Canada Burns While We Win Sustainability Awards
The Clean Energy Show
Our city had the worst air quality in the world at the time of recording, with an Air Quality Index of 446 (that’s like smoking over 60 cigarettes a day). We explore what led to these hazardous conditions, how wildfires are affecting our communities and even reaching Europe, and why Canada’s air quality reporting system needs a 21st-century overhaul. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on for exciting perks! Our monthly bonus podcast is coming up this week! The Clean Energy Show received two sustainability awards from the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE), a United Nations...
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Engineering Polar Sea Ice with Underwater Drones & Penguins
The Clean Energy Show
Penguin poop might be cooling the planet by seeding clouds over Antarctica! A new study shows how ammonia from penguin guano helps form reflective cloud cover. Meanwhile, a $10 billion geoengineering plan proposes to deploy 500,000 undersea drones to regrow Arctic sea ice. Can technology save the poles—and should it? Support our podcast on and get exciting perks! We also bust myths about EV fires after The Telegraph claims they’re on the rise. Plus, an Edmonton pilot project is using secret tech to stop EV charger cable theft—and it’s already working. Also in this...
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Ford Joins Tesla, Scientists Face Threats & Wind Turbines for Americans
The Clean Energy Show
This week on a special encore episode of The Clean Energy Show, Brian is recovering from surgery, and James wonders if he’s truly on the mend—or if it’s a Schrödinger’s host situation. Either way, they’ve queued up a listener-favorite episode for your enjoyment! Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just a couple dollars per month! In...
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Small Modular Nuclear Comes to Canada; Plug 'n' Play Solar Comes to the U.S.
The Clean Energy Show
Canada approves its first Small Modular Reactor (SMR), but critics argue it’s a costly, high-risk distraction from cheaper, proven renewables. Ontario Clean Air Alliance explains the financial and security risks Plug-and-play solar is finally coming to the U.S., launching in Utah this summer with no permits or installers required. EcoFlow’s new modular solar kits, with similar kits already popular in Europe and China, they could revolutionize backyard and balcony power for American homeowners. Support The Clean Energy Show on for exciting perks! Also this week: Thames Water warns...
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Thorium Dreams, Landfill Solar & EVs That Just Keep Going
The Clean Energy Show
We dive into thorium nuclear reactors — a long-dormant technology with huge safety and environmental potential, now being revived by China. What are they, how do they work, and why aren’t we using them already? Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on for exciting perks! Get our monthly bonus podcast and more! Meanwhile in Los Angeles, rebuilding after devastating wildfires has sparked controversy. The mayor rolled back an electric-only building mandate to speed up reconstruction — but a new report says building all-electric is faster and cheaper. We explore why gas-free...
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Electric Vehicle Range May Need to Equal Gas Cars
The Clean Energy Show
A massive blackout brought Spain and Portugal to a standstill this week, reminding us just how deeply modern life depends on electricity. The outage disrupted everything from subways and air traffic to ATMs and elevators, leading to scenes of chaos in Madrid and emergency water deliveries by tractor. We break down the moment-by-moment collapse of daily life—and what it tells us about resilience and infrastructure. See our for our social media posts and ways to support our work! In the UK, the Labour government is pushing forward with new overhead power lines, despite public opposition to...
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Pope Francis: The First Climate Pope
The Clean Energy Show
Pope Francis had become one of the most influential voices on the moral side of climate change. Back in 2015, he released an encyclical called Laudato Si', where he framed environmental issues not just as scientific or political problems, but as deep moral and spiritual ones. He emphasized that climate change affects everyone—but especially the poor and vulnerable who contribute the least to the problem yet suffer the most from its effects. At the end of the show, we look back. All links to items mentioned on our show can be found on our 🔋 CATL’s Battery Breakthrough China’s battery...
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Solar Saving Lives in Emerging Economies (Remixed)
The Clean Energy Show
In Sierra Leone, solar power is saving lives—literally. A neonatal intensive care unit that once faced constant blackouts is now powered by a solar microgrid with lithium-ion batteries. The result? A surge from 10 newborns a month in 2013 to 140 today, with hundreds of lives saved each year thanks to reliable, renewable power. (Sorry, we had to remix this episode twice! James does NOT have a brain tumor.) Watch Michael Liebreich's documentary from his Cleaning Up YouTube channel: A historic win for climate accountability: the UN's maritime agency has passed the first international emissions...
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Hydrogen Cruise Ship Sails Next Year; Delhi Bans Gas and Diesel
The Clean Energy Show
Texas offers billions to build gas power plants—but no one wants the cash. Developers say renewables are just too cheap. Meanwhile, Delhi cracks down on combustion cars, Viking unveils a zero-emission cruise ship, and salmon are swimming free thanks to dam removal. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! You can support us for as little as one dollar per month...
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Lives Changed by a Solar Panel; USB-C for Ebikes
The Clean Energy Show
Welcome to episode 256 of The Clean Energy Show! This week, we explore the challenges of allowing Chinese EVs into Canada, the arrival of USB-C charging for electric bikes, and how small amounts of solar power are transforming lives in Africa. Plus, Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions are trending downward, and James Whittingham claims full credit. The Downside of Chinese EVs in Canada China is testing whether the prospect of big EV investments could sway Canada’s trade policies. The country’s ambassador to Canada has expressed concerns over restrictions that have hindered BYD’s...
info_outlineThe United Arab Emirates is building the world’s largest solar farm with battery storage, capable of providing 1 GW of consistent baseload power, just like a nuclear reactor. We also explore why some trees survive wildfires while entire neighborhoods are reduced to ash, and why Washington State’s e-bike subsidy program is turning heads with its innovative lottery system.
Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exclusive perks!
Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just a couple dollars per month!
Plus, we reflect on five years of podcasting and take a deep dive into the state of electric vehicle adoption worldwide. Norway is set to hit its 100% zero-emission vehicle goal this year, while the U.S. and Canada struggle to keep pace. We’ll also discuss how EV price parity is reshaping the global auto industry and why fast charger costs are finally coming down.
Highlights from this week’s episode:
- Renaming the Gulf of Mexico: A humorous take on geopolitics as James suggests Canada reclaim the Gulf as “The Gulf of Southern Canada.”
- UAE’s Solar Mega-Project: How the largest solar-plus-storage project compares to traditional baseload power sources.
- Wildfire Survivors: Why some trees remain standing amid devastation and how homes can be better protected from fire risks.
- Washington State’s E-Bike Lottery: A unique approach to e-bike subsidies that could make cleaner transportation more accessible.
- EV Adoption Trends: Norway leads the pack with near-total EV adoption, while China outpaces North America in price competitiveness and sales growth.
- Listener Feedback: A shoutout to Ian, who reconsidered a winter EV road trip, and Ronnie, who shares insights on nuclear energy from a viral TikTok.
The Lightning Round:
- Volkswagen may partner with a Chinese EV manufacturer in Germany.
- Extreme heat in Europe is predicted to cause more deaths despite milder winters up north.
- France hit 95% carbon-free electricity production in 2024, driven by nuclear power.
- Solar energy overtakes coal for the first time in the EU.
Fast Facts:
- Texas solar power increased by 64% in one year.
- China’s renewable energy investments dwarfed its nuclear developments in 2024.
Book Nook:
James revisits Ducks by Kate Beaton, a poignant memoir about working in Alberta’s oil sands.
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