Accidents Quote by Arjun Makhijani
“Nuclear power as a solution to global warming is theoretically possible, but the proliferation problems and accident risks it would create would, I think, be intolerable because you have to build an immense number of nuclear power plants, one large plant a week around the world for the next 40 years, to make a significant dent in the global warming problem.”
About This Quote
Nuclear energy could theoretically cut emissions, but scaling it to the needed magnitude would create unacceptable proliferation and safety risks.
In simple terms: Scale creates intolerable risk.
Key Takeaway
Large‑scale nuclear is impractical.
Themes
energy policy
risk management
climate mitigation
technology scaling
proliferation
Mood
cautious
analytical
critical
Type
policy commentary
technical critique
When to use this quote
- national energy planning
- climate emergency response
- infrastructure investment decisions
- public safety debates
Key Concepts
nuclear power
global warming
safety
proliferation
Practical Applications
- policy risk assessment
- alternative low‑carbon technology development
Questions to Reflect On
- What scale of nuclear deployment is realistically achievable?
- How do the risks compare to those of other low‑carbon options?
A Different Perspective
Renewable sources like wind and solar can be deployed incrementally without the same level of catastrophic risk, offering a more feasible path to decarbonization.
