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The article profiles researcher Vaclav Smil in relation to his thought of the past and future of energy production and energy transitions. Topics include Smil's thought on climate change mitigation, his views on the history of fossil fuel use, and his opinions on the potential of renewable energy in relation to its environmental impacts. The views of businessman Bill Gates on Smil are noted.

The article discusses the creation of hydrogen using electrically heated reactors, noting research in an issue article by S. T. Wismann et al. Topics include the role of electrification in mitigating climate change, the use of renewable energy sources and energy storage, and the conversion of electricity to heat.

An editorial is presented on the need to enact policies to move the world away from the use of fossil fuels and use renewable energy. It states that the technology needed to use renewable energy for electric power is close to being, if not less expensive than, fossil fuel or nuclear energy which would allow existing fossil fuel power plants and transportation to be phased out within 20 years. It comments on the need to enact methods to reduce the impact of inevitable changes to the environment.

The author offers his perspective on the agreement reached at the climate change meeting known as the Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris, France in December 2015, with a particular focus on international efforts to reduce emissions and use renewable, or clean, energy resources. The author encourages investments into efforts to prevent climate change.