Climate Basics Podcast Episode 18 notes

Greg and Ty speak with journalist and author Jonathan Mingle, whose work explores the complexities of energy infrastructure and its implications for communities and the environment, emphasizing the intersection of energy policy, environmental concerns and community activism. We discuss his recent NYT article about the long-term global impacts of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Jonathan's thesis is that this Iran War reminds all nations of the fragility of the oil & gas trade. As a country, you can build up your domestic infrastructure (i.e. ports, pipelines, factories and residential) to receive LNG or oil efficiently. But the geopolitics of the world will always remain out of your grasp and you will be forever subject to the whimsy of the fossils-producing nations and to the superpower nations. The world lived through the 1973 oil embargo / shock and the changes arising from that event was significant, including: the creation of the IEA (International Energy Association), the US government's creation of a Department of Energy, the creation of fuel standards in vehicles (and a generation's shift towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars), the creation of speed limits at 55 miles/hour, the US government's funding of wind turbine and solar panels research and the installation of various nuclear plants across the nation. Similarly in 2026, Asian and other countries heavily dependent on oil & gas will have a tremendous incentive to shift, quickly, towards renewable energy. The MASSIVE DIFFERENCE between 1973 and 2026? * cheap solar panels produced in excess by China's manufacturing sector; * cheap batteries produced by China; * cheaper wind turbines * EVs produced at scale and for a price that is as good as ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles * wide availability of equipment and parts necessary to build-out an electrified society, as the world has been moving towards electrification over the past 15-20 years. This massive shift towards electrification being AVAILABLE and CHEAP has come over the past several years. As an example, Pakistan was at 3% electricity generation by renewables in 2020. Today, Pakistan is at 30%, mostly off the private, uncoordinated purchase of cheap solar and batteries from China, installed by residences and factories across the nation. That is how fast change can come. Jonathan also discusses his values as a journalist and the inspiration behind his two books: - Fire and Ice: Soot, Solidarity and Survival on the Roof of the World (2015); and - Gaslight: The Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Fight for America’s Energy Future (2024). Jonathan's books are available from: * Island Press * Bookshop.org * Amazon * Barnes and Noble Check him out at https://www.jonathanmingle.com/about #climate #straitofhormuz #oilsupply #globalmarkets #journalism #economics

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