: A Leading Voice on Urgency
David Roberts, an influential writer and host of the podcast VOLTS, discusses the urgency of decarbonizing the economy. With over 15 years of experience in covering energy and climate change, Roberts has become a leading voice in the field. His ability to break down complex policy problems and explain clean energy solutions to a mass audience has made him a trusted source of information on the topic.
The Shift to Clean Energy: A Personal Journey
Roberts shares his personal journey of transitioning from a completely different field to becoming a writer focused on climate change. He reflects on how his background in philosophy and passion for understanding complex systems led him to the field. He emphasizes the importance of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power, becoming cheaper and more accessible, which has driven the shift towards clean energy solutions.
The Role of Procurement in Driving Change
Roberts discusses the power of large companies, like Apple and Google, to drive change through their procurement practices. By demanding clean energy sources and reporting scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions from their suppliers, these companies are exerting influence throughout entire supply chains. This approach is not only reducing emissions but also creating market demand for clean energy solutions and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the energy transition.
Early stage of EVs and the constant improvement of new models
The early stage of electric vehicles (EVs) is characterized by rapid advancements, with each new generation being significantly better than the previous ones. This makes it feel like a sacrifice to buy an older model. However, with the continuous development and introduction of new models, technologies, and choices, the time to make the jump to EVs is approaching.
Challenges in clean tech investments and the role of policy
Clean tech investments face challenges due to the venture capital mindset and the slow nature of energy development. Energy infrastructure requires long time horizons and large amounts of funding, which differ from the fast-paced nature of traditional venture capital investments. Moreover, the clean tech industry depends heavily on policy support, making political factors, such as changes in administrations, crucial for venture capital attitudes and funding. The recent Inflation Reduction Act has provided stability and long-term support for clean tech investments, prompting a surge in domestic investment.
Today's guest is David Roberts, an influential writer and communicator on clean energy and climate change policy.
David Roberts has spent over 15 years covering energy and climate change, most prominently at Vox. His insightful analysis and commentary have made him one of the leading voices on the urgency of decarbonizing our economy.
David has a knack for breaking down complex policy problems and clearly explaining clean energy solutions to a mass audience. From the intricacies of the Green New Deal and carbon pricing, to the politics holding solutions back, his writing brings much-needed clarity to debates that will shape our future.
More on David
@drvolts on X
https://www.volts.wtf/
Checkout the Volts podcast on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcast!