Nuclear is for Life : A Cultural Revolution

In this book Wade Allison challenges the worldwide cultural attitude to nuclear science spread by media, political and other voices for the past 70 years. Examining the medical and biological evidence in common-sense terms he concludes that nuclear radiation is very seldom injurious to life. The implications for future supplies of energy, fresh water and food are far-reaching for a polluted and crowded planet. These prizes come without risk, except that many cherished ideas inherited from the past have to be scrapped. He explains why existing radiation regulations, although blessed by committees of the United Nations, are based on flawed science, and that it was these, not the radiation, that were responsible for great suffering at Chernobyl and Fukushima. Given proper safety regulations, nuclear energy should be seen as the ideal base-load replacement for carbon-based electricity generation at a small fraction of currently supposed costs. The challenge is one for education and he gives some thoughts on how to achieve this.