'We need abundant affordable clean energy to help lift out of poverty the remaining part of humanity that is still living in poverty. I don't see any other viable candidate on the scene for doing that except advanced generation nuclear power,' Dr James Hansen, former head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, tells Rediff.com's P Rajendran.

Dr James Hansen has been a stout opponent of energy based on fossil fuels and has warned that it is well past the time to cut down on the carbon dioxide they produce, thus contributing to climate change.

The former head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City, and adjunct professor at Columbia University, Dr Hansen had taken up cudgels against his own agency administrators for trying to censor his views on climate change; against political administrations, including those of Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama for not doing enough to address the problems associated with carbon dioxide emissions.

He has been arrested three times for protests against the Keystone oil pipeline extension from Canada. He has also expressed his distrust of cap and trade, the use of emission permits that can be traded to try and bring pollutants released down to manageable levels.

Among other honours, Dr Hansen has been recognised by the National Academy of Sciences for his analyses of climate change data, and by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for honestly communicating scientific opinions on matters of public importance.

Foreign Policy has declared Dr Hansen one of its Top 100 Global Thinkers for his work arguing for climate change.

Among other things, he was one of the chief advisers to former US vice-president and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore during the making of his documentary. He has also co-authored a book, Storms of My Grandchildren, about the catastrophe climate change means to the world.

Dr Hansen, left, has also been arguing for nuclear energy as a safer option than either coal or renewable energy sources like the sun, wind, biofuels, etc, in the immediate future.

In a recent open letter (external link), he and three other researchers, Ken Caldeira, Kerry Emanuel and Tom Wigley, called for the world to rely on safer nuclear power systems to reverse climate change.

The letter argued that while renewable energy would be useful in the future, currently it cannot scale up fast enough to meet the threat of climate change poses.

According to the letter, 'We understand that today's nuclear plants are far from perfect. Fortunately, passive safety systems and other advances can make new plants much safer. And modern nuclear technology can reduce proliferation risks and solve the waste disposal problem by burning current waste and using fuel more efficiently.'

'Innovation and economies of scale can make new power plants even cheaper than existing plants,' the letter noted. 'Regardless of these advantages, nuclear needs to be encouraged based on its societal benefits.'

In an e-mail interview with Rediff.com's P Rajendran, Dr Hansen was passionate and truculent by turns.

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