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英検1級 二次 予想トピック 100 ・ 🔬 科学・倫理・宇宙 ・ Is ~ worth ~?

Is nuclear fusion research worth heavy public investment, even if success may be decades away?

実現は何十年も先かもしれない核融合の研究に、多額の公的資金を投じる価値はあるか。

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エネルギー問題や最先端の科学技術に関心があり、長い目で見た話ができる人向け。

骨組み理由3つ（どちらの立場でも話せる）

賛成（Yes）で話すなら

I believe nuclear fusion research is worth heavy public investment.

  1. clean and abundantFusion could provide huge amounts of electricity without carbon emissions. Its main fuel can be obtained from seawater, so it would be almost limitless.
  2. safer than fissionFusion does not involve runaway chain reactions like current nuclear power plants. It also produces far less long-lasting radioactive waste.
  3. industrial leadershipCountries and private companies around the world are racing to develop fusion. Japan has strong technology in this field, and public support could help Japanese companies lead a future industry.

反対（No）で話すなら

I don't believe heavy public investment in fusion is worth it right now.

  1. too slowFusion power has been said to be "thirty years away" for decades. Climate change requires solutions now, not in the second half of the century.
  2. opportunity costThe same money could be spent on proven technologies such as solar power, wind power, and batteries. These can cut emissions much sooner.
  3. cost overrunsLarge fusion projects have faced long delays and rising costs. For example, the international ITER project in France has been delayed several times.

想定質疑面接委員はこう突っ込んでくる

QShould private companies, rather than governments, pay for fusion research?

I think both are needed. Private companies can move quickly and take risks, but basic research and large test facilities often need public money. A partnership in which the government shares the early risk could speed up progress.

Q：核融合の研究費は、政府ではなく民間企業が出すべきではありませんか。
A：両方が必要だと思います。民間企業は素早く動き、リスクをとれますが、基礎研究や大きな実験施設には公的なお金が必要なことが多いのです。初期のリスクを政府も分担する官民の協力が、進歩を早めるでしょう。

QIsn't fusion just another form of dangerous nuclear power?

I understand why people might think so after the Fukushima accident. However, fusion works in a completely different way. If something goes wrong, the reaction simply stops, so a meltdown like the one at Fukushima cannot happen. Of course, safety still needs to be checked carefully.

Q：核融合も、結局は危険な原子力の一種ではありませんか。
A：福島の事故のあとでは、そう思う人がいるのも分かります。しかし核融合は、まったく違う仕組みで動きます。何か問題が起きれば反応は止まってしまうので、福島のようなメルトダウンは起こりえません。もちろん、安全性は引き続き慎重に確認する必要があります。

QIf you were a scientist, would you want to work on fusion?

Yes, I think it would be exciting. Even if fusion power plants take many years to complete, the research creates new technology in areas like superconducting magnets and new materials. Working on something that could change the world's energy supply would be very rewarding.

Q：もしあなたが科学者なら、核融合の研究をしたいですか。
A：はい、わくわくすると思います。核融合発電所の完成に長い年月がかかるとしても、その研究は超電導磁石や新素材などの分野で新しい技術を生み出します。世界のエネルギー供給を変えるかもしれないことに取り組むのは、とてもやりがいがあるでしょう。

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