Ah, ladies and gentlemen, gather ’round! Today we’re diving into the wild waters of energy transitions and the rather audacious musings of historian Jean-Baptiste Fressoz—whose book title “Without Transition” sounds like a bad breakup song but, alas, is a deep dive into why we might have trusted our future to a chimera. You know, a creature that sounds nice in theory but in reality is just a confused mythological mishmash!
Now, Fressoz is turning heads and perhaps the odd coffee mug as he effectively shreds the sacred scrolls of energy transition we’ve been spoon-fed since, well, the Industrial Revolution. You know, that pesky little historical detail that seems to have been edited out of the “Happily Ever After” handbook.
Historically, we love a good transition narrative, don’t we? Wood to coal, coal to oil; it’s like the energy equivalent of “From rags to riches!” But Fressoz isn’t having it. He insists it’s not linear! Oh no! It’s more like a drunken night out where you just end up at the kebab shop at 2 a.m. instead of arriving at some glorious destination of enlightenment! Who knew “Betting Everything on a Carbon-Free Economy” feels like placing all your chips on a horse named “Hope and Change”? Spoiler alert: that horse has been seen loitering around the pub—completely out of shape.
At the heart of it, Fressoz warns against the illusion of a magical, frictionless energy transition—because, really, nothing ever happens that smoothly, does it? That’s not how life works! If it did, I’d have transitioned from “out of breath” back to “svelte and charming” about five diets ago!
Now, mark your calendars for the 26th of November in Geneva, where Fressoz will grace us with his analysis during the Climate Week. I mean, I imagine the crowd there will be a fascinating mix—other historians, environmentalists, and my great aunt Karen, who insists that climate change is just a “fad.” She thinks she’s still rocking the mullet from the 80s, so… bless her!
In summary, Fressoz’s work is a thick slice of historical pie, served with a side of skepticism about our optimistic visions for the future. So, if you’re sitting here thinking we’re all set for a delightful journey to a carbon-free utopia, just remember: sometimes the road to a bright future is a twisty one, complete with potholes and—dare I say it—a smattering of uncertainty. Just like my love life, really—it’s a mixed bag of ambition and chaos!
In the end, if there’s anything we can take from this, it’s to keep our eyes open, maybe not wear our rose-tinted glasses, and definitely be prepared for the fact that at the moment, we might just be clinging onto a hope that’s thinner than a TikTok influencer’s diet plan! Cheers to the uncertainty, my well-informed friends!
Historian of science, technology, and the environment, Jean-Baptiste Fressoz has stirred considerable debate with his provocative new book released this year, which vigorously critiques the widely held belief surrounding the energy transition—a notion that has garnered almost sacred status in contemporary discussions about sustainability and climate policy. Fressoz argues that the historical shift from traditional energy sources like wood to fossil fuels such as coal and oil is far more complicated than the straightforward narrative often portrayed in textbooks and public discourse. He cautions against the dangerously simplistic idea—what he deems an illusion—of placing complete faith in a transition to a carbon-free economy, warning that this perspective may overlook the complex realities of energy history and its implications for future sustainability initiatives. In a bid to engage the public further on this critical topic, Jean-Baptiste Fressoz is set to deliver a compelling conference in Geneva on November 26, as part of the highly anticipated Climate Week.
Le Temps: The title of your work is “Without transition”. Quite a program!
What are the key challenges that energy transitions face, according to historian Jean-Baptiste Fressoz?
**Interview with Historian Jean-Baptiste Fressoz on Energy Transitions**
**Host:** Welcome, everyone! Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Jean-Baptiste Fressoz, historian and author of the thought-provoking book “Without Transition.” Jean-Baptiste, thank you for joining us!
**Fressoz:** Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
**Host:** So, Jean-Baptiste, your work really challenges the conventional narrative around energy transitions. Can you share why you believe these transitions are not the linear progressions we often hear about?
**Fressoz:** Absolutely! The idea that energy transitions follow a neat, linear path—like wood to coal, and then coal to oil—is, in my view, a simplification. History demonstrates that these shifts are far messier, filled with setbacks and complications. It’s more akin to a chaotic night out than a well-planned journey.
**Host:** I love that analogy! So, in your perspective, should we be skeptical of the narratives that suggest a smooth, frictionless transition to a carbon-free future?
**Fressoz:** Precisely! There’s a tendency to portray these transitions as inevitable and seamless, but real-world evidence tells a different story. Progress in energy transitions often meets resistance, both socially and technologically. Expecting everything to simply fall into place is, frankly, a magical thinking that overlooks the complexities of history and human behavior.
**Host:** That’s a sobering thought. As we look forward—particularly to events like Climate Week in Geneva—what message do you hope to convey to your audience?
**Fressoz:** My goal is to encourage a more nuanced understanding of how we approach energy transitions. While optimism is important, so is a grounded appreciation of the challenges ahead. We need to prepare for not just the best-case scenarios but also the unexpected hurdles.
**Host:** Wise words indeed! For those of us living in a world where swift change is often promised, how can we cultivate a sense of realism without losing hope?
**Fressoz:** It’s crucial to balance hope with pragmatism. Understanding history can provide context and teach us resilience. We can innovate and strive for a better future, but we must acknowledge that it won’t always be a straight line. Learning from past mistakes and adapting our strategies is key.
**Host:** Thank you, Jean-Baptiste. You’ve provided valuable insights that will surely resonate with many. We look forward to your talk at Climate Week and the discussion it will spark.
**Fressoz:** Thank you! I’m looking forward to it as well.
**Host:** And to our listeners, remember that the road to energy transitions is complex and sometimes chaotic, but every bit of progress is worth celebrating. Stay tuned for more enlightening conversations!
