Using natural disasters to instigate radical policy changes – the effect of Fukushima nuclear power plant accident on nuclear energy policies

Abstract

Natural disasters and their effects have evolved to reflect the complexities of the physical and human environments, and their interactions in the modern world. After the earthquake and the tsunami of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors in March 2011 activists, lobbyist and reporters were quick to expose nuclear technology and demand if not an immediate closure, than at least a gradual phasing out of nuclear power plants. Further research on topics such as the safety of nuclear power plants, the environmental and social effects of radioactive contamination, and the potential of nuclear energy as a world power source has a critical role in this ongoing debate in order to reduce consumption of fossil fuels, and continuing rise in national energy demands for providing powerful motivators in the search for alternative energy sources.

Natural hazards – some introductory thoughts

“…The paper critically evaluates decades of hail suppression as the data in the period from 1967 to 2010 show that the hail trend is rising which is in contrary to expectations and claims that hail suppression decreases hail frequency. Milo{evi} et al (2013) discuss the Fukushima nuclear disaster and how it affected the changes in nuclear energy policy in the »developed countries« and how this policy stayed mostly unaffected in the »devel-oping countries«. Markovi} et al (2014) present numerical simulation of the complete drying out of the Aral and Caspian Seas and the potential impact that this may have to the climate and environment in the region and globally.…”