Hello and welcome to the G0 World Podcast. This is where you'll find extended versions of my interviews on public television.

I'm Ian Bremmer, and today, is the Clean Energy Revolution finally here? For decades, conversations about climate have been filled with apocalyptic scenarios and hopelessness, warming temperatures, rising sea levels,

political gridlock, not to mention the end of the polar bears. But finally, there's also some

reason for optimism. I mean, not for the polar bears, but over the past decade, renewable energy

has exploded. Technology is improving costs or plummeting, and this is now the

fastest energy transition in human history. In 2024, 96% of global demand for new electricity

was met by renewables. Between January and May of this year, China added by itself enough solar

and wind power to generate as much electricity

as Turkey or Indonesia. And Europe has rapidly scaled up in response to Russia, cutting off the gas

after they invaded Ukraine in 2022. But despite the economic, climate and geopolitical incentives,

Trump administration is doubling down

on fossil fuels. What happens if the United States puts the brakes on clean energy just as the

rest of the world hits the gas? Or should I say, plugs in the solar batteries? In the race to power

the future, do we risk being left in the dark?

I'm joined on the show today by Bill McKibben.

He's an environmentalist and author whose new book, Here Comes the Sun, argues that renewables aren't just a climate fix.

They're a political and economic opportunity to reshape our future.

Let's get to it.

Music to reshapeER World.

It's very good to be with you.

A lot of the people that are talking about global climate are in various degrees of despondents, not enough money being spent and committed, not moving fast enough,

people not taking it seriously. Your latest book, you are striking more of a note of optimism.

...