Decouple

Jesse Ausubel, an environmental scientist and director at The Rockefeller University, discusses groundbreaking ideas on sustainability. He delves into the concept of logistic S-curves to explain trends in energy systems. Ausubel highlights the 'environmental trifecta' of land-sparing, decarbonization, and dematerialization, while addressing the complexities in these areas. He also shares insights on hydrogen's potential, challenges in energy transitions, and reflects on the future of biodiversity through innovative frameworks and long-term thinking.

Jesse Huebsch, a principal process engineer with expertise in chemical plant design and decarbonization, dives into the complexities of industrial process heat. He explains how steel and ammonia are produced, detailing methods for decarbonization and the challenges of electrification. The discussion reveals the role of steam quality in efficiency and the practicalities of integrating high-temperature reactors with existing systems. Jesse also explores the importance of maintaining consistent industrial heat and the potential of nuclear energy in this effort.

Nuclear has entered its meme stock moment. Last week, Oklo hit a market capitalization of $20.7 billion—more than established nuclear giants BWXT, Curtiss-Wright, and AtkinsRéalis—despite having zero revenue, no NRC design certification, and a rejected license application. In my conversation with returning guest Michael Seely, aka AtomicBlender, we examine this preposterous valuation built on glossy renderings rather than demonstrated readiness. If Rosatom, with 70 years of R&D and thousands of specialized engineers, struggles to make sodium fast reactors commercially viable, how will a Silicon Valley startup accomplish it in two years? When this bubble bursts, the entire nuclear renaissance may pay the price.

Join award-winning science writer Peter Brannen, who specializes in deep-time geoscience, as he explains the 4.5 billion-year saga of carbon dioxide. Discover how CO2 shaped early life and the planet's evolution through events like Snowball Earth and the Permian extinction. Hear about the role of fossil fuels in creating an oxygen-rich atmosphere and how climate shifts influenced human evolution. Brannen also dives into the significance of small CO2 changes and early human impacts on today's climate.

Alex Wellerstein, an associate professor known for his work on nuclear secrecy and creator of NukeMap, dives into the intricate history of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. He reveals how covert operations, like Israel's uranium acquisition in the 1960s, shaped current dynamics. They discuss Iran's strategic nuclear pursuits and Israel's ambiguous policies. Wellerstein also sheds light on significant events like the Vela incident and the implications of recent attacks on Iranian facilities, highlighting the uncertain future of nuclear weapons in the region.

David Abraham, a natural resource strategist and author of 'The Elements of Power', discusses the vital role of rare earth metals in today’s geopolitics. He reveals how these elements, critical for technology and military applications, are reshaping global power dynamics. With China controlling 90% of the refining market, he warns of the implications for supply chains. From the evolution of materials in warfare to the future of electric vehicles, the conversation highlights the urgency of developing independent supplies to navigate rising global tensions.

Henry Sanderson, a former journalist and author of 'Volt Rush,' dives into the rise of the global battery industry. He charts the evolution of battery technology from early experiments to today's critical role in clean energy. The discussion reveals how China emerged as a powerhouse in electric vehicles, driven by industrial policies and ethical dilemmas in cobalt mining. Sanderson also highlights the environmental impacts of nickel mining in Indonesia and the competition between lithium-ion and emerging sodium-ion technologies.

This week, we talk about Russian nuclear exports. Michael Seely, host of AtomicBlender, joins me to discuss the rise of Rosatom: Russia’s nuclear energy behemoth that now builds nearly half of the world’s new reactors. We trace its formation after the Soviet collapse, its grip on the nuclear fuel market, and its unmatched “turnkey” model for newcomer nations. Rosatom’s nuclear exports are more than just a commercial endeavour—they can reshape global influence for decades.Michael's videos on Canada, Russia, and Ukraine.

This week, we travel to the edge of the map with Aleksandr Surtcev, an engineer who has crewed Russian nuclear icebreakers along the Northern Sea Route. We explore how Russia’s Arctic fleet keeps this strategic corridor open, why floating nuclear plants are powering remote communities and mines, and what life looks like in a place where polar bears trail ships for fish and resupply markets pop up on the ice. Beneath the stories lies a deeper discussion of geopolitics, engineering, and the hard logistics of operating in one of the most unforgiving regions on Earth.

This week, Mark Nelson joins us to deliver his second annual “State of the Atom” address. The nuclear power landscape has transformed in the last two years. Russia continues its nuclear export dominance while the West at last awakens from its stupor, driven by an unexpected force: artificial intelligence's insatiable appetite for baseload power. From Amazon's billion-dollar Susquehanna deal to Three Mile Island's resurrection, Big Tech is discovering what nuclear advocates have long known: that when you need reliable electricity around the clock, few other generation sources compare. Nelson maps the new nuclear battlefield where Chinese reactors scale up to 1,700 megawatts, European phase-outs crumble, and Western teams scramble to assemble the talent and capital needed to compete.Read more on Substack.