Next-gen tidal tech emerges in Great Lakes amid energy transition tensions
Original framing: “Demand for hydropower surges as Trump clamps down on clean energy” — The Guardian - Environment
Scientific assessments of tidal energy in the Great Lakes are still emerging, with studies highlighting both potential energy yields and ecological risks. Rigorous environmental impact assessments are necessary to guide deployment.
The push for tidal energy in the Great Lakes reflects a broader energy transition shaped by political, technological, and economic forces.
However, without integrating Indigenous stewardship, scientific rigor, and equitable access, these projects risk repeating historical patterns of environmental harm and social exclusion. Cross-cultural models from Norway and Brazil offer lessons in sustainable development, while future modeling highlights the need for grid modernization and energy storage. By centering marginalized voices and ecological integrity, the Great Lakes can become a model for just and sustainable energy innovation.