Ten years on, have we learned the lessons of Fukushima?
If only disinformation about the consequences of the Fukushima Daiichi accident had not been propagated, energy transition policies around the world would have reduced the carbon footprint of electricity generation, instead of locking it in.
The lessons of Fukushima
What Happened on March 11, 2011
Report of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission
(executive summary)
Ensuring the Safety of Nuclear Installations: Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Daiichi Accident (IAEA)
If you believe that nuclear stands up to the requirements for safety, negligible CO2 emissions and concentrated energy production that we need to power the world while saving our climate, you are not alone. During the month of September 2020, activists held Stand Up for Nuclear events in over 40 cities around the world.
Nuclear Pride Coalition (FB)
“Less nuclear means more coal”, these protestors point out. The French government aims to bring the proportion of nuclear generated electricity down to 50% from the current 71%. More here.
The Goal: STOP COAL
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a worldwide cancellation of coal-fired power projects. He urged all countries to end a “deadly addiction” to coal.
Unfortunately, economic gain too often takes precedence over humanity’s future as new coal mines are being planned in Cumbria (UK) and Alberta (Canada).
The new mines are mostly meant to supply coking, or metallurgical, coal used to make steel. The Cumbria mine is expected to emit 8.4m tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
But the promise of new jobs is persuasive for local residents.
The countries producing the most coal are China, India, USA, Australia, Indonesia and Russia.
Standing Up for Nuclear
Our ability to avoid climate disaster depends crucially on our ability to replace those disastrous fossil fuels by non-carbon emitting energy sources. Scientists agree: we cannot do it without nuclear. So much depends on public understanding of this issue.
Pro-nuclear activists are planning two more Stand Up for Nuclear events in France: in Lyon on 25 September (place Carnot), and in Paris on 9 October (place du Panthéon).
More information here (in French), here and here (in English).
