The tragedy at Fukushima does not indicate a problem with...

The tragedy at Fukushima does not indicate a problem with nuclear power, but with inadequate safety systems when using nuclear power. Countries and critics who claim that nuclear power is dangerous and should no longer be used should consider the following:

1. They are implicitly saying that we don't have the technology or capability of safely using nuclear power, which clearly is untrue. New plants with advanced safety systems are being built to safely generate power from nuclear sources.

2. Driving is dangerous, but we have seatbelts/airbags/crumple zones. Where would we be if countries decided to ban driving rather than just add some safety features to a car? Perhaps cost saving, poor construction standards and failure to upgrade the plant at Fukushima contributed to the safety systems failing just when they were needed, but you can't blame nuclear power for that.

3. As with any new technology, we learn about its uses and safety issues incrementally. Fukushima is a valuable lesson in how to design nuclear power plants and why you should not cut corners.

4. A healthy percentage of the world energy supply is generated from nuclear power. Nuclear power is one of the currently viable options for generating reliable and large amounts of energy without greenhouse gases. How will countries which stop nuclear energy generation fill this void quickly? It will be much easier and cheaper to build safer plants/upgrade existing plants than to build enough windfarms/solar farms / hydroelectric dams etc to make up for the energy shortfall.