Can Nuclear Fusion Play A Role In The Climate Emergency?


Researchers have reportedly made a breakthrough in the quest to unlock a “near-limitless, safe, clean” source of energy: they have got more energy out of a nuclear fusion reaction than they put in. Nuclear fusion involves smashing together light elements such as hydrogen to form heavier elements, releasing a huge burst of energy in the process. The approach, which gives rise to the heat and light of the sun and other stars, has been hailed as having huge potential as a sustainable, low-carbon energy source. What are your thoughts LiveTribers? Can nuclear fusion play a role in the climate emergency?

Posted by on 05 Jan 2023

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  • [0] [0]
    LeafyGreen

    NO, they have not solved the problem of nuclear waste. Doesn't anyone know about the mountains of the toxic stuff being buried all over the world and some in the ocean? I cannot believe they are talking nuclear without confronting the elephant in the room, waste from nuclear energy production.

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 18 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    June

    Thank you for this comment LeafyGreen as it is exactly how I feel about Nuclear Energy. I cannot understand how people do not see or remember what has happened around the world with nuclear plants.

    Posted by June on 22 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Turbotom

    Yep why not consider all options

    Posted by Turbotom on 11 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    yelsha42

    I'll believe it when I see it

    Posted by yelsha42 on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Graeme

    Like all other research breakthroughs, there’s still a long way to go. Talking 10 years plus? How long have we got with the emergency?

    Posted by Graeme on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Graeme

    Producing a small positive energy return but like all other research breakthrooughs

    Posted by Graeme on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Joy

    If it is a more efficient and reliable means of generating energy, I am all for it! The "climate emergency" is probably best addressed by reducing the population numbers that the planet is being asked to support. If we were really serious about human intervention to address the climate emergency we would introduce policies that restrict the number of children that people have.....

    Posted by Joy on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    LeafyGreen

    We don't have a population problem, it is already been going down for years. We have a greed by the rich problem.

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 18 Jan 2023
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    Spiderwoman

    It appears that fusion is safe; however, I, too, need more information ...I would still say: Australia is one of the sunniest and windiest countries on earth, with enough renewable energy to power resources to power our country 500 times over. Building large-scale wind and solar projects is the cheapest way of producing electricity here, even when paired with storage. It is also low risk, renewable and non-polluting. The bottom line is – nuclear power is the slowest, most expensive, most dangerous and least flexible form of new power generation for Australia. It makes no sense. So let’s stop wasting time, and get on with building more renewables...

    Posted by Spiderwoman on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    June

    Well said Spiderwoman. I think this SHOULD be the way of the future.

    Posted by June on 22 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Tedskeeeeez

    It all sounds great in theory and on paper, but I would need to know a lot more to better understand potential risks both in the short and long term before I committed to such new and innovative technology

    Posted by Tedskeeeeez on 06 Jan 2023
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    coaster

    Agree wholeheartedly.

    Posted by coaster on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    June

    These nuclear facilities will become ready military invasion targets as shown in Ukraine. Definitely NOT want this to be in Australia.

    Posted by June on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    June

    Nope, it is dangerous. It has more disastrous risks in form of nuclear winter or another Chernobyl incident.

    Posted by June on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    coaster

    Not just Chernobyl, but three Island in USA, Japan has had a couple go as has other nations. It is not safe no matter what spin that put on it.

    Posted by coaster on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    mid

    I don't worship at the alter of climate change religion, I believe as supported by science that climate change is a natural cyclic process, but I do support nuclear power as the most efficient way forward.

    Posted by mid on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Brett

    exactly righ, someone with common sense, there is no climate emergency, the planet has benn warming and cooling for millions of years and will continue so, nuclear is the only way to go, but too many greenys and politicians with no guts in this country so will never happen unfortunatly

    Posted by Brett on 18 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    LeafyGreen

    And where do you suggest they put the nuclear waste, in your backyard?

    Posted by LeafyGreen on 18 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Michelle

    who knows

    Posted by Michelle on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    KSC

    Wow - that's excellent news! Now to make it scalable

    Posted by KSC on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Godfrey

    How many years before this can be achieved on a large scale and at what cost?

    Posted by Godfrey on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    tassiegirl

    There is a big risk if something goes wrong with the nuclear reactor. Look what happened at Chernobyl. The site was exposed to radiation and nobody could live there, as it was causing cancer, leukemia and other health problems to people who lived and worked near there. Personally I would never use it. It is not worth the risk.

    Posted by tassiegirl on 06 Jan 2023
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    coaster

    Let along the initial deaths, deaths of workers who tried to clean it up and deaths long term of many many others and as we know, Russia does not tell the truth about these episodes.

    Posted by coaster on 06 Jan 2023
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    wrestling collector

    I think there are positive & negatives,as long as it does more good than harm.

    Posted by wrestling collector on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Dominic

    I dont know what fusision is

    Posted by Dominic on 06 Jan 2023
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    Miro

    Possibly. It obviously needs more research t make it as safe as possibly, but it does sound promising. digging up the planet is awful.

    Posted by Miro on 06 Jan 2023
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    Kittykato

    It's really too soon to say. By the time they figure out a way to make it work it'll be too late for most of us.

    Posted by Kittykato on 06 Jan 2023
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    mact

    If and only if Fusion can be scaled up to provide Sunlike energy......the Earth is saved..... hallelujah brothers and sisters. Such a fact could take years or may yet remain elusive on a practical real world scale.

    Posted by mact on 06 Jan 2023
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    merryl

    This could only play a role if it would work on a much bigger scale. This is probably years, if not decades, in the future.

    Posted by merryl on 06 Jan 2023
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    Jay

    Certainly, if technology has a huge breakthrough to create a safe facility. So far, that's not a breakthrough rather than a progress.

    Posted by Jay on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    Maryam

    The risks have to be evaluated first and then see the benefits. I am very skeptic about its use.

    Posted by Maryam on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Andrew

    Yes there's been a breakthrough, but we're still a long, long way from commercial production of excess energy. Fusion has been 10 years away for the last 40 years, and it is probably at least 10 years away now. More importantly, fusion will NEVER come about until people educate themselves as to the risks of various types of nuclear energy. Reading some of the previous posts suggests that much ignorance still abounds with the public.

    Posted by Andrew on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [1] [0]
    coaster

    Ignorance, scepticism, fear, knowledge whatever. I feel it is too dangerous based on all the accidents we have heard of and of course there are many we have not heard of. It is a dangerous commodity.

    Posted by coaster on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    Ally42

    I don't really know, probably not.

    Posted by Ally42 on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Tabsta

    I feel that nucelar is dangerous and iffy and not sure it's worth the risk

    Posted by Tabsta on 06 Jan 2023
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  • [2] [0]
    Bindi

    I get why they want it... But I think it needs a lot more research in its safety... Personally I'm not a fan... I think harnessing the sun's energy is a much better option... As with water to... EVERY HOUSE should have solar panels or tiles on the roof and should have water collection tanks... THIS Should BE MANDETORY... EDUCATION of what nature can provide us is essential and a key to the future

    Posted by Bindi on 05 Jan 2023
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  • [0] [0]
    coaster

    over 30% of Australian households have solar on their roofs i.e. over 3 million households then add businesses it is quite a large number. It is mandatory now for all new builds to have solar. Water tanks are also going in at a higher rate. It is also mandatory in some areas of Australia such as NSW and Qld. and Vic. to have a rainwater tank in all new homes and commercial buildings.

    Posted by coaster on 06 Jan 2023
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