The energy revolution must be nuclear

Moreover, biology protects life from nuclear radiation. Over three billion years, life has evolved to survive the natural radiation from rocks and space, developing ways to recover from the damage caused. But that is a longer story. The point is that moderate exposures to radiation are effectively harmless. Even higher doses are used routinely to diagnose and cure cancers, thanks to the work of Marie Curie.2

The public accepts the use of nuclear technology for human health; it should do the same for the health of the planet. Yet, although fears of nuclear power have no scientific basis – indeed, nuclear power is far safer than any other energy source – they pervade public policy, with the risks often being fictionalized for the sake of entertainment.

Our future, and the health of our environment, requires us to change course and embrace nuclear power. To support this shift, more comprehensive and accurate education should be provided, both for the general public and for today's young people who one day will be building and operating nuclear power stations throughout the world. At the same time, much of the precautionary bureaucracy put in place during the Cold War needs to be reconsidered.

In terms of safety, reliability, efficiency, and environmental friendliness, nuclear energy is the best candidate to replace fossil fuels. Without it, the energy revolution the world urgently needs will never happen.