Radical Science
Vaclav Smil
Energy: a global challenge
Debate
The scientist and writer Vaclav Smil speaks about the future of humanity in a situation of climate crisis. The event will open with a screening of the audiovisual presentation, Slow Violence, by Joanie Lemercier.
Massive use of fossil fuels since the Industrial Revolution has released millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing climate disruption around the world with devastating consequences. Although clean, renewable energy sources exist, we still depend heavily on oil and its derivatives. Indeed, we are using them more and more. The greatest challenge now facing humanity is making the transition to a new energy system. Would this be possible with current technologies or would new ones be needed? What resources would have to be invested to decarbonise the economy, and what time frame do we have? How would this transition affect us? Would we have to reduce welfare levels? Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba, and renowned expert on energy transition, Vaclav Smil analyses the current energy situation and offers key insights for understanding how it may evolve in the near future.
The event will open with a screening of Slow Violence, an audiovisual presentation by Joanie Lemercier which immerses the viewer in the depths of Europe’s largest coal mine, and in the ecosystem it has been destroying. This shocking work confronts us with the enormity of the environmental disaster and climate injustice, while also highlighting the strength of citizen mobilisation in its efforts to place climate change at the centre of public debate.
Slow Violence, 2019-2021
Studio Lemercier
Joanie Lemercier and Juliette Bibasse
Duration: 27 minutes
Participants: Vaclav Smil
This activity is part of Reimagining Energy, Radical Science