Rice University's Michelle Foss, Ph.D. gives us an easy to understand overview of the materials science and supply chains behind wind and solar energy. The proponents of wind and solar would like you to believe that these technologies just appear out of nowhere - no resources needed. But Michelle shows us how these "renewable" technologies take an inordinate amount of finite resources to produce, and why their benefits aren't worth the tradeoffs - especially when compared with nuclear and natural gas.

Michelle Foss, Ph.D., is the fellow in energy, minerals and materials at Rice University's Baker Institute, developing policies and conducting research to help build capacity on non-fuel minerals supply chains. Follow her work here: www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/michelle-michot-foss