One month into the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, there are countless signs that clean energy technologies are gaining momentum in America and around the world.

We’ve covered the surge in U.S. consumer interest in EVs, as Americans reckon with daily increases in gas prices at the pump. But there’s also the United Kingdom, where heat pump and solar adoption skyrocketed in the first three weeks of March; Pakistan, where people are buying up electric rickshaws; or Nigeria and Germany, both of which are experiencing a huge surge of consumer interest in solar. Underscoring all of this is rapidly growing enthusiasm for EVs, with buyers in Southeast Asia visiting BYD dealerships in record numbers and European used-car retailers reporting record-high website traffic.

There’s a massive shift underway—and it isn’t just the data that proves it.

Mainstream media publications are increasingly connecting the dots between energy security, going electric, and energy independence. They’re reporting on the benefits of EV ownership, the volatility of fossil fuels, and growing consumer interest in clean energy—and the longer the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the longer we can expect to see this kind of coverage continue.

Of course, these positive trends aren’t the full story.

For every country that’s taking the Iran War as a sign to double down on clean energy, there’s another that’s heavily reliant on imported fuel and looking toward coal to meet energy needs. This trend is especially clear in countries across Asia, with coal-fired electricity generation reportedly rising in India, the Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam.

It may just be a short-term solution—but experts agree that it’s sure to further delay planned retirements, keep these countries reliant on coal even after the war, and drive long-term instability in their energy systems, all while worsening air pollution and contributing to climate change.

And most frustrating of all, it was completely avoidable.

If the Trump Administration hadn’t started this expensive, deeply unpopular war, people around the world wouldn’t have to turn to dirtier forms of energy to keep the lights on. We wouldn’t have another 5 million tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And the nearly 5,000 people who have been killed in Iran, Lebanon, and other countries across the Middle East would still be here today.

But even if these impacts are out of our control, we have to remember that we aren’t powerless. The fact that more and more people are realizing the link between clean energy, energy security, and energy independence is inherently hopeful—and it’s an opportunity for us to seize the momentum and support the shift that’s already underway.

Join us as we continue to fight for the clean energy future we deserve!