S2 Ep6: The Global Energy Crisis: What’s to be done?

This episode steps back from the daily news cycle to examine the structural roots of the current global energy crisis. Host Zoe Williams speaks to Chris Hayes, the Chief Economist at Common Wealth, and Luke Cooper, LSE academic. 

Drawing parallels to the 1970s oil shock, their conversation explores how decades of policy decisions have left economies—particularly the UK—dangerously exposed to volatile energy markets. The discussion moves from global context to concrete proposals for reforming the UK energy sector.

This episode was recorded 1 April 2026. 

In This Episode

Common Wealth
Website
Bluesky: @cmmonwealth
Twitter/X: @cmmonwealth
TikTok: @cmmonwealth 

Featured Organisation: Global Justice Now
Get your free ticket to Resisting Big Tech Empires on 25 April 2026!

An international conference, ‘Resisting Big Tech Empires: The fight for the future’ will take place in London on the 25th of April 2026 at London South Bank University. Organised by UK-based NGO Global Justice Now in association with Balanced Economy Project, the conference promises a “day of talks and strategy on big tech’s impact on democracy, economies, war and the environment, and how we can challenge it”.

The line-up for the event boasts speakers including multi-award-winning novelist and campaigner Cory Doctorow; founding member and executive director of IT for Change, Anita Gurumurthy; campaigner with Our World is Not for Sale, Sofia Scasserra; author of Silicon Empires and Platform Capitalism, Nick Srnicek; and director of Foxglove, Rosa Curling.

Facebook: @globaljusticeuk
Instagram: @globaljusticenow
Twitter/X: @globaljusticenow 

ABOUT THE PODCAST
COUNTER•POWER is brought to you by Stop Trump Coalition, Another Europe Is Possible and Global Justice Now, three organisations at the centre of the new global resistance. 

This podcast isn’t just about chatting and conversation — it’s about turning ideas into action and building real community power. 

That’s why we have a simple pledge to you, our audience. On every single episode we’ll leave you with something you can do to catalyse change. Whether it’s the latest big ideas or the movements you need to check out, you’ll find them on COUNTER•POWER. 

But we need your help to launch this project. 

We need £8,000 to catapult COUNTER•POWER into the podcasting sphere with the aim of making it self-sustaining in the future.

The funds will cover high-quality production – including sound and visuals – as well as consistent editorial quality, all of which are essential to creating the kind of impactful podcast we’re aiming for.

Any donation – big or small – can help us get there. Thank you for your support.

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Music(cc): Intro R&B instrumental loop, Mcgrogo (Freesound.org)