“I would like nuclear fusion to become a practical power source. It would provide an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“I would like nuclear fusion to become a practical power source. It would provide an inexhaustible supply of energy, without pollution or global warming.”
Explanation
In this statement, Stephen Hawking expresses his hope for nuclear fusion to become a viable energy source. Fusion, the process that powers the Sun, involves fusing light atomic nuclei, such as hydrogen, into heavier elements, releasing vast amounts of energy. Unlike conventional nuclear fission (which splits heavy atomic nuclei), fusion has the potential to provide an inexhaustible and clean source of energy, with minimal radioactive waste and no direct greenhouse gas emissions, making it a promising solution to the energy and climate crises we face today.
Hawking’s enthusiasm for fusion reflects its central role in the quest for sustainable energy. Fusion energy has long been considered the “holy grail” of clean energy because, theoretically, it could supply power for millions of years with fuel sources (like hydrogen isotopes) that are abundant and relatively non-polluting. However, while scientific research in nuclear fusion has made significant strides, achieving a net-positive energy output — where more energy is produced than consumed to start the reaction — has proven to be extremely challenging.
In recent years, there have been promising developments in fusion technology, such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale power source. Additionally, private companies are pushing forward with smaller-scale reactors. If successful, nuclear fusion could revolutionize the global energy landscape, providing a nearly unlimited supply of clean energy, with significant implications for reducing pollution, combating global warming, and ensuring energy security for future generations.