You're currently on:

• Home
• /
• Is Nuclear Power a Green Option?

Is Nuclear Power a Green Option?

Contributing Editor: Will Johnston

Used with permission. Photo by mandj98

Last year I read a new book by the author who conceived of the Gaia Hypothesis, J.E. Lovelock, which discussed the concern that he had regarding global warming’s impact on our survival as a species. In the book (The Revenge of Gaia), this renowned environmental scientist was advocating for nuclear power as not only an option, but an imperative to reversing the course that we are on as a civilization.

Japan, France, Canada, Brazil, India and many other countries not only use nuclear, but it plays a critical role in powering these countries infrastructure without polluting. Recent technologies have made nuclear much safer and cleaner than just a few years ago, minimizing the risk of accident or exposure to the radioactive by-products. http://www.hyperionpowergeneration.com/

One question that we in the U.S. who wish to live in a green and sustainable manner should be asking ourselves is what role might nuclear power play in lowering green house gases, minimizing dependence on foreign energy sources and reducing the destructive nature of coal extraction and burning.

Developing nations like India don’t have the luxury of considering alternatives to the cost effectiveness of nuclear for their rapidly evolving economy to scale. The developed world is the most negligent polluter and cannot afford to be cavalier, but instead must weigh all options given the peril we face at this unprecedented time.

However, there will be many of us who are over 40, who will remember Chernobyl and Three Mile Island when reflecting on the risk of going nuclear. We also need to weigh the risk of placing faith in industries which are driven by profit motives. I think many environmentalists need to re-engage in the debate regarding nuclear and be willing to hear both sides and take a new look at the science and technology, as well as the successful deployments.

Proponents of nuclear power are quick to point out that the cost of developing nuclear power is proving prohibitive due to the up-front costs and the time required for a complete plant to come online.