Ideas worth spreading

Debate: Does the world need nuclear energy?

1,771,732 views | Stewart Brand + Mark Z. Jacobson • TED2010

Nuclear power: the energy crisis has even die-hard environmentalists reconsidering it. In this first-ever TED debate, Stewart Brand and Mark Z. Jacobson square off over the pros and cons. A discussion that'll make you think -- and might even change your mind.

Nuclear power: the energy crisis has even die-hard environmentalists reconsidering it. In this first-ever TED debate, Stewart Brand and Mark Z. Jacobson square off over the pros and cons. A discussion that'll make you think -- and might even change your mind.

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

About the speakers

Environmentalist, futurist

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Since the counterculture '60s, Stewart Brand has been creating our internet-worked world. Now, with biotech accelerating four times faster than digital technology, Stewart Brand has a bold new plan ...

Mark Z. Jacobson

Mark Z. Jacobson

Civil and environmental engineer

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At Stanford, Mark Z. Jacobson uses numerical models to study the effects of energy systems and vehicles on climate and air pollution, and to analyze renewable energy resources.

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