The New Geopolitics of Energy: How Renewables are Changing the Game
Energy is the basis of our civilization and enables each of us to live as we do.
We are moving into a new energy world, too slowly, but inexorably. It will take decades to be fully realized, but it will happen, probably not by 2050 but almost certainly by about 2070. Fossil fuels will then be largely a thing of the past, and the world’s energy will be provided by solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal and other non-emitting sources.
This is going to have huge geopolitical consequences, and it won’t take until 2070. They are starting already and will accelerate rapidly from here. The countries (or companies or individuals) that control the source of energy wields enormous power (excuse the pun). In the case of fossil fuels where that power resides is obvious. Who would give a damn about the Saudis or Venezuelans but for their oil? But we do have to give a damn and then some. In the case of renewables, it’s more complicated. The supply chains to deliver wind, solar or nuclear power are determining how energy geopolitical power is being redistributed. There is a global competition to dominate these supply chains, and it’s going to get intense and nasty. China has a huge head start, but the U.S. and its allies plan to catch up and win. How these various parties play this game will have a big impact on the geopolitics of the 21st century.
We’ll explore how all this works, the state of the game today and what the strategies and tactics are of the players will be in coming decades.
Moderator: John Simke
Dates: Fridays 2-4 PM
Location: Victoria College , U of T, 91 Charles Street West
Cost: $36
Enrolment: Enrol link will appear below on Monday, August 19 at 9:00 AM See enrolment terms and conditions here
We are moving into a new energy world, too slowly, but inexorably. It will take decades to be fully realized, but it will happen, probably not by 2050 but almost certainly by about 2070. Fossil fuels will then be largely a thing of the past, and the world’s energy will be provided by solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal and other non-emitting sources.
This is going to have huge geopolitical consequences, and it won’t take until 2070. They are starting already and will accelerate rapidly from here. The countries (or companies or individuals) that control the source of energy wields enormous power (excuse the pun). In the case of fossil fuels where that power resides is obvious. Who would give a damn about the Saudis or Venezuelans but for their oil? But we do have to give a damn and then some. In the case of renewables, it’s more complicated. The supply chains to deliver wind, solar or nuclear power are determining how energy geopolitical power is being redistributed. There is a global competition to dominate these supply chains, and it’s going to get intense and nasty. China has a huge head start, but the U.S. and its allies plan to catch up and win. How these various parties play this game will have a big impact on the geopolitics of the 21st century.
We’ll explore how all this works, the state of the game today and what the strategies and tactics are of the players will be in coming decades.
Moderator: John Simke
Dates: Fridays 2-4 PM
Location: Victoria College , U of T, 91 Charles Street West
Cost: $36
Enrolment: Enrol link will appear below on Monday, August 19 at 9:00 AM See enrolment terms and conditions here