Power Pace, Gas Debates, and Emissions Math
The Week That Was: May 23-30, 2025
NOTE: โThe Week That Wasโ is a recap of ideas shared over the last seven days.
What got my attention in ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐จ?
From Chinaโs power surge, to the contested role of natural gas, and how technology and demographics shape long-term emissions trajectories, this week was about the bigger picture away from the headlines:
The Pace of Power: Chinaโs electricity generation has surged past 10,000 TWh, more than double the U.S., as it rapidly expands both coal and renewablesโhighlighting a divergence in energy transition pace and priorities.
Is Gas a โClean Fuelโ?: Despite lower COโ emissions than coal, natural gasโs role as a โcleanโ fuel is challenged by methane leakage and the global pivot toward truly zero-carbon sources like wind, solar, and nuclear.
The Kaya Crossroads: Emissions could decline by 2070 if technological gains continue and population growth slows, as the Kaya Identity shows emissions are a function of demographics, economic activity, and energy system efficiency.
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐, ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ? Please share in the comments for all of us!
Have a great week!
Is Gas a โClean Fuelโ?
๐๐ ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ด๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ โ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐๐ฒ๐นโ?
The Pace of Power
This week we take a โmeanderingโ but connected journey through some of todayโs most pressing energy issues:
The Kaya Crossroads
Thereโs a fundamental tension between emissions, energy use, and economic activity.