Nuclear Power? No Thanks!

A 3D diagram of Onkalo Nuclear Waste Storage Facilityby Piers Guy

I recently watch a documentary by Michael Madsen called “Into Eternity”, which documents the construction of the world’s first permanent repository for high-level radioactive waste in Finland.

The repository is called Onkalo which means Hiding Place, it is being hewn out of solid rock, a construction project of almost unimaginable proportions which began some years ago and will not be completed for at least another 100 years. A huge system of underground tunnels which must last, undisturbed, through natural and man made disasters, wars and societal changes for 100,000 years. Recorded human history spans just over 5000 years!

The entrance to Onkalo Nuclear Waste Storage FacilityAs this chilling documentary unfolds you realise that this is a hopeless mission that brings into sharp focus the enormous mistake we have made by developing nuclear energy and creating this waste. 250,000 tons of it sits in water filled pools all around the world, each must be monitored and controlled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and each day more waste is produced. After 60 years there are still no permanent solutions for this deadly material. Most countries, including Britain, are in denial over the issue with no one yet prepared to seriously contemplate, let alone commit, to building a permanent repository for this waste, except Finland. Having now watched the Finnish scientists consider the enormous moral and philosophical questions that arise from building Onkalo and the impossible task of trying to make sure that it is safe and hidden for 100,000 years, I can understand why.

Why do we continue to develop a dangerous non-sustainable energy source when we can develop renewable energy that can be used safely all over the world?

Until March this year nuclear power had been experiencing a remarkable renaissance, with European countries preparing new nuclear programs and busily changing regulations and support measures to assist in the building of this new wave of plants. It seemed that no self respecting energy minister was complete without some ambitious nuclear energy program. We were told that nuclear energy was essential, safe and necessary to help combat climate change and rising oil prices. No one wanted to talk about the waste problem, or the fact that the world has a finite amount of uranium. As for the issue of safety, this was just brushed aside.

Then the terrifying and tragic earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. Fukushima has stopped the nuclear “renaissance” in its tracks. In May the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel announced that eight of the country’s 17 nuclear reactors would shut down immediately. The remaining plants would close by 2022. Last month Italians voted against resuming their nuclear power program with a 90% majority, even our coalition government has called for a safety review.
I hope that this gives time for serious reflection and reconsideration. What a terrible legacy, to be remembered for your deadly waste in thousands of years’ time. Let’s stop more nuclear power and focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy.