By Zara Mansoor
The newly published book, Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World, presents a deep and technical analysis of the world’s prospective path to net zero. This book, which is worth a deal of reading, is authored by Dr Tim Gregory, a nuclear scientist in the heart of the British nuclear industry.
The book was published by Penguin Books on June 12th, 2025, in the UK. Several enlightening elements have been discussed in the book, and it provides the readers a wealth of facts and an imaginative vision of the future that can be considered as an alternative way to lead a life in the world that is becoming a prey to non-renewable emissions.
It is to be noted that the world has for long remained dependent on non-renewable energy that is fossil fuels (coal, gas, and oil), but these have put a different kind of existential pressure on humanity that has become unbridled in recent times and cost lives at a greater pace than ever in history. The writer argues that it is high time that the world must not only switch from fossil fuels to renewables but also emphasise more nuclear energy, as renewables are not enough to reverse climate change. His idea is to fully embrace nuclear power energy and its potential, as these are undeniable in nature: it produces a heavy amount of electricity and does not emit carbon dioxide (CO₂) during operation. Gregory’s notion is not against renewables, but according to him, these are not enough to protect the planet.
Moving ahead, as mixed energy sources are emphasised by him, the lead role is still given to nuclear energy to realistically reach net zero emissions to create a sustainable future. What his ideas demonstrate is that nuclear power is constant, owns the ability to run constantly and provides baseload energy. Also, nuclear does not release CO₂, which generates climate issues including global warming, and it produces high energy density: a small amount of uranium can produce as much energy as tonnes of coal and barrels of oil. This paves the way to less use of land, a sustainable environment, fewer resources, and smaller footprints on Earth. It is also to pinpoint that renewables are intermittent, and the sun does not shine at night, and the wind does not blow all the time. As massive storage systems are highly unaffordable, one cannot fully rely upon them.
Moreover, as the modern world runs on energy, its preservation is demanded. As well, the world’s population is mushrooming, so is technology, and using less energy to preserve the environment is pointless. What matters the most is to produce massive energy that is essential for survival but without emitting carbon. He highlights that climate change is more about an energy problem than an environmental one.
One of his points emphasises that people are petrified of nuclear deals owing to the fact of the dramatic past events, nuclear accidents: Chernobyl and Fukushima. His point explains that these accidents were driven more by perception than by comparison to real risks, and these overestimations of fears restrict the gaining of ground in the constructive use of nuclear waste and radiation. He believes that the portrayal of historical events in pop culture has put chains around the public to step forward for practical and productive nuclear energy use. In addition to this, the volume of energy produced is much greater than the amount of waste that is generated. Besides, long-term methods exist to grip nuclear waste: underground storage (like Finland’s Onkalo repository) and recycling of spent fuel to extract usable materials. In addition to this, the author stresses pulling us out from radiophobia, as the fear prevents societies from going towards the adequate standards of living.
Furthermore, he does not limit himself to the positive aspects of nuclear power in energy production, but the applications go far beyond the imagination. The medicines in diagnosis and treatment, forensics and research, space exploration, agriculture (atomic gardening), etc., are all significant uses that come out of switching towards nuclear science in the modern era. It is regarded as a versatile force that shapes several spheres of human lives and shows the path to human progress. He tried to shift society’s thinking that accentuates nuclear and bounds its worth only in the areas of developing power plants and making bombs. He spotlights the peaceful and essential uses of nuclear science that are neglected by society, or perhaps a lack of awareness is dominating. Once it loses the status of villain in the modern age, it becomes a tool to progress.
Another major astonishing comparison is presented: he links the 21st-century transition to nuclear energy with the 1969 Apollo space programme of the US. It was Washington’s mission to land people on the Moon, and it was the most visionary, risky, and ambitious project in the history of mankind. The project required exceptional imaginative power, belief, investments, global cooperation, and scientific innovation, but it was all worth it. His notion of moving towards nuclear science is similar to it. This grand transition is worthwhile but requires an extensive amount of courage, creativity and political will, and it will push technology and engineering to the new frontiers. Taking bigger unconventional steps would lead us to save the planet from climate collapse. All he desires is to shift one’s perception of nuclear science and let the world know how bold and transformative it can be in human lives.
What is more, the writer demonstrates case studies of the countries that have embraced nuclear energy (France, China, and South Korea) versus those countries phasing them out (Germany). He assesses approaches which align well with the climate goals. To illustrate, France gets 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, and it has the lowest footprint of carbon per capita in the whole of Europe. Gregory presents the stronger idea that reducing carbon dioxide can also bring reliable electricity. As well, China is expanding nuclear capacity for energy, and South Korea has well managed its nuclear sector for affordable electricity. His argument points out that the states which condone alternative practical energy choices are not realistic and face upshots sooner or later.
Some find Gregory’s tone more self-pitched rather than a balanced academic analysis, while few advocate his point of view that if states become responsible enough with regard to nuclear energy and broaden their nuclear science knowledge, then the world can be preserved and sustainability can be reached. Moreover, the urgency of the costs, regulations, social and political will, and economic barriers are discussed, but how challenging nuclear development can become in some states is left unanswered.
The book is a timely edition, as it is published at a time when climate change is becoming a global concern and energy security is also seminal to living, but the threats it poses due to the conventional standards of generating energy do not seem to be taken seriously by the society. The book leaves no stone unturned in focusing on the blend of science, ethics, essentials, and future-orientated thinking rather than energy policy alone. It comes up with unconventional options to rescue the earth along with the rapidly advancing technological era that demands a shift in nuclear thinking.
It is that radiological science also carries certain negatives with itself which are not highlighted by the author of the book, but his arguments strongly align with the current needs. Although the precarious events follow atomic energy and science, developing a sense of consciousness among the states and their leadership might safeguard future incidents and control climate-related deaths. Also, a sensible use of atoms, or the science of harnessing the atom, must be normalised and stressed to create wonders.
Lastly, the book encapsulates the different notions of isotopic science, highlights what has long remained unexplored and overlooked and argues to discern positives in a term burdened by decades of negative connotation.
Author: Zara Mansoor – International Relations’ Scholar and Political and Security Analyst, Islamabad, Pakistan.