By Germán & Co
‘Como de agua de borrajas’ is a Spanish expression with two meanings. The first one is that things that were necessary pass without trace. What a pity. The second is that the unimpressive thing that happens happens. What a disgrace. That says…
On May 24, 2023, Chester, the Official Manager for Generation and Energy Management Networks at Energy Central had an impressive reputation score of 1,376,225. Matt has been a member of the Energy Collective Group since 2011, during which he has contributed 12,764 items that have collectively received 2,154,507 views. Notably, he participated in an interview with me as part of the “Welcome to New Expert” series, which spotlighted the newly appointed expert at The Collective in an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Expert feature.
“Gone are the days when energy news was niche and only for those working and trading in the industry. Now, when there’s significant news in the world of utilities or oil and gas companies, that news makes mainstream headlines. And that shift is with good reason, as the constant developments in energy are now more than ever critical to assessing the state of the economy, international geopolitics, and our everyday way of life.
Because of that, keeping tabs on the latest conversations shaping the energy industry is more important than ever, but it might also take more time than ever. But when we have experts in the community who can sift through the news and highlight for you what’s most timely, impactful, and worth your time, that benefits everyone. And that’s the task that Germán Toro Ghio has taken, even before being added to our Energy Central Network of Experts.
Germán is the CEO at Germán & Co., and you’ll likely recognize the work he’s already put in by sharing the most notable and critical international energy news stories with our community.
Matt Chester: Thanks for agreeing to be one of our experts, Germán. Why don’t we start by you introducing yourself and your background to our community? What is your experience leading to this point in the energy industry, and what is your role today?
Germán Toro Ghio: In a world that has changed and where bad news has turned into a nightmare, it is challenging and tiresome to talk about oneself. The world has changed so much that it is becoming increasingly difficult to envisage that we will ever be the same again. How we live, work, and relate to each other has been altered forever, and we try desperately to adapt to the new reality. Here, we must be very careful, especially with trends.
That said, I was born in Santiago, the capital of southern Chile. I am a professional photographer, but I have been involved in communications since I began working for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
I would say I reached the electrical sector by accident. In 2000, I became the public relations and communications manager for the Spanish company Unión Fenosa in its subsidiaries in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. I assumed the Corporate Vice-Presidency of Communication of AES Dominicana in the second half of 2004 until January 2018 since this has been an advisory position for AES and other sector institutions.
For two decades, I have travelled through the industry’s genesis in all its areas, thus creating a life in which I feel passionate about the sector. My participation in the natural gas promotion strategy has been crucial, starting with learning the product, its transportation methods, regasification characteristics, and types of markets where gas is commercialized, with particular emphasis on the differentiation of the NYMEX price in the European market. In terms of marketing, I’ve created more than 70 advertisements to promote natural gas and the electrical industry.
MC: You are very plugged into how news in the energy industry impacts the wider world, and we thank you for sharing those insights with our community. Why do you think tracking energy and oil news is so critical at this point? Is there sufficient coverage in this area?
GTG: The point is not whether the sector’s coverage is sufficient. I will try to answer the question with a reflection I wrote a few days ago: Although the human being is the result of the fusion of male and female gametes, two people are inevitably needed for procreation. However, due to this dual nature and the fact that we build our lives within a tribe, humans are inclined to become selfish, possessive, and jealous of their territory, which takes them further away from their beginnings. We are so entrenched in our small territory that we forget about global analysis. That is the great danger.
MC: We are no doubt in unprecedented times geopolitically when it comes to the oil and gas sector, between the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to OPEC influence to the U.S. and its allies trying to counter all that amid economic uncertainty. What should members of the Energy Central community, entrenched in the utility sector, be doing to prepare for how the coming years may play out?
GTG: Wow, that’s quite a thought-provoking question. It reminds me of those lengthy and arduous corporate strategic planning sessions, where we’d often explore the most improbable and absurd scenarios to fulfil our due diligence. Sadly, we now know that some of these scenarios have become a reality with disastrous consequences for the global economy and humanity. Reflecting on these events, we must remain transparent and critical in our analysis. One of these scenarios resulted from a grave political mistake regarding essential facilities and infrastructure for the energy sector; the other health echo is still shrouded in mystery and speculation. It serves as a sobering reminder of how easily our world can crumble and how crucial it is to make wise choices that put everyone’s safety and well-being first.
MC: What are the current news stories in the energy sector that have you most concerned for the coming years? And on the other hand, where do you see the most significant reason for optimism in the energy industry ahead?
GTG: I am concerned about the trends and the hasty decisions. And here, I don’t want to discuss new technologies. Since all are welcome, what cannot be forgotten is that the sector requires firm and reliable power and a constant fuel supply. If we can be optimistic, it is that politicians have learned their lesson; for example, in the case of Europe, which could not depend on a single pipe and a single supplier, that was a tragic error.
—-In summary, our intention was to emphasize the importance of exercising caution regarding sudden regulatory changes.
Last year, wind and solar produced more electricity in Europe than fossil fuels for the first time…
On October 15, 2024, in light of the significant expansion of solar energy, we have composed following article to comprehensive context the sudden regulatory changes that have occurred in the past, as well as to serve as a alert. “Could a tax on sunshine be on the horizon? (https://energycentral.com/c/gn/could-tax-sunshine-be-horizon)
Now, President Donald Trump is not only favouring the extraction of the immense quantities of solid fuels lying in the North American subsoil but also ensuring a ‘secure energy’ supply for the growing demand almost ad infinitum that today’s societies require, as well as securing the massive supply of water and electricity for the artificial intelligence centres that proliferate at the speed of light on the face of the earth.
What is happening today? What will happen in the coming days?
As the World Warms, Davos Braces for Political Drama…
To bolster the natural gas sector, President Trump is anticipated to issue an executive order that will provide robust verbal endorsement for natural gas exports and terminate the Biden administration’s year-long suspension on issuing new permits. However, this order is expected to implement limited modifications, specifically allowing current export permit holders who have yet to commence construction on their projects to extend their timelines, as indicated by sources familiar with the order’s provisions.
Additionally, Trump intends to declare a national emergency upon assuming office. Nevertheless, individuals privy to the administration’s plans, who requested anonymity to discuss confidential matters, suggest that this declaration may serve more as a rhetorical device than a formal emergency declaration.
Should Trump pursue the legal avenues necessary to declare an emergency, the implications for enhancing U.S. energy production remain uncertain. Such a declaration would activate certain powers under existing legislation, allowing for the suspension of air pollution regulations and the elimination of minimum comment periods for specific proposed rules and regulations.
Furthermore, on his first day in office, Trump committed to opening vast tracts of land for oil exploration. This includes rescinding the Biden administration’s prohibition on future oil drilling across 625 million acres of federal waters, primarily located along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and reopening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration by energy companies.
“Como agua de borrajas” = “Come to nothing”…
At last, we arrive at the ‘Come to Nothing’ chapter, which encompasses the peace talks between Israel and Hamas, the ongoing saga of Russia and Ukraine, and the quest for a political resolution to the chaos in Venezuela. Yet, amidst the turmoil, we find a glimmer of optimism in our guest essayist Michelle Casey’s piece: Building a Greener Future: Steps to Launching a Sustainable Construction Business. Wishing everyone good fortune and robust health on this journey!
The Owner of Non-Man and Other Tales… Second edition, revised and expanded…
Workart by Germán & Co is fully owned.
Help us make a dream come true…
From a young age we listen to the instructions of the elderly in the sense that we must be able to choose our path in life. It’s a nice metaphor.
There are those who, complying with this, prepare themselves to travel the highways of life, provide themselves with fast engines and soft seats. Others, simpler, choose secondary roads where the speed does not produce so much vertigo and the tolls are cheaper. Many have to join forces and travel the kilometers in collective buses that force the touches and strident music. And there are too many who have no other option than to walk along the humble paths crossing puddles or boulders and threatened by wild beasts or insects. This is the vineyard of the Lord, and everyone can make use of their free will. Say.
Reading the stories of Germán Toro Ghio one discovers that there are also those who chose all paths. And they also added the alternatives of lifts, elevators (and descenders), cliffs, flying devices and perhaps how many more.
With its eight stories, The Owners of No Man’s Land takes us to a world so real that, unfortunately, we tend to forget it. From the first story, he (Germán) rides the maelstrom of a roller coaster in which he mixes the discomforts of a Moscow hotel with the adventures in the Nicaraguan jungle. He is a de facto witness to the invasion of the USA army in Panama and his cousin of millenary stubbornness at the same time, without us being able to deduce which of the two experiences was more dangerous. He celebrates supposed birthdays in the company of an aphonic Fidel Castro (what a contradiction!) in a city of Havana corroded by sea salt or political blunders. He walks through one of the most unusual borders in the world, the one that divides the island of Hispaniola. He witnesses the sun sheltering us with unusual loves, in this case, his friend “Pepe” who, on a streak of good fortune, attracts them to a stale gypsy princess and a one-eyed gypsy king in the nights of Madrid and prologues his luck in the world of love to an island called Grinda in the Stockholm archipelago where Alexander’s honey captivates.
Germán also takes us to a café in Paris where Ernest Hemingway is in existential conversations about life, accompanied by the sweet notes of a Santa Teresa rum, which invades the soul with harmony and helps the journalist and writer try to persuade some young gang members to change the course of their lives, in this world of violence, organ trafficking, and arms. He evokes the spirit of the Nicaraguan poet and priest Ernesto Cardenal, particularly in his mesmerising “Ode to Marilyn Monroe”. This remarkable work invites him to explore the labyrinth of the mind’s afflictions, guided by the brushstrokes of legendary artists such as Sorolla, Munch, Botero, and Modigliani. Alongside this artistic journey, we encounter the candid whispers of Truman Capote in his poignant “Unanswered Prayers”, which lays bare the frailties of our contemporary society, political systems, and monarchies. Ultimately, Germán leads us to a heartwarming conclusion with the charming figure of “il Nono”, a grandfatherly character we all wish we could have known.
The book is magnified by experiences that have taken place outside the battlefields, far from palaces and ambitions. In other words, the principle of freedom of expression is paramount, even when individuals may endure defamation’s repercussions. With these stories, Germán Toro Ghio allows us to taste something of everything he keeps in his cupboard, and I hope he will continue to cook and deliver in successive books.
*Juan Forch, Puerto Octay, Chile
*Film director, writer, and political scientist is renowned for the 1990 "NO" campaign. / https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/movies/oscar-nominated-no-stirring-debate-in-chile.html
PayPal at gjmtoroghio@germantoroghio.com
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
O gods, women, and men with the souls of gods and goodwill, we request your solidarity and support for launching the second revised and extended edition of “The Owner of Non-Man Lan and Other Tales” in November 2025. We have already contacted a senior editor at Penguin Random House in London to help us create a remarkable and distinctive book handcrafted to serve as an exceptional corporate gift.
Thanks in advance…
Today…
As the World Warms, Davos Braces for Political Drama
A new U.S. president’s promise to expand fossil fuels that is at odds with global ambitions to combat climate change will be a topic of discussion at the World Economic Forum.
New York Times by David Gelles, January 17, 2025
Building a Greener Future: Steps to Launching a Sustainable Construction Business
By Michelle Casey
In December 2023, Energy Central recognized outstanding contributors within the Energy & Sustainability Network during the ‘Top Voices’ event. The recipients of this honor were highlighted in six articles, showcasing the acknowledgment from the community. The platform facilitates professionals in disseminating their work, engaging with peers, and collaborating with industry influencers. Congratulations are extended to the 2023 Top Voices: David Hunt, Germán Toro Ghio, Schalk Cloete, and Dan Yurman for their exemplary demonstration of expertise. – Matt Chester, Energy Central
Written By Germán & Co
“Como agua de borrajas” = “Come to nothing”…
‘Como de agua de borrajas’ is a Spanish expression with two meanings. The first one is that things that were necessary pass without trace. What a pity. The second is that the unimpressive thing that happens happens. What a disgrace. That says…
On May 24, 2023, Chester, the Official Manager for Generation and Energy Management Networks at Energy Central had an impressive reputation score of 1,376,225. Matt has been a member of the Energy Collective Group since 2011, during which he has contributed 12,764 items that have collectively received 2,154,507 views. Notably, he participated in an interview with me as part of the “Welcome to New Expert” series, which spotlighted the newly appointed expert at The Collective in an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Expert feature.
“Gone are the days when energy news was niche and only for those working and trading in the industry. Now, when there’s significant news in the world of utilities or oil and gas companies, that news makes mainstream headlines. And that shift is with good reason, as the constant developments in energy are now more than ever critical to assessing the state of the economy, international geopolitics, and our everyday way of life.
Because of that, keeping tabs on the latest conversations shaping the energy industry is more important than ever, but it might also take more time than ever. But when we have experts in the community who can sift through the news and highlight for you what’s most timely, impactful, and worth your time, that benefits everyone. And that’s the task that Germán Toro Ghio has taken, even before being added to our Energy Central Network of Experts.
Germán is the CEO at Germán & Co., and you’ll likely recognize the work he’s already put in by sharing the most notable and critical international energy news stories with our community.
Matt Chester: Thanks for agreeing to be one of our experts, Germán. Why don’t we start by you introducing yourself and your background to our community? What is your experience leading to this point in the energy industry, and what is your role today?
Germán Toro Ghio: In a world that has changed and where bad news has turned into a nightmare, it is challenging and tiresome to talk about oneself. The world has changed so much that it is becoming increasingly difficult to envisage that we will ever be the same again. How we live, work, and relate to each other has been altered forever, and we try desperately to adapt to the new reality. Here, we must be very careful, especially with trends.
That said, I was born in Santiago, the capital of southern Chile. I am a professional photographer, but I have been involved in communications since I began working for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
I would say I reached the electrical sector by accident. In 2000, I became the public relations and communications manager for the Spanish company Unión Fenosa in its subsidiaries in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. I assumed the Corporate Vice-Presidency of Communication of AES Dominicana in the second half of 2004 until January 2018 since this has been an advisory position for AES and other sector institutions.
For two decades, I have travelled through the industry’s genesis in all its areas, thus creating a life in which I feel passionate about the sector. My participation in the natural gas promotion strategy has been crucial, starting with learning the product, its transportation methods, regasification characteristics, and types of markets where gas is commercialized, with particular emphasis on the differentiation of the NYMEX price in the European market. In terms of marketing, I’ve created more than 70 advertisements to promote natural gas and the electrical industry.
MC: You are very plugged into how news in the energy industry impacts the wider world, and we thank you for sharing those insights with our community. Why do you think tracking energy and oil news is so critical at this point? Is there sufficient coverage in this area?
GTG: The point is not whether the sector’s coverage is sufficient. I will try to answer the question with a reflection I wrote a few days ago: Although the human being is the result of the fusion of male and female gametes, two people are inevitably needed for procreation. However, due to this dual nature and the fact that we build our lives within a tribe, humans are inclined to become selfish, possessive, and jealous of their territory, which takes them further away from their beginnings. We are so entrenched in our small territory that we forget about global analysis. That is the great danger.
MC: We are no doubt in unprecedented times geopolitically when it comes to the oil and gas sector, between the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to OPEC influence to the U.S. and its allies trying to counter all that amid economic uncertainty. What should members of the Energy Central community, entrenched in the utility sector, be doing to prepare for how the coming years may play out?
GTG: Wow, that’s quite a thought-provoking question. It reminds me of those lengthy and arduous corporate strategic planning sessions, where we’d often explore the most improbable and absurd scenarios to fulfil our due diligence. Sadly, we now know that some of these scenarios have become a reality with disastrous consequences for the global economy and humanity. Reflecting on these events, we must remain transparent and critical in our analysis. One of these scenarios resulted from a grave political mistake regarding essential facilities and infrastructure for the energy sector; the other health echo is still shrouded in mystery and speculation. It serves as a sobering reminder of how easily our world can crumble and how crucial it is to make wise choices that put everyone’s safety and well-being first.
MC: What are the current news stories in the energy sector that have you most concerned for the coming years? And on the other hand, where do you see the most significant reason for optimism in the energy industry ahead?
GTG: I am concerned about the trends and the hasty decisions. And here, I don’t want to discuss new technologies. Since all are welcome, what cannot be forgotten is that the sector requires firm and reliable power and a constant fuel supply. If we can be optimistic, it is that politicians have learned their lesson; for example, in the case of Europe, which could not depend on a single pipe and a single supplier, that was a tragic error.
—-In summary, our intention was to emphasize the importance of exercising caution regarding sudden regulatory changes.
Last year, wind and solar produced more electricity in Europe than fossil fuels for the first time…
On October 15, 2024, in light of the significant expansion of solar energy, we have composed following article to comprehensive context the sudden regulatory changes that have occurred in the past, as well as to serve as a alert. “Could a tax on sunshine be on the horizon? (https://energycentral.com/c/gn/could-tax-sunshine-be-horizon)
Now, President Donald Trump is not only favouring the extraction of the immense quantities of solid fuels lying in the North American subsoil but also ensuring a ‘secure energy’ supply for the growing demand almost ad infinitum that today’s societies require, as well as securing the massive supply of water and electricity for the artificial intelligence centres that proliferate at the speed of light on the face of the earth.
What is happening today? What will happen in the coming days?
As the World Warms, Davos Braces for Political Drama…
To bolster the natural gas sector, President Trump is anticipated to issue an executive order that will provide robust verbal endorsement for natural gas exports and terminate the Biden administration’s year-long suspension on issuing new permits. However, this order is expected to implement limited modifications, specifically allowing current export permit holders who have yet to commence construction on their projects to extend their timelines, as indicated by sources familiar with the order’s provisions.
Additionally, Trump intends to declare a national emergency upon assuming office. Nevertheless, individuals privy to the administration’s plans, who requested anonymity to discuss confidential matters, suggest that this declaration may serve more as a rhetorical device than a formal emergency declaration.
Should Trump pursue the legal avenues necessary to declare an emergency, the implications for enhancing U.S. energy production remain uncertain. Such a declaration would activate certain powers under existing legislation, allowing for the suspension of air pollution regulations and the elimination of minimum comment periods for specific proposed rules and regulations.
Furthermore, on his first day in office, Trump committed to opening vast tracts of land for oil exploration. This includes rescinding the Biden administration’s prohibition on future oil drilling across 625 million acres of federal waters, primarily located along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, and reopening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration by energy companies.
“Como agua de borrajas” = “Come to nothing”…
At last, we arrive at the ‘Come to Nothing’ chapter, which encompasses the peace talks between Israel and Hamas, the ongoing saga of Russia and Ukraine, and the quest for a political resolution to the chaos in Venezuela.
The Owner of Non-Man and Other Tales… Second edition, revised and expanded…
Workart by Germán & Co is fully owned.
Help us make a dream come true…
From a young age we listen to the instructions of the elderly in the sense that we must be able to choose our path in life. It’s a nice metaphor.
There are those who, complying with this, prepare themselves to travel the highways of life, provide themselves with fast engines and soft seats. Others, simpler, choose secondary roads where the speed does not produce so much vertigo and the tolls are cheaper. Many have to join forces and travel the kilometers in collective buses that force the touches and strident music. And there are too many who have no other option than to walk along the humble paths crossing puddles or boulders and threatened by wild beasts or insects. This is the vineyard of the Lord, and everyone can make use of their free will. Say.
Reading the stories of Germán Toro Ghio one discovers that there are also those who chose all paths. And they also added the alternatives of lifts, elevators (and descenders), cliffs, flying devices and perhaps how many more.
With its eight stories, The Owners of No Man’s Land takes us to a world so real that, unfortunately, we tend to forget it. From the first story, he (Germán) rides the maelstrom of a roller coaster in which he mixes the discomforts of a Moscow hotel with the adventures in the Nicaraguan jungle. He is a de facto witness to the invasion of the USA army in Panama and his cousin of millenary stubbornness at the same time, without us being able to deduce which of the two experiences was more dangerous. He celebrates supposed birthdays in the company of an aphonic Fidel Castro (what a contradiction!) in a city of Havana corroded by sea salt or political blunders. He walks through one of the most unusual borders in the world, the one that divides the island of Hispaniola. He witnesses the sun sheltering us with unusual loves, in this case, his friend “Pepe” who, on a streak of good fortune, attracts them to a stale gypsy princess and a one-eyed gypsy king in the nights of Madrid and prologues his luck in the world of love to an island called Grinda in the Stockholm archipelago where Alexander’s honey captivates.
Germán also takes us to a café in Paris where Ernest Hemingway is in existential conversations about life, accompanied by the sweet notes of a Santa Teresa rum, which invades the soul with harmony and helps the journalist and writer try to persuade some young gang members to change the course of their lives, in this world of violence, organ trafficking, and arms. He evokes the spirit of the Nicaraguan poet and priest Ernesto Cardenal, particularly in his mesmerising “Ode to Marilyn Monroe”. This remarkable work invites him to explore the labyrinth of the mind’s afflictions, guided by the brushstrokes of legendary artists such as Sorolla, Munch, Botero, and Modigliani. Alongside this artistic journey, we encounter the candid whispers of Truman Capote in his poignant “Unanswered Prayers”, which lays bare the frailties of our contemporary society, political systems, and monarchies. Ultimately, Germán leads us to a heartwarming conclusion with the charming figure of “il Nono”, a grandfatherly character we all wish we could have known.
The book is magnified by experiences that have taken place outside the battlefields, far from palaces and ambitions. In other words, the principle of freedom of expression is paramount, even when individuals may endure defamation’s repercussions. With these stories, Germán Toro Ghio allows us to taste something of everything he keeps in his cupboard, and I hope he will continue to cook and deliver in successive books.
*Juan Forch, Puerto Octay, Chile
*Film director, writer, and political scientist is renowned for the 1990 "NO" campaign. / https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/movies/oscar-nominated-no-stirring-debate-in-chile.html
PayPal at gjmtoroghio@germantoroghio.com
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
O gods, women, and men with the souls of gods and goodwill, we request your solidarity and support for launching the second revised and extended edition of “The Owner of Non-Man Lan and Other Tales” in November 2025. We have already contacted a senior editor at Penguin Random House in London to help us create a remarkable and distinctive book handcrafted to serve as an exceptional corporate gift.
Thanks in advance…
Today…
As the World Warms, Davos Braces for Political Drama
A new U.S. president’s promise to expand fossil fuels that is at odds with global ambitions to combat climate change will be a topic of discussion at the World Economic Forum.
New York Times by David Gelles, January 17, 2025
You can’t possibly deny me…
Have a wonderful day filled with good health, happiness, and love…
In December 2023, Energy Central recognized outstanding contributors within the Energy & Sustainability Network during the ‘Top Voices’ event. The recipients of this honor were highlighted in six articles, showcasing the acknowledgment from the community. The platform facilitates professionals in disseminating their work, engaging with peers, and collaborating with industry influencers. Congratulations are extended to the 2023 Top Voices: David Hunt, Germán Toro Ghio, Schalk Cloete, and Dan Yurman for their exemplary demonstration of expertise. – Matt Chester, Energy Central
Gratitude is a vital aspect of our existence…
In a world that’s constantly growing and grappling with inflation, the art of blogging faces its fair share of hurdles. To keep our content top-notch during these challenging times, we’ve poured resources into top-tier software, licenses, and stunning copyrighted images, among other essentials. But fear not, we’re not navigating this journey alone! Just last week on “X,” actions like “liking” or “retweeting” have become your secret weapons—free and private, thanks to “Musk” your support through these simple yet impactful gestures is not just a token of appreciation but a significant contribution that shapes our journey!
If you’re feeling motivated to make a difference, consider extending your generosity through PayPal at gjmtoroghio@germantoroghio.com, or by using our IBAN account: SE18 3000 0000 0058 0511 2611. Alternatively, you can support our blog with a secure contribution via Stripe using the donation link. Every little bit helps!
Thank you for being a part of our journey! Your generous support is truly invaluable to us! It plays a crucial role in helping us achieve our goals and make a positive impact. Thank you for being such an important part of our journey!
https://x.com/Germantoroghio/status/1880950892150866333
You can’t possibly deny me…
Have a wonderful day filled with good health, happiness, and love…
Natural Gas Terminal AES ANDRES, located in the Dominican Republic. Image provided by AES Dominicana.
Andrés Gluski, President and CEO of AES, articulated this perspective during the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2023, stating, “I am confident we will need natural gas for the next 20 years.” He further emphasized, “We can start blending it with green hydrogen today.”
Workart by Germán & Co is fully owned.
As the World Warms, Davos Braces for Political Drama
A new U.S. president’s promise to expand fossil fuels that is at odds with global ambitions to combat climate change will be a topic of discussion at the World Economic Forum.
New York Times by David Gelles, January 17, 2025
As world leaders and chief executives made their final preparations to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, fires in Los Angeles sent shock waves across the financial world.
Images of America’s second-largest city aflame were a visceral reminder of the growing threats posed by climate change. Insurance companies were girding for billions of dollars in losses. Hollywood was warning of disrupted production schedules. Cities around the globe were re-evaluating their vulnerabilities.
And the economic and political leaders headed to Davos were bracing for a week’s worth of discussions about how to adapt to a warming world while confronting two new realities: The world is the hottest it’s ever been, and Donald J. Trump will once again be president of the United States.
The heat is now inescapable. Last year was officially the warmest in recorded history. Each of the 10 hottest years on record has come in the past decade. This week, the World Economic Forum identified extreme weather as one of the top global risks.
And Mr. Trump, too, will be unavoidable in Davos, even if he is not there in person. (He is expected to give a speech in a virtual appearance on Thursday.)
“Trump is a magnetic force that does not escape Davos,” said Marc Benioff, the chief executive of Salesforce and a fixture of the annual gathering. “Davos will only be talking about one thing, which is Donald Trump as president of the United States and what it means for the world.”
What it means for the world remains to be seen. Even before he takes office, Mr. Trump is injecting a new level of uncertainty onto the global stage by roiling longstanding alliances and raising fears of new trade wars with his threat of steep tariffs.
Yet the implications for a second Trump administration on the climate are more straightforward.
Mr. Trump has called for a rapid expansion of fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal. He has pledged to roll back investments in clean energy that the Biden administration has prioritized. And he has said he will pull out of the Paris climate accord, an international pledge to try and limit global warming.
Will Trump and Davos Herald a New World Disorder?
“It is certainly not helpful if the U.S. backs away from the Paris process and from climate goals and from multilateral cooperation on these things,” said Jason Bordoff, the founding director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. “That has an impact in the rest of the world’s ability to step up and increase ambition.”
The priorities of the incoming administration will inevitably shape the dialogue in Davos. Last year, climate was on the back burner at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. This year it will likely be the same, despite the efforts of some longtime environmental advocates.
“I’m going to be doing my best to make sure that climate is a big part of the focus,” former Vice President Al Gore said in an interview. “But many of those who attend Davos will feel torn. They’re trying to make sense of all these changes in the geopolitical environment. They’re trying to get a better grip on how fast generative A.I. is going to continue advancing. They’re worried about the Chinese economy. And they are looking for any clues to how they should interpret some of the hot statements that Donald Trump has been making.”
Mr. Gore said he expected Mr. Trump to unleash a flurry of executive actions on his first day in office, including many that will target environmental protections.
“The fact that that first day is also the first day of Davos will make it interesting to say to say the least,” Mr. Gore said.
Mr. Benioff was more optimistic that Mr. Trump would prove willing to work with companies and other countries to tackle environmental issues.
Five years ago in Davos, during the final year of Mr. Trump’s first term, Mr. Benioff worked with the president to concoct a plan to plant one trillion trees.
This year, he said, he was hoping to enlist Mr. Trump in an effort to protect the world’s oceans. Maritime temperatures around the globe have been inexplicably hot for more than a year now, bleaching corals and baffling scientists.
While humans have no easy way to dampen ocean heat, Mr. Benioff said it was also vitally important to enact new measures to reduce pollution and protect sea life.
“You have to find the issues that Trump will support,” Mr. Benioff said, adding that “fossil fuels are not the only environmental issue.”
Focusing on the need to reduce fossil emissions, he said, was a “moral hazard,” distracting from a broader range of concerns, including protecting nature and the oceans.
“I hope that oceans are something that we can get bipartisan support for,” he said.
Mr. Benioff said his efforts to work with the Biden administration on such an effort were rebuffed, and that he was holding out hope that Mr. Trump would be a willing partner.
“I tried very aggressively with the Biden administration,” Mr. Benioff said. “They failed to come in and support the oceans aggressively, and they showed very little interest in doing so. However, I have a case for optimism that Trump will support it.”
But climate change won’t be addressed with piecemeal solutions. Instead, scientists have for decades maintained that the only way to halt runaway global warming is to drastically reduce the amount of planet-warming gases humans spew into the atmosphere each year.
Most of those emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels, which still account for the vast majority of the world’s energy production. And while the overall amount of renewable electricity is rising swiftly, global emissions are not yet falling.
Instead, as overall energy demand increases, and new technologies like artificial intelligence demand even more electricity, the amount of fossil fuel production is rising as well.
How the United States responds in a moment like this matters. If the incoming Trump administration were to accelerate its efforts to produce clean energy, the rest of the world might be more inclined to follow suit. But if the United States doubles down on fossil fuels, that could set a dangerous precedent.
“U.S. leadership is important,” said Nili Gilbert, the vice chairwoman of Carbon Direct, a company that helps corporations lower their emissions. “Other people say, ‘Well, if a country like the U.S. isn’t doing this, why should we?’”
Some regions are more likely than others to continue efforts to ramp up solar and wind production even if the United States backs away from its climate goals.
For the last several years, during the war in Ukraine, the European Union has been trying to wean itself off Russian gas.
“I think the E.U. will look to stay true to its course,” Ms. Gilbert said. “This is an opportunity for them to stick to what they’ve committed and look to double down.”
Last year, wind and solar produced more electricity in Europe than fossil fuels for the first time.
China, too, shows no sign of backing away from its efforts to embrace solar energy and electric vehicles. China is both the biggest installer of solar panels and the biggest exporter of panels and parts.
Mr. Benioff said he was also optimistic that relations between Washington and Beijing would improve under Mr. Trump, despite the saber rattling, trade disputes and tensions surrounding the sovereignty of Taiwan.
“I expect a much better relationship between the United States and China,” Mr. Benioff said, adding that he believed that China would continue to pursue its climate goals.
“They are on their way to being, I think, the first country that will be truly renewable,” he said. “They’ll be a massive leader of solar and wind and the deployment of these renewable technologies, and hopefully they will shutter their coal plants.”
While China is indeed embracing solar energy, it is also the world’s largest consumer of coal, which is among the dirtiest fossil fuels.
“There’s a lot of momentum behind clean energy, and that’s great, but not nearly enough to achieve our goals,” Mr. Bordoff said. At the end of the day, it will take coordinated efforts by nations around the globe, including the United States, to truly drive down emissions.
“We need stronger government policy,” he said.
Companies are also walking back their climate goals. Two years ago, Davos was teeming with corporations touting their environmental, social and governance — or E.S.G. — bona fides. That term became shorthand for a commitment to reducing emissions, as well as other priorities, such as diversity goals.
But over the past year, after a pressure campaign from Republicans in the United States, many companies have shied away from E.S.G. targets.
“Trump is a part of this, but there’s a much bigger E.S.G. reality check,” Mr. Bordoff said. Instead, he said, “everything is going to be about A.I.”
Corporate leaders are giddy with enthusiasm about the prospects for artificial intelligence. In addition to increasing productivity, many say that A.I. may improve energy efficiency and help turbocharge the development of renewable power.
At the same time, powering the A.I. revolution is requiring huge amounts of new energy, much of it powered by fossil fuels. By 2028, data centers could account for as much as 12 percent of the nation’s electricity, according to a new report backed by the U.S. Department of Energy.
“There’s the amount of energy A.I. is going to need, and then there’s the use of A.I. as a tool in the energy sector, and these are competing forces,” Mr. Bordoff said. “But on balance, I’m optimistic that A.I. is going to do more good than harm to the energy transition.”
That is the sort of faith in markets that has defined Davos for decades, and it’s as true today — even with Trump and the rise of A.I. — as it ever was.
“Presidents change, but our values don’t change,” Mr. Benioff said. “We’re still focused on the same things. And you have to look for the opportunities based on whichever way the political world is swinging.”
*David Gelles reports on climate change and leads The Times’s Climate Forward newsletter and events series. More about David Gelles
