41 - Who Do We Want to Listen to and Trust in the Energy and Climate Transitions? - Jad Mouawad

41 min • 15 november 2023

In this thought-provoking episode of Energ’Ethic, we sit down with Jad Mouawad, a trailblazer in climate communication and a key figure in the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) pivot towards clean energy advocacy. With a career spanning over two decades, Jad has been at the forefront of merging energy policy with climate imperatives, advocating for a future where energy security and sustainability go hand in hand.
Bridging Climate and Energy Policies:
Jad reflects on the evolution of energy coverage, from its initial environmental footprint to its undeniable impact on climate change. He shares his journey from The New York Times, where he championed the integration of energy industry coverage with climate implications, to his pivotal role at the IEA.
We delve into:

The IEA’s Transformation
Mainstreaming Information
Combatting Misinformation
Competing for Attention
Convincing the Audiences
Trust in Science and Accessibility
The Power of Positive News
The Power of Information:
With a powerful message on the transformative potential of information, Jad calls for a concerted effort to reshape perceptions through factual storytelling, highlighting the economic and societal shifts already underway.
Resources:
Ipsos Earth Day poll (2023)

https://www.ipsos.com/en/earth-day-2023-concern-and-focus-slipping-climate-change

Pew Trust in Scientists poll (2022)

https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/02/15/americans-trust-in-scientists-other-groups-declines/

Reuters Digital News Report 2023 (about Tik Tok and other social networks)

https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2023

Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) editorial in the Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/03/electric-vehicles-early-adopter-petrol-car-ev-environment-rowan-atkinson

Rebuttal by Simon Evans

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/08/fact-check-why-rowan-atkinson-is-wrong-about-electric-vehicles

IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2023

https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023

IMF, Public Perceptions of Climate Mitigation Policies: Evidence from Cross-Country Surveys https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Staff-Discussion-Notes/Issues/2023/02/07/Public-Perceptions-of-Climate-Mitigation-Policies-Evidence-from-Cross-Country-Surveys-528057?cid=bl-com-SDNEA2023002
Reach out to Marine Cornelis via Twitter @MarineCornelis or LinkedIn
Music: I Need You Here - Kamarius
Edition: Podcast Media Factory