Ideas worth spreading

We need nuclear power to solve climate change

1,244,191 views | Joe Lassiter • TEDSummit

Joe Lassiter is a deep thinker and straight talker focused on developing clean, secure and carbon-neutral supplies of reliable, low-cost energy. His analysis of the world's energy realities puts a powerful lens on the stubbornly touchy issue of nuclear power, including new designs for plants that can compete economically with fossil fuels. We have the potential to make nuclear safer and cheaper than it's been in the past, Lassiter says. Now we have to make the choice to pursue it.

Joe Lassiter is a deep thinker and straight talker focused on developing clean, secure and carbon-neutral supplies of reliable, low-cost energy. His analysis of the world's energy realities puts a powerful lens on the stubbornly touchy issue of nuclear power, including new designs for plants that can compete economically with fossil fuels. We have the potential to make nuclear safer and cheaper than it's been in the past, Lassiter says. Now we have to make the choice to pursue it.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Sign the pledge for clean energy equality to support activist political action intended to keep the current fleet of nuclear reactors open.

About the speaker

Joe Lassiter

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Joe Lassiter focuses on one of the world’s most pressing problems: developing clean, secure and carbon-neutral supplies of reliable, low-cost energy all around the world.

Mackay, D | Cambridge: UIT Cambridge, 2009 | Book

Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air

A thorough look at all the pieces of the energy technology landscape.

Helm, D. | Yale University Press, 2015 | Book

The Carbon Crunch

A thorough look at all the pieces of the energy policy landscapee

Hargraves, R | CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012 | Book

Thorium: energy cheaper than coal

A good summary of the different nuclear alternatives as well as a clear presentation of the “world’s energy” problem, including the needs of the developed and developing countries. No matter how much the developed countries reduce energy consumption and move to zero-net carbon energy production, it doesn’t change the world’s climate future as the developing world moves their per capita energy consumption upward.

US Energy Information Administration | Article

"International Energy Outlook"

It is best used in contrast with the OECD International Energy Agency’s information.

International Energy Agency | Article

"World Energy Outlook"

A good source of statics and forecasts. It is best used in contrast with the US Energy Information Agency’s information.

Brick, SW. and Thernstorm, S | Article

"Renewables and decarbonization: Studies of California, Wisconsin and Germany"

This article really points out the problem of matching supply and demand over the seasonal and multi-day conditions in electricity grids. Low-cost, low-emissions power requires that the intermittency of renewables is paired by zero-net carbon dispatchable sources of power.

United Nations Environmental Program | Article

"Radiation Effects and Sources"

Thomas GA, Symonds P | Clinical Oncology | Article

"Radiation Exposure and Health Effects - is it Time to Reassess the Real Consequences?"

An updated summary of what the world has learned from the radiological casualties and how that knowledge can be used to update public health regulations.

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Third Way

To learn about public policy action intended to accelerate the development of new nuclear in the US, please go here to learn about efforts of Third Way.

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Bright New World

To connect with nuclear energy policy efforts particularly in other parts of the world , please go here to follow Bright New World.

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Energy for Humanity

To connect with nuclear public policy efforts particularly in OECD-Europe , please go here to follow Energy for Humanity.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Sign the pledge for clean energy equality to support activist political action intended to keep the current fleet of nuclear reactors open.