Nuclear Energy: is it a real danger?

Nuclear energy is one of the most controversial and debated energy sources in the world. Utilizing atomic fission, this technology can generate substantial amounts of energy while producing almost no gas emissions, in fact, many mistakenly believe that it is a very polluting energy source, but that’s not real. In Europe, nuclear energy is crucial for many member states. Countries such as France and Finland depend significantly on nuclear power to fulfill their energy requirements. Sweden, although it has reduced its reliance on nuclear power, still utilizes it considerably alongside renewable energies. The benefits of nuclear energy are evident: it offers consistent and low-cost energy production, decreases dependence on fossil fuels and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

Nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011 have had a deep impact on how the public views nuclear energy and influenced policies in various countries. The Chernobyl disaster, caused by a reactor failure and human error caused a massive release of radioactive materials that contaminated large areas of Europe. On the other hand, the Fukushima disaster was triggered by an earthquake and tsunami revealing the vulnerability of nuclear plants to extreme natural events.

In 1987, in Italy there was a referendum which determined the end of the nuclear energy production and began the gradual shut down of nuclear power plants. The fear of accidents and the public worries about waste disposal, led the government to stop from further investment in this sector. The 2011 referendum, following the Fukushima disaster, further confirmed the popular will to avoid returning to nuclear energy. Today, Italy mainly depends on natural gas, renewable energy, and foreign imports to satisfy its energy needs. However, there are political parties that support the use of nuclear energy, which is why it remains a widely debated topic and is often used as a tool for political propaganda.

Giuseppe Assenza, Giuseppe Cannata, Andrea Trovato