nuclear-news

Some down to earth reasons why Japan does not need a nuclear restart

 is it really worth it? Why are we so afraid of running out of electricity anyway? We have this dependency on electricity as if it were a drug. Makes you wonder what people would do if there was a food shortage. You don’t need air conditioning, lights or TVs to survive. You do need food.

Reasons I don’t buy a nuclear restart Japan Times, 19 May 12, By AMY CHAVEZ I’ve heard many excuses for the nuclear accident that happened as a result of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, followed by reasons why we should return to nuclear power. I don’t buy any of them.  

•  “We were unprepared for March 11.”

Um, who is ever prepared for a natural disaster?…

•  “Since nuclear power accounted for about 30 percent of Japan’s total

energy supply before the March 11 earthquake, the only way to avoid
energy shortages this summer is to restart the reactors.”

Fifty-four nuclear reactors to power just 30 percent! Wow, is it
really worth it? Why are we so afraid of running out of electricity
anyway? We have this dependency on electricity as if it were a drug.
Makes you wonder what people would do if there was a food shortage.
You don’t need air conditioning, lights or TVs to survive. You do need
food.

We have a problem distinguishing between wants and needs. Needs are
food, clothing and shelter. Wants are iPods, Lady Gaga and nuclear
energy. Honestly, we could all do with a good scolding from Mother
Nature.
When I lived in Indonesia, rolling blackouts were the norm. You just
get used to them. Most people had a generator as a backup. You soon
realize that power outages aren’t so bad. OMG — we’ll have to take a
coffee break! You learn that inconvenience is actually sometimes “in
convenience.” And from my observations of the Japanese work place, I’d
say most businesses would have higher worker productivity if they
thought the electricity was going to go out for a spell.

To save energy, grocery stores, department stores and public
transportation will continue to keep their air conditioners at minimum
temperatures rather than freezing the heck out of their customers.
People will still come home and turn on the fan rather than the air
conditioner. And maybe they’ll discover they can sleep with the
windows open rather than with the fan on. What’s wrong with that? In
the meantime, we can save energy for hospitals and other facilities
that rely on it.

“But it’s so hot!” you scream. Yes, it is. This is what happens when
you take out all the trees and parks and replace them with concrete.
These days, houses are made for air conditioning. They used to be
built to breathe and cool themselves…..

• . “Nuclear power is cheap.”

Really? After the cost of Japan’s nuclear disaster, I don’t think
anyone should be calling nuclear power cheap. Tepco is raising its
rates to cover this previously “cheap” energy. At least with increased
rates, people use less energy. But why not spend that extra money
(that they are going to charge us anyway) on alternative energy?….
“Moving away from nuclear power will take away from research and
development in this area.”

Yes. In addition, by continuing R&D on nuclear power, we take away
from R&D in alternative energy. I’d furthermore like to see more
development of not just thermal, wind and hydro power, but also tidal
power…. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20120519cz.html

May 19, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general