Two Votes For Nuclear Power
Over in the latest issue of Physics World, Michelle Jeandron has a piece about the International Atomic Energy Agency. The IAEA “is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that seeks to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology.”
These are the folks who are sent by the UN to inspect countries and find out if they’re using or building military nukes. On the other hand, though, they also educate said countries about nuclear safety and emergency preparation. The IAEA’s research arm, according to Jeandron, has a broad scope of research and applications. The article goes into greater detail about the Physics Section, its members, and the fact that, instead of conducting research, these particular physicists are actually coordinating the communication between nuclear physicists worldwide. The overall goal of the entire research arm (including the Physics Section) is to facilitate and increase the “development of nuclear science and technology across all fields.”
Now, that might have some folks worried, but if you also check out the June 2008 issue of Wired, you’ll find a serious argument for increased use of nuclear power. Seems to me that the issue with nukes isn’t so much the impact on the environment as it is nuclear arms (and the capability to build them) falling into the “wrong” hands. Still, the article makes a strong case when comparing nuclear power and its uses to, say, coal. Hell, I didn’t even know that coal was still in such wide use.
Check out both articles, then come back too .51 and let me know what you think.
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