Columbia Energy Exchange

Carlos Curbelo, a former U.S. Congressman and co-founder of Vocero, shares insights into the reshaping of Republican energy policy following the rollback of the Inflation Reduction Act. He discusses potential bipartisan cooperation on climate adaptation and energy security while navigating the party's internal dynamics. The conversation highlights the importance of inclusive political leadership in addressing climate challenges, particularly in Florida, and advocates for evidence-based, collaborative approaches to energy policy that bridge ideological divides.

Jensen Huang, the visionary founder and CEO of NVIDIA, shares his insights on AI's role in reshaping energy systems. He discusses the paradox of AI demanding high energy while offering solutions to reduce consumption in sectors like manufacturing and weather forecasting. Innovations like silicon photonics are highlighted for their potential to save power in data centers. Huang's concept of 'AI factories' aims to optimize energy use, revolutionizing our energy infrastructure and enhancing efficiency across industries.

Jared Dunnmon, co-founder of a maritime logistics startup, Ashley Finan, a global fellow specializing in energy security, and Aaron Bartnick, a technology and economic security expert, dive deep into the Trump administration's AI action plan. They discuss its ambitious aim to dominate AI globally while navigating the repercussions for energy strategies and national security. The panel also critiques regulatory challenges, workforce integration, and the ethical contradictions within the plan, all while pondering America’s competitive stance against China in the AI landscape.

Tatiana Mitrova, a global fellow with deep expertise on Russian energy, Richard Nephew, a former US Deputy Special Envoy for Iran, and Shayak Sengupta, an authority on South Asian energy policy, dive into the complexities of US-India-Russia relations. They discuss the potential fallout from US tariffs on India over Russian oil imports and how this could reshuffle geopolitical alliances. The conversation also highlights India's strategic autonomy and the implications of energy sanctions in a volatile global market, raising critical questions about future economic diplomacy.

Sunita Narain, the Executive Director of the Centre for Science and Environment and one of Time's 100 most influential people, dives into India's pressing clean energy challenges. She discusses the heavy reliance on coal amidst soaring energy demands and pollution issues. Narain highlights the complex balance between economic growth and sustainability, exploring the role of natural gas and renewables. The conversation also touches on the geopolitical tensions with China and the importance of international collaboration in achieving India's ambitious energy transition goals.

Michael Gerrard, founder of Columbia's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, shares his insights on the EPA's controversial decision to rescind the endangerment finding. He explains its roots in past Supreme Court rulings and its critical role in regulating greenhouse gas emissions. The conversation contrasts U.S. domestic policies with international legal trends, especially a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice that reaffirms climate obligations. Gerrard also discusses the evolving landscape of environmental law and the ongoing legal battles surrounding climate accountability.

Eddie Fishman, a senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy and an adjunct professor, dives into the evolving nature of economic warfare. He discusses how tariffs and sanctions have reshaped global energy markets, particularly in the context of U.S.-China relations and the energy strategies employed against Russia and Iran. Fishman explores the concept of economic choke points and their significance in international trade dynamics while assessing the implications of these strategies on global stability and banking systems.

Juan Carlos Jobet, a former Chilean Minister of Energy and Mining, joins Tom Moerenhout from Columbia University and Diego Rivera Rivota to discuss Latin America’s mineral supply chain. They dive into the challenges posed by the U.S. tariffs on copper and the region's vast lithium resources. The trio addresses the geopolitical implications of mineral extraction and the urgent need for equitable practices respecting Indigenous communities. Insights on optimizing supply chains amidst global demand and environmental concerns create a compelling dialogue about the future of minerals in clean energy.

Join Kate Guy, a senior fellow and managing director at the Center on Global Energy Policy, as she dives into the intersection of extreme weather and energy security. She discusses the vulnerabilities in our energy infrastructure exposed by climate change, the urgent need for resilience planning, and the necessity of diversifying energy sources. Kate also highlights the critical role of government data in weather forecasting and the importance of innovative technology to manage energy demands. Explore how these challenges are reshaping our understanding of national security.

Laura Cozzi, Chief Energy Modeler at the International Energy Agency, discusses the dual-edged sword of AI's impact on the energy sector. She examines how AI is projected to double the electricity demand from data centers by 2030, stressing the challenges of grid congestion. The conversation reveals the vital need for collaboration between IT and energy sectors to tackle these demands. Cozzi also highlights AI's transformative potential to optimize energy management, enhance sustainability, and bolster the clean energy transition.