Electricity is a cornerstone of modern civilization, powering everything from homes and industries to communication and transportation systems. Other factors like human ingenuity, natural resources, and societal structures also play critical roles. That said, without electricity, our current way of life would grind to a halt pretty fast—imagine no lights, no internet, no refrigeration. It’s the lifeblood of progress, but it’s not the whole body.

Electricity’s importance to civilization is massive. It’s the backbone of nearly every system we rely on—think healthcare (hospitals, ventilators), food supply (refrigeration, production), communication (internet, phones), and transportation (electric vehicles, traffic systems). Without it, economies collapse, safety plummets, and daily life reverts to something pre-industrial, fast. The World Bank estimates over 80% of global GDP depends on reliable electricity access. Even basic stuff like clean water often ties back to electric pumps or treatment plants.

Beyond the practical, it’s a catalyst for innovation—electricity enabled the tech revolution, from computers to AI. No juice, no progress. That said, it’s not everything. People survived without it for millennia, leaning on manual labor, fire, and raw materials. Today, though, losing it would be catastrophic. Renewable energy comes from naturally replenishing sources that don’t run out or can be restored within a human lifetime. Unlike fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), which take millions of years to form and deplete with use, renewables tap into ongoing processes like sunlight, wind, or water cycles. They’re a big deal because they cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce reliance on finite resources, though they’ve got their own challenges.

Captures sunlight with panels (photovoltaic cells) to generate electricity or heat water. It’s abundant—Earth gets more solar energy in an hour than the world uses in a year—but it’s weather-dependent and needs space or storage for nighttime. Wind: Uses turbines to convert wind into electricity. Wind’s free and clean, but it’s inconsistent, and turbines can be noisy or mess with wildlife (think birds).

Hydropower: Harnesses flowing water, usually via dams on rivers, to spin turbines. It’s reliable and can store energy (pumped storage), but dams can disrupt ecosystems and displace communities.

Geothermal: Pulls heat from Earth’s core—think hot springs or volcanic areas—for power or heating. It’s steady, but only viable in specific spots. Biomass: Burns organic stuff (wood, crops, waste) or converts it into biofuels. It’s renewable if managed right but can release carbon and compete with food production.

Renewables are sustainable long-term and combat climate change—global renewable capacity hit about 3,700 gigawatts in 2023, per the IEA, covering over 30% of electricity demand. The catch? They often need big upfront costs, infrastructure (like grids or batteries for when the sun’s down), and can’t yet fully replace fossil fuels everywhere due to scale or reliability gaps. It’s a shift from digging up the past to harnessing what’s around us. What aspect of this interests you most?

Electricity is a linchpin of modern civilization, driving nearly every facet of our lives. It’s the force behind industry—powering factories that produce goods, from cars to smartphones. In homes, it keeps lights on, food fresh, and climates bearable. Globally, the International Energy Agency says electricity demand has been growing about 2-3% annually, with over 80% of the world’s population now having access—up from 73% in 2000—showing how essential it’s become.

In healthcare, it’s life-or-death: ventilators, MRI machines, and even basic sterilization depend on it. Communication; the internet, satellites, and phones—all electric. Transportation’s shifting too—electric vehicles are projected to hit 18% of global car sales by 2030, per BloombergNEF. Without electricity, supply chains collapse, cities darken, and economies tank. The World Bank ties reliable power to higher GDP—countries with spotty access lag in development.

Historically, its importance skyrocketed with the Industrial Revolution, turning muscle and steam into automated systems. Today, it’s the foundation for innovation—AI, robotics, space exploration—all need juice. But it’s not absolute. Pre-electric societies leaned on human labor, animals, and natural forces. Now, though? Losing it would unravel us fast.

South Korean auto giant Hyundai has announced a sweeping investment plan in the United States, including a massive $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana and a $7.59 billion car and battery factory in Georgia.

The move underscores a growing shift among multinational companies recalibrating their operations under the weight of U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies.

Hyundai Executive Chairman Euisun Chung revealed the investment during a White House event on Monday, standing alongside Trump.

“This new facility will create 1,300 American jobs and serve as the foundation for a more self-reliant and secure automotive supply chain in the U.S.,” Chung said.

The Louisiana plant marks a critical expansion for Hyundai, which already has a strong manufacturing presence in the United States. The company operates an assembly plant in Alabama, while its affiliate Kia runs a production facility in Georgia. The two existing factories can produce 700,000 vehicles annually. Once the new Georgia plant becomes fully operational, it will add another 300,000 cars to the company’s U.S. manufacturing capacity.

Trump’s Tariffs: A Driving Force Behind Hyundai’s Move?

Hyundai’s latest investment makes it the newest major company to announce a multibillion-dollar commitment to the United States since Trump’s return to the presidency in January. The U.S. president has made clear that companies choosing to manufacture abroad could face punishing tariffs, while those investing in American factories will be rewarded with tariff exemptions.

Trump has repeatedly signaled his intention to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries with large trade surpluses with the United States. South Korea, a key U.S. trade partner, has found itself in Trump’s crosshairs, raising speculation that Hyundai’s investment is, at least in part, a strategic move to avoid being swept up in new trade penalties.

“Hyundai will be producing steel in America and making its cars in America, and as a result, they’ll not have to pay any tariffs,” Trump said Monday, touting the investment as evidence that his protectionist trade policies are working.

“Cars are coming to this country at levels never seen before. Money is pouring in. We want to keep it that way,” he added.

The president further hinted that more tariff measures targeting foreign automakers could be announced in the coming days.

Global Business Scrambles as U.S. Trade War Heats Up

Hyundai’s decision comes amid a broader wave of multinational firms redirecting their investments to the United States in response to Trump’s trade war rhetoric. Apple and Oracle are among the companies that have announced hundreds of billions of dollars in planned U.S. investments over the next four years.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry had traveled to South Korea in October to meet with Hyundai executives and discuss the steel plant investment. The project is expected to make Louisiana a key hub for Hyundai’s North American supply chain.

“Hyundai’s commitment shows that we are entering a new era of manufacturing in America,” Landry said in a statement. “This investment not only strengthens our auto sector but ensures that American workers are at the heart of global production.”

In addition to its manufacturing expansion, Hyundai has also pledged to purchase $3 billion worth of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, further aligning itself with the country’s energy sector.

The deal aligns with Trump’s broader push to boost American energy exports and reduce trade deficits. With South Korea being one of the largest importers of U.S. LNG, the agreement solidifies Hyundai’s relationship with American energy producers and serves as a buffer against potential trade restrictions.

Trump’s renewed trade war threats have put companies like Hyundai in a tough spot, forcing them to either move production to the U.S. or risk hefty penalties. While Hyundai’s latest investments may shield it from immediate tariff exposure, the broader uncertainty surrounding Trump’s trade policies means the auto industry remains on edge.

As the April 2 deadline for Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcements approaches, major automakers—including European and Japanese manufacturers—are bracing for the possibility of new levies. Industry analysts say Hyundai’s rapid expansion into the U.S. is a clear signal that companies are taking Trump’s threats seriously.

His empire gained market share but the revenue was dropping. He complained that his management was not executing well. How can you tell me that you have gained market share, and yet we are seeing erosion of revenue? Baba was not happy. He was in mid-80 and was troubled because the business he built over decades seemed to be fading.

His men told him the truth: competition was asymmetric and no more within the players you competed with in your time, and new investments were needed. They made it clear that change was necessary. He asked for an “outsider” for a second opinion.

They flew me from the US and I made it to Lagos. In Ikeja, I met Baba. I told him what his men had told him and included a chart of two companies – Facebook and Google – and how they were disintermediating the local advertising industry. Within a quarter, the company signed a partnership deal with a major European digital ad bundler, and revenue returned even though the old traditional ad business continued to fade.

Disruption happened in that industry, and agility brought the company back. Today, at Tekedia Mini-MBA, our Faculty Olutoyin Williams will educate at the PEOPLE’s level, on a course titled “Professional Career Development in the Age of Disruption”. Indeed, how do we build career resilience and thrive despite all the disruptions from technology, tariffs, political chaos, globalization, etc. How do you design and execute a professional career framework?

Tue, March 25 | 7pm-8pm WAT | Professional Career Development in the Age of Disruption – Olutoyin Williams, International Youth Federation UK| Zoom link 

Tekedia Institute Mini-MBA >> the BEST teaches here and our product is Knowledge.