Author Archives: Fred Pearce

The more scientists know about global warming, the less able they are to predict the outcomes

The idea that growing human numbers will destroy the planet is nonsense. But over-consumption will

The world's biggest ever nuclear fusion reactor is about to begin construction in the hills of Provence. But with persistent doubts over fusion's capacity to generate energy efficiently and a raft of engineering conundrums, is this really money well spent?

Desalination—the removal of salt from seawater to make it drinkable —has long been a possible answer to the world's water shortages. Can technological advances bring it into the mainstream, or will it remain too expensive and energy-inefficient?