Energy Switch

Switch Energy Alliance
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Earth Sciences

Energy and climate are intertwined, two of the most important topics in the world today. Yet listeners know very little about them. This podcast aims to change that. Energy Switch brings together two renowned experts from government, NGOs, academia, and industry, with differing perspectives on important energy and climate topics.These lively discussions are moderated by renowned energy scientist and communicator Dr. Scott Tinker. The podcast is produced, written, and directed by Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Harry Lynch. 

  1. 3d ago

    The Future of Biofuels | Energy Switch Season 5, Episode 5

    We use a lot of biofuels in the US -- corn ethanol now makes up 10% of every gallon of gasoline. Ethanol made from cellulose, from agricultural waste or non-food crops, has been in development for years and may eventually become commercial, along with new kinds of aviation biofuels. Joining Dr. Scott Tinker to discuss is: - Dr. Valerie Reed, Bioenergy Director at the DOE - Yiying Xong from the Great Lakes Research Center. Originally aired 9/30/2024 on PBS. FOLLOW ENERGY SWITCH ▷ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/theenergyswitch ▷ TWITTER: https://x.com/theenergyswitch ▷ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theenergyswitch/ ▷ WEBSITE: https://energyswitch.org/ ▷ PODCAST: https://energyswitch.org/podcast FOLLOW US ▷ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SwitchEnergyAlliance ▷ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SwitchEAlliance ▷ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/switchenergyalliance/ ▷ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/switchenergyalliance ▷ WEBSITE: https://switchon.org/ About Switch Energy Alliance: Switch Energy Alliance is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to inspiring an energy-educated future that is objective, nonpartisan, and sensible. With over 300 energy education videos and resources, Switch Energy Alliance engages students and general viewers in a positive conversation to work collaboratively on energy challenges. Learn more: https://switchon.org/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SwitchEnergyAlliance

    27 min
  2. King Coal

    Feb 17

    King Coal

    Coal is still the dominant source of electricity worldwide. That’s because it’s available domestically in many countries, and is cheap and easy to mine, transport and burn. But those benefits come with serious downsides: local air pollution and global CO2 emissions. We discuss with Dr. Rahul Tongia from the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, and Dr. Mark Thurber from Stanford University.

    25 min
  3. Investing in Alternative Energy

    Feb 10

    Investing in Alternative Energy

    Twenty years ago, wind, solar, grid-scale batteries, and the powerlines to connect them were rare. Now they’re mainstream. Our two guests have been there since the beginning. We’ll hear how they’ve led alternative energy development and investment companies with great success. With Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy, and Michael Harrington, Chief Investment Officer for Actis.

    25 min
  4. Fertilizers

    Feb 4

    Fertilizers

    Fertilizer drives modern agriculture, to feed the world. It turns natural gas, nitrogen from the atmosphere, and mined minerals into plant nutrients, which end up on our plates to nourish our bodies -- but with large energy and greenhouse gas footprints. We’ll discuss benefits, challenges and potential solutions with Chrystel Monthean from Yara and Dr. Jason Haegele from ICL Group.

    25 min
  5. Air Quality in America

    Feb 2

    Air Quality in America

    The Clean Air Act has reduced particulate matter pollution, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides, ushering in capture technologies that have improved air quality and health. Further improvements, however, may be difficult to achieve. With Dr. Tracey Holloway, from the University of Wisconsin and NASA, and Emily Schilling, a law partner at Holland & Hart.

    25 min
  6. Russian Energy

    Jan 29

    Russian Energy

    Russia’s energy exports fund its government and war efforts. It’s the world’s 2nd largest producer of oil and natural gas, behind the US, and has avoided energy sanctions through careful maneuvering. Because of its energy, Russia will continue to play an outsized role in global politics. With Dr. Margarita Balmaceda from Seton Hall and Harvard, and Dr. Caroline Kissane, Associate Dean at NYU.

    25 min
  7. Air Conditioning

    Jan 26

    Air Conditioning

    Air conditioning has changed the world, allowing hot regions to develop, with increased comfort, health, and productivity. But these benefits come with challenges -- greater electricity demand and emissions. There are new ideas that could bring cooling to more people, with less impact. With Dr. Daniel Betts, CEO of Blue Frontier, and Dr. Chiara Delmastro from the International Energy Agency.

    25 min
  8. Extreme Weather part 2

    Jan 21

    Extreme Weather part 2

    Last episode, our experts referenced IPCC data to explain that heat, heat waves and precipitation are trending up. While floods, fires and storms are flat or down. However, in this episode we’ll see that risk and damages from these events have increased, and we’ll look at potential solutions. Again with acclaimed environmental journalist Andrew Revkin and climate scientist Dr. Patrick Brown.

    25 min
See All (109)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Energy and climate are intertwined, two of the most important topics in the world today. Yet listeners know very little about them. This podcast aims to change that. Energy Switch brings together two renowned experts from government, NGOs, academia, and industry, with differing perspectives on important energy and climate topics.These lively discussions are moderated by renowned energy scientist and communicator Dr. Scott Tinker. The podcast is produced, written, and directed by Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Harry Lynch. 

Information

  • Creator
    Switch Energy Alliance
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    109
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Energy Switch
  • Show Website
    Energy Switch