Whenever someone hears the word nuclear, distressing images of the wreckage in Japan following the dropping of two atomic bombs come to mind. This technology propelled the world into a four-decade-long Cold War filled with high tension and the idea of mutually assured destruction. Traumatic events like these have instilled an inherent fear of anything related to nuclear power among the general population. However, nuclear power, when used properly, can be a tremendous asset to society. Without nuclear fusion, our Sun would not be able to produce energy and life on our planet would cease to exist. In order to promote continued success on this planet, humanity must dedicate more resources towards the development of nuclear fusion reactors since nuclear energy is accessible, is cost-effective, generates minimal waste, and is, contrary to popular belief, attainable in the near future.
As compared to other sources of energy, nuclear energy is relatively accessible. The process relies on the fusing of two isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium, which is the most abundant element in the universe and is readily accessible on Earth. Deuterium “can be extracted inexpensively from seawater. Tritium can be made from lithium, which is also abundant in nature” (Verlini 5). Since the primary inputs for nuclear fusion can be easily accumulated and utilized, nuclear fusion is a far more accessible energy source. In comparison, many of the current methods of generating energy are severely limited by natural resource supplies. Currently, “there’s over 1.06 trillion tonnes of proven coal reserves worldwide,” which “is enough coal to last as around 132 years” (“What Is Coal & Where Is It Found?” 8) assuming that we are able to extract these reserves in their entirety and utilize them efficiently. 132 years worth of coal is not sufficient for the prolonged success of the human race, meaning a viable alternative form of energy, like fusion energy, is necessary to sustain society. Beyond accessibility of resources, nuclear fusion also yields a consistent level of daily production. Many recent renewable sources of energy have been proved to be inconsistent because they depend on trivial factors such as weather and temperature. For example, solar panels “rely on the steady absorption of sunlight… which can be easily deterred” (Gromicko 3). These common deterrents include clouds and lack of sunlight during the night, which cause many residential houses with solar panels to remain connected to the power grid and occasionally depend on that for power. In contrast, fusion energy production is independent of environmental conditions like the weather (Entler 63). This makes fusion energy more dependable as a constant energy supply and is more accessible than many of the other existing sources of energy.
Fusion energy would significantly reduce energy production costs and would be far more accessible, in both the short and long term, than methods like coal and solar panels. Contrary to popular belief, the technology is only a few improvements away from reaching its break-even point and revolutionizing society. If humanity is to continue its legacy of constant improvement on this planet, fusion technology must be developed to empower future generations to continue striving for new heights.
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