About this episode

The episode discusses the ethical concerns of transitioning to clean energy with Dr. Mijin Cha.

Continuing the theme of the previous interview with Dr. Thea Riofrancos, I spoke with Dr. Mijin Cha about the ethical concerns that come with trying to transition away from fossil fuels and to a clean energy system. A Just Transition for All: Workers and Communities for a Carbon-Free Future Additional resources she recommended: Climate and Community Institute The Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University Labor Network for Sustainability How to Blow Up a Pipeline by Andreas Malm In upcoming episodes, I'll speak a bit more about some ways to shift behavior and political power that align with these last two conversations: Connected to Place Regenerating Nature, Communities, and Local Economies Through Systems Change by Matt Biggar I also have an interview about a historical period that's not Born in Flames: The Business of Arson and the Remaking of the American City by Bench Ansfield Music is by Evan Schaeffer

People in this episode

Host: Steven Nelson

Guest: Dr. Mijin Cha

Topics covered

• clean energy
• fossil fuels
• ethical concerns
• just transition
• climate change
• political power
• community impact

Keywords

• clean energy
• fossil fuels
• just transition
• climate jobs
• community sustainability
• political power
• ethical concerns

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Climate and Community Institute, The Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell University, Labor Network for Sustainability

Books & works: How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Connected to Place Regenerating Nature, Communities, and Local Economies Through Systems Change, Born in Flames: The Business of Arson and the Remaking of the American City

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• The Trade-offs of Mining in a Clean Energy Transition · May 7, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Building a Coalition with Democracy as the First Principle · April 9, 2026 · 53 min
• The Chance to Become a Person, and Other Arguments for Democracy · April 2, 2026 · 58 min
• Rethinking Liberalism in the Current Political Moment · March 5, 2026 · 59 min

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