Nuclear fusion promises a clean, green energy future — but there's a catch

It's a nuclear race like no other, involving billions of dollars and hundreds of scientists from across the globe.

An artist's impression of the completed ITER.
The pink section in the middle is the tokamak.

Their aim is as ambitious as it is monumental: to replicate the energy source that powers the solar system, effectively building a mini sun — a swirling mass of super-heated atomic plasma so hot that it can only be contained by a magnetic field.

The process is called nuclear fusion.

Scientists believe that if fusion technology can be successfully harnessed as a human energy source, it could help save the world from future environmental catastrophe.

Read the story from the ABC by Anthony Funnell for Future Tense - “Nuclear fusion promises a clean, green energy future — but there's a catch.”

Earth’s climate monsters could be unleashed as temperatures rise

This week, hundreds of scientists and government officials from more than 190 countries have been buzzing around a convention centre in the South Korean city of Incheon.

Fundamental questions are being raised about the ability
 of governments to stop the Earth from spiralling into a ‘hothouse’.

They are trying to agree on the first official release of a report – the bit called the Summary for Policymakers – that pulls together all of what’s known about how the world might be affected once global warming gets to 1.5C.

What will happen to coral reefs? How will extreme weather events and droughts change? What about heatwaves? And then, what are the different “pathways” that economies could choose to keep temperatures to 1.5C?

On Monday morning, the summary document is expected to be released, and there will be a cascade of headlines around the world.

Read the story by Graham Readfearn from The Guardian - “Earth’s climate monsters could be unleashed as temperatures rise.”