Lets still not panic...

I have always supported the full implementation of renewable resources.  Indeed, I am often frustrated by the position our governments take in their refusal to make, at least, a reasonable effort to make renewable energy a significant part of our energy production.

But It would seem almost counter-intuitive for a quasi-environmentalist, such as me, to say they support Nuclear Energy. undoubtedly , nuclear energy is indeed not a risk free venture and of course, it is not a perfect solution, given the waste by-product that comes from the energy production. 

But time and time again I am faced with irrational fear whenever the topic of nuclear power plants come up.  When people think of Nuclear power, they see the Chernobyl disaster or the iconic image of a mushroom cloud.   What they don't see is clean efficient energy that poses no harm to the planet and relatively no harm to people.  Indeed, when we compare the Nuclear industries to the mainstream industries of Coal and fossil fuels there is really no contest in which resource is safer, cleaner and cheaper.

But relative fear of Nuclear power has only been increased by the terrible events in Japan and the events surrounding the Fukushima power plant.  All around the World, countries have put a hold on nuclear initiatives and the fear of radiation seeps across the Pacific and throughout the World.

But I need to say something that not many people have been saying.  The disaster at Fukashima is not really that significant.  Lets consider the situation for a moment.

The reactor in Fukashima is of fairly old construction.  Compared to modern technologies, it is significantly less safe than any reactor we would build today. 

Next we have possibly the worst case scenario, short of an impacting asteroid, that could have hit the reactor.  One of the most powerful earthquakes on record coupled with a tremendously powerful tsunami.  And yet, presently, no one has received any lethal doses of radiation. 

Conversely , if were to see more widespread adaption of nuclear energy we could see the construction of incredibly safer plants and the closing of dated, less safe, designs. 

Instead of irrationally pointing towards the disastrous outcomes of Nuclear energy, we should be gaining some perspective from the events in Japan.

I'll let George Monbiot, a leading environmentalist, have the last word.

Yes, I still loathe the liars who run the nuclear industry. Yes, I would prefer to see the entire sector shut down, if there were harmless alternatives. But there are no ideal solutions. Every energy technology carries a cost; so does the absence of energy technologies. Atomic energy has just been subjected to one of the harshest of possible tests, and the impact on people and the planet has been small. The crisis at Fukushima has converted me to the cause of nuclear power.

Check out his entire article here:  http://www.monbiot.com/2011/03/21/going-critical/#more-1568

Does that seem right to you?