NAYGN CLEAN ENERGY PODCAST

What actually happens inside a nuclear reactor core — and why do neutrons matter so much?In this episode of the NAYGN Clean Energy Podcast, host Hong Luong and co-host Aditi Bhardwaj sit down with Dr. Blair Bromley, reactor physicist at Chalk River Laboratories, to unpack the fundamentals of reactor physics in plain language.We explore:How nuclear fission turns into electricity on the gridWhat “reactor physics” (neutronics) really meansWhy slowing down neutrons is essential to keeping reactors runningHow fuel design and neutron economy shape reactor performanceWhy CANDU reactors operate differently from most light-water reactorsThe tradeoffs between fuel enrichment and uranium utilizationIf you’ve ever wondered what’s actually happening inside a reactor core — beyond the headlines — this episode offers a rare, accessible look into the physics that power nuclear energy.

In this episode of the NAYGN Clean Energy Podcast, we unpack what the COP climate conferences actually do — and how global climate policy translates (sometimes imperfectly) into real-world energy decisions.Host Hung Luong, co-host Jeanne Ruppelius, and guest Veeshesh Sunassy (Vice President of NAYGN and COP participant) explore:Why climate change is more than just rising temperatures — and how it impacts livelihoods, ecosystems, and economiesWhat COP is, how it works, and why it often feels slow and politicalThe difference between top-down climate targets (Kyoto) and bottom-up commitments (Paris Agreement & NDCs)Where COP has made real impact — including nuclear being recognized as clean energy and global pledges to expand nuclear and renewablesThe role of nuclear, renewables, grids, storage, and heat in building a realistic low-carbon energy mixWhy financing and policy execution are the biggest bottlenecks to climate progressHow youth voices are shaping climate action — and what gives reason for cautious optimismIf you want to understand how climate policy connects to actual energy systems — beyond headlines and slogans — this conversation grounds the global climate debate in real engineering, economics, and lived experience.