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'Pandora's Promise' director talks about Fukushima

12 Comments
By MARI YAMAGUCHI

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12 Comments
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Hope some of the money is donated directly to the people who's homes he filmed.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"His answer is no, because he believes nuclear energy can help solve climate change."

Ummm... yeah, because Fukushima has helped that so very, very much. It has also saved Japan heaps of money, and helped the environment. Oh, and let me show you my unicorn.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

smithinjapan,

Ummm... yeah, because Fukushima has helped that so very, very much. It has also saved Japan heaps of money, and helped the environment. Oh, and let me show you my unicorn.

Well, untill they shut down all the other reactors, nuclear power was helping combat climate change. Now we've got lots of fossil fuel plants adding greenhouse gasses and other pollutants to the atmosphere.

And on the subject of air pollution, just last week the WHO confirmed it is a leading cause of cancer, joining the category including plutonium, UV radiation and tobacco smoke.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Star-viking: "joining the category including plutonium"

And what was that you were saying about nuclear plants being helpful?

I fully realize that building more fossil fuel plants and seeking out more gasoline do nothing to help, but nuclear power is simply an 'easy' answer, and definitely not environmentally friendly. I find it amazing Stone had the gall to ask someone if he/she was still in favor of nuclear power while looking at abandoned homes and then says he supports it. Did he then go to the shelters people are still living in nearly three years after the fact and complain they are contributing to climate change?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

smithinjapan,

And what was that you were saying about nuclear plants being helpful?

Not much environmental plutonium spread around from Fukushima. Most is in the melted cores or spent fuel pools.

But if you consider the inclusion of plutonium in that WHO list as an irredemable mark against nuclear power, then will you apply the same criteria to sunlight, smoking, and all sources of air polution?

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Nice to hear of someone tackling the complications of pros and cons, of nuclear power, instead of just jumping up and down screeching.

Would be nice to see more money put into hydrogen storage and transport infrastructure, which could finally make solar and wind energy realistic solutions for many energy needs. Limited nuclear power could be part of that solution, where wind and solar are not plentiful and reliable for separating the hydrogen out of water. Such solutions are a way off. For now, we look at the mix of solar/wind/water (limited ability to capture & store), petroleum (dangerous & dirty); nuclear (accidents are very rare, but consequences are long lasting).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Star-Viking: yeah, not much radiation coming out of Fukushima at all. That said, you talk like nuclear power is the only option, completely ignoring the fact that NOW is the time to start true investment in alternative energy sources. Will cost time and money, but, what's the projected cost of the Fukushima plant again? And how long to decommission?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Alternative energy sources are fine, but unless you're talking geothermal or hydroelectric, it's not a steady source. Wind is NEVER a constant, and sunlight is never going to be the primary sources of power unless someone figures out how to reflect sunlight onto collectors via satellite mirrors during the night-time (and God forbid one of the satellites has an alignment failure and sends the reflected beam across the terrain).

Even geothermal has a limit. As the shafts pick up heat to the surface and bring down cooler liquid, the area around the shafts gradually cools. The efficiency is best when the shaft is first used and steadily declines after that.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Ocean covers most of the Earth's surface. Japan should gather usable energy from the natural forces at work on water's surface. For long term R&D, Japan should invest in the development of wave energy and turn this power into clean usable energy. It's only a matter of time.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

All the technology refinement in the world will not make nuclear power any safer as long as it continues to be managed by the incompetent buffoons at TEPCO.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fukushima's melted cores are in contact with underground water that us running into the Pacific Ocean - 100s of tons of contaminated water outflow everyday. How long is it going to be before humans are forced to leave the vicinity of the plant and work ceases?

We don't see this problem with coal,oil or gas do we?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Even geothermal has a limit. As the shafts pick up heat to the surface and bring down cooler liquid, the area around the shafts gradually cools.

Well geothermal plants typically have rather longer life than a nuke plant. Also, Japan is one place where geothermal really makes sense and many studies have shown geothermal can supply well over 10X the entire current energy needs of the country. And in any practical sense, geothermal is indefinitely self renewing. And one of the 'secrets' about nukes is that there isn't enough fuel for them to take over high percentages of energy needs for the long term. Unless you turn to breeders, which opens an entire other can of worms.

Also, on the overall energy/climate/practicality front, this is a key piece of the future: http://www.jouleunlimited.com/. Just FYI, I have nothing to do with them (sadly!), but have followed them for several years now.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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