Why Climate Leadership Matters More Than Ever

One of the most interesting conversations I’ve had recently was with climate investor, engineer, and podcast host Dan Miller, who joined me on A Climate Change to discuss the future of clean energy, climate policy, artificial intelligence, and the role political leadership will play in shaping all of it.

What stood out most was Dan’s argument that technology alone won’t solve climate change.

Many people assume that making computers and AI systems more energy-efficient will reduce their environmental impact. Dan points to a lesson from history that suggests otherwise.

In 1865, James Watt’s improved steam engine dramatically reduced the amount of coal needed to perform work. Instead of reducing coal consumption, however, coal use skyrocketed because lower costs led to greater demand. Economists call this the Jevons Paradox.

Dan believes AI could follow the same pattern.

As computing becomes cheaper and more efficient, AI applications expand. More demand means more energy consumption—not less. That’s why he argues that the real solution isn’t simply efficiency. It’s accelerating the transition to a fully renewable energy grid.

The good news is that renewable energy technologies continue to get cheaper.

According to Dan, solar panel costs have fallen roughly 99% over the past few decades, while battery prices continue to decline rapidly. These cost reductions are making renewable energy increasingly competitive with fossil fuels.

Battery storage is also transforming the electric grid. Utilities are increasingly replacing expensive gas-powered “peaker plants” with large-scale battery systems that can instantly provide electricity when demand spikes.

In Dan’s view, the economics are becoming impossible to ignore.

The conversation also touched on electric vehicles.

Dan believes EV adoption is accelerating because they are becoming cheaper to own, cheaper to operate, and easier to maintain than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. He predicts that falling battery costs will continue to drive EV growth regardless of political winds.

He also challenged some common misconceptions about battery materials, noting that battery technology continues to evolve, with manufacturers reducing reliance on scarce materials and increasing recycling capabilities.

Despite rapid technological progress, Dan argues that policy remains critical.

His central message was simple: we already possess many of the technologies needed to dramatically reduce emissions. What is often missing is the political leadership necessary to deploy them at scale.

Whether the issue is modernizing the electric grid, expanding renewable energy access, encouraging clean transportation, or addressing AI’s growing energy demands, leadership will play a decisive role in determining how quickly progress occurs.

Technology is advancing faster than ever. Renewable energy is becoming cheaper. Electric vehicles are gaining market share. AI is reshaping society.

The question is no longer whether these changes are coming.

The question is whether our policies, institutions, and leaders can keep pace.

As Dan put it, the solutions exist. The challenge is having the courage and leadership to implement them.

Listen to the full conversation with Dan Miller on A Climate Change and let me know your thoughts: Will technology solve climate change on its own, or does leadership matter just as much?