nuclear-news

Touching faith of Steve Kidd that our grandchildren will solve the nuclear waste problem

“SOMEHOW the waste issue will UNDOUBTEDLY be taken care of” 

In Today’s issue of Nuclear Engineering  I found  a fascinating article by Steve Kidd, deputy director-general of the World Nuclear Association.   I was fascinated because of the insight this article gives into the thinking of the nuclear lobby.

It’s all about South Korea, and Mr Kidd is full of praise for the  culture there.  You see, they’re not only hard-working,  – but Mr Kidd seems to be rejoicing that the South Koreans have none of that pesky individualism, that slows  things up in other countries. In South Korea, he says, there’s  ” a feeling of national unity, initially fostered by strong state control and somewhat repressive policies,  which it carries through to today.  Critics would argue that there is a lack of individualism, and it is certainly true that South Koreans all seem to think and speak with one voice….  every Korean is part of ‘Korea Inc’ and the economy drives forward with only the odd bump on the way”

This is awfully handy for the nuclear industry, – South Korea sounds like one place where the populace will believe their government. Mr Kidd seems agrees with all the economists, that nuclear energy needs government backing to survive “A strong national consensus that a nuclear programme is both necessary and do-able is also important, as is the guarantee that support won’t suddenly be withdrawn by political change.”

But my favourite part is that wonderfully religious bit, in which the nuclear advocate shows complacent faith that somehow, in the future, somebody’s grandchild will fix the problems that the nuclear industry has created –  no doubt long after Mr Kidd and the rest of them have made their money, retired, and died.

September 4, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, Christina's notes, spinbuster