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The Polycrisis

@thepolycrisis.bsky.social
3.9K followers 57 following 41 posts

Political economy of climate, finance, geopolitics & other things, by @70sbachchan.bsky.social and @katemac.bsky.social All our stuff is now here! www.thepolycrisis.org

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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
One of the things that a lot of resource-rich countries are doing is banning exports of unprocessed critical minerals like cobalt and lithium mining.com.au/drc-imposes-...
mining.com.au
DRC imposes immediate ban on copper and cobalt concentrates exports
The DRC has banned the exports of copper and cobalt concentrates, as the country doubles down on domestic processing and local value-addition.
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
various African countries have been figuring out ways to navigate the 2020s geopolitical landscape with all its the challenges. Being able to orientate towards new green industries, unsurprisingly, helps New essay w/ @70sbachchan.bsky.social @phenomenalworld.bsky.social
phenomenalworld.org
Kate Mackenzie & Tim Sahay | Green Strategy in Africa
On the continent’s industrial development agenda for the twenty-first century
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Our essay “Scorched Earth”, about heatwaves and the politics of adaptation, is now published in Arabic on Project Zero! alsifr.org/scorched-earth
alsifr.org
أرضٌ محروقة
بينما تتسارع موجات الحرّ والفيضانات والحرائق، يتحوّل التكيّف معها إلى معركة سياسية ومالية، حيث تصبح الحماية نفسها امتيازاً يخضع للثروة والقدرة على الإنفاق. فهل يستطيع العالم بناء قدرة عادلة على الصمود...
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Beatriz Hannud @beatrizhannud.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
excellent analysis by @katemac.bsky.social & @70sbachchan.bsky.social @thepolycrisis.bsky.social @phenomenalworld.bsky.social
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
1/ Each Summer, @katemac.bsky.social & I write a essay with a different focus on political economy of Climate Don't miss our trilogy over last 3 summers Global Boiling: Scorched Earth: phenomenalworld.org/analysis/glo... Uninsurable Earth: phenomenalworld.org/analysis/ins...
phenomenalworld.org
Global Boiling | The Polycrisis
Stocks and flows, action and inaction in the planetary impasse
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Video of our AGAINST MONEY book club with @jwmason.bsky.social and @arjunjayadev.bsky.social is now up!
thepolycrisis.org
Video: Against Money book club
We recorded a discussion with Arjun Jayadev and JW Mason on their new book, Against Money.
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Leo Murray @crisortunity.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I have loved @thepolycrisis.bsky.social field notes from the frontiers of change so much, can’t wait for the next season, many thanks @katemac.bsky.social & @70sbachchan.bsky.social 💫
podcasts.apple.com
07 | Demand Destruction | Techno-optimism?
Podcast Episode · The Polycrisis · 24 June · 29min
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
It was great! We're planning to publish it soon Thanks @jwmason.bsky.social and @arjunjayadev.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/did:...
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
New book club! AGAINST MONEY, with @jwmason.bsky.social Mon June 29, 4pm EST us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
image of cover of Against Money. Pale green with a big “x” made of bar codes. Nice blurb from Zachary Carter on cover
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Details coming soon!
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Laura @tutusntinyhats.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Polly Crisis would be a good drag name.
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Israel's crimes in Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza are barely getting reported in the western press.
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herman mark schwartz @thunen.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
NYTimes picks up the empire suicide watch interview - free link www.nytimes.com/2026/06/19/o... the better, longer version here: phenomenalworld.org/interviews/e... @70sbachchan.bsky.social @katemac.bsky.social @phenomenalworld.bsky.social
nytimes.com
Opinion | There Are Two Trump Administrations Right Now. And an Empire?
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
This might be one of the funniest chart about energy scenarios I’ve seen. You can hardly see “actual” for gas
Winners and Losers
The IEA overestimated gas growth in Asia and underestimated solar

Gas
• Forecast 547 TWh
• Actual 17 TWh

Solar
• Forecast 465 TWh
• Actual 1,333 TWh

Note: Shows expected growth in Asian power generation between 2018 and 2025, based on actual 2018 generation, actual 2025 generation, and the 2018 World Energy Outlook's Current Policies Scenario estimates for 2025. Actual 2025 generation figures are from Ember.
Source: International Energy Agency, Ember, Bloomberg Opinion calculations
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
This is a critical point: *today*, even in countries that don’t introduce policies & measures to support it, consumers can unilaterally enact electrification and demand destruction
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
…why the US won’t become the new provider of "geopolitically secure” oil and gas, which seems to be a line that the industry and administration are trying out” New podcast season: Demand Destruction
thepolycrisis.org
01 | Demand Destruction | US oil is not winning the Iran war
Did they really think it would?
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Origin story part 2 bsky.app/profile/70sb...
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Origin story
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
...and why this photograph was Polycrisis origin story in 2022. riots in sri lanka when they ran out of petrol masks, the virus is still killing us bread, we can't feed ourselves @katemac.bsky.social @thepolycrisis.bsky.social @phenomenalworld.bsky.social www.phenomenalworld.org/series/the-p...
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Apple link: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
01 | Demand Destruction | US oil is not winning the Iran war
Podcast Episode · The Polycrisis · 28 April · 19min
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
**US oil is not winning the Iran war** —-> We have a new podcast season & this is Episode 1. This one is a short conversation between me & @70sbachchan.bsky.social about whether our geopolitics/energy transition theory is already proved, and how www.buzzsprout.com/2598621/epis...
buzzsprout.com
01 | Demand Destruction | US oil is not winning the Iran war - The Polycrisis
In this first bonus episode, we discuss why the Middle East war is accelerating the destruction of demand for fossil fuels, and why the US won’t become the new provider of "geopolitically secure” oil ...
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
How did the US - possibly the world's most stubborn petrostate - finally do climate policy? And what happens next now that it's fallen apart and we're in for yet more demand destruction? Listen to Rhiana Gunn-Wright and Ted Fertik on our 5th podcast episode -- THE US COUNTERREVOLUTION
thepolycrisis.org
05 | Electric World Order | The US counterrevolution
Coalitions --> bottomless mimosas --> backlash ---> hydrocarbon projection
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Its not just Spain's Sanchez. Whats going on with the western alliance courting Beijing in 2026? Our @thepolycrisis.bsky.social essay: www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/con... bsky.app/profile/ones...
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
New podcast episode! How the US-China energy contest is part of a broader rivalry; accelerated by the global financial crisis and the US shale boom. @jessicacweiss.bsky.social and Jake Werner thepolycrisis.org/04-electric-...
thepolycrisis.org
04 | Electric World Order | Manufacturing Chimerica
How US-China rivalry contributed to the new clean energy manufacturing boom
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Tim Hirschel-Burns @timhirschelburns.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Heard on @thepolycrisis.bsky.social podcast: “The real question to my mind is how many EVs can China actually produce this year? Because I'm quite certain for if they could produce 50 million of them, they could sell them all this year.” Doesn’t sound like Chinese overcapacity to me!
podcasts.apple.com
03 | Electric World Order | Demand destruction
Podcast Episode · The Polycrisis · April 7 · 41m
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Jathan Sadowski @jathansadowski.com · 01/04/2026
In the new TMK, we're joined by @katemac.bsky.social and @70sbachchan.bsky.social from @thepolycrisis.bsky.social to chat about the war in Iran, fossil fuel demand destruction, forced energy transitions, plus much more. www.patreon.com/posts/154551...
patreon.com
451. Do Not Become Addicted to Electrons (ft. Tim Sahay, Kate Mackenzie) | This Machine Kills
Get more from This Machine Kills on Patreon
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
We LOVED recording this. Thanks guys!
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
NEW POLYCRISIS PODCAST EP JUST DROPPED!! Dollar centrality, energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, and Chinese clean tech Ft. @mkblyth.bsky.social and Adjekai Adjei! thepolycrisis.org/02-electric-...
thepolycrisis.org
02 | Electric World Order | Rest of World
What does the US dollar have to do with energy access in Africa?
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The BREAK—DOWN @the-breakdown.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Fantasies of Britain’s petro-past continues to shape its energy politics, and its illusions. www.break-down.org/north-sea-na...
break-down.org
North Sea Nationalisms
Fantasies of Britain’s petro-past continues to shape its energy politics, and its illusions.
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Gas is being BOMBED. @katemac.bsky.social & I wrote a primer on insanely volatile gas that was somehow, simultaneously: "molecules of freedom" - for Trumpists selling LNG to Europe "bridge fuel" - for backup to renewable volatility cheap fuel - to kill Asian coal air pollution. planet killing GHG
phenomenalworld.org
Molecules of Freedom | The Polycrisis
The hydra-headed global market for liquified natural gas
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The BREAK—DOWN @the-breakdown.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
"The political message of private equity is: do what you want, because no one’s going to hold you accountable." Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel 👇 or listen wherever you get your podcasts www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HOm...
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Also here! pod.link/1884213852
pod.link
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Salomé Viljoen @salome.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
oooh can't wait to listen to this!!
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
“We will restore peace, stability and harmony throughout the world"-Donald Trump @katemac.bsky.social & I decided it was time for a Polycrisis podcast about the peace, stability & harmony reigning throughout the world Enjoy our first season ELECTRIC WORLD ORDER podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Our podcast has landed! Electric World Order: ep 1 - looks at the second wave of the energy transition, and why & how China is making it happen
pod.link
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
62/ look i put up with everyone being forced to learn epidemiology and virology in 2020, energy and food markets in 2022, but I absolutely draw the line at forcing everyone to become organic chemists and oil heads in 2026. no sir. @thepolycrisis.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/sky....
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Our podcast has landed! Electric World Order: ep 1 - looks at the second wave of the energy transition, and why & how China is making it happen
pod.link
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Adrienne Buller @adriennebuller.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
"The sellers of oil now face a new type of existential problem." New insights on the war on Iran by some exceptional contributors - @pmbigger.bsky.social of @cplusc.bsky.social and @transitionsec.bsky.social , and @katemac.bsky.social of @thepolycrisis.bsky.social www.break-down.org/oil-war-ii/
break-down.org
Oil War II
Responses to the American-Israeli war on Iran
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
18/ The war is a HORROR. One side measures its cost at the gas pump. Or stock markets & electoral chances at midterms. Iranian people are measuring their loss in indiscriminate violence that kills schoolchildren, poisons air & water and destroys cultural treasures warontherocks.com/2026/03/the-...
warontherocks.com
A Blank Check for Israel and the War with Iran
The United States did not enter the war with Iran because it was attacked or was about to be attacked. It seems to have entered after concluding that once
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Thea Riofrancos @triofrancos.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
I would say I’m fairly knowledgeable about the corruption, violence, coercive authority, and brutal imperial power that pervades extractive sectors and yet I am still in shock at this Trump admin move to secure Zambian minerals
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
This is a far bigger fuel, fertilizer, food crisis for Asia and Europe than it is for the US. US dependence on Persian Gulf oil has almost never been lower A thread by @sstapczynski.bsky.social on how Asia is alreaddy within days facing a destabilizing. x.com/SStapczynski...
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Market: Hey i'm worried about this Iran War? Trump: War will end "soon but not this week" Market: Okay ❤️ Yay ❤️ trump ruly the master of playing the market meme ht @kyla.bsky.social
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David Weiskopf believes in you @dave.bzky.team · 08/03/2026
Never miss a @katemac.bsky.social thread
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Kate Mackenzie @katemac.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Threading some stuff about oil & oil markets, just basic but hope it helps: 1/ oil markets are what you call “finely balanced”. Supply is usually very very close to demand/consumption. Demand is hard to shift *quickly* in response to supply hiccups. So even small supply changes = big price effects
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
4/ The enemy gets a vote: After Iranian fire on Gulf Kingdoms, Market and Oil traders finally woke up to LONG AND REGIONAL WAR and not their head in the sand view of a SHORT AND CONTAINED war. Read our @thepolycrisis.bsky.social Dispatch: buttondown.com/polycrisisdi... bsky.app/profile/70sb...
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Why were oil & financial markets so slow to realise how bad this war will be, and how hard it will be to end? buttondown.com/polycrisisdi...
buttondown.com
What.a.week
Sanchez is our best friend now
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
END/ 2 wars in 4 years. This war will accelerate Solar +Batteries + EVs as real Energy Security "rest of the world will learn an important lesson from China. Build out your renewables so you aren't as dependent on imported fossil fuels & the whims of idiots" Be like Spain. bsky.app/profile/jere...
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
NEW @thepolycrisis.bsky.social If you had told me a year ago that Canada would be leading the charge to build a new global order less reliant on the US, I would have laughed. Can American Allies bypass the flailing predatory Hegemon? www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/con...
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The Polycrisis @thepolycrisis.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
"Energy prices going to the moon are a problem, and we need to decarbonize while some fossil fuel extraction continues. The dilemma is how to navigate these tensions while transitioning a system that was already lacking in information in its previous state." -> @alexbhturnbull.bsky.social in 2023
phenomenalworld.org
Facts on the Ground | Alex Turnbull
Mapping uncertainty and information in the global energy system
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Albert Pinto @70sbachchan.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
A run on US hegemony.... "Ships in Gulf declare themselves Chinese to dodge attack" www.ft.com/content/eaec...
ft.com
Ships in Gulf declare themselves Chinese to dodge attack
At least 10 vessels have changed transponder messages in apparent attempt to avoid becoming targets
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