Energy and Environment

The State of U.S. Strategic Stockpiles
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is just one of the stockpiles that the United States maintains for economic and strategic purposes.

Backgrounder by Anshu Siripurapu and Noah Berman Mar 2, 2023

Could Nuclear Power Cut Europe’s Dependence on Russian Energy?
The war in Ukraine has set off a rush in Europe to find alternatives to Russian oil and gas. Some are calling for an expansion of nuclear power.

In Brief by Lindsay Maizland Mar 15, 2022

How Does the U.S. Power Grid Work?
Responsible for powering the country and its economy, the U.S. energy grid has come under increasing strain due to climate change, and the threat of cyberattacks looms.  

Backgrounder by James McBride and Anshu Siripurapu Jul 5, 2022

Podcast
Batteries Not Included
A green future will depend on a vast supply of advanced batteries. As a result, global demand for lithium is outpacing supply.

Podcast by Gabrielle Sierra, Frank Fannon, Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran, Asher Ross, Markus Zakaria, and Rafaela Siewert Feb 16, 2022

  • Energy and Environment
    Renewing America Series: Rethinking the U.S. Approach to Energy
    Play
    Our panelists discussed the U.S. approach to energy, from foreign oil dependence to the transition to and consideration of other energy sources, and climate concerns. With its Renewing America initiative, CFR is evaluating nine critical domestic issues that shape the ability of the United States to navigate a demanding, competitive, and dangerous world.
    Virtual Event by Helima Croft, Robert J. Lempert, Jonathan Pershing and Sherri Goodman June 7, 2022 Renewing America
  • Climate Change
    Term Member Virtual Meeting: Reflecting Sunlight to Cool the Planet
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    With the planet warming at an alarming pace, there are currently three main approaches to managing risks from the changing climate: reducing emissions, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and adapting to build resilience and minimize the effects of the increase in temperature. CFR senior fellow Stewart Patrick discusses on a potential fourth approach, known as solar geoengineering, that reflects sunlight back into space to reduce rising temperatures on Earth. Drawing on findings and recommendations from a recent Council Special Report Reflecting Sunlight to Reduce Climate Risk: Priorities for Research and International Cooperation, Patrick also discusses the need for strong international cooperation to determine the feasibility and potential consequences of sunlight reflection, to ensure collective decision making regarding any deployment of such techniques, and to manage the geopolitical risks of this untested enterprise.  
    Virtual Event by Stewart M. Patrick and Chloe Demrovsky June 3, 2022 International Institutions and Global Governance Program
  • Climate Change
    Solar Reflection and Reducing Climate Risk
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    Stewart M. Patrick, the James H. Binger senior fellow in global governance and director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program at CFR, explains climate intervention technique…
    Webinar by Stewart M. Patrick and Irina A. Faskianos May 24, 2022 Local Journalists Webinars
  • Religion
    The Power of the Pope
    Podcast
    For the past two thousand years, the pope has been a major player in global affairs. He is frequently called upon to act as a peace broker, a mediator, an advocate, and an influencer; and with over 1.3 billion followers around the world, the pope and his governmental arm, the Holy See, have the power to shape the future. How has the pope's power changed over time, and what is his role today?  
    Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra May 13, 2022 Why It Matters
  • Climate Change
    Cooling the Planet Through Solar Reflection
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    Stewart M. Patrick, the James H. Binger senior fellow in global governance and director of the International Institutions and Global Governance Program at CFR, and Robert J. Lempert, principal resear…
    Webinar by Robert J. Lempert, Stewart M. Patrick and Irina A. Faskianos May 11, 2022 State and Local Webinars
  • Public Health Threats and Pandemics
    Strengthening Public Health Systems: From Global to Local
    If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the world anything about public health, it is humility: the United States has as much to learn about public health practices from its foreign counterparts as they have to learn from the United States. This symposium explores ways in which global public health systems can be strengthened, discusses lessons learned from public health officials, and provides a path forward for practitioners and the public during the pandemic and beyond. The full agenda is available here.  The Global Health Symposium is made possible through the generous support of Bloomberg Philanthropies.  
    Virtual Event by Natasha F. Bilimoria, Sara H. Cody, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Vernon Lee, Jeffrey Levi, Donna Levin, Anne Schuchat, Agnes Soucat, Susan Dentzer and John Monahan May 11, 2022
  • Energy and Environment
    How Green-Party Success Is Reshaping Global Politics
    Once a fringe movement, green parties are increasingly shaping the debate in countries around the world. How influential are they, and what comes next?
    Backgrounder by James McBride May 5, 2022
  • Politics and Government
    A Conversation With Senator Bill Cassidy
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    Senator Bill Cassidy discusses issues in the United States and how the US and its allies should work closely together to counter Russian power and Chinese influence, such as energy independence, international environmental standards, anti-money laundering, and anti-corruption initiatives.
    Virtual Event by Bill Cassidy and Vivian Salama May 4, 2022
  • Economics
    Renewing America Series: A U.S. Trade Rethink?
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    Panelists discuss U.S. trade policy, including the challenges of anti-globalization sentiment, the changing trade environment, and how the United States can develop a more coherent plan on trade. With its Renewing America initiative, CFR is evaluating nine critical domestic issues that shape the ability of the United States to navigate a demanding, competitive, and dangerous world.
    Virtual Event by Jason Furman, Jennifer Hillman , Nicolas Lamp and Merit E. Janow May 2, 2022 Renewing America Series