I have always been against nuclear power generation..that is, until I wasn’t.
Credit: Shutterstock
And then I began to read, learn and listen, as scientists told us and showed us how our carbon based economy, through the burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – was destroying our world. Steward Brand, in his “Whole Earth Discipline – An Ecopragmatist Manifesto” discusses the economics of nuclear, the rational for nuclear and the need for nuclear power. He quotes many environmentalists and scientists, who have come to the conclusion that if we are to fight climate change, nuclear power needs to be in the solutions mix.
In 2009, Stephen Tindal, the Director of Green Peace UK stated, “It was kind of like a religious conversion. Being Anti-Nuclear was an essential part of being an environmentalist for a long time but now that I’m talking to a number of environmentalists about this, its actually quite widespread – this view that nuclear power is not ideal but its better than climate change.” Brand quotes Bill McKibben: ”Nuclear power is a potential safety threat, if something goes wrong. Coal-fired power is guaranteed destruction, filling the atmosphere with planet-heating carbon when it operates the way it’s supposed to.”
Credit: AP Photo/NTV/NNN Japan
The media, and our collective psyche have vilified nuclear anything..mushroom clouds exist in our worst nightmares, waiting to blow poisons in our face. We are on the edge of our seats, sure that Nevil Shute’s, “On the Beach” is about to come true before our eyes in Japan. And yes, the US Navy and Air Force have been told to “stay clear” of the radiation clouds.
Yet everyday, poisons come out of our exhaust pipes as we drive to school, 
heat our offices, and manufacture our “must haves products.” Cumulatively poisoning our world. Which is worse? Our addiction and need for fossil fuels is here to stay. There is no easy way out. But nuclear maybe part of our answer and MUST be on the table, as a possible part of the solution equation. Nuclear power is a carbon free, pollution free source of energy, and will keep the “lights on” until we can figure out a better solution. The current mix, coal oil and gas…will kill us, guaranteed. Can we see our way though this nightmare, to a good dream where nuclear helps move us beyond our carbon addiction? This disaster in Japan however, may already have foretold the end to this story. Comments? Thoughts?
This post is inspired by the caring, thoughtful women of the Green Moms Carnival. Check out what some of other Carnival Members have to say at Lisa Sharp’s Retro Housewife Goes Green.
Yours,
Climate Mama
Climate Mama, my own mama used to say, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” We shouldn’t be figuring out how to make nuclear power safe and more than we should be fiddling with “clean coal.” We need decentralized power systems, solar on every roof, ramped up wind and geothermal, and decision-making taken out of the hands of legislators who are bought and paid for by the extractive energy industries and utilities. If we subsidized solar and renewables the way we’ve subsidized coal, oil, and nuclear all these years, we wouldn’t be in this fix. We’d have a healthier climate, a healthier economy, and much healthier people. We must reject the notion that “fossil fuels are here to stay” and that we need nuclear until we can “figure out a better solution.” We know what the better solutions are. We need the political will and civic determination to implement them.
Thanks Diane..points well taken. Unfortunately I am not sure that outside of an environmental disaster in this country, the political will or civic determination to change current practices can counter the money, lobbying and political paralysis that is hindering our movement away from fossil fuels and towards a clean economy, in time….I wish I could see the glass “half full” but I don’t at the moment…
I appreciate this thorough summary of the problems with our energy options. It seems that every source has its downside. I’ve even heard criticism of renewables (wind screwing up bird migration, etc.). Until this disaster, I believed that nuclear was one of our best options. But now I’m not feeling so sure. But it could just be a case of the devil you know being preferred… Americans are more comfortable with pollution from burning coal than with radiation fallout. On a gut level, radiation does freak me out more.
Thanks Besty. Radiation freaks me out too! Unfortunately coal, the devil we know, is really killing us; like radiation, it is silent, and often from a distance invisible, but definitely deadly. Perhaps each of us, in our house, apartment building, office tower, and school, need to become our own power source…be it wind, solar, geothermal..completely independent, off of any grid, reliant on no one but ourselves…
While I see your point I have to disagree. It takes so long to build a new nuclear plant it wouldn’t likely help even if they were safe. I know I don’t want one built near me!