A recent survey neatly crystallized the fundamental challenge and opportunity faced by the global nuclear energy industry. On the one hand, 83 percent of the professionals in the nuclear sector surveyed agreed that they work in an industry full of ambition.

Today, more than ever, ambition is exactly what is needed in the nuclear sector. Already the world’s second-largest source of carbon-free energy, over 20 nations came together at last year’s COP28 in Dubai to launch an initiative to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050. As the world increasingly relies on variable generation like wind and solar, nuclear is poised to provide critical supply flexibility and help meet the demand from large energy consumers, like data centers and manufacturing.

While an overwhelming majority of nuclear sector professionals agreed that their industry is filled with the kind of ambition the world needs, a nearly equal number of respondents pointed to a worrying disconnect. Indeed, 77 percent of those surveyed said there is a disparity between the ambition animating the sector and the daily actions of people working in the industry. The chasm between the society and livelihood improving ambition in the nuclear industry and the day-to-day work and activities of those in it must be closed for real progress to be made. Put simply, ambition must be turned into action.