Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Lost_in_Limgrave t1_iy7wqt4 wrote

Reply to comment by Lootcifer- in Qatar and Germany sign long-term natural gas agreement by dragon8811

IKR? They stopped using nuclear because of Fukushima! Unlike Japan, Germany seems pretty geologically stable - at the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, I wonder if “other factors” influenced this decision. Like, for example, a former Chancellor being on the board at Rosneft?

25

Proof_Device_8197 t1_iy7xi71 wrote

One the BIGGEST issues with nuclear is that it’s a strongly supported cause by the people, but no one wants it in their backyard.

16

Lost_in_Limgrave t1_iy7ycmd wrote

I understand that, but how is that different from most forms of fossil fuel energy generation? I’d be a bit miffed if a coal-fired plant was belching smoke over my town too

10

Proof_Device_8197 t1_iy7zixl wrote

Sure, coal is absolutely terrible in that regard, and if anything a lot more unsafe. Nuclear has a stigma, (i.e: Chernobyl, Fukushima, Three Mile Island in the US), and even though it’s a lot more green than any other mining taking place to harness energy, it’s reputation and PR is still the worst.

9

Lost_in_Limgrave t1_iy81ioq wrote

True. Still, it’s disappointing that German lawmakers would make such an irrational decision as to close the plants when they, like other West European nuclear plants, had operated without incident since the first one came online in 1969. From the looks of it they’ve had pause to reconsider closing the last of their stations this year though.

4

Proof_Device_8197 t1_iy83rya wrote

It is a shame, but it’s not like it can’t be reversed. This a voting issue full stop. If the German people want nuclear they should demand it. There were a lot of protests back then, but it was a different time, and the political climate was not the same as it is today. It can absolutely start up again at any time, it just needs to be supported and offered to the public with as much transparency and public education as possible.

8

TuesdayShuffle t1_iy85i51 wrote

Well, if Ukraine has shown us anything, it's that nuclear plants can become hostages in armed conflicts. I assumed we all understood that we shouldn't fuck with them or act like we are gonna fuck with them during a conflict. That obviously isn't the case, this is why we can't have nice things.

9

Lost_in_Limgrave t1_iy8ds82 wrote

It was an unwise strategy for sure, but not one that I expect the Russians would try and repeat elsewhere, the main reason being that Germany is in NATO. I very much doubt the Russians would try and invade at all. If they did, it wouldn’t be for very long as they’d be pummelled by all of NATO. Either that, would go full WW3 very fast…

Edit for clarity

3

TuesdayShuffle t1_iy8gchv wrote

I honestly don't know how far Putin would/will push Russia, this whole invasion into Ukraine has gone off-script. He seems hell-bent on getting Russia wrapped up into military conflicts to keep himself in power. If his position as leader were to get threatened, I picture him doubling down and I really don't know what that looks like. I definitely feel for our NATO allies that are closer to the Russian border....

2

Gaslov t1_iyakbf2 wrote

If we use up our uranium by providing power to the plebs we won't have any left for nuclear warheads!

1