Rethinking the Energy Transition: Science, Solar, and the Story We Tell with Nicola Armaroli

In this episode of Sustainability Forward , we’re joined by renowned chemist and energy expert Nicola Armaroli to unpack the state of the global energy transition. As a research director at Italy’s National Research Council and a leading voice in science communication, Nicola brings both deep technical insight and a clear-eyed perspective on the societal and narrative challenges slowing our progress.

We ask: If you had gone to sleep in 2022 and woken up today—what would you see?
We explore the evolution of solar energy, the hard truths about renewable adoption across sectors, and what’s still missing in how we talk about energy and climate.

The conversation ends with a deeply personal take: what individuals can do to contribute to a more resilient, sustainable energy system—and how we can build a better public narrative around it.

Keywords: energy transition, Nicola Armaroli, solar energy, renewables, science communication, climate action, energy systems, sustainable future, circular economy, sustainability podcast