About this episode

Steven Koonin discusses the complexities of climate change and energy policy with John Anderson.

Steven Koonin joins John Anderson for an in-depth conversation exploring the science, engineering and economics behind today's climate debate. Drawing on decades of experience in physics, energy research and public policy, Koonin argues that while climate change is real, many public discussions fail to capture the uncertainty, nuance and trade-offs contained within the scientific evidence. Together they examine what climate models can reliably predict and why careful analysis matters when shaping long-term policy.The conversation also explores Australia's energy future, the challenges of maintaining reliable electricity grids, the potential role of nuclear power, and the balance between affordability, energy security and environmental responsibility. Koonin reflects on scientific integrity, technological innovation and why societies benefit when evidence, rather than politics, remains at the centre of public debate.Steven E. Koonin is the Edward Teller Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. He served as the undersecretary for science in the US Department of Energy under President Obama from 2009 to 2011, and was the lead author of the US Department of Energy’s…

People in this episode

Host: John Anderson

Guest: Steven Koonin

Topics covered

• climate change
• energy policy
• scientific integrity
• nuclear power
• electricity grids
• public debate

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stanford University, US Department of Energy

Books & works: Unsettled (Updated and Expanded Edition)

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