Temple Of The Sun

The world’s great powers can’t agree on small steps to tackle climate change, but they’re cooperating on a huge leap of faith in southern France.

- Jonathan Tirone

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, a fusion reactor under construction in southern France, is the world’s biggest scientific puzzle— and one of its biggest trade puzzles. At a time when tariffs, xenophobia, and intellectual property laws are restricting the flow of material, people, and ideas across borders, a 35- country network is seeking to harness the power that makes the stars shine. “They all understand that they can’t make it alone,” says Bernard Bigot, the man in charge of piecing ITER together. “It’s the first time in human history countries representing more than half the world’s population and 80% of GDP are working together to achieve a common goal that is absolutely critical.”