“Geosciences in the energy transition” will be the theme of the next Science Bar

[Press release] - Published on February 5, 2025 in Press Room, Science-Society

On February 13, starting at 8:30 p.m., the next Science Bar organized by the University of Montpellier will take place. For this edition, Bénédicte Cenki (geosciences), lecturer in geology, and Clément Bonnet (Art-DEV), lecturer in economics, will discuss the topic of "geosciences in the energy transition."

The Science Bar has become one of Montpellier's flagship scientific culture events, offering a monthly participatory and citizen-led debate on all aspects of science from January to June. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are shared, but can also be discussed. The season is co-produced by the scientific culture departments of the UM and its partners: INRAE, INSERM, and IRD. This evening event will be translated into sign language. Admission is free, subject to availability.

A Science Bar dedicated to rare earth research

The environmental crisis we are currently experiencing is pushing all economic sectors to seek alternatives to polluting industries that consume large amounts of non-renewable natural resources. Energy is no exception to this phenomenon, and the transition to more sustainable production methods and more reasonable consumption is at the heart of contemporary social and scientific issues. In this context, mining conveys the image of a polluting, dangerous, almost obsolete practice. However, the raw materials needed to manufacture wind turbines, electric batteries, and solar panels are indeed extracted from the earth. What do the geosciences tell us about the future of our green energies? Do our subsoils contain enough material for an energy revolution? Can mining be made less polluting? Could the circular economy make it possible to close mines?

To discuss this topic of science and society, two multidisciplinary experts will answer questions from the audience:

• Bénédicte Cenki ( Geosciences) is a lecturer in geology. She studies the formation of critical metals in the Earth's crust and researches minerals that are essential to sustainable technologies.
• Clément Bonnet ( Art-DEV) is a lecturer in economics. His work focuses on the energy transition and assessing the drivers and barriers to its progress.