TED: How fear of nuclear power is hurting the environment | Michael Shellenberger

The video discusses the global clean energy revolution, highlighting the increase in clean energy sources like solar and wind, but also the decline in nuclear energy. It examines the challenges faced by countries like the US, Germany, and India in meeting clean energy goals. The video explores the potential of nuclear energy, its public perception, and the technological advancements needed. It concludes by emphasizing the need for increased global demand for clean energy solutions and addressing the fears associated with nuclear power.

Which country is committed to building significantly more solar capacity than California by 2022?

• Brazil

• China

• Germany

• India

What has been the trend in the percentage of global electricity from clean energy sources over the last 20 years?

• It has increased from 31% to 36%

• It has increased from 36% to 41%

• It has decreased from 36% to 31%

• It has remained constant at 36%

What was the primary replacement for the prematurely retired nuclear power plants in the US during 2013-2014?

• Solar energy

• Wind energy

• Fossil fuels

• Hydroelectric power

What percentage of the time do solar and wind provide power?

• 10 to 20%

• 30 to 40%

• 50 to 60%

• 70 to 80%

According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which energy source has a lower carbon content than solar?

• Geothermal

• Hydro

• Nuclear

• Wind

What are the three main fears associated with nuclear energy?

• Cost, efficiency, and waste

• Safety, waste, and weapons

• Pollution, cost, and safety

• Efficiency, weapons, and pollution

What is the potential benefit of using plutonium from warheads in nuclear power plants?

• It helps in getting rid of nuclear weapons

• It reduces the cost of nuclear energy

• It increases the efficiency of nuclear plants

• It decreases the waste produced by nuclear plants

What was the engineer's response to the suggestion of skipping the demonstration phase for the thorium reactor?

• He said it would save time and money

• He said it was already planned

• He questioned if one would buy an untested car

• He agreed to consider it

What is the main reason for the lack of global demand for nuclear energy, according to the engineer in China?

• Insufficient global demand

• Environmental concerns

• High cost of production

• Lack of technological advancements

What is the primary cause of the clean energy crisis, as mentioned in the conclusion?

• Technological limitations

• Economic factors

• Human attitudes and behaviors

• Government policies