The Clean Energy Show
byJames Whittingham and Brian Stockton
CommentaryNewsScienceNature
Not just another environmental podcast—it's a passionate and humorous deep dive into how clean technology is revolutionizing our world. Join James and Brian weekly as they explore the critical fight against climate change, highlighting why electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly outpacing combustion vehicles. Discover how wind and solar power are not only greener but also more cost-effective, and learn about the latest advancements in grid batteries and battery technology that are driving this transformation. But The Clean Energy Show goes beyond just tech. Our hosts delve into the intricacies of government policy and its impact on clean energy adoption, an...
Episodes(40 episodes)
E277 - Barbie EV Driver Gets DUI in Heroic Slurpee Quest
New York just made history as the first U.S. state to officially ban fossil fuels in most new building construction, setting the stage for an all-electric future. Meanwhile, wildfire smoke is proving more dangerous than ever—scientists say breathing it can be like smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day, with staggering health and economic costs across North America. And in New York City, the NYPD now has the power to confiscate uncertified e-bike batteries in the name of safety. We also cover abandoned coal boreholes in Australia leaking methane equivalent to thousands of cars, li...
Published: Sep 10, 2025Duration: 55:04
E276 - The Next Greta Thunberg
Kiké Dueck, a twelve-year-old climate activist from Canada who is already making waves in the fight for a sustainable future, sits down with James. Kiké shares what inspired them to take action at such a young age, the challenges of being a youth voice in a world dominated by adults, and the creative ways young people can make a difference. From school strikes to community organizing, to suing your government, Kiké proves that no one is too young to speak up for the planet. We also discuss the role of education, how family and friends react to act...
Published: Sep 2, 2025Duration: 30:03
E275 - Alzheimer Risk Reduced By Cycling; Big Oil's Frivolous Suits
How Big Oil is fueling much of the legal opposition to offshore wind in the U.S.—using environmental laws to stall clean energy progress. We break down who's behind the lawsuits, why they matter, and how they threaten America's climate goals. We also look at new research showing that riding a bicycle could reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, thanks to the unique brain benefits of cycling. Meanwhile, here at home in Saskatchewan, the provincial government wants to extend coal power until 2050. But one of our listeners is fighting back with a court challenge, de...
Published: Aug 27, 2025Duration: 57:54
E274 - EVs Everywhere, But No Chargers at Home? James' West Coast Trip
James takes us on his 4,000 km electric vehicle odyssey to the West Coast—an audio vacation slideshow with EVs, chargers, and road trip surprises. Brian dives into the strange story of Russian hackers seizing control of a Norwegian dam, while James shares a shocking climate realization from salmon on the Pacific coast. Plus, we unpack the dangers of gas station neurotoxins, and Colorado's new law requiring health warning labels on gas stoves. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon. Episode Highlights: Colorado requires air quality warning labels on gas stoves. Gas station neurotoxins an...
Published: Aug 20, 2025Duration: 1:03:09
Encore: The Palisades Fires
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, focusing on the Pacific Palisades community and the implications for urban areas as climate change intensifies. Actor Martin Short's love for that community and how James feels connected to it. Alongside an in-depth look at John Vaillant's book Fire Weather, we uncover the growing wildfire threat to cities and practical ways to safeguard homes and lives. Encore episode that followed the Pacific Palisades Fires in Los Angeles, January 2025. We will be back on August 14th with our Patreon episode and August 20th with a new regular episode. UPDATE: CAL...
Published: Aug 13, 2025Duration: 59:58
E273 - David Suzuki Throws in the Towel on Climate Change
David Suzuki stuns with a message of climate defeat—but is he right? Brian and James unpack Suzuki's pessimism and a powerful rebuttal from climate politics professor Donald Wright, who says the fight is not over. Also this week: Germany hits a heat pump milestone, surpassing gas boiler sales for the first time. 🚴♀️ E-bike rebate programs are spreading fast across the U.S., from Rhode Island to Oregon to Washington D.C. Listener Tim follows up with insights on passive solar, geothermal, and his DIY sand battery project. 🚗 James prepares for a...
Published: Aug 6, 2025Duration: 34:05
E272 - Renewable Energy Misinformation to Get Clicks
A viral meme claims Norway installed sea-life-friendly underwater turbines. It's AI-generated nonsense—though there have been real tidal power projects in Norway and Scotland. We unpack the truth behind the clickbait. The United Nations' top court declares a clean, healthy environment a human right. But what does it really mean for international law and fossil fuel development? Wildfire smoke chokes Saskatoon in record amounts. And we hear from Aiden, a listener in Lytton, B.C.—a town still devastated from climate disaster four years ago. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perk...
Published: Jul 30, 2025Duration: 36:45
E271 - UN Declares Fossil Fuels Are "Running Out of Road"
UN Secretary General António Guterres proclaims that the fossil fuel era is fading and the clean energy age is rising. Vietnam is banning gas-powered motorcycles in downtown Hanoi by 2026. Meanwhile, a new electric scooter hits 100 mph, and China begins building the world's largest hydroelectric dam. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks! Also on the show: 🚗 James's son's car-buying journey ends terribly—but he gets approved for car share in just two hours! 🏠 Brian explores in-floor hydronic heating after a listener recommendation. 🛵 Vietnam aims to eliminate all gas-powered...
Published: Jul 23, 2025Duration: 49:02
E270 - Football Fanaticism Meets Climate Reality
A Canadian Football League game was cancelled after fans waited six hours in thick wildfire smoke—smoked sausages, indeed. We dig into why air quality is getting worse and how it's connected to climate change. Plus, surprising new research shows that diesel generators are allowed to emit 48 times more nitrogen oxides than natural gas boilers. We explore the shocking pollution double standards that exist across industries. Meanwhile, in Northeast Calgary, homeowners are struggling to get insurance due to a rise in extreme hail. Some insurance companies are pulling out entirely. What's behind this localized crisis—and...
Published: Jul 16, 2025Duration: 53:32
E269 - E-bikes and the Amish; Brian Returns from the U.K.; Djibouti a Renewable Powerhouse
Amish E-Bikes, Balcony Solar, and a Djibouti Wind Boom E-bikes are quietly transforming Amish communities, balcony solar panels are powering up UK homes, and the tiny African nation of Djibouti is making huge renewable energy strides. Plus, Brian returns from London with fresh eyes on electric taxis, streetcars, and some eyebrow-raising climate solutions. We explore how indoor air quality is the our new air quality frontier. Bill Gates is backing a new kind of wind energy. Plus, climate change delivers catastrophic floods to Texas. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/thecleanenergyshow ...
Published: Jul 9, 2025Duration: 1:04:48
E268 - Full Self-Driving Test: Our Tesla Drives Itself!
This week, we're bringing a special treat to the public: a previously exclusive Patreon bonus episode! Brian and James take a October, 2024 road trip in Brian's Tesla Model Y, which was recently upgraded with Full Self-Driving Beta. Yes, the car drove itself—and we captured the whole experience. The hosts discuss: Transferring FSD Beta from the Model S to the Model Y A 30-minute test drive across town with no human input Real-time impressions and commentary during the drive Reactions to Tesla's autonomous driving performance The weird, th...
Published: Jul 2, 2025Duration: 36:03
E267 - Solar is the Newly-Affordable 24/7 Baseload
New groundbreaking new data on solar-plus-battery affordability, community-driven efforts to fight wildfire smoke, and the global decline of coal power. Brian prepares for a trip to London, and James shares his latest air quality observations from the smoky Canadian prairies. They also touch on some big global issues: India's indoor air pollution crisis, New York's unexpected plans for new nuclear power, and China's rapid solar and blimp tech progress. Plus, an update on fusion energy from a listener email and the usual dose of humour, clean tech insight, and righteous frustration. Support The Clean Energy Show...
Published: Jun 25, 2025Duration: 46:35
E266 - Pollution From Your Local Garbage Dump
Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian prairies drifts all the way to Switzerland, ruining a listener's hike—and James feels personally responsible. Meanwhile, Brian reports that global banks continue to pump money into fossil fuels, all while hiking credit card interest rates. He sums up their attitude perfectly: "We're evil, we just can't help it." Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on o...
Published: Jun 18, 2025Duration: 47:32
E265 - Fighting Pollution with Our Own Air Quality Monitoring Station
Our listeners bought an air quality monitoring station for the podcast and we plan to make the most out of it! Already, James is learning about some bad air from industry in his Canadian city. 💚 Support the show: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/cleanenergypod Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VMDCRPHLNR8YE E-transfer whittingham.james@gmail.com Free link to the chapter Ungovernable by Patricia W. Elliott from the book Unjust transition: The future for fossil fuel workers (pp. 88-116), Fernwood Publishing, 2024. Also on this episode: <...
Published: Jun 11, 2025Duration: 51:11
E264 - Canada Burns While We Win Sustainability Awards
Our city had the worst air quality in the world at the time of recording, with an Air Quality Index of 446 (that's like smoking over 60 cigarettes a day). We explore what led to these hazardous conditions, how wildfires are affecting our communities and even reaching Europe, and why Canada's air quality reporting system needs a 21st-century overhaul. Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Our monthly bonus podcast is coming up this week! The Clean Energy Show received two sustainability awards from the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE), a United Nations University n...
Published: Jun 4, 2025Duration: 1:00:28
E263 - Engineering Polar Sea Ice with Underwater Drones & Penguins
Penguin poop might be cooling the planet by seeding clouds over Antarctica! A new study shows how ammonia from penguin guano helps form reflective cloud cover. Meanwhile, a $10 billion geoengineering plan proposes to deploy 500,000 undersea drones to regrow Arctic sea ice. Can technology save the poles—and should it? Support our podcast on Patreon and get exciting perks! We also bust myths about EV fires after The Telegraph claims they're on the rise. Plus, an Edmonton pilot project is using secret tech to stop EV charger cable theft—and it's already working. Also in thi...
Published: May 28, 2025Duration: 46:45
Ford Joins Tesla, Scientists Face Threats & Wind Turbines for Americans
This week on a special encore episode of The Clean Energy Show, Brian is recovering from surgery, and James wonders if he's truly on the mend—or if it's a Schrödinger's host situation. Either way, they've queued up a listener-favorite episode for your enjoyment! Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Get a monthly bonus podcast, early access to our content, behind the scenes content, access to our members-only Discord community and thank-yous in the credits of videos and shoutouts on our podcast! Starting at just a couple dollars per month...
Published: May 21, 2025Duration: 47:22
E262 - Small Modular Nuclear Comes to Canada; Plug 'n' Play Solar Comes to the U.S.
Canada approves its first Small Modular Reactor (SMR), but critics argue it's a costly, high-risk distraction from cheaper, proven renewables. Ontario Clean Air Alliance explains the financial and security risks Plug-and-play solar is finally coming to the U.S., launching in Utah this summer with no permits or installers required. EcoFlow's new modular solar kits, with similar kits already popular in Europe and China, they could revolutionize backyard and balcony power for American homeowners. Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks! Also this week: Thames Water warns that London may face water...
Published: May 14, 2025Duration: 48:37
E261 - Thorium Dreams, Landfill Solar & EVs That Just Keep Going
We dive into thorium nuclear reactors — a long-dormant technology with huge safety and environmental potential, now being revived by China. What are they, how do they work, and why aren't we using them already? Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Get our monthly bonus podcast and more! Meanwhile in Los Angeles, rebuilding after devastating wildfires has sparked controversy. The mayor rolled back an electric-only building mandate to speed up reconstruction — but a new report says building all-electric is faster and cheaper. We explore why gas-free homes make more sense, even in eme...
Published: May 7, 2025Duration: 52:56
E260 - Electric Vehicle Range May Need to Equal Gas Cars
A massive blackout brought Spain and Portugal to a standstill this week, reminding us just how deeply modern life depends on electricity. The outage disrupted everything from subways and air traffic to ATMs and elevators, leading to scenes of chaos in Madrid and emergency water deliveries by tractor. We break down the moment-by-moment collapse of daily life—and what it tells us about resilience and infrastructure. See our Patreon page for our social media posts and ways to support our work! In the UK, the Labour government is pushing forward with new overhead power lines, despite public op...
Published: Apr 30, 2025Duration: 50:00