Sam Stephenson
@samdstephenson.bsky.social
Critical materials, energy transition, disruption & geo-politics researcher at the University of Cambridge.
European leaders should take note, this is the natural consequence of anti-decarbonisation rhetoric and policy rollback.
"It’s the single biggest capital allocation mistake in the history of the automotive industry"
Ford will take a $19.5 billion loss on its EV plants.
GM will take a $7.6 billion loss.
Others such as Honda & Volvo have all warned investors of similar losses.
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/01/e...
Ford will take a $19.5 billion loss on its EV plants.
GM will take a $7.6 billion loss.
Others such as Honda & Volvo have all warned investors of similar losses.
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/01/e...
How the EV pullback is affecting factories and jobs in the South
Automakers, suppliers and battery makers were funneling hundreds of billions of dollars into EV-related manufacturing in the U.S. Now it's all in question.
www.cnbc.com
February 2, 2026 at 10:48 AM
European leaders should take note, this is the natural consequence of anti-decarbonisation rhetoric and policy rollback.
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
Brad is 100% on the money: Europe should threaten to close the Irish tax haven if the Greenland threats don’t stop
January 5, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Brad is 100% on the money: Europe should threaten to close the Irish tax haven if the Greenland threats don’t stop
Global dependency on oil makes the world more dangerous. And projections for oil demand increasing over time provide justification for this type of action seen in Venezuela.
Europe and other global players should be responding domestically to this in the same way the EU did to the Russian invasion
Europe and other global players should be responding domestically to this in the same way the EU did to the Russian invasion
January 4, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Global dependency on oil makes the world more dangerous. And projections for oil demand increasing over time provide justification for this type of action seen in Venezuela.
Europe and other global players should be responding domestically to this in the same way the EU did to the Russian invasion
Europe and other global players should be responding domestically to this in the same way the EU did to the Russian invasion
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Such a clear signal of declining American relevance going forward. EVs are more efficient, easier to repair, soon to be cheaper and all around better. The rest of the world is realising that. The fact that the US is not even attempting to play in this race anymore shows how far it's fallen
Breaking: In a massive hit, Ford is writing down $19.5 billion in EV investments. It will also stop making the electric version of its F-150 pickup.
Ford Takes $19.5 Billion Charge to Write Down EV Investments
The sum is among the largest impairments taken by a company and marks the U.S. auto industry’s biggest reckoning to date that it can’t realize its electric-vehicle ambitions anytime soon.
on.wsj.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Such a clear signal of declining American relevance going forward. EVs are more efficient, easier to repair, soon to be cheaper and all around better. The rest of the world is realising that. The fact that the US is not even attempting to play in this race anymore shows how far it's fallen
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
November 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
If we accept the biological reality of the holobiont (that every macro-organism, like a human, is a dynamic ecosystem of a host plus billions of symbiotic microbes functioning as a distinct biological unit) then the foundational axioms of liberalism & methodological individualism are... untenable.
November 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
If we accept the biological reality of the holobiont (that every macro-organism, like a human, is a dynamic ecosystem of a host plus billions of symbiotic microbes functioning as a distinct biological unit) then the foundational axioms of liberalism & methodological individualism are... untenable.
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
From the latest big Foreign Affairs energy piece, by Jason Bordoff & Megan O'Sullivan.
They're comparing one scenario published in 2024 with a completely different type of scenario (to be) published in 2025 - to say oil demand will rise and therefore problems of supply crunch/concentration loom.
They're comparing one scenario published in 2024 with a completely different type of scenario (to be) published in 2025 - to say oil demand will rise and therefore problems of supply crunch/concentration loom.
November 7, 2025 at 3:51 AM
From the latest big Foreign Affairs energy piece, by Jason Bordoff & Megan O'Sullivan.
They're comparing one scenario published in 2024 with a completely different type of scenario (to be) published in 2025 - to say oil demand will rise and therefore problems of supply crunch/concentration loom.
They're comparing one scenario published in 2024 with a completely different type of scenario (to be) published in 2025 - to say oil demand will rise and therefore problems of supply crunch/concentration loom.
Struggling to think of a coherent reason why we shouldn’t be taxing the rich more right now
"Donor Who Gave $130 Million to Pay Troops Is Reclusive Heir to Mellon Fortune
Timothy Mellon is a billionaire and a major financial backer of Trump." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
Timothy Mellon is a billionaire and a major financial backer of Trump." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/u...
Donor Who Gave $130 Million to Pay Troops Is Reclusive Heir to Mellon Fortune
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Struggling to think of a coherent reason why we shouldn’t be taxing the rich more right now
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
Excuse me
” In a US buffeted by extreme weather, disaster spending is becoming a key driver of the economy.”
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
” In a US buffeted by extreme weather, disaster spending is becoming a key driver of the economy.”
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
October 22, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Excuse me
” In a US buffeted by extreme weather, disaster spending is becoming a key driver of the economy.”
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
” In a US buffeted by extreme weather, disaster spending is becoming a key driver of the economy.”
www.bloomberg.com/features/202...
This is why I can’t have smart things
sorry can’t talk. my smart toaster and my smart bed is trying to kill me www.dexerto.com/entertainmen...
AWS crash causes $2,000 Smart Beds to overheat and get stuck upright - Dexerto
The AWS outage caused chaos for owners of Eight Sleep’s Pod3 mattresses as they had no offline mode and were stuck at high temperatures.
www.dexerto.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:55 AM
This is why I can’t have smart things
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
Fascinating and hugely depressing stuff by @patrickmaguire.bsky.social There’s a void at the heart of Labour: it needs a battle of ideas
www.thetimes.com/article/7177...
www.thetimes.com/article/7177...
There’s a void at the heart of Labour: it needs a battle of ideas
A withering analysis shared among Keir Starmer’s MPs says his vague incrementalism and absence of critical thinking is steering the party to disaster
www.thetimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Fascinating and hugely depressing stuff by @patrickmaguire.bsky.social There’s a void at the heart of Labour: it needs a battle of ideas
www.thetimes.com/article/7177...
www.thetimes.com/article/7177...
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
11/ "The transition will happen with or without US participation. By withdrawing from these industries and blocking allies from Chinese partnerships, America risks becoming a bystander to the biggest economic transformation of our time."
Great thread on our report: bsky.app/profile/jona...
Great thread on our report: bsky.app/profile/jona...
9/ The US is ceding the industries of the future to China while asking allies to do the same. Meanwhile, developing countries - representing most of global energy demand growth - are getting the manufacturing capacity they need from China instead.
September 12, 2025 at 4:04 AM
11/ "The transition will happen with or without US participation. By withdrawing from these industries and blocking allies from Chinese partnerships, America risks becoming a bystander to the biggest economic transformation of our time."
Great thread on our report: bsky.app/profile/jona...
Great thread on our report: bsky.app/profile/jona...
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
the amount of Chinese investment in green manufacturing plants around the developing world is mind boggling.
www.netzeropolicylab.com/china-green-...
www.netzeropolicylab.com/china-green-...
September 14, 2025 at 7:14 AM
the amount of Chinese investment in green manufacturing plants around the developing world is mind boggling.
www.netzeropolicylab.com/china-green-...
www.netzeropolicylab.com/china-green-...
We're hosting our first Critical Minerals Research Showcase in a few weeks in Cambridge to highlight our latest research on CM demand, supply chains, policy and risk
Come join us in person if you're in town or check us out online!
Details below!
@ccgprogramme.bsky.social
@cam.ac.uk @eng.cam.ac.uk
Come join us in person if you're in town or check us out online!
Details below!
@ccgprogramme.bsky.social
@cam.ac.uk @eng.cam.ac.uk
September 11, 2025 at 9:09 AM
We're hosting our first Critical Minerals Research Showcase in a few weeks in Cambridge to highlight our latest research on CM demand, supply chains, policy and risk
Come join us in person if you're in town or check us out online!
Details below!
@ccgprogramme.bsky.social
@cam.ac.uk @eng.cam.ac.uk
Come join us in person if you're in town or check us out online!
Details below!
@ccgprogramme.bsky.social
@cam.ac.uk @eng.cam.ac.uk
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
Good article this. Lots of astute observations and smart snapshots.
Interesting to ponder the role that Europe may play in the new energy-themed geopolitical clash between USA and China. Big Cold War vibes.
But I am a bit skeptical of the narrative the article builds around Europe’s position…
1/5
Interesting to ponder the role that Europe may play in the new energy-themed geopolitical clash between USA and China. Big Cold War vibes.
But I am a bit skeptical of the narrative the article builds around Europe’s position…
1/5
The Coming Ecological Cold War
Decarbonization isn’t just about technology and markets—it’s a geopolitical revolution.
foreignpolicy.com
September 4, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Good article this. Lots of astute observations and smart snapshots.
Interesting to ponder the role that Europe may play in the new energy-themed geopolitical clash between USA and China. Big Cold War vibes.
But I am a bit skeptical of the narrative the article builds around Europe’s position…
1/5
Interesting to ponder the role that Europe may play in the new energy-themed geopolitical clash between USA and China. Big Cold War vibes.
But I am a bit skeptical of the narrative the article builds around Europe’s position…
1/5
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
There are two basic facts that are essential to understanding global climate policy:
1) The preferred geopolitical weapon of the modern US empire has been the imposition of energy starvation.
2) The primary strategic vulnerability of China is that they are reliant upon energy imports.
1) The preferred geopolitical weapon of the modern US empire has been the imposition of energy starvation.
2) The primary strategic vulnerability of China is that they are reliant upon energy imports.
China is making massive investments in electrification to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and the US dollar.
@katemac.bsky.social and @70sbachchan.bsky.social join @parismarx.com to discuss the geopolitics and how other countries are getting on board.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/291_...
@katemac.bsky.social and @70sbachchan.bsky.social join @parismarx.com to discuss the geopolitics and how other countries are getting on board.
Full ep: techwontsave.us/episode/291_...
August 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
There are two basic facts that are essential to understanding global climate policy:
1) The preferred geopolitical weapon of the modern US empire has been the imposition of energy starvation.
2) The primary strategic vulnerability of China is that they are reliant upon energy imports.
1) The preferred geopolitical weapon of the modern US empire has been the imposition of energy starvation.
2) The primary strategic vulnerability of China is that they are reliant upon energy imports.
Happening today! 2pm!
Excited to announce my research group is launching a new monthly webinar series, 'Critical Conversations'!
In our first session @saleemali.bsky.social kickstarts the conversation discussing the importance of equity when thinking about resource extraction
Register to join here: shorturl.at/HC46U
In our first session @saleemali.bsky.social kickstarts the conversation discussing the importance of equity when thinking about resource extraction
Register to join here: shorturl.at/HC46U
August 26, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Happening today! 2pm!
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
I spend a lot of time thinking about what the future will look like, so it was amazing to sit down with up & coming students to discuss exactly that with the people who will make it. We touched on what it means study climate policy and how to keep fighting for action in the current climate
Our latest interview is an anchor point for reality, and is also a way to leapfrog the gap in education on climate. 3 students spend an hour asking pointed questions to @samdstephenson.bsky.social.
As a newly minted PhD, Sam now works on climate policy in the UK...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
As a newly minted PhD, Sam now works on climate policy in the UK...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Sam Stephenson: the goal of a Cambridge PhD
Podcast Episode · Bridging the Carbon Gap · 08/12/2025 · 1h 8m
podcasts.apple.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I spend a lot of time thinking about what the future will look like, so it was amazing to sit down with up & coming students to discuss exactly that with the people who will make it. We touched on what it means study climate policy and how to keep fighting for action in the current climate
Excited to announce my research group is launching a new monthly webinar series, 'Critical Conversations'!
In our first session @saleemali.bsky.social kickstarts the conversation discussing the importance of equity when thinking about resource extraction
Register to join here: shorturl.at/HC46U
In our first session @saleemali.bsky.social kickstarts the conversation discussing the importance of equity when thinking about resource extraction
Register to join here: shorturl.at/HC46U
August 19, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Excited to announce my research group is launching a new monthly webinar series, 'Critical Conversations'!
In our first session @saleemali.bsky.social kickstarts the conversation discussing the importance of equity when thinking about resource extraction
Register to join here: shorturl.at/HC46U
In our first session @saleemali.bsky.social kickstarts the conversation discussing the importance of equity when thinking about resource extraction
Register to join here: shorturl.at/HC46U
I spend a lot of time thinking about what the future will look like, so it was amazing to sit down with up & coming students to discuss exactly that with the people who will make it. We touched on what it means study climate policy and how to keep fighting for action in the current climate
Our latest interview is an anchor point for reality, and is also a way to leapfrog the gap in education on climate. 3 students spend an hour asking pointed questions to @samdstephenson.bsky.social.
As a newly minted PhD, Sam now works on climate policy in the UK...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
As a newly minted PhD, Sam now works on climate policy in the UK...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Sam Stephenson: the goal of a Cambridge PhD
Podcast Episode · Bridging the Carbon Gap · 08/12/2025 · 1h 8m
podcasts.apple.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I spend a lot of time thinking about what the future will look like, so it was amazing to sit down with up & coming students to discuss exactly that with the people who will make it. We touched on what it means study climate policy and how to keep fighting for action in the current climate
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
Our latest interview is an anchor point for reality, and is also a way to leapfrog the gap in education on climate. 3 students spend an hour asking pointed questions to @samdstephenson.bsky.social.
As a newly minted PhD, Sam now works on climate policy in the UK...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
As a newly minted PhD, Sam now works on climate policy in the UK...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Sam Stephenson: the goal of a Cambridge PhD
Podcast Episode · Bridging the Carbon Gap · 08/12/2025 · 1h 8m
podcasts.apple.com
August 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Our latest interview is an anchor point for reality, and is also a way to leapfrog the gap in education on climate. 3 students spend an hour asking pointed questions to @samdstephenson.bsky.social.
As a newly minted PhD, Sam now works on climate policy in the UK...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
As a newly minted PhD, Sam now works on climate policy in the UK...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
I share a deep anxiety about Chinese global hegemony–the CPC are frightening and oppressive authoritarians–but I simply don't see Chinese renewable energy production offering anywhere close to the global stranglehold swing oil producers have over the world now
Shor's surely one of the load-bearing posts of our times
(from the leading democratic party pollster consultant)
An effective counter from @adamtooze.bsky.social
How China's powerslide is driving the global green electricity transition. adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-...
(from the leading democratic party pollster consultant)
An effective counter from @adamtooze.bsky.social
How China's powerslide is driving the global green electricity transition. adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-...
July 14, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I share a deep anxiety about Chinese global hegemony–the CPC are frightening and oppressive authoritarians–but I simply don't see Chinese renewable energy production offering anywhere close to the global stranglehold swing oil producers have over the world now
Genuinely such a mind blowing take from a member of a party which claims to care about ordinary people (on a global scale)
Shor's surely one of the load-bearing posts of our times
(from the leading democratic party pollster consultant)
An effective counter from @adamtooze.bsky.social
How China's powerslide is driving the global green electricity transition. adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-...
(from the leading democratic party pollster consultant)
An effective counter from @adamtooze.bsky.social
How China's powerslide is driving the global green electricity transition. adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-...
July 19, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Genuinely such a mind blowing take from a member of a party which claims to care about ordinary people (on a global scale)
Reposted by Sam Stephenson
Geopolitical uncertaitny --> Hi Fossil fuel prices --> more countries breaking free of expensive hydrocarbons & dollar dependence
It'll all be very rapid in 2020s as local energy production machines (solar PV+Batteries+EVs) are getting cheaper and better thanks to China. bsky.app/profile/kate...
It'll all be very rapid in 2020s as local energy production machines (solar PV+Batteries+EVs) are getting cheaper and better thanks to China. bsky.app/profile/kate...
July 15, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Geopolitical uncertaitny --> Hi Fossil fuel prices --> more countries breaking free of expensive hydrocarbons & dollar dependence
It'll all be very rapid in 2020s as local energy production machines (solar PV+Batteries+EVs) are getting cheaper and better thanks to China. bsky.app/profile/kate...
It'll all be very rapid in 2020s as local energy production machines (solar PV+Batteries+EVs) are getting cheaper and better thanks to China. bsky.app/profile/kate...