With the approach of Earth Day, this show looks at the clean air, carbon-free case for nuclear power. And it challenges the view held by many environmentalists that the only way to save the planet is for all of us to get by with less.
Guest Michael Shellenberger is is coauthor of An Ecomodernist Manifesto, a which argues that human prosperity and an ecologically vibrant planet go hand-in-hand. In 2007, Michael received the Green Book Award and Time magazine's "Hero of the Environment." His recent TEDx talk is "How Humans Save Nature."
Nuclear power is an anathema to many of his fellow environmentalists, but Michael tells us its a crucial form of energy that "produces zero air and water pollution... There's no pollution that comes out of nuclear plants."
He says that we can boost growth all over the world and still set aside more land for nature and wildlife. Michael makes argument that humans, who have caused so much destruction to the planet, have the ingenuity to save it.
Michael recently started a new group, EnvironmentalProgress.org and is the author of the book "Break Through: From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility." He calls on those who care about the future of the planet to reject the language of limits and embrace possibility and the aspirations of people around the world who strive to improve their standard of living.
