Should we be afraid of nuclear meltdowns? I used to think so

But now I know that most of the alternatives are much worse

‘Aquarius’: a mural painted on a cooling tower in France. Credit: Pablo

Chornobyl. Fukushima. Three Mile Island. Whenever I post something on social media about nuclear energy, these are the responses from people who think that they’ve instantly ‘won’ the conversation against nuclear energy. But have they?

Two weeks ago, a train carrying hazardous material in Ohio in the United States derailed and caught on fire, leading crews to perform a controlled release of toxic chemicals. 2,000 residents were ordered to evacuate the immediate area. Officials are now releasing vinyl chloride, which is associated with heightened risks of cancer, into the air from five derailed rail cars that are at risk of exploding.