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Belarus takes a second look at nuclear energy

When Unit Four at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in the middle of the night on April 26, 1986, the resulting radioactive fallout contaminated the territory of three countries--Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. Belarus in particular bore a heavy burden, as cesium and iodine particles spread across 23 percent of the country. The devastation forced the resettlement of thousands of Belarusian families and left a legacy of persistent medical and psychological problems, leading to a national allergy to all things nuclear.

It’s 2050: Do you know where your nuclear waste is?

Though nuclear power produces electricity with little in the way of carbon dioxide emissions, it, like other energy sources, is not without its own set of waste products. And in the case of nuclear power, most of these wastes are radioactive. Some very low level nuclear wastes can be stored and then disposed of in landfill-type settings.

We need to get serious about the renewable energy revolution—by including nuclear power

A huge number of extremely earnest and bright people are working on trying to make an all-renewables energy future—wind, water, and solar, or WWS—come true. But in the final analysis, this author argues, be realistic. Being real means that the renewables revolution requires nuclear power.

Why the financial community should work to prevent the market and economic shocks of a nuclear incident

The risks of a nuclear incident—including the detonation of a nuclear bomb or dirty bomb, or a cyberattack on a nuclear power plant—have been discussed ad nauseam. Investment icon Warren Buffett and many international security experts have expounded on the significant risks of a nuclear incident in the coming decades. Many experts, in fact, actually … Continued

Fukushima, risk, and probability: Expect the unexpected

A probabilistic approach to risk leaves us unprepared for "infrequent catastrophes." Nuclear plants require a "possibilistic" approach that allows us to design safeguards against the worst-case scenario.
SMR research in lab

Can small modular reactors help mitigate climate change?

Small modular reactors fail the tests of time and cost, which are of the essence in meeting the challenge of climate change. Even the official schedules indicate that their contributions will be negligible by 2030 and remain small by 2035, when the grid needs to be nearly completely decarbonized.
young climate activists at cop25

Russia seeks to revoke citizenship from anti-war climate activist

“I didn’t want to leave the country but my wife was saying that she wants to breathe free air and it was actually unbearable for us.”
Ira Helfand, PSR

He helped found two groups that won the Nobel Peace Prize: Ira Helfand of PSR

His message is simple: Nuclear weapons are not a force of nature, and they are not an act of god. We have built these with our own hands, and we know how to take them apart.

When science brought Americans and Russians together

Working as partners, one-time enemy researchers made breakthroughs they couldn’t have achieved alone.

1978: Is mankind warming the Earth?

This report is based on a monograph the author prepared for the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

North Korea: Small step forward, many more to go

For the first time in years, there is some welcome news out of North Korea: Washington and Pyongyang have finally struck a deal. North Korea agreed, for the time being, to issue a moratorium on uranium enrichment as well as nuclear and missile tests, which would help relieve tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Pyongyang vowed to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors into its Yongbyon nuclear facilities to verify the anticipated uranium enrichment freeze.
SMR research in lab

Building promises of small modular reactors—one conference at a time

Earlier this year, small modular reactor (SMR) enthusiasts from industry, government, and business gathered in Atlanta to discuss the promise of a SMR-led revival of the nuclear industry: “This time, it will be different!”

Documenting Three Mile Island

When the Three Mile Island accident occurred on Wednesday, March 28, 1979, I was an interested but distant observer. I had been informally offered a job as the associate historian of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) but was still waiting for the final paperwork to be processed. I read all that I could about the accident in newspapers and magazines to try to understand, with mixed success at best, what had happened on the morning of the accident and the five days of tense uncertainty that followed.
The risks of automation and semi-autonomous systems, even when human operators are notionally in the loop.

How scientists can fight for science without losing trust

As the March for Science approaches, new research sheds light on how advocacy by scientists affects the way they are perceived.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Call for submissions for Voices of Tomorrow

In 2013, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will launch "Voices of Tomorrow," which will feature a monthly essay, op-ed article, or multimedia presentation written or produced by a high school student, college undergraduate, or graduate student. The topic must address some aspect of at least one of the Bulletin's core issues of nuclear weapons, nuclear energy, climate change, biosecurity, or emerging technologies.

A better direction for low-dose radiation research

Don’t expect new research on the health effects of low-level radiation to reduce public fears. 

Incisors in the heartland

Since 1996, supporters have pushed for Senate ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), arguing that the treaty would limit nuclear weapons proliferation and deter nuclear war. But the treaty does more than this -- it also has a health benefit. Put quite simply: No more tests, no more fallout.
Brainstorming session in Providence Rhode Island for Sandia National Labs/Altimeter Design Group work on foresight work. Credit: Tom Weis. Used with permission.

The art of communicating nuclear risk

Members of the public, policymakers, and scientists would be wise to look to artists, designers, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations that have successfully experimented with creative approaches to raising public awareness about nuclear risk.