Name: Debate: Does the world need nuclear energy?
Uploaded: 2010-06-10T09:25:00Z
Duration: 22 min 42 s
Description: 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.

Stewart Brand + Mark Z. Jacobson: Debate: Does the world need nuclear energy?

Debate: Does the world need nuclear energy?

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.

As the world grapples with climate change and rising energy demands, the debate over nuclear versus renewable energy intensifies. Supporters argue nuclear delivers steady, low-carbon electricity, pointing out that all the waste from a lifetime of nuclear electricity fits in a Coke can. Critics warn that nuclear is slow to build, costly, and comes with risks of weapon proliferation, while wind and solar can already meet large-scale needs with fewer safety concerns. The TED audience left more divided, revealing how complex the path to a clean energy future remains.