“This radioactive metal holds the promise of thousands of years of energy for the world. But is it really any cleaner or safer than traditional uranium-based nuclear power?”

Chemistry Professor Andrea Sella of University College London spoke to three nuclear specialists “to discover whether thorium will deliver that godlike bolt of electricity, or just remain a nebulous dream.”

“Prof Bob Cywinski of the University of Sheffield is a fan, whereas Dr Arjun Makhijani of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research is decidedly not.

Meanwhile India presses ahead with its now 60-year-old thorium energy programme, as former nuclear chief Anil Kakodkar explains.”

— Introduction to the Thorium episode of BBC World Service podcast series: Elements.
First aired on 14 September 2016

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