Lecture: Imagining Infinite Energy: The Ethics of Fossil-Fuel & Renewable Energy
Although energy is abundant in nature only a very small amount of it is harnessed to power human societies. The availability of this energy has had enormous impact on culture and politics. But if we imagine accessing the infinite energy provided by the sun or clean fusion power, it becomes clear that a just transition from fossil-fuel to renewable energy cannot focus on availability and access alone. Lithium mining for batteries, land grabs for solar and wind fields, transition justice for coal communities, and the growth of data centers are all serious ethical challenges to overcome. How can an energy democracy framework help secure a just transition?
Presenter:
Eric Godoy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy
Illinois State University