The Way Forward For Energy Production. Nuclear Or Unclear?

Alternative greener sources are now imperative.


With Chernobyl just starting to fade from our memories, Japan has had its worst ever earthquake and ensuing tsunami leaving thousands dead or missing. The survivors are left with the uncertainty of how the damage sustained by their nuclear power installations, is going to affect their lives in the near, and distant future. Judging by Chernobyl and the long-term after-effects there, it is possible that the lives of several generations will be under scrutiny. Alternative energy sources take on a more important role, in view of such disasters.
What can be learned? 


The time has come, to reconsider the way forward with power generation, and now is the right time to study alternative, more “green” methods for the sake of future generations, regardless of cost. Lessons must be learned, as there is no doubt, that Japan will have made every effort to ensure their power stations will have been built to very high and exacting standards, and yet nature has defeated all measures of safety, making it impossible to contain the radiation and its effects on life, long into the future, and who knows what distances the contamination will achieve when weather patterns are changing constantly, making predictions impossible? We must all take an interest now, and voice our opinions to governments around the world, we need alternatives.
Green power needn’t be expensive.

So much time and so many studies have been wasted, and mainly due to the selling off of our fuel and energy companies and profit being the only concern. We have so many people living in “Areas of outstanding natural beauty” who put their visual pleasure, before the future of their children, and grandchildren. A harsh statement I know, but nonetheless a true one. They don’t want their view spoilt by wind turbines, although personally I cannot see how they spoil any view. Anyone who has spent time near these graceful and somehow, quite elegant creations, will no doubt find the experience quite calming. There are many other ways to produce power from nature’s bountiful and endless generosity.
Nuclear power may be cheaper to produce than using fossil fuels, but at what cost?


The alternatives to fuel powered energy generation are plentiful, and the infrastructure is already in place, so why not explore smaller means instead of giant nuclear stations that leave us all living in fear. Here in the UK, and indeed in every country, there are an abundance of rivers, all providing enough energy to run countless small generating stations. Each community surrounding these rivers could benefit from cheaper, greener power from their own power station, and any surplus can be channeled back into the National Grid, providing energy for industry, and without pollution. The generation of energy by this means, and that produced by tidal rivers would be, in essence creating employment in a more widespread area, so that people living near to rivers could find employment without travelling huge distances, thereby saving the environmentally sensitive issue of vehicles being used at one quarter occupant capacity, another huge consideration, and one that must not be overlooked.  One river can provide as much power as necessary, over and over again, as a power plant near its source, does not reduce the amount of energy in the water at all, so a chain of small plants could be put in place at reasonable cost. Another benefit from going smaller, is that if one or two power stations need to be shut down for any reason, the whole area doesn’t have to grind to a halt. These rivers, for centuries, powered mills, and machinery with unfailing energy, and at no environmental cost. Let’s get back to basics, and re-learn how to walk, before we just run ourselves and future generations into nuclear trouble.
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