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> However, this is the grim reality of nuclear power That is like saying that this is the grim reality of hydro power: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banqiao_Da

• Tepix 10y ago
  You're completely right. Every tech has its problems. Fossil fuel power station emissions cause cancer. The difference is that nuclear power's risk has proven to be incalculable.
  • vidarh 10y ago
    > nuclear power's risk has proven to be incalculable Is that code for "we haven't been able to prove risks big enough to be particularly scary, so let's make stuff up"? Because if so, I agree with you. The death counts are low compared to things like coal and hydro even if you use the worst case estimates from environmenal organizations. The long term effects on fauna and flora so far looks positive, largely because as it turns out human activity is more negative to animals than getting radiated. Effects on our ability to make use of the environment is certainly negatively affected, but the same is true of e.g. coal mining which is hugely destructive, as well as hydro, which has displaced far more due to damming exercises, than nuclear ever has. In fact, several individual dam projects have caused more displacements and put more land out of use than all nuclear accidents combined have.