Turmoil: Recent Episodes
Energy GRP - University of Warwick
Turmoil explores the challenges and opportunities of the global energy transformation. In this exclusive three-part podcast show, we examine the geopolitical implications of these profound changes, how 'new' types of climate activism can help accelerate this transformation, and what this means for the fossil fuel industry. We also pay attention to the implications of Russia's war in Ukraine and the ripple effects it creates on energy markets, in Europe and beyond. Will it accelerate or rather slow down the necessary transformation? Turmoil is offered to you by the Energy GRP at University of Warwick and is hosted by Dr. Mathieu Blondeel. It is exclusively available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Any questions? Get in touch at: Mathieu.Blondeel@wbs.ac.uk.
Russia’s invasion in Ukraine has completely upended Europe’s view on (energy) security and its fossil fuel dependence on Russia. The European Commission has come up with a plan to get the EU off of Russian fossil fuels “as soon as possible.” But how realistic is this and what are the alternatives? Especially since the war and Europe’s global ‘scramble for gas’ are already causing collateral damage in developing countries. It’s absolutely crucial to avoid this crisis spilling into economic catastrophe and political turmoil in the global south. In the end, this could also slow down the much-needed energy transformation.
In this episode, Mathieu speaks with Thijs Van de Graaf, Associate Professor of International Politics at the Ghent Institute for International and European Studies (GIES) in Belgium and world-renowned energy security expert.
If you want to read more on this, our host, Mathieu, wrote a blogfor the UK Energy Research Centre.
Enjoy the episode!
Today, climate advocacy is no longer exclusively associated with street protests or civil disobedience campaigns. Quite the contrary. Lawyers, shareholders and investors are now increasingly involved in campaigns to convince the fossil fuel industry to change course. So, is it fair to say that climate activism has moved from the streets to court rooms and board rooms? And what does this 'New Climate Activism' look like? In this episode, Mathieu discusses two such new forms of climate advocacy—shareholder activism and climate litigation—together with representatives from Follow This and Milieudefensie-Friends of the Earth Netherlands.
Want to read more? Our host, Mathieu, has written an articleon this topic for the website Geography Directions.
Enjoy the episode!
In this episode, recorded just before Russia's invasion in Ukraine, we talk about the new geopolitics of energy, as the energy transformation takes shape. Who will be the winners and losers? Who will be in the driving seat and who will be forced to follow? And should we understand the current energy crisis as the last of the fossil fuel age or the first of green era? Mathieu discusses these questions, and many more, together with Professor Michael Bradshaw of Warwick Business School and Dr James Henderson of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.
DISCLAIMER: this episode was recorded just before the Russian invasion in Ukraine, so this topic remains largely undiscussed here. In EP3, we explore the repercussions of the war for the global energy system and its transformation.
Interested? Our host, Mathieu, has co-authored an article on this topic, together with Professor Bradshaw and other colleagues.
Enjoy the episode!