When an earthquake and tsunami crippled a nuclear power plant in Japan earlier this year, causing the largest radiation leak since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, it was an “I told you so” moment for opponents of nuclear energy. But Nathan Myhrvold insists the negative reaction is irrational. The onetime CTO of Microsoft and founder of Intellectual Ventures recently told Slate’s Jacob Weisberg why we should still have confidence in nuclear power as a way to combat global warming.

Here’s the third of four segments from Myhrvold’s interview, the latest in our series Conversations With Slate. 

You can also watch Part 1 and Part 2 of Myhrvold’s interview as well as Part 4.

Look for an audio podcast of the entire conversation in the days ahead.