Radiation and Reason: The Impact of Science on a Culture of Fear

The human race is in a dilemma; it is threatened by economic instability on one hand and climate change on the other. Either of these could lead to widespread unrest and political turmoil, if the right choices are not made now. In particular, prosperity without carbon emission implies a comprehensive switch in our sources of energy. With luck, the activity generated by the process of switching will also contribute to prosperity in the short and medium term. There are many solutions wind, tidal, solar, improved efficiency but the most powerful and reliable source is nuclear. However, it is widely supposed that this presents a major problem of safety. Is this long-held concern about radiation and nuclear technology fully justified? Straightforward questions should have simple answers, and the simplest answer is No. Explaining and exploring the question and this answer in accessible terms is the subject of this book.