Energy vs Climate: How climate is changing our energy systems

A look back at the biggest energy stories of 2025 and some crystal ball gazing about what to watch for in 2026.David, Sara and Ed chat with Robbie Orvis, Senior Director of Modeling & Analysis at Energy Innovation, an American Think Tank. The show was set up to do two things: First, to sort out what genuinely shifted in 2025 and what didn't. Second, to build a 2026 energy and climate watch list that helps separate real transition signals from the noise and the hype.It's a lively conversation with great audience questions - a sign that people are trying to make sense of a confusing year.References & notes available on episode page.About Our Guest:Robbie Orvis is Senior Director, Modeling & Analysis at Energy Innovation. As a specialist in energy and climate policy, Robbie routinely works with federal and state policymakers in the U.S. as well as international policymakers to analyze legislation and regulation and to provide insights on how to achieve climate goals. He has helped develop and deploy Energy Policy Simulator models in more than a dozen countries, including Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, and to analyze decarbonization pathways in each region.Robbie is the lead author of Designing Climate Solutions: A Policy Guide for Low-Carbon Energy and frequently provides insights to decision-makers on how to design policies to achieve deep decarbonization. His research is regularly cited in the nation’s top news outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Politico, Bloomberg, and the Send us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email)Energy vs Climate relies on the support of our generous listenersDonate to keep EvC going. Produced by Amit Tandon & Bespoke Podcasts ___Energy vs Climate Podcastwww.energyvsclimate.com Contact us at [email protected] Bluesky | YouTube | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

There are many takes on the big Carney-Smith energy agreement – we thought you could use one more.The new Canada–Alberta MOU unveiled last Thursday is already generating more chatter than a pipeline hearing, and has set off a fresh round of debate about economy, emissions, and where the country is headed on energy. The hot takes have been flying. Naturally, we couldn’t resist adding our own, so we grabbed the mics the next day to sort through what it all means.And because we weren’t the only ones buzzing after the news dropped, we’re also bringing you five on-the-ground reactions from attendees at EvC Calgary pop-up event the day the announcement landed. You’ll hear those right after ours — a kind of post-MOU tasting flight, if you will.Send us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email)Energy vs Climate relies on the support of our generous listenersDonate to keep EvC going. Produced by Amit Tandon & Bespoke Podcasts ___Energy vs Climate Podcastwww.energyvsclimate.com Contact us at [email protected] Bluesky | YouTube | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

For us, delivering content about energy and climate is a labour of love – we put our time towards Energy vs Climate because we feel strongly about the public service benefit of the project. But there are costs for our producer, website, Ed’s manicures, and more. (OK one of those isn’t true.) That's why this show relies on the support of generous donors, like our listeners.Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation to our annual donation campaign. Your generosity directly pays for our production hard costs, and not Ed’s manicures. Further, as a project of the Academy for Sustainable Innovation (Charitable Business Registration Number 789760675R R0001), Energy vs Climate provides a charitable tax receipt for all donations over $10. Many thanks and be well,David, Sara, and EdSend us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email)Energy vs Climate relies on the support of our generous listenersDonate to keep EvC going. Produced by Amit Tandon & Bespoke Podcasts ___Energy vs Climate Podcastwww.energyvsclimate.com Contact us at [email protected] Bluesky | YouTube | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

David, Sara, and Ed chat with Dr. Jai Asundi, Executive Director of the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), an independent Indian think tank. Dr. Asundi has been leading CSTEP since 2009, connecting data, modeling, and policy to tackle India's energy and climate challenges. They dive into India's electricity grid, the EV revolution, oil and gas dependency, and where energy meets geopolitics.About Our GuestDr Jai Asundi is the Executive Director at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) in Bangalore, India. In the past decade he has been working on variety of problems where science and technology play a dominant role. He is a senior member of the IEEE and holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh where he is currently Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering and Public Policy.References available on episode pageSend us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email)Energy vs Climate relies on the support of our generous listenersDonate to keep EvC going. Produced by Amit Tandon & Bespoke Podcasts ___Energy vs Climate Podcastwww.energyvsclimate.com Contact us at [email protected] Bluesky | YouTube | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

David, Sara, and Ed join Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen for a live on-air conversation.Their decidedly non-spooky Halloween round-table discussion covered a lot of climate and energy ground, including the G7, critical minerals, carbon capture and storage, and oat milk cream liquor. (Well admittedly that last one is not a climate and energy topic, but if you listen you'll get the reference.)It's live (or was live), it's real, it's Real Talk with the EvC gang!01:04 - The G7 Energy and Environment Ministerial10:07 - Industrial Policy and Canada's Energy Future13:55 - Critical Minerals and Global Competition17:03 - Canada's Emissions and International Responsibility20:06 - The Future of Oil Demand22:54 - The Role of Carbon Capture and Storage32:06 - Challenges in Oil Sands Investment and Climate Skepticism34:40 - Balancing Low Emissions and Affordable Energy38:25 - Impact of Government Policies on Renewable Energy Investment46:01 - Water Resource Management and Climate Responsibility49:05 - Preparing for Natural Disasters and Climate ChangeRyan Jespersen hosts Real Talk, one of Canada's most-downloaded modern talk shows. He recently graced the cover of Edify Magazine as the "Prince of Podcasting." Ryan was named one of Alberta's 50 Most Influential People by Venture Magazine, and was on Avenue's inaugural list of Edmonton's Top 40 Under 40. You'll find him online at ryanjespersen.com, and on Twitter and Instagram (@ryanjespersen).Send us a text (if you'd like a response, please include your email)Energy vs Climate relies on the support of our generous listenersDonate to keep EvC going. Produced by Amit Tandon & Bespoke Podcasts ___Energy vs Climate Podcastwww.energyvsclimate.com Contact us at [email protected] Bluesky | YouTube | LinkedIn | X/Twitter