Karin Kirk
@karinkirk.bsky.social
Geologist, skier, science journalist for Yale Climate Connections. Former Earth and climate science writer for NASA, but our federal govt decided these topics are threatening to them. Increasingly determined to keep working on climate change.
It means you don't lose energy that you've already collected.
Compared to coal, for example. Once you've mined and delivered the coal to a power plant, two-thirds of the energy that goes into the plant is lost as waste heat.
Compared to coal, for example. Once you've mined and delivered the coal to a power plant, two-thirds of the energy that goes into the plant is lost as waste heat.
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
It means you don't lose energy that you've already collected.
Compared to coal, for example. Once you've mined and delivered the coal to a power plant, two-thirds of the energy that goes into the plant is lost as waste heat.
Compared to coal, for example. Once you've mined and delivered the coal to a power plant, two-thirds of the energy that goes into the plant is lost as waste heat.
Yeah, fully agree.
November 10, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Yeah, fully agree.
haha, thank you! It's worth it, usually.
November 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
haha, thank you! It's worth it, usually.
Because that's the current daily use of gasoline in the US. The EV numbers reflect a reduction from current use. There are plenty of ways to do it, obvs, but that's how I went about it.
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Because that's the current daily use of gasoline in the US. The EV numbers reflect a reduction from current use. There are plenty of ways to do it, obvs, but that's how I went about it.
most energy is polluting.
November 10, 2025 at 4:43 AM
most energy is polluting.
Here's a companion diagram with different "original fuels."
The efficiency varies, of course. But on nearly all grids EVs offer a substantial energy savings overall.
The efficiency varies, of course. But on nearly all grids EVs offer a substantial energy savings overall.
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Here's a companion diagram with different "original fuels."
The efficiency varies, of course. But on nearly all grids EVs offer a substantial energy savings overall.
The efficiency varies, of course. But on nearly all grids EVs offer a substantial energy savings overall.
Here is the companion diagram to the diagrams posted above. It answers your question.
November 10, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Here is the companion diagram to the diagrams posted above. It answers your question.
Yeah, same. Plus the heated seats and steering wheel go a long way toward keeping things warm and toasty.
November 10, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Yeah, same. Plus the heated seats and steering wheel go a long way toward keeping things warm and toasty.
Yup, space heating is the one and only thing that ICE cars are more efficient at.
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Yup, space heating is the one and only thing that ICE cars are more efficient at.
Wind and solar are ~the same efficiency as hydropower.
It would be easy/fun to make an app or interactive graphic that you can plug in your location and get the efficiency.
I did that for the 50 U.S. states, but you could do it for anywhere if you know the ratio of electricity sources.
It would be easy/fun to make an app or interactive graphic that you can plug in your location and get the efficiency.
I did that for the 50 U.S. states, but you could do it for anywhere if you know the ratio of electricity sources.
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Wind and solar are ~the same efficiency as hydropower.
It would be easy/fun to make an app or interactive graphic that you can plug in your location and get the efficiency.
I did that for the 50 U.S. states, but you could do it for anywhere if you know the ratio of electricity sources.
It would be easy/fun to make an app or interactive graphic that you can plug in your location and get the efficiency.
I did that for the 50 U.S. states, but you could do it for anywhere if you know the ratio of electricity sources.
Great discussion!
I'm the author of these diagrams and a lot of the questions that come up around them are addressed in this companion diagram that breaks down the differences starting at the power plant.👇
Much more context is in the original article:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/elec...
I'm the author of these diagrams and a lot of the questions that come up around them are addressed in this companion diagram that breaks down the differences starting at the power plant.👇
Much more context is in the original article:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/elec...
November 10, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Great discussion!
I'm the author of these diagrams and a lot of the questions that come up around them are addressed in this companion diagram that breaks down the differences starting at the power plant.👇
Much more context is in the original article:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/elec...
I'm the author of these diagrams and a lot of the questions that come up around them are addressed in this companion diagram that breaks down the differences starting at the power plant.👇
Much more context is in the original article:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/elec...
I made those diagrams, and I made one that also includes the power sources for the electricity. 👇
The article, for context:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/elec...
The article, for context:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/elec...
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I made those diagrams, and I made one that also includes the power sources for the electricity. 👇
The article, for context:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/elec...
The article, for context:
yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/01/elec...
Yeah, it's a ton of work and feels kinda high-stakes!
I would love to be involved. I think it's helpful for both of us. Or at least I hope so!
I would love to be involved. I think it's helpful for both of us. Or at least I hope so!
November 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Yeah, it's a ton of work and feels kinda high-stakes!
I would love to be involved. I think it's helpful for both of us. Or at least I hope so!
I would love to be involved. I think it's helpful for both of us. Or at least I hope so!
I was just reflecting on that the other day! I really enjoyed the conference and learned a ton. The highlight for me was the opportunity to circulate beyond my usual community and to interact with yours. It helped shape a new perspective.
I appreciate all the work you put into it!
I appreciate all the work you put into it!
November 7, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I was just reflecting on that the other day! I really enjoyed the conference and learned a ton. The highlight for me was the opportunity to circulate beyond my usual community and to interact with yours. It helped shape a new perspective.
I appreciate all the work you put into it!
I appreciate all the work you put into it!
I got so much out of that conference and really enjoyed meeting everyone. It was a difference-maker for me, for sure!
I appreciate all the work you put into it. In my eyes, it was really worth it.
I appreciate all the work you put into it. In my eyes, it was really worth it.
November 7, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I got so much out of that conference and really enjoyed meeting everyone. It was a difference-maker for me, for sure!
I appreciate all the work you put into it. In my eyes, it was really worth it.
I appreciate all the work you put into it. In my eyes, it was really worth it.
I had to go with Team Shiny.
✅ Molybdenite for me!
✅ Molybdenite for me!
November 4, 2025 at 4:51 AM
I had to go with Team Shiny.
✅ Molybdenite for me!
✅ Molybdenite for me!
This is my favorite kind of drama. ⚒️
November 3, 2025 at 11:54 PM
This is my favorite kind of drama. ⚒️
It was such a hard choice! I voted copper.
Copper is more vital, but galena is more beautiful!
Copper is more vital, but galena is more beautiful!
November 3, 2025 at 11:51 PM
It was such a hard choice! I voted copper.
Copper is more vital, but galena is more beautiful!
Copper is more vital, but galena is more beautiful!