My blog post the other day about the debate at TED 2010 on the issue of nuclear power got a fascinating comment from Steve Nelson. I knew I wasn't the only one who changed my vote so it's fun to hear from one of the others. Steve said "I also was one who switched my vote from not raising my hand the first time to voting with Jacobson. Much as I have forever admired Stewart Brand, he didn't make the case for me. I wonder, though, if Bill Gates could have better argued the pro- case. I was also influenced by Jacobson's article in Scientific American, which I had read before the conference."
I can understand his enthusiasm. Jacobson's article is concise, specific, hard-hitting and factual. This guy is armed with every argument, is familiar with the many objections people have voiced about nuclear power and has assembled an impressive arsenal of counterarguments to overcome those objections.
Steve's comment about Bill Gates is provocative. I heard Bill Gates speak last year at TED 2009 when he passionately presented the case for getting serious about fixing America's public school system. This time he was on fire (well, relatively so; Bill Gates is not exactly a fiery guy) about the need for real innovation to get to zero carbon emissions globally by the year 2050. He says we need nothing short of energy miracles, not just one of them but several, to avoid catastrophe. Because the way we are approaching our climate will not work without miraculous intervention. And he discusses the pros and cons of nuclear, suggesting the need for "Fast Scale" reactors, which would take 20 years to build.
Gates talked of the need for rational dialogue on every aspect of the energy issue, conversation that has to involve people from countries around the world, and has to engage large corporations capable of leading the charge for efforts that will be daunting, long-term, and expensive. And no one course of action--at least not yet--appears appropriate. We have to have parallel efforts going on simultaneously, a difficult argument to push, especially when money is so tight everywhere.
Gates makes the case well that each of us has to be knowledgeable so that we can engage in the rational dialogue and move it forward. I urge you to view his TED Talk, now up on the TED.com website. You'll find it fascinating.
Author of I is for Intercourse: The ABC's of Conversation, Susan Bird is the visionary behind Wf360, and a sought-after speaker around the world for her views on leadership, the strategic importance of conversation, entrepreneurship, and the role of women business leaders.
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