A future built on fusion

This post was written as an assignment in the Terra.do climate change bootcamp, based on creating a vision for my impact in the climate industry.

Dear reader: It’s 2040, and it’s time to find a new problem to work on.

 

Fifteen years ago, in 2025, we achieved a breakthrough in nuclear fusion, solving for Q>1 and finally developing limitless, clean energy. In the decade that followed, the U.S. led the world in a Herculean task: building and distributing new micro fusion reactors across the globe, beating our decarbonization goals by a landslide. It was the hardest, most expensive feat that humanity has ever accomplished. 

 

With the development of fusion, we not only created a new source of clean energy, but we also:

 

  • Reduced annual carbon emissions

  • Rebalanced geopolitical power by giving democratic, science-driven nations a strong economic advantage over oil-rich countries

  • Created new energy storage technologies to support the distribution of power

  • Made the first human trip to Mars possible through fusion powered spacecraft

  • Powered breakthroughs in artificial general intelligence (AGI) and artificial superintelligence (ASI) through clean energy powered supercomputers, which led to the development of new models that cured cancer

  • Reduced the need for hydroelectric power production through dams, resulting in restored wildlife populations and fish migration patterns

 

After completing the Terra.do course in 2024, I subsequently completed Physics 211, 212 and 213 in order to build a foundation of scientific knowledge about energy. I also accepted a new role leading marketing at a world leading fusion company. In my role, I created the strategic roadmap to educate the world about the importance of fusion. I also lobbied regulators, politicians, and investors in order to accelerate the timeline and funding available for fusion development. 

 

Over the following years, I continued to audit energy engineering courses and serve as a guest speaker at international physics events. I also became a spokesperson on fusion energy, speaking at events like COP climate summits and Seattle fusion week.

 

In 2030, after working on fusion for six years, I accepted a two-year post in Brussels to lead the European rollout of fusion energy with the EU, and led the development of the equivalent of the Montreal Protocol for clean energy and decarbonization. During that time, I received my European citizenship and built a powerful personal network of scientists, politicians, and business leaders. My kids loved living abroad in Europe and spent lots of time with their grandparents in Ireland.

 

In 2032, upon completion of my post, I returned to Bend, Oregon where I launched a new fusion manufacturing company. We became the largest employer in Oregon, leading to tens of thousands of new jobs.

 

Now, in 2040, I have shifted from CEO into the role of Chairperson, and I’m preparing to run for a Senate seat. I’m ready to take my expertise to the national level and represent Oregon’s brilliant work as a leader in the climate industry.

 

Along the way, the biggest challenges I’ve faced include:

  • Diving into the technical knowledge of fusion without having a scientific background. I had to play a lot of catch up at the start of my career to keep up with the brilliant scientists I worked with.

  • Proving that marketing has an important role in the development of clean energy. After the missteps with nuclear fission, we couldn’t afford to make the same mistakes again.

  • Balancing an exciting, demanding career with a growing family.

  • Building my executive presence and presentation skills, in order to effectively communicate and advocate for the role of nuclear fusion in reducing carbon emissions.

 

As I look back on the arc of my life, I feel so proud of my professional achievements and my role in creating limitless, clean energy. And personally, I know that thanks to our breakthroughs, my children and grandchildren will experience things we always dreamed of: visiting Mars, touring the rings of Saturn, never having cancer, safe artifical superintelligence, and best of all, living on a healthy planet Earth. 

Kara Buckley