Abstract
AbstractThe transition to non-fossil energy sources is gaining a rapidly increasing attention in the international agenda. The global disruptions caused by the pandemic and more recently by the Ukrainian crisis add to the growing concern about the consequences of climate changes. All situations that have highlighted how crucial energy is for sustainable development and for international relations, and the extreme vulnerability of a world still largely depending on fossil sources. In this framework research on nuclear fusion energy is attracting a growing interest. It is an extremely attractive potential source of electricity for a future CO2-free energy basket. It uses widely available fuel, does not produce high-level radioactive waste and its plants are inherently safe. For its practical applicability, high-level research is still required. As the science progresses and the realization of fusion comes closer, it also necessitates a debate about non-technical issues, including diverse social and ethical implications. This requires a multi-disciplinary approach, which includes conversation outside the traditional technical borders of fusion research. Questions like the following need to be addressed: what are the ethical implications of sourcing electricity from fusion? What kinds of evaluations (financial, environmental, ethical) are at play here? How would the costs and benefits associated with fusion technology be distributed? What factors may affect availability of fusion energy? How to deal with public acceptance of an energy source that, despite being very different from fission, has a nuclear nature? And, ultimately, considered in a broader environmental, social, and geopolitical context—would this form of energy deliver a better energy future for all?
Publisher
Springer International Publishing