Key takeaways
- Gabriel Collins argues that Washington should openly embrace and lead the fight against global energy poverty to strengthen its position in great-power competition.
- An energy abundance revolution could bolster U.S. strategic standing today, much as the Green Revolution did by improving food security across the global south.
- U.S. diplomacy abroad is only as credible as the concrete energy options and solutions the United States brings to the table.
- U.S. LNG exports helped Europe weather the cutoff of Russian gas after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, showing how private energy solutions serve national security.
- Collins sets two priorities: first ensure Americans do not face “heat versus eat” decisions, then help billions of people still living in energy poverty.
Supplying the world with power will enhance U.S. security.
Full Citation: Gabriel Collins, “America Should Lead the Fight Against Global Energy Poverty,” Foreign Policy, March 20, 2025, https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/20/america-energy-poverty-china-power/.
Global events during the past several years make three things crystal clear: Energy security is national security, abundant energy is an irreplaceable tool for adapting to climate volatility and improving living standards, and U.S. diplomacy abroad is only as credible as the concrete options and solutions the country brings to the table. In some cases, these are fully private solutions, such as the liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports that helped Europe weather the cutoff of Russian gas supplies resulting from Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In others, they are government-facilitated efforts, such as the power grid resilience efforts that the U.S. Agency for International Development led in the Philippines, Thailand, Ukraine, and other countries.
Washington should openly embrace and lead the fight against global energy poverty. The same way the Green Revolution enhanced U.S. power and position by improving food security across the global south two generations ago, so too can an energy abundance revolution bolster the U.S. strategic position in this generation’s great-power competition.
The United States’ tremendous resource base, technological capabilities, and industrial prowess position it to first ensure that U.S. citizens do not face “heat versus eat” decisions and then to build a better world for the billions of people who still live in energy poverty. Full pursuit of these two vital priorities will cement Americans’ own prosperity and strategic position.
Full Text Here: https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/20/america-energy-poverty-china-power/
Frequently asked questions
Why is global energy poverty a U.S. national security issue?
Gabriel Collins treats global energy poverty as a security issue because energy security is national security. Billions of people still live in energy poverty, and he argues that helping them gain abundant energy would improve living standards, aid adaptation to climate volatility, and bolster the U.S. position in great-power competition.
How does the Green Revolution compare to fighting energy poverty?
Collins uses the Green Revolution as the model for an energy abundance revolution. Two generations ago, improving food security across the global south enhanced U.S. power and position. He argues that a similar push to expand energy access could strengthen the U.S. strategic position in this generation’s great-power competition.
What are examples of U.S. energy diplomacy that worked?
Collins cites two kinds of examples. Private U.S. liquefied natural gas exports helped Europe weather the cutoff of Russian gas after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Government-facilitated efforts include power grid resilience work led by the U.S. Agency for International Development in the Philippines, Thailand, Ukraine, and other countries.
Should the U.S. fix energy poverty at home before helping abroad?
In Collins’s framing, the domestic priority comes first. U.S. resources, technology, and industrial strength should first ensure Americans do not face “heat versus eat” decisions, then help build a better world for the billions still in energy poverty. Pursuing both priorities, he argues, will cement American prosperity and strategic position.
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