Tesla and SpaceX CEO Ilon Musk is confident that the problem of climate change is solvable and harbors optimism about it, writes Business Insider.

“We will solve the climate problem. The only question is when,” he said.

According to Musk, decarbonization will eventually be achieved by solar energy, and the key to this transition is the technology to efficiently store solar energy for future use. Musk pointed out the obvious fact that the sun only shines during the day and sometimes the sky is cloudy, so solar panels are needed and will be the primary long-term power source for civilization.

But until a switch to solar power is completely impossible, it is crucial to maintain nuclear power plants instead of shutting them down, which would be “complete insanity.”

Musk spoke of nuclear power plants in the wake of Germany’s decision to shut down all nuclear power plants in the country and abandon nuclear power after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in March 2011. Musk called for more use of nuclear power in Europe on Twitter as Russia’s special operation in Ukraine highlighted Germany’s dependence on Russian oil.

“If you’re somewhere where there are major earthquakes or tsunamis, it [having a nuclear power plant] is rather questionable,” Musk said in an interview. – “Unless there’s a serious risk of natural disasters – and that’s not the case in Germany – then nuclear power plants really don’t pose a risk.

While natural disasters in Germany are not as extreme as in other parts of the world, the country is still at risk of storms, floods and earthquakes, according to the Helmholtz Association, the country’s largest scientific organization.

While Musk did not give a timeline to back up his climate optimism, he did say that in 15 years, the climate problem will look “much better” in terms of sustainable energy, and solving the problem is Tesla’s main goal.