Bill McKibben Discusses Pakistan’s Solar Revolution and the Middle East’s Impact on Clean Energy.

Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org and the 3rd Act organization, appeared on the Express Tribune for an interview about global energy security. He said the war in the Middle East has moved leaders in Asia away from dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane that carries oil. McKibben explained that solar energy is available from the sun, which travels 93 million miles to Earth without passing through that strait, making it a more reliable and cheaper source. McKibben noted that the United States has recently focused on oil under former President Trump, while China is investing in renewable electricity and battery storage. He argued that the market will favor the cheaper path of sun‑ and wind‑powered electricity. The climate activist praised Pakistan’s conversion of farms to solar‑powered irrigation pumps and highlighted the country’s use of affordable Chinese panels to generate electricity during floods. He suggested that expanding access to solar panels globally would address both the climate emergency and economic development challenges. Tags: climate change, solar energy, Pakistan, Bill McKibben, geopolitics