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hyperflare  ·  3440 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Is your fear of radiation irrational?

We have an interestiung relationship with nuclear power. One of our secondary political parties (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) originated out of the anti-nuclear and pro-environment movements, and as they were the primary coalition partner of the SPD, they could dictate energy policy since it was their core competency. Regenerative energies were also developed as alternatives to nuclear energy by oppentens who wanted something better. We've always had a very strong anti-nuclear movement.

That said, we're definitely irrationally afraid of it. Personally, I don't like the risk a nuclear reactor poses. However, I find the low risk better than definitely impacting the atmosphere with coal and gas power, which is what a big chunk of nuclear energy is being replaced with. And that's because providers can't build new nuclear plants. I feel like the risk assessment is off. Yeah, a reactor might melt down, but CO2 is just as deadly, if in the long run. So I prefer reactors over coal power plants, as long as we can't go 100% regenerative.

The economics side is something I couldn't find reliable data on, but the data I did find didn't suggest a big difference in cost.

Nuclear power still has lots of disadvantages, yeah. It shouldn't be used more than is absolutely necessary. But it's a great source of energy.