The Discussion of Nuclear Energy
Dear Dr. Kreibich,
Thank you so much for your time last Thursday and for sharing the German perspectives and insights behind many current events! I appreciate your highlights about the explosion of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Soviet Union and the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. Even though I was either not born back then or too young, I watched the documentary and reports about both incidents, especially the Chernobyl disaster. Unfortunately, the repercussions of the Fukushima disaster remain unresolved. Your insights have profoundly enriched my understanding of these complex issues and the forces behind Germany’s decision to exit nuclear energy.
The Chernobyl disaster was the most famous nuclear explosion that happened in the Soviet Union. It happened on April 26, 1986. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was near Pripyat in the Ukrainian SSR, which was then part of the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, Pripyat has been an abandoned city in northern Ukraine ever since. This disaster is considered the worst nuclear disaster in history, and approximately 2 million people relocated as a result of the accident (Link). The Chernobyl disaster resulted from a poor reactor design operated by inadequately trained personnel. The immediate aftermath of the explosion killed two engineers and hospitalized 237 workers with critical radiation syndrome, leading to 28 deaths within the following months (Link). However, it was one of only two nuclear energy accidents rated at seven (the maximum severity) on the International Nuclear Event Scale, the other being the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan that happened 13 years ago.
Fast forward to 2011. On March 11, 2011, following the magnitude 9.0 Great East-Japan earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the Fukushima nuclear accident happened (Link). The natural disaster caused power outages, and the backup generators of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant failed. As a result, the reactors could not cool down, leading to meltdowns and the release of radioactive materials. It was also rated a Level 7 incident, indicating an intense release of radioactive material with widespread health and environmental effects. The disaster caused significant displacement of people and raised international concerns about nuclear safety and emergency preparedness. Currently, Japan is releasing treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the sea (Link).
These two disasters that happened within the last 50 years bring a lot of fear about nuclear energy, especially with how recent the Fukushima nuclear accident was. According to EIA, nuclear reactors do not emit carbon dioxide or pollutants into the air during operation, setting them apart from power plants that burn fossil fuels. Nonetheless, the uranium mining and refining process, along with the creation of reactor fuel, demands substantial energy. Furthermore, constructing nuclear power facilities involves significant quantities of metal and concrete, which also consume massive amounts of energy. If the energy used in these processes comes from fossil fuels, then the greenhouse gas emissions from those fuels could be indirectly linked to the electricity produced by nuclear plants. Worse, nuclear energy produces radioactive waste, which is one of the biggest drawbacks. This waste has remained hazardous for thousands of years and poses serious environmental and health risks if not managed properly.
Initially, I was extremely curious about the driving force behind Germany’s decision to remove nuclear energy besides its commitment to sustainable renewable energy, especially when many other countries are still fascinated with nuclear energy. When Dr. Kreibich discussed the anxiety and challenges that Germany struggled through with the Chernobyl disaster, especially when it could have had severe health concerns for the citizens, I gained a more profound understanding and resonated with this decision. Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power by 2023 is part of a broader energy transition plan, aiming for climate neutrality by 2045. This move, deeply rooted in societal and environmental concerns, shifts Germany’s focus towards renewable energy sources. Despite the energy crisis sparked by geopolitical tensions, the government remained committed to the phase-out, emphasizing safety and long-term sustainability. Germany’s commitment should be recognized by other countries, and they should start following the same steps to build a better future for the world.
I sincerely appreciate Dr. Kreibich for engaging in a thorough and interesting conversation with us. I had the opportunity to further investigate nuclear energy and gained a perspective on people’s reactions to the Chernobyl disaster. In addition, I also developed a more in-depth understanding of the current economy of Germany, especially with the aging population and labor shortage. Thank you once again!
Best Regards,
Kunru
