Energy is Life: Why Environmentalism Went Nuclear follows Zion Lights’s personal and powerful journey: from grassroots green activism to becoming one of the UK’s leading advocates for nuclear energy. In a time of climate crisis, energy poverty and growing demand for clean power, she examines why long-established environmentalists like herself once feared nuclear energy, why many have since come to embrace it, and makes a compelling case for why nuclear energy must be part of the solution. Accessible, evidence-based, and deeply human, this book challenges common myths and invites readers to rethink what it really means to care for people and planet alike. If you believe in a greener, fairer future, this book just might change your mind – and give you hope. “The book is insightful at many levels, from the fundamental nature of our existence to the political, economic, and ecological challenges we now face. In this vivid book, Zion Lights offers strong evidence, clear thinking, and good sense on the biggest issue of our time” – Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University “Yes, nuclear energy is dangerous. But at this point, not using it is even more dangerous. In this well-argued book, Zion Lights makes a passionate, personal plea to not forget that without energy, we are nothing. Highly recommended.” – Sabine Hossenfelder, physicist and author of Existential Physics “The entire history of civilization can be reduced to two words: energy capture—in the teeth of entropy, humans need energy to survive and flourish. Zion Lights’ Energy is Life is the definitive case for why environmentalism must go nuclear. The fate of humanity depends on it, and this is the book that outlines how we can get there.” – Michael Shermer is the Publisher of Skeptic magazine and author of The Moral Arc, Conspiracy, and Truth “Zion Lights humanizes nuclear energy and persuasively describes the great potential of nuclear power to improve our lives.” – Professor James E. Hansen, climate scientist and former Director of NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies “I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I was really impressed. This felt like when I read The Demon-Haunted World many many years ago… A deeply humanistic call for nuclear power from one of today’s leading science communicators.” – Yishan Wong, CEO and Founder of Terraformation and former CEO of Reddit “A moving and engaging account of the author’s journey from anti-nuclear protestor to climate activist who understands that nuclear power is the most important technology we have for mitigating climate change.” – Kerry Emmanuel, climate scientist and Professor post-tenure of atmospheric science, MIT “Energy has determined human history and determines our future too. In this powerful book, Zion Lights explains how we can produce enough of it without cooking the planet - and why nuclear power is an indispensable tool in meeting this challenge. This is a must-read for anyone seeking science-based, well-written guidance on how to build a sustainable future for all of humanity.” – Atte Harjanne, MP for the Green Party, Parliament of Finland “This book is simultaneously emotionally compelling and underpinned by scientific numeracy. This combination of fact and passion comes together to weave a hopeful vision for how nuclear energy can enable a cleaner, more prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for the world. A stellar demonstration of effective science and energy communication.” – Katy Huff, Associate Professor and former Assistant Secretary at US Dept. of Energy “Written with the empathy and communication skills of a master. Zion Lights weaves a compelling personal narrative with rigorous reasoning to show why abundant, reliable electricity is a prerequisite for dignity and opportunity and why nuclear energy belongs at the center of any honest climate strategy. As someone who teaches and does research in radiation science and risk communication, I’m impressed by the book’s empirical treatment of radiation, accidents, and waste, and by its empathy for communities most harmed by energy poverty. This is the kind of bridge building environmentalism we need: principled, pro human, and grounded in evidence.” – Professor Robert B. Hayes, PhD, CHP, PE, Nuclear Engineering Department, North Carolina State University “Aldous Huxley said that the richest non-fiction writing lives in three worlds at once: the intimate world of personal experience, the solid ground of fact, and the higher space of universal ideals. Lights’ work moves effortlessly among these realms, a true Huxleyan trinity.” – Jesse Freeston, award-winning documentary filmmaker “Energy is Life is a powerful reminder that the stories we tell shape the world we build. As someone who works at the intersection of storytelling, culture, and Global South innovation, I was deeply struck by Zion’s insistence that progress cannot come from narratives rooted in fear o