Energy is Life: A Rational Optimist’s Case for Human Progress

What does energy really mean for ordinary lives - for safety, dignity, education, and opportunity?

Few of us stop to ask why it matters so profoundly.

In this thought-provoking talk, award-winning science communicator Zion Lights reveals the human story behind one of the most misunderstood forces in our world. Drawing from her new book Energy is Life, she explores how access to energy has lifted billions from hardship, empowered communities, and opened the door to human flourishing.

Blending personal insight with scientific clarity, Zion challenges assumptions, demystifies modern technologies, and offers a hopeful, humane vision of our shared future. She examines why our intuitions about risk often mislead us, how cognitive biases shape public debates, and what we can do to think more clearly in an age of misinformation.

Sharing her own journey from anti-technology activism to evidence-based advocacy, Zion makes a grounded case that science, reason, and abundant clean energy are essential to human progress and human flourishing.

Zion Lights
…is an award-winning Science Communicator and environmental advocate who makes complex science clear and compelling. She explores energy, climate, and technology through the lens of human challenges, showing how curiosity and evidence can shape a better future. Her work combines technical clarity with a sense of wonder, helping people see the big questions and the choices that define our civilisation.
Zion is the author of the forthcoming book Energy is Life, which shows how science, technology, and the choices we make today can transform our energy systems and bring power to those who need it most.

To see more of Zion’s work visit her website. Zion blogs at Everything is Light and is active on X, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Bluesky.

Pre-order her book here.

Schedule
6:30 PM: join for socialising and drinks
7 PM: presentation
7:45 PM: drinks break
8 PM: Q&A
8:30 PM: ends, moving on to postevent pub social

Post event social
As after all our in-person talks at the Old Diorama Arts Centre, we will move on to a local pub for a post event social. So from 8:30 PM we will be going to the Queen's Head and Artichoke, 30-32 Albany St, London NW1 4EA.

Payment
We ask for a £5 donation to attend this talk, which can be paid on the door. (Or pay what you can afford.)
If you would prefer to make the £5 donation online or can't attend and would still like to support the event please click here.
Alternatively you can do a transfer using our account details: Central London Humanist Group, Sort code: 30-94-25, Account number: 19143068, Reference: Talk
Beacon

Please note this event will be recorded and we will take photos for publication on CLH media channels. If you do not wish to be featured in video or photographs please contact the CLH team in advance or make us aware at the event.

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Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.