Planet A - Talks on Climate Change - Ernest Moniz – On the technologies we need and what Joe Biden can do for the climate

Ernest Moniz – On the technologies we need and what Joe Biden can do for the climate

11/13/20 • 54 min

In the 10th episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen talks with Barack Obama's former Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz.

Dr. Moniz holds a doctoral degree in theoretical nuclear physics and made his first foray into Washington-politics as President Bill Clinton’s Under Secretary of Energy (1997-2001).

He is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet, when it comes to energy, science and politics. Thus, it should be no surprise that POLITICO ranks him as a leading contender to be President-elect Joe Biden’s next Secretary of Energy

During the conversation, Dr. Moniz shares his view on the future of American climate and energy politics, in the wake of the recent elections. He also speaks on the promise and pitfalls of specific technologies, including:

Carbon capture, usage and storage
Technology enhanced natural processes such as “advanced mineralization”
Advanced nuclear
Hydrogen
Renewables

Dr. Moniz also talks about his experience with directing governmental energy technology research and development. Furthermore, he speaks about the need for social equity in energy politics. Finally, he explains how his knowledge about politics and science came in handy as he negotiated both the Iran Nuclear Agreement and the Paris Agreement.

He started his illustrious academic career at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (perhaps best known as the MIT) in 1973 and is currently serving as Director of their Energy Initiative, working to develop no-carbon and low-carbon solutions.

A brief note on this episode:

During the interview, Moniz and Jørgensen touch upon President Theodore Roosevelt’s friendship with the Danish immigrant, Jacob Riis. Riis became a prominent activist, documenting the deplorable social conditions of the poor in New York City and calling for social equity.

You can learn more about Jacob Riis at the US Library of Congress homepage or at the homepage of the Danish “Jacob A. Riis Museum”.

In the 10th episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen talks with Barack Obama's former Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz.

Dr. Moniz holds a doctoral degree in theoretical nuclear physics and made his first foray into Washington-politics as President Bill Clinton’s Under Secretary of Energy (1997-2001).

Carbon capture, usage and storage
Technology enhanced natural processes such as “advanced mineralization”
Advanced nuclear
Hydrogen
Renewables

A brief note on this episode:

You can learn more about Jacob Riis at the US Library of Congress homepage or at the homepage of the Danish “Jacob A. Riis Museum”.

Previous Episode

Svenja Schulze – On the EU climate law and a higher emission reduction target

In the 9th episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen talks with Germany’s Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Svenja Schulze

Minister Schulze is one of the world’s most important decision makers in contemporary climate politics.

In her current job, she is not only facing the monumental task of decarbonizing Germany, Europe’s largest economy. Minister Schulze is also shouldering a vital international task, as Germany holds the presidency of the European Council for the autumn of 2020.

The German presidency comes at a crucial moment for European politics in general and for climate politics in particular.

In this episode, Minister Schulze speaks about the European Union’s climate agenda during her tenure. To her, the two most important items this fall are the European Climate Law and the new EU 2030-emission reduction target.

Schulze points to the Commission’s assessment that an increased climate target of at least 55 percent will be beneficial to the EU’s economy and essential for sustaining global climate momentum. Reflecting on her role as a moderator, Schulze points to the fact that the member states have different starting points when it comes to the deployment of renewable energy.

She concludes that a legally binding climate law, combined with an increased reduction target will result in more than 50 new EU laws. This will pave the way for a green transition and create abundant opportunities for green growth that can help revitalize the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Next Episode

Mohamed Nasheed – Should the next COP be the last COP?

In the 11th episode of Planet A, Dan Jørgensen talks with the former Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed.

Mr. Nasheed managed to put his country on the map of global climate politics during his tenure as President of the Maldives (2008-12) and became one of the strongest global voices on climate action.

After being ousted in 2012, Nasheed was exiled to England where he was granted political asylum. However, two years ago, he returned to the Maldives and last year his party (The Maldives Democratic Party ) won the parliamentary election in a landslide victory. Today, he serves as the Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament.

Despite of his stature as an international luminary of the international climate negotiations, Mr. Nasheed believes that next year’s COP in Glasgow should be the last COP.

He argues that the COP-process is so constrained by its consensus-based decision-making process that it has run its course. He further contends that the general approach to climate action, based on the premise that people should give up economic development is misguided.

Mr. Nasheed reasons that the developed world simply does not have sufficient means to finance the developing countries green transition. Thus, he calls for a new approach to economics that combines high employment and GDP growth with a low carbon strategy.

During the conversation, Mr. Nasheed also call for a radically different approach to climate adaptation, that advances nature based solutions. Not only should the Maldives use natural reefs or mangrove as infrastructure to cope with rising sea levels. Mr. Nasheed also emphasizes the need to double down on “assisted evolution” and the use of genetically modified corals.

He also touches upon the Maldives ambition to become carbon neutral, the importance of public-private partnerships and the possibility of resettling the Maldivian population on artificial, floating islands.