I was one among millions in India who watched the Fukushima nuclear accident unfold last year and share the feelings of Japanese people who suffered the trauma. It is ironic that Japan should face the full fury of nuclear technology more than once!
What worries me is that we have deliberately set in motion a huge nuclear tsunami that will engulf the planet in the next few years. Today, 31 countries are operating 441 nuclear reactors, generating 380 gigawatts of power and contributing 14 percent of the electricity consumed in the world. Of these reactors, more than 50 are already in the "aged" category and many more will outlive their life in coming years. It is doubtful whether we can ever decommission the aged reactors fully.
Sixty more reactors are under construction and 150 more are in the planning stage. China plans to expand its nuclear capacity from the existing 10 gigawatts to 200 gigawatts by 2020! India plans to add 45 gigawatts by 2030-2031 to its existing 5 gigawatts. South Korea plans to add 10 gigawatts to its existing capacity of 18.7 gigawatts. Eleven more countries are going to join the nuclear bandwagon very soon. Where are we heading?
With such a large number of reactors operating across the planet, we should not be surprised if more Fukushima-like accidents take place, in addition to the day-to-day incidents of radioactive contamination and their adverse impact on our health. In addition to natural calamities, human and mechanical failures can trigger large-scale accidents. The reactors could be subject to attacks by terrorists. Each of these reactors will throw up huge quantities of radioactive waste that we will not be able to handle. The reactors will generate large quantities of plutonium, which will escalate regional tensions, paving the way for a full-fledged nuclear war.
On this first anniversary of the Fukushima disaster, I appeal to the people of Japan to take the lead role in persuading the world community to stop this mad nuclear rush. Japan should spread the message of sanity and statesmanship to the rest of the world.
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