The Daily Planet #63: Energy Sovereignty, Part 6. The Map/Daniel Yergin

Today's Daily Planet is the second of two on the great chronicler of Energy politics: Daniel Yergin. Today, we cover his book on the new energy landscape. Already dated though because of China's rapid expansion.

Daniel Yergin's The New Map is a terrific tale of how the evolving energy landscape is reshaping global geopolitics, security, and economic power. At its core, the book reveals a transformed world where energy is not just a commodity but a central axis of political influence and strategic rivalry. Yergin highlights the emergence of the "big three" oil producers - the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Russia - with the U.S. now the world's largest oil producer thanks to the Shale Revolution. This shift has altered the traditional balance of power, making energy security a more complex and dynamic issue.

The book delves into the disruptive impact of technology on energy markets, from hydraulic fracturing and shale gas to the rapid decline in solar energy costs and the rise of digitalization. These technological advances are accelerating the energy transition, influencing transportation, manufacturing, and the broader global economy. Yergin also emphasizes the interconnectedness of energy and geopolitics, particularly in the tense relationship between the U.S. and China. He draws a compelling analogy between today's U.S.-China rivalry and the pre-World War I tensions between Great Britain and Germany, underscoring the risks and challenges of managing this strategic competition.

The New Map addresses the complexities of climate change policy in the context of energy production, noting the delicate balance between advancing environmental goals and maintaining energy self-sufficiency. Yergin points out that oil and gas remain deeply embedded in everyday life and industry, making abrupt shifts difficult. The book also explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted energy markets, causing investment cutbacks and raising questions about future supply and demand.

Ultimately, Yergin provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the new geopolitical order shaped by energy revolutions, technological innovation, and shifting alliances. The New Map is a vital guide to navigating the intertwined futures of energy and global power in the 21st century.

Daniel Yergin on "The New Map"

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and global energy expert Daniel Yergin talks with Andrew and Scott about his latest book, The New Map and the way technology revolutions in energy are influencing geopolitics, security, climate, and health.