Dr. Scott Tinker

Environment & Energy Expert and Advocate, Global Energy Explorer, Chairman of Tinker Energy Associates, Chairman of Switch Energy Alliance, Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology at The University of Texas at Austin, State Geologist of Texas

Topics: Energy & Environment, Entrepreneur, ESG – Environmental Social Governance, World Affairs, Economy

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Biography

Dr. Scott Tinker is a global energy explorer and educator. In his visits to some 65 countries, Scott experienced the extremes of poverty and wealth. Through interactions with prime ministers and students, industry leaders and academics, senators and citizens, he has grown to understand that solutions to many of the world’s great challenges lie at the intersection of energy, economy, and environment, a space he calls the “radical middle.”

Scott is an award-winning author and filmmaker, national public radio show host, endowed chair professor, state geologist, academic researcher and administrator, professional society leader, industry board member, government advisor, NGO Chairman, entrepreneur, and angel investor. Using his robust experience, he’s able to help audiences see through the haze of political energy rhetoric. A high-demand speaker, Scott has presented nearly 1000 times around the globe to audiences including the U.S. Senate, international students, corporate boards, high school teachers, and private C-suite dinners.

Several years ago Scott recognized that people were reading less, and watching film more. Through his partnership with Harry Lynch, a recognized documentary filmmaker, they have made two feature-length films (one on global energy and one on global energy poverty); produced a short format major museum film for IMAX screens; made several film series, Energy Primers, an energy lab aeries, an energy classroom for AP environmental high school students nationwide, and more. Through this medium, they have reached over 15 million people in 50 countries.

Dr. Tinker’s current board, councils and commissions include:

Academia

Trinity University Board of Trustees
Jackson School of Geosciences Executive Committee
University of Michigan Department of Geosciences Advisory Board

Federal and State Government

National Petroleum Council, U.S. Secretary of Energy appointment
The Energy Council
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, Texas Governor appointment
TexNet Technical Advisory Committee, Texas Governor appointment

Private Sector

Switch Energy Alliance 501(c)3, Chairman of the Board, Founder
Shell Science Council
Southwest Research Institute Advisory Trustee
X Microwave, investor and Board of Managers
Deep Isolation, Advisory Committee

Videos

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Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

The Dual Challenge: Energy and Environment

The world faces two important and interrelated challenges: affordable and reliable energy for all, and protecting the environment.

The energy-environment challenge is not simple, but it is solvable if we understand and address the complex fabric of energy security, scale of energy demand, physics of energy density, distribution of energy resources, interconnectedness of the land, air, water and atmosphere, and the extreme disparity in global wealth and economic health.

The truth is that there are no good and bad, clean and dirty, renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. They all have benefits, and they all have challenges. Climate change is an important issue, but it is not the only environmental issue. Solar and wind are important to low-carbon solutions, but they are only part of the solution. We must put our best minds to the task of addressing the dual challenge, working together to better the world.

Testimonials

I have watched and attended an awful lot of virtual meetings, webinars, and talks this year. Yours is the most important and thought provoking of all.

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I like very much your style of interacting with industry, the public and government on realism and balance. I don’t know anyone else with your visibility who delivers crafted messages to these audiences. I admire what you are doing.

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I am indebted to you for your exacting and enthralling overview, which did so much to guide these directors in their respective roles.

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We have been overwhelmed by the positive responses we’ve received from all those attending your keynote speech.

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A colleague of mine recently sent me a presentation by Dr. Tinker. I must say it's one of the best I have ever seen!

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At the end of most lectures, sponsors and attendees edge toward the door. That is, except for yours, which looked like the end of a church service where everyone stays to visit. In your case, it was to go, ‘Wow, this is really, really, interesting stuff.’

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