Commonwealth Fusion Systems' Bob Mumgaard on trying to solve climate change via nuclear fusion technology | E1171

Nuclear fusion offers a transformative path toward a sustainable, carbon-free energy future by replicating the sun's power-generating process on Earth. Unlike traditional nuclear fission, which splits heavy atoms, fusion combines light elements to release vast amounts of energy with minimal fuel requirements. Bob Mumgaard, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, explains that the primary barrier to commercial viability—achieving net energy gain—is being overcome through breakthroughs in high-temperature superconducting magnets. These innovations enable the construction of compact, efficient reactors that could eventually replace fossil fuel infrastructure. By providing a scalable, clean power source, fusion technology stands to address global energy demands for data centers and industry, offering a long-term solution to climate change that complements existing renewable energy efforts.