Adventures in Energy Transition: Charting a Path to a Sustainable Future

Photo by Jeremiah Watt

In 2022, the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) invested $369 billion into clean energy, clean transportation and green technology. While this was an incredible achievement, we’re not quite at the summit of this climb toward a clean energy future yet. Unlocking the full potential of the IRA will be the key to getting there and it is essential to reaching our climate goals of carbon neutrality by 2050. 

We’ve been talking about the need for a just and equitable transition away from dirty energy sources for a long time, but you might wonder how we plan to make that happen. We know that sacrificing time outdoors to read policy documents may not be at the top of your to-do list, so we did a deep dive into it for you. 

With the support of Creative Alliance members Sara Robbins, Iz La Motte, Colby Elliot, and Anna Callaghan, we’re stoked to introduce a new video series “Adventures in Energy Transition.” Narrated by POW Athlete and Science Alliance members, this short series will give you a better understanding of the IRA, why the clean energy transition is needed, what it will take to implement solutions at scale and why it’s important to the Outdoor State. 

We don’t want to give too much of the fun away though, so let’s get to it!

Episode 1: Clean Energy Transition and the IRA

In this short video, professional mountain biker and POW Athlete Alliance member Alyssa Gonzales and POW Science Alliance members Peter Howe and Jude Bayhem will educate you on what the IRA is, what’s in the package and what it will take to transition away from fossil fuels fully.

“Climate change is the biggest challenge of our lifetimes. To protect the planet from the worst impacts we need to transition away from fossil fuels to a clean energy economy…like yesterday,” said Science Alliance member Peter Howe. “To fully transition, the United States needs a lot more clean power and the infrastructure to support it”

Episode 2: What Will it Take to Fully Realize a Clean Energy Future?

In this episode, professional skier Brody Leven, professional mountain biker Evelyn Dong and professional runner Dakota Jones break down the key components we need to focus on so that our economy can meet energy demands while reducing emissions responsibly through permitting reform. 

“Think of transmission lines like train networks. Good trail networks can create access to large swaths of land that connect many different places. But trails can become overgrown and then they impede our progress. They need some TLC,” said Dakota Jones. “Transmission infrastructure in the US is in dire need of updating and expansion.” 

Episode 3: How Will the Clean Energy Transition Benefit Our Outdoor Communities

This episode discusses how clean energy can benefit the outdoor places and communities we love. POW Bike Alliance member Ti Eversole and POW Science Alliance member Jude Bayham break down how the IRA can help implement cleaner and more affordable energy options responsibly in our rural outdoor communities.

“If we can harness the power of outdoor communities to participate in permitting reform, then we can balance the urgency of the clean energy transition with the need for environmental and community care,” said Ti Eversole. 

Episode 4: The Opportunity of the Clean Energy Transition

In this episode, professional climbers Nina Williams and Olivia Hsu talk about how the Outdoor State can show up and support a clean energy transition by using their voices to speak with lawmakers. Together, we can protect the communities and landscapes that we cherish now and into the future. 

“The U.S. has a huge opportunity to lead the climate fight and create a lasting legacy for future generations. Unlocking the full potential of the IRA is a key component of that,” said Nina Williams. 

Building a clean energy future is protecting the places we live and the experiences we love from climate change. As a member of the Outdoor State, you can help us play a key role in driving the clean energy transition, and we need your voice to help us make this happen. 

Feeling inspired and wondering what you can do next? You can dive even deeper on your climate advocacy journey by joining Team POW!

Author: Stacie Sullivan

Stacie always knew she wanted to pursue a career in the ski industry from a young age, having first clicked into skis at the age of 4 and writing her 8th grade career project on being a professional skier. While her dreams of becoming a professional athlete didn’t quite pan out the way she planned at […]