In an horrific, nightmare week for the unfortunate people in Japan affected by earthquakes, tsunamis and now nuclear radiation, obviously questions need to be asked about the planning and building of some sites, in light of their known proximity to serious fault-lines in the earth's crust. Whilst the immediate concern is resolving and minimising the extreme danger caused by this, there must be urgent enquiries into these aspects, both in Japan at the affected sites, and elsewhere in the world where powerful climatic and geological events could (and will) occur.
However, the knee-jerk reaction of the West in those countries where serious earthquakes are statistically unlikely to ever occur, proclaiming the 'end of Nuclear Power' and the doom-mongers crowing 'we told you so' is short-sighted to say the very least. Properly planned and managed - and those are the key words - these sites are the most effective way to produce power for the world. Should we go back to mining for increasingly scarce fossil fuels, and weaken the earth more? How many wind turbines or solar panels are needed to supply fuel and power for a world whose population has grown out of all proportion in comparison to pre-Industrial Revolution ages?
We've opened the box now, for good or bad, and we can't stuff what has emerged from it back in and close the lid. We have to play on with the hand we've dealt to ourselves, and Nuclear energy is the way to do it, at least to buy time for proper, practical planning on viable alternatives.
My 17 year old self would probably baulk at the fact my 48 year old fingers are typing this now, given their proximity in time to Three Mile Island, but I'd say to him - 'you really don't know nor understand all the implications, you're being led on and fed limited information by right-on rockstars and journos'.
Here's sending all my thoughts and hopes to those affected, and those already bereaved. Let's also hope that past their sell by date rockstars don't try to boost their flagging sales figures with the standard cry of long-gone youth - but I fear it's already too late for that...
