Nuclear Power Losing Favor After Earthquake

Nuclear Power Losing Favor After Earthquake

Following Accident At World’s Largest Plant, Future For Nuclear As Green Energy Questioned

Nuclear power has long been on the outs with the environmental movement. The early days of the environmental and peace movements were linked, nuclear power was synonymous with atomic bombs, the prospect of dangerous accidents seemed near and present and there was that pesky waste problem — radioactivity lasts for thousands of years.

But the new green movement was more conflicted. After all, with global warming the most important environmental issue facing the world, nuclear power offers virtually carbon-free electricity (once the uranium is mined and processed, that is).

The accident at the world’s largest nuclear power plant, in Japan, following an earthquake there has renewed that debate. Can nuclear provide a safe form of energy, or are the risks too great — even as the world confronts the equally great risks of climate change?

Related Stories
Nuclear Power Plants Sue Over Waste Site
U.S. Nuclear Power Plants: Vulnerable To Earthquake?
Nuclear Power Plant In Japan Is Surprised By Earthquake
See Worldwide Earthquake Maps In Real Time