October 27, 2015 Australia's next Chief Scientist lives in a...

October 27, 2015

Australia's next Chief Scientist lives in a house entirely powered by renewable energy and believes that everyone will eventually drive an electric car like him.

In stark contrast to the climate-denialist image that plagued the Abbott government, Dr Finkel has publicly advocated for nuclear power and electric cars to help reduce Australia's carbon emissions in the fight against global warming.

Dr Finkel has also argued that nuclear power should be considered an alternative energy source, with solar and wind failing to meet the growth in global demand for electricity if fossil fuels had to be avoided.

Mr McKeon said that one notable failure among Dr Finkel's CV of successes, his time as chief technology officer at Better Place, would one day be viewed more favourably.

"Better Place will just be shown as a company that was ahead of its time. Science is all about risk," he said.
Better Place, which aimed to supply battery-switching services for electric vehicles, filed for bankruptcy in Israel in 2013 after burning through $US850 million (then worth about $885 million) in private funds.
Evan Thornley, who was chief executive of Better Place, said: "I know how passionate Alan is about climate change and finding economically attractive ways to reduce emissions.

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