EFI CEO Ernest Moniz sat down with former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Hank Paulson, on his podcast Straight Talk for a conversation on technological innovation, the path to decarbonization, and their shared passion — fly fishing!
A lifelong conservationist, Paulson founded the Paulson Institute in 2011 to promote sustainable economic growth and a cleaner environment around the world. Much like his nonpartisan think tank, Paulson believes in collaboration and the need for bipartisanship in the fight against climate change.
The lively discussion began with a focus on Moniz’s upbringing and how the eventual Secretary of Energy found his love for the natural world. We have Sputnik and the revision of STEM education in American high schools (amongst other things) to thank for Moniz’s interest in science. Moniz noted that exciting experiments, difficult problems, and supportive mentors are what led him to his first job in government as Associate Director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President from 1995 to 1997.
Fast forward a few decades, Moniz is leading the pivotal dialogue on technological innovation to combat the climate crisis. In his discussion with Paulson, Moniz identified promising, but under-discussed, technological breakthroughs such as long duration storage and hydrogen.
Listen to the full podcast now and hear Moniz’s takes on the Biden Administration’s work, the Paris agreement, and what keeps him optimistic for the future.
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