Since its discovery, nuclear power has almost always been a controversial issue. Despite the potential of nuclear sources, it’s constantly balanced with the dangers associated with it.
Given tragic accidents like Chernobyl and the more recent events in Japan, it’s easy to see why nuclear power is feared. The addition of deliberate catastrophes like Hiroshima and Nagasaki don’t help either.
It’s no surprise the number of anti-nuclear protests has been rising throughout the years. Even before Japan’s earthquake and resulting nuclear breakdown, protesters were rallying in Europe as the 25th anniversary of Chernobyl approached.
When the anniversary did come around, it was met with massive demonstrations with numbers estimated to be as high as 250,000 in Germany. The Germans aren’t alone, however, and they were joined by citizens in other nuclear-powered countries, like France, India and Taiwan.
Yet, even in the face of the most recent nuclear incident, I can’t help but think this level of reaction is unfounded. These circumstances are horrific, but they aren’t common enough to warrant the widespread fear. In an age when we are looking for cleaner, more renewable sources of energy than the fossil fuels we’ve relied on for so long, passing up nuclear energy seems irresponsible.
While it does still have its own environmental risks and is not yet a renewable source, it presents a far better alternative to both coal and oil. However, there is certainly outcry against both these fossil fuels, though they aren’t as heated as the anti-nuclear protests.
And don’t underestimate the dangers of coal and oil reliance.
From 1986 to 2007, about 2,000 deaths resulted from coal mining accidents in the U.S., according to the government’s Mine Safety and Health Administration website. And the environmental effects from coal reach far beyond just the emissions released from burning them.
Whether it’s affecting the area around the mines or releasing significant numbers of underground methane pockets, the environmental effect is enormous.
Additionally, living along the Gulf Coast, we know full well the environmental and human dangers associated with retrieving oil. While the long-term effects of the Deepwater Horizon accident can’t be fully quantified yet, the Gulf will take many years to fully recover.
Radiation fallout may devastate the environment, but it happens far less often in isolated incidents. Given the many accidents associated with oil and coal since 1986, the fact that events in Fukushima mark the first major nuclear incident since Chernobyl is amazing.
Plus, many of the countries that house nuclear plants, like France or Germany, don’t face the same risks the plant in Fukushima did.
The Japanese knew the active geological activity of their region, and they took a calculated risk in pursuing nuclear power. If we keep up with new technology and regulations, though, accidents like this won’t likely occur.
It all boils down to treating nuclear power with the care and respect it requires. Clean energy is too important for us to give up on in our current state.
“With great power, comes great responsibility,” never felt quite so fitting.
Zachary Davis is a 20-year-old history junior from Warsaw, Poland. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_zdavis.
 
_____
Contact Zachary Davis at [email protected]