What's the Nuclear Energy For, George?

Stop Talking Nonsense

What's the Nuclear Energy For, George?

By CHRIS BUSBY

As a result of the disaster at Fukushima, I am no longer nuclear-neutral. I now support the technology. . . . A crappy old plant with inadequate safety features was hit by a monster earthquake and a vast tsunami. The electricity supply failed, knocking out the cooling system. The reactors began to explode and melt down. The disaster exposed a familiar legacy of poor design and corner-cutting. Yet, as far as we know, no one has yet received a lethal dose of radiation...

So begins George Monbiot in his now famous Guardian Pauline-conversion-to -nuclear-energy article, a provocative commentary published ten days after Fukushima became the newest word for nuclear meltdown. Riddled with mistakes, Monbiot's pro-nuclear rant reflects errors of judgement, ignorance and narrowness of vision. This article is my reply to Monbiot.