nuclear-news

Japan’s nuclear disaster a lesson in how to use less energy

How nuclear disaster forced Japan to be frugal with energy,  Jonathan Watts  guardian.co.uk, 12 may 11, The Fukushima nuclear disaster forces a re-think not just of the kind of energy we use, but how much

Japan‘s decision not to build more nuclear reactors is understandable given the explosions and leaks at the Fukushima power plant. But how will the country make up the massive energy shortfall? Prime minister Naoto Kan says supply can be sustained by investing more in renewables like wind, solar and geothermal. But there is a far simpler, cheaper and cleaner solution: use less power.

As I learned on a trip to Tokyo and Tohoku last week, this is already happening. In the wake of a disaster that knocked out six reactors, Japan‘s businesses and people have been forced to scale back their electricity consumption.

To conserve power, the utilities scheduled rolling power cuts, but many have not been necessary because considerable energy has been saved simply by promoting frugality. In shopping malls and stations, many automatic doors and escalators have been switched off, which means – shock, horror – that people are forced to push open doors and walk up stairs (there are still elevators for wheelchairs)…….

I think Japan’s disaster should also prompt us to look more closely at how much energy we use.

In a previous blogpost, I have speculated that we are in or approaching the era of “Peak Human”, with regards to the size of our population and consumption of resources, after which both will fall back to sustainable levels. That could still lead to qualitative improvements in our lives, but most of us are reluctant to accept quantative limits. Disasters, such as the one at Fukushima, remind us we may not have a choice..How nuclear disaster forced Japan to be frugal with energy | Jonathan Watts | Environment | guardian.co.uk

May 13, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general