Burden on Future Generations 13/05/11

In producing nuclear power we are taking the benefits today but leaving the burden of cleaning up waste and accident risks to future generations, argues a study on nuclear ethics. As we delay and dispute how to manage our existing nuclear waste, we continue to produce more of it – an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 tonnes in total exists around the world – and create a bigger burden of safe disposal on future generations. ‘Considering we have only had 10,000 years of written history, we must realise how long future generations will suffer from the onerous legacy left by present societies.

Ecologist 13th May 2011