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Let’s Be Honest With Ourselves About What A Return to Nuclear Energy Means
It may not emit carbon, but it leaves a 10,000 year mess for someone
Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse — Sophocles
The realities of meeting climate change goals without massive sacrifice will likely lead to nuclear power’s return (see a more detailed argument here).
Following are thoughts on the challenges of building new nuclear generation at scale.
Bad examples from the USA
The US set an example for the world, growing our living standard while ignoring the long-term damage of fossil fuels.
We now face the fact that the world follows our example. We wish it wouldn’t, but we cannot begrudge others raising their living standard. Nuclear energy is carbon free, yes. But a vast expansion of it carries other serious risks.
Risks we have, historically, ignored the same way we ignored the growing carbon emissions problem. We should think hard before setting another example.
