The University of North Florida is offering a free and open-to-the-public Diverse Perspectives Series event, “Powering the future: The geopolitics of clean energy” at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the John A. Delaney Student Union Ballroom.
The program is a discussion between Rohan Patel, former Tesla senior director and adviser to former President Barack Obama, and Nick Seabrook, UNF political science chair and professor, according to a news release from the university.
Patel is the former senior global director of public policy and business development at Tesla. He previously was the special assistant to the president, senior advisor for climate and energy policy and associate director for the White House Council on Environmental Quality during the Obama administration.
The discussion will focus on the geopolitics of clean energy, including permitting reform, critical minerals extraction, US/China geopolitics, the trend toward isolationism and the accelerating pace of the development of renewables.
The conversation will aim to present solutions to how humanity can move toward a world of clean, renewable energy within the geopolitical constraints of global trade and competition, domestic political pressures and ongoing diplomatic challenges.
UNF’s Office of Public Policy Events hosts at least two events each semester that bring the campus and community together to discuss and debate important and timely issues from diverse perspectives.
The audience can ask questions and share thoughts during the event. Visit https://www.unf.edu/public-policy/events.html for more information.