UNF hosts Tesla senior director/former Obama advisor to discuss “Powering the Future: The Geopolitics of Clean Energy”

The University of North Florida will host a free and open-to-the-public Diverse Perspectives Series event, "Powering the Future: The Geopolitics of Clean Energy." The discussion between Rohan Patel, Tesla senior director/former Obama advisor, and Dr. Nick Seabrook, UNF political science chair and professor,will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, at the John A. Delaney Student Union Ballroom.

Patel is senior global director of public policy and business development at Tesla, and previously served as the special assistant to the president, senior advisor for climate and energy policy and associate director for the White House Council on Environmental Quality during the Obama administration.

The discussion will focus on the geopolitics of clean energy, including permitting reform, critical minerals extraction, US/China geopolitics, the trend towards isolationism and the accelerating pace of the development of renewables. The conversation will aim for solutions tohow humanity can move towards a world of clean, renewable energy within the geopolitical constraints of global trade and competition, domestic political pressures and ongoing diplomatic challenges.

The public can ask questions and share their thoughts during the event.

UNF's Office of Public Policy Eventshosts at least two events each semester that bring the campus and community together to discuss and debate important and timely issues from diverse perspectives.