Energy powers our homes, our cars, and our lives. But the kinds of energy we use—and the ways we use it—are rapidly changing our climate. We need new and clean ...
Nuclear power has been the topic of controversy over the years, despite its current contribution of nearly 20% of the electricity generated in the United States. Jacopo Buongiorno, a nuclear scientist at MIT, argues that you can't get to a robust clean energy portfolio without nuclear and we have learned a lot more about making nuclear power safer. He provides a run-down of the benefits and risks associated with nuclear and the role it plays in achieving a clean energy mix.
What if it works? is a production of the MIT Energy Initiative. This episode was hosted by Rob Stoner and Kara Miller.
Transcript and show notes at energy.mit.edu/podcasts
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48:39
The reality of capturing carbon
The Earth’s biological systems cannot keep up with the sheer scale of carbon that is being dumped into the atmosphere from human industrial systems, transportation, and more. So how can we remove it? Howard Herzog, a senior research engineer at the MIT Energy Initiative, lays out some of the cutting-edge ways to take carbon out of our world and helps us understand the challenges these technologies face.
What if it works? is a production of the MIT Energy Initiative. This episode was hosted by Rob Stoner and Kara Miller.
Transcript and show notes at energy.mit.edu/podcasts
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41:51
The environmental impact of “stuff”
All of our cars, planes, buildings, batteries are made of stuff—stuff that, when mined and manufactured, is responsible for over a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. MIT materials scientist Elsa Olivetti explains the environmental impact of materials and why it is critical that we make thoughtful choices at every stage of their lifecycle—from design to manufacturing to recycling—that further decarbonization to protect our planet and prevent unintended consequences.
What if it works? is a production of the MIT Energy Initiative. This episode was hosted by Rob Stoner and Kara Miller.
Transcript and show notes at energy.mit.edu/podcasts
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43:05
Why we should care about methane
Methane is the only greenhouse gas that will change the rate of warming in our lifetimes, according to MIT Professor Desirée Plata. So, why aren’t we talking about it more? Plata explains methane’s role in climate change and shares how she, perhaps counterintuitively, is accelerating the rate at which methane converts to carbon dioxide to help combat climate change.
What if it works? is a production of the MIT Energy Initiative. This episode was hosted by Rob Stoner and Kara Miller.
Transcript and show notes at energy.mit.edu/podcasts
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45:45
Unconventional paths to energy efficiency
Large parts of the world don’t have access to energy. So how do we encourage cleaner sources when for many people that's not the real priority? According to Amos Winter, a professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, the key is to find solutions that allow people to do what they want but are by default better for the environment. He highlights the importance of understanding people’s lives when developing technologies and how these innovations might even have unforeseen implications for other communities across the world, helping us find new ways to power our lives with less energy required.
What if it works? is a production of the MIT Energy Initiative. This episode was hosted by Rob Stoner and Kara Miller.
Transcript and show notes at energy.mit.edu/podcasts
Energy powers our homes, our cars, and our lives. But the kinds of energy we use—and the ways we use it—are rapidly changing our climate. We need new and clean energy, now. MIT Energy Initiative hosts Rob Stoner and Kara Miller talk with energy experts about the science, technology, and policies that can transform our energy systems and give us a more sustainable future. Hear from those testing new ideas and working on breakthroughs in labs, industry, and government—the ones who aren’t afraid to ask, “What if it works?”
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