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The Big Switch: Australia’s Electric Future
An optimistic – but realistic and feasible – action plan for fighting climate change while creating new jobs and a healthier electrify everything.
Climate change is a planetary emergency. We have to do something now – but what? Australian visionary Saul Griffith has a plan. In The Big Switch, Griffith lays out a detailed blueprint – optimistic but feasible – for fighting climate change while creating millions of new jobs and a healthier environment. Griffith explains exactly what it would take to transform our infrastructure, update our grid, and adapt our households. Billionaires may contemplate escaping our worn-out planet on a private rocket ship to Mars, but the rest of us, Griffith says, will stay and fight for the future.
‘I’m a scientist, engineer, inventor and father who wants to leave my kids a better world. The data convinces me that it is still rational to have hope.’—Saul Griffith
Climate change is a planetary emergency. We have to do something now – but what? Australian visionary Saul Griffith has a plan. In The Big Switch, Griffith lays out a detailed blueprint – optimistic but feasible – for fighting climate change while creating millions of new jobs and a healthier environment. Griffith explains exactly what it would take to transform our infrastructure, update our grid, and adapt our households. Billionaires may contemplate escaping our worn-out planet on a private rocket ship to Mars, but the rest of us, Griffith says, will stay and fight for the future.
‘I’m a scientist, engineer, inventor and father who wants to leave my kids a better world. The data convinces me that it is still rational to have hope.’—Saul Griffith
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2022
About the author
Saul Griffith
8 books44 followersSaul Griffith (born 1974) is an Australian American inventor. He is the founder or co-founder of seven companies, including Otherlab (where he is currently CEO), Makani Power, and Instructables.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
September 9, 2022
Literally this afternoon this book helped me school an old misogynist in a discussion on climate change so 5 stars.
April 16, 2022
I want to shout about this book from the rooftops.
I want to give this book to everyone I know.
The Big Switch has to be the most comprehensive breakdown of the current energy landscape in Australia, and how we can electrify our entire economy. In turn steering the country away from the impending climate induced hell scape the fossil fuel industry wants us to live in.
It tackles the problem as a matter of engineering and economics in as clear a matter as I have ever seen. There are up front costs to making this happen, but they’re actually not much more expensive than 1 year’s worth of subsidies we pump into the FF industry right now.
The end result is cheap energy and cleaner environments, things anyone who isn’t a ghoul would want.
The future vision this book lays out can’t be dismissed as some “bleeding heart greenie nonsense” that tells us to live like monks. It’s a future of abundance and freedom through electrification and the democratisation of energy production, and with that part of the climate change challenge sorted we can tackle the others.
Get your hands on a copy. Please.
I want to give this book to everyone I know.
The Big Switch has to be the most comprehensive breakdown of the current energy landscape in Australia, and how we can electrify our entire economy. In turn steering the country away from the impending climate induced hell scape the fossil fuel industry wants us to live in.
It tackles the problem as a matter of engineering and economics in as clear a matter as I have ever seen. There are up front costs to making this happen, but they’re actually not much more expensive than 1 year’s worth of subsidies we pump into the FF industry right now.
The end result is cheap energy and cleaner environments, things anyone who isn’t a ghoul would want.
The future vision this book lays out can’t be dismissed as some “bleeding heart greenie nonsense” that tells us to live like monks. It’s a future of abundance and freedom through electrification and the democratisation of energy production, and with that part of the climate change challenge sorted we can tackle the others.
Get your hands on a copy. Please.
August 25, 2023
There aren't many books which have shifted my opinion on a subject as much as this one - it's clear and hopeful vision for the for a climate friendly future is an antidote to the otherwise dire headlines
May 28, 2022
10x better than Gates’s book.
This is the best text I’ve read on the benefits and process of switching a country from fossil fuels to sustainable energy.
Comprehensive, relevant examples, super practical down to the household level, the data is very well presented and illustrated with diagrams… it’s all there.
This is the best text I’ve read on the benefits and process of switching a country from fossil fuels to sustainable energy.
Comprehensive, relevant examples, super practical down to the household level, the data is very well presented and illustrated with diagrams… it’s all there.
October 14, 2026
Pretty informative and not a slog, takeaway is a electric car, solar panels, and heat pump will pre much shift the needle so Sam and Ollie don’t have to worry about climate change or electricity bills. #book25
October 9, 2022
We no longer have excuses not to get going on saving the world! Saul Griffith has given us a compelling argument and a clear road map to a cleaner and more sustainable future… and it is not impossible. It builds on available systems and technology and a huge percentage of emissions can be cut pretty quickly. Sure done bits of transition will take longer, be difficult and even need new technology but by starting now and doing the easy to bit tricky we can make a big useful change now and prepare for the rest to arrive. Inspiring and helpful. A great package.
July 7, 2024
Clever, simple, clear - though now slightly outdated in places. A great primer on Australia's clean energy opportunity and how manageable the transition could be.
June 5, 2022
I hope many people will read this. Very inspired to now electrify everything - car, heating, cooking, cooling! And expand our rooftop solar system.
April 22, 2023
This book made me hopeful about the future of our species in the face of climate change, and Australia’s role in it, for the first time in a long time.
July 27, 2025
Optimistic, well written and informative. Presents electrification really well in a way that's easy to understand. Some of the justifications I don't completely agree with and most of the math is back of the envelop, which hurts Griffith's contention. Definitely worth a read though especially when buying a house. Absolutely a book everyone should read, is very approachable and electrify everything.
March 21, 2023
Yep. It's all there. Electrify everything. Give up your gas stove and hot water heater. Charge your car at home. It's time.
Plays fast and loose with the facts and the wording, but the vibe is on point.
Plays fast and loose with the facts and the wording, but the vibe is on point.
December 10, 2022
This is a book you can tell was written by an engineer. There is no grand narrative about how we got to where we are and there isn’t a big-picture future we are heading to. It is simply there is a problem, climate change, and there is a solution, mass electrification. The book is written as if Saul is just having a chat, but the kind of chat where you bring graphs and plot out your vision. A business pitch, but no, less formal than that, a business brunch.
Griffith plots out how energy is used in Australia. He plots out where Australian greenhouse gas emissions come from and shows how that will change. He lays out how both of these things are reduced with electrification. Electrification is not just a simple swap from burning things close to burning things far away. it is a reduction in the number of energy type changes that must occur resulting in large increases in efficiency. This is also carried also to energy generation from Solar PV and Wind Turbines, power is being generated far more directly than steam-powered generators. This may seem like it could get dry but it never does, the pace of writing the injections of humour and Griffith's very direct and present writing style keeps you engaged as he takes you on a journey through his vision.
If you are sceptical of electrification, renewable energy and electric cars, or perhaps someone you are considering buying this for is, perhaps you are wondering if it gets “political”. Yes but not in the usual way. The political element is about how government policy can help or hinder technological progress and not about personal belief systems. If you do, like both Griffith and I, that electrification is the future and that climate change is an issue we need to solve quickly. Then the government has just got to be involved in this transition, to make sure it goes smoothly and to make sure as many people as possible get to benefit from it.
This is a great book if you want to be energised about the possibilities for the future. If you want to be able to better express your hopefulness to others that we can tackle something as big as climate change here in Australia. It is a great book if you have a technologically-minded loved one that is not quite sure about those newfangled solar panels or electric cars or if all this new technology is even going to work. It’s a great book to take to your local politician and have a chat about how they can help make the future happen today.
Griffith plots out how energy is used in Australia. He plots out where Australian greenhouse gas emissions come from and shows how that will change. He lays out how both of these things are reduced with electrification. Electrification is not just a simple swap from burning things close to burning things far away. it is a reduction in the number of energy type changes that must occur resulting in large increases in efficiency. This is also carried also to energy generation from Solar PV and Wind Turbines, power is being generated far more directly than steam-powered generators. This may seem like it could get dry but it never does, the pace of writing the injections of humour and Griffith's very direct and present writing style keeps you engaged as he takes you on a journey through his vision.
If you are sceptical of electrification, renewable energy and electric cars, or perhaps someone you are considering buying this for is, perhaps you are wondering if it gets “political”. Yes but not in the usual way. The political element is about how government policy can help or hinder technological progress and not about personal belief systems. If you do, like both Griffith and I, that electrification is the future and that climate change is an issue we need to solve quickly. Then the government has just got to be involved in this transition, to make sure it goes smoothly and to make sure as many people as possible get to benefit from it.
This is a great book if you want to be energised about the possibilities for the future. If you want to be able to better express your hopefulness to others that we can tackle something as big as climate change here in Australia. It is a great book if you have a technologically-minded loved one that is not quite sure about those newfangled solar panels or electric cars or if all this new technology is even going to work. It’s a great book to take to your local politician and have a chat about how they can help make the future happen today.
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January 21, 2023We had a great discussion last evening about The Big Switch by Saul Griffith. A passionate advocate that we should electrify everything, he makes a convincing case.
The book is easy to read with a conversational style, and his theme is that by moving to replace current power supplies with electricity we can maintain our lifestyle and continue to lead recognisable lives. He goes into detail about the various alternative sources of energy, and produces figures, calculations and graphs to make comparisons. We were not sure why he was so down on green hydrogen, and thought that there might be a backstory there, but thought that his data were probably generally appropriate.
Australia is a large country, with low population and lots of sun and wind. This provides a wonderful opportunity to produce renewable energy at low cost, for local use as well as export and in addition to use it to increase manufacturing here rather than export raw fossil fuels.
The main criticism of the book (other than from one of the group who felt that the author exaggerated the need for action on climate change and questioned some of the assumptions) was the lack of a discussion of reducing demand rather than his focus on maintaining our current lifestyle. We also felt that the book was aimed at policy makers rather than giving individuals advice on personal action - although it did lead us to have a discussion on the merits and concerns about EVs.
We appreciated that the author has the credentials to have written this book - it is based on a similar book for a US audience which is credited to have had a large influence on policy there. He has set up a number of energy industries, gained considerable amounts of start-up funding, and has a PhD in the area. The book has had a lot of public interest, and is likely to have an impact on policy.
The book is easy to read with a conversational style, and his theme is that by moving to replace current power supplies with electricity we can maintain our lifestyle and continue to lead recognisable lives. He goes into detail about the various alternative sources of energy, and produces figures, calculations and graphs to make comparisons. We were not sure why he was so down on green hydrogen, and thought that there might be a backstory there, but thought that his data were probably generally appropriate.
Australia is a large country, with low population and lots of sun and wind. This provides a wonderful opportunity to produce renewable energy at low cost, for local use as well as export and in addition to use it to increase manufacturing here rather than export raw fossil fuels.
The main criticism of the book (other than from one of the group who felt that the author exaggerated the need for action on climate change and questioned some of the assumptions) was the lack of a discussion of reducing demand rather than his focus on maintaining our current lifestyle. We also felt that the book was aimed at policy makers rather than giving individuals advice on personal action - although it did lead us to have a discussion on the merits and concerns about EVs.
We appreciated that the author has the credentials to have written this book - it is based on a similar book for a US audience which is credited to have had a large influence on policy there. He has set up a number of energy industries, gained considerable amounts of start-up funding, and has a PhD in the area. The book has had a lot of public interest, and is likely to have an impact on policy.
May 13, 2022
A fundamentally important, succinct and encouraging book for understanding the energy landscape of Australia and how the decisions we make around our kitchen table, the daily ones we make about our house and cars can have the greatest impact on emissions reduction.
Australia has all the ingredients to become a world’s largest, leading, entirely renewable economy. The Big Switch is playbook of how Australia can bring climate action forward by 10 years by transforming our infrastructure, updating the grid and adapting our households, generating more electricity than we need.
Griffith gets straight to the point and doesn't waste time validating his position amongst new, theoretical, unscaled technologies, yet to be proven. He presents a technical, cultural and political pathway in which, using technology we already have, we can virtually decarbonise the fossil fuel industry, homes and businesses, while supporting a thriving export economy. He reminds that we cannot half-solve the climate crisis.
The Big Switch reads a bit like a techno-optimist, which Griffith assures you he’s not. The possibilities presented in this book are nested amongst a cultural shift away from the consumption of everything, towards smaller and fewer cars, active and public transport, dietary shifts, walkable cities and rewilding spaces.
Australian engineer and inventor, Griffith has been a key adviser on the Biden administration’s electrification agenda, a principal investigator on research projects for NASA, ARENA, and the US Special Operations Command.
Australia has all the ingredients to become a world’s largest, leading, entirely renewable economy. The Big Switch is playbook of how Australia can bring climate action forward by 10 years by transforming our infrastructure, updating the grid and adapting our households, generating more electricity than we need.
Griffith gets straight to the point and doesn't waste time validating his position amongst new, theoretical, unscaled technologies, yet to be proven. He presents a technical, cultural and political pathway in which, using technology we already have, we can virtually decarbonise the fossil fuel industry, homes and businesses, while supporting a thriving export economy. He reminds that we cannot half-solve the climate crisis.
The Big Switch reads a bit like a techno-optimist, which Griffith assures you he’s not. The possibilities presented in this book are nested amongst a cultural shift away from the consumption of everything, towards smaller and fewer cars, active and public transport, dietary shifts, walkable cities and rewilding spaces.
Australian engineer and inventor, Griffith has been a key adviser on the Biden administration’s electrification agenda, a principal investigator on research projects for NASA, ARENA, and the US Special Operations Command.
January 17, 2026
The underlying argument is this: in the next 20 to 30 years, Australia will replace nearly all of the machines currently in the economy and add some new ones; government policy should be replace them with zero-emission machines every single time.
The book is fundamentally an optimistic case for climate change action. Whilst the book clearly acknowledges the engineering, scientific and economical problems and costs of the transition, Griffih makes a strong case that climate change action is a remarkable opportunity for Australia. This is contrast to the often nihilistic commentary by some in Australia.
Griffith says that Australia voted for climate at the 20222 election because (1) the labor liberal vote was the lowest since world war 2 and (2) greens and teal independents gew. Firstly, the Liberal party did not exist before world war 2 so you can basically say since liberal party inception. Anyway. Secondly, labor had a strong climate and energy policy and they won the election and had a swing towards. This comes across as denialism of Labor's success.
The policy changes seem to be rather undercooked. Griffith suggests a suite policies. The suggestion of using pilot programs does not seem to be clearly explained nor justified. However, the discussion around grid neutrality is clearer and effectively laid out to build an argument.
The book is fundamentally an optimistic case for climate change action. Whilst the book clearly acknowledges the engineering, scientific and economical problems and costs of the transition, Griffih makes a strong case that climate change action is a remarkable opportunity for Australia. This is contrast to the often nihilistic commentary by some in Australia.
Griffith says that Australia voted for climate at the 20222 election because (1) the labor liberal vote was the lowest since world war 2 and (2) greens and teal independents gew. Firstly, the Liberal party did not exist before world war 2 so you can basically say since liberal party inception. Anyway. Secondly, labor had a strong climate and energy policy and they won the election and had a swing towards. This comes across as denialism of Labor's success.
The policy changes seem to be rather undercooked. Griffith suggests a suite policies. The suggestion of using pilot programs does not seem to be clearly explained nor justified. However, the discussion around grid neutrality is clearer and effectively laid out to build an argument.
January 7, 2023
Love how this book bridges across political ideologies to provide a practical and understandable energy plan for Australia that hopefully anyone can pick up and agree with regardless of preconceptions and opinions on climate and energy politics.
I liked how one of the last chapters acknowledges other climate issues such as biodiversity loss, incompatible land use and excessive resource consumption but I wish the plan had greater consideration for social equity and justice in a renewable energy transition. I know that the premise of the book is literally to only talk about Australia. However, I think it’s dangerous to propose a sustainable futures pathway without acknowledging loss and damage or how Australia can ensure prosperity for the global south and help prevent the continuation of socially and ecologically damaging, colonial structures of power in the economy. Perhaps the entire proposition of promoting one nation as a ‘superpower’ that can ‘win’ in an energy transition is taking a very nationalistic, competitive perspective to a global crises and should be fundamentally reconsidered.
That being said, I still loved the book and particularly enjoyed how it was structured and presented.
I liked how one of the last chapters acknowledges other climate issues such as biodiversity loss, incompatible land use and excessive resource consumption but I wish the plan had greater consideration for social equity and justice in a renewable energy transition. I know that the premise of the book is literally to only talk about Australia. However, I think it’s dangerous to propose a sustainable futures pathway without acknowledging loss and damage or how Australia can ensure prosperity for the global south and help prevent the continuation of socially and ecologically damaging, colonial structures of power in the economy. Perhaps the entire proposition of promoting one nation as a ‘superpower’ that can ‘win’ in an energy transition is taking a very nationalistic, competitive perspective to a global crises and should be fundamentally reconsidered.
That being said, I still loved the book and particularly enjoyed how it was structured and presented.
June 13, 2022
This is a really well written book on a topical subject. Saul Griffith is an engineer and scientist with PhD but he has managed to write an extremely readable book about solutions to climate change. If you are a rusted on climate denier, this book probably won't change your mind. However, if you accept that the climate is changing but have difficulty in making sense of the narrative to stop it, read The Big Switch. It is well supported by data in the form of graphs and I'm going to assume that his data is correct. It is written for an Australian audience and there is some critical analysis of the policy framework of the government here at the time of writing. That government has changed and there is expectation and hope that the new government will not make the same policy mistakes as the previous. An update from Saul in 2 years would be interesting. I borrowed this copy but I'm going to give it back and buy my own. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2023
This is perhaps the easiest book to pick up and understand exactly what we can do to get to net zero. Insert renewables on the supply end, replace fossil fuel appliances with electrical ones on the demand side, and benefit from the increased efficiency of converting electricity into energy. It gives me hope that there is a way Australia can transition and lead the way into renewables.
Having said all of that, I do think the author was perhaps a tad too optimistic and dismissive of the social situation. It's all well and good to plow ahead, but he sets aside the very real problem of a large amount of people going out of work if this moves as fast as he suggests. That's not to say we shouldn't do it, but I also don't think it assists anyone ignoring the costs and not implementing sufficient policies and plans to get everyone onboard with massive electrification.
Having said all of that, I do think the author was perhaps a tad too optimistic and dismissive of the social situation. It's all well and good to plow ahead, but he sets aside the very real problem of a large amount of people going out of work if this moves as fast as he suggests. That's not to say we shouldn't do it, but I also don't think it assists anyone ignoring the costs and not implementing sufficient policies and plans to get everyone onboard with massive electrification.
February 20, 2024
Warning! This book is not for snowflakes or for beta cucks.
This book covers the climate myth and deals with the truth of energy security.
If you’re someone that’s bamboozled by political or media rhetoric on energy solutions (nuclear vs hydrogen vs coal vs oversized fans vs technology that only works when the sun is out) but not too sensitive to hear common sense solutions written in a way too easy to understand style this is perfect for you.
Because that’s what it is.
It deals quickly and effectively with the technology that doesn’t work (despite all the hype you hear everywhere) and lists out the details of the technology that does work and why.
Not for dairy fairies and the weak of heart.
This book covers the climate myth and deals with the truth of energy security.
If you’re someone that’s bamboozled by political or media rhetoric on energy solutions (nuclear vs hydrogen vs coal vs oversized fans vs technology that only works when the sun is out) but not too sensitive to hear common sense solutions written in a way too easy to understand style this is perfect for you.
Because that’s what it is.
It deals quickly and effectively with the technology that doesn’t work (despite all the hype you hear everywhere) and lists out the details of the technology that does work and why.
Not for dairy fairies and the weak of heart.
June 4, 2022
A practical and accessible guide to how Australia can become carbon neutral.
Gives an excellent breakdown of the different fuels and technologies that could be used. Really loved the chapters on household energy use - it's the first thing I've read that has given me a clear view of the most important decisions at a household level (car, space heating, cooking, water heating).
My favourite part of the book: it's hopeful. It describes what our lives can be like in an electrified future. It shows what a thriving Australia looks like. And it's achievable.
Gives an excellent breakdown of the different fuels and technologies that could be used. Really loved the chapters on household energy use - it's the first thing I've read that has given me a clear view of the most important decisions at a household level (car, space heating, cooking, water heating).
My favourite part of the book: it's hopeful. It describes what our lives can be like in an electrified future. It shows what a thriving Australia looks like. And it's achievable.
October 31, 2022
Nice to read a book with solutions and an optimistic outlook on how we can solve the crisis of climate change.
Some of the graphs were a bit difficult to read in small font and in black & white. A colour section may have been helpful, but all the references were there if you wanted to find the sources online.
Fairly easy to read and while the technical side of things wasn't necessarily "dumbed down" (which I find condescending), Saul has written these technical things out in a thoughtful and simple manner.
I can only hope that someone in Federal government reads this soon.
Some of the graphs were a bit difficult to read in small font and in black & white. A colour section may have been helpful, but all the references were there if you wanted to find the sources online.
Fairly easy to read and while the technical side of things wasn't necessarily "dumbed down" (which I find condescending), Saul has written these technical things out in a thoughtful and simple manner.
I can only hope that someone in Federal government reads this soon.
February 8, 2023
It’s a pretty plainly laid out argument that Australia can take action on climate change right now with current technology by replacing all our fossil powered machines with electric ones, putting solar on our roofs, using electric cars to power our houses at night, and save huge amounts of money in the long run. Obviously there’s nuances, but the point is to go all in on the technologies we currently have, while we develop the solutions to the harder climate problems. And the government is listening.
February 10, 2025
An accessible policy pitch dense with self-professed ‘hopium’ on the feasibility of a rapid energy transition for Australia. It is essentially what a major part of DCCEEW’s yet-to-be-released electricity sector decarbonisation plan ought to be.
For a book released in 2022, as the Albanese government came to power, it is a shame the calls for household electrification support were not taken more seriously. If more communities were making direct savings from electrification, maybe the country could’ve escaped nuclear energy wedging for the 2025 election?
For a book released in 2022, as the Albanese government came to power, it is a shame the calls for household electrification support were not taken more seriously. If more communities were making direct savings from electrification, maybe the country could’ve escaped nuclear energy wedging for the 2025 election?
April 10, 2022
A must to be read. Common sense & Logical explanations on how we should be utilising our vast resources of renewables
Electrify everything makes so much sense.
It should be a pre-requisite if you want to be a politician of the 21st Century.
I can’t believe how ignorant our major political parties are, we have to get away from the 2 party system. More independents and Greens are the only way to realise the true wealth of living in Australia.
Electrify everything makes so much sense.
It should be a pre-requisite if you want to be a politician of the 21st Century.
I can’t believe how ignorant our major political parties are, we have to get away from the 2 party system. More independents and Greens are the only way to realise the true wealth of living in Australia.
April 17, 2022
A vitally important, succinct and hopeful book for understanding the energy landscape of Australia and what everyday Australians can do to assist with the climate crisis. A must read to help cut through the prevalent misinformation.
It pairs very well with the ABC podcast series: Australia, if you’re listening to understand how we got here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
It pairs very well with the ABC podcast series: Australia, if you’re listening to understand how we got here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
November 4, 2022
Great book. Australia has lots of wind and sunshine and many of the metals like lithium and tantalum that the world needs for renewable energy. It should be at the forefront of the new renewable energy industries. We should be exporting renewable energy. It just takes a bit of imagination and optimism. There are more opportunities for jobs in renewable industries than in fossil fuel industries.
The author explains the issues simply in a very readable manner.
The author explains the issues simply in a very readable manner.
July 7, 2024
Highly recommend! Vibe is "wow, there are affordable & politically realistic solutions to the climate crisis (if each of us decide to engage with it!)." Short, lots of diagrams, simple language, and well pitched for its target audience - everyday folks, not environmentalists, climate activists, or energy nerds. Relevant for all countries, especially NZ, not just Australia. Feeling excited and inspired.
April 24, 2022
Clear and concise, this book is an incredibly optimistic overview of the state of renewables in Australia. It explains what we are doing and what we need to do to save our planet. Importantly, it dispels many of the myths about the science of climate change. Read it and then lobby your government to do much more.
September 11, 2022
Easily explains how Australia can become an energy superpower and provides a healthy dose of "hopium".
Saul manages going into the numbers at just the right level to provide context without being boring. He also provides both a friendly and casual tone, allowing for the reader to feel like they are at the pub talking to a mate, rather then a stodgy lecture on climate change.
Saul manages going into the numbers at just the right level to provide context without being boring. He also provides both a friendly and casual tone, allowing for the reader to feel like they are at the pub talking to a mate, rather then a stodgy lecture on climate change.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews