The world is reimagining how energy is produced and shared. This talk presented by Erin Mahan will trace a short history of energy supply, explain why a full transition to renewables is essential for addressing climate change, and showcase real-world examples of progress towards renewable energy goals. From microgrids in Arizona to policy reforms in Europe and solar villages in Africa, decentralized energy is becoming the foundation of our shared energy future. Together, these stories reveal how local action is addressing global challenges of affordability, reliability, and sustainability, and how communities on every continent are shaping a cleaner and fairer energy supply chain.
Erin Mahan serves on the Board of the Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance and is Vice President of Membership and Regulatory Affairs for the SunSpec Alliance, a global trade association advancing standards for distributed energy. Her work focuses on decentralizing the electric grid to enhance resilience, safety, and local empowerment. She frequently delivers talks to community groups, occasionally lectures at universities, regularly builds networks of dedicated advocates, and is a dedicated yogi and Naturkind. Erin champions open collaboration and creative problem-solving, and is recognized for inspiring individuals to take meaningful action toward achieving Net Zero goals.