Dr. Arjun Makhijani on the downsides of the proposed thorium reactors and why solar power will save money and save lives
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Arjun Makhijani
In this program, Dr. Caldicott interviews plasma physicist and electrical engineer Dr. Arjun Makhijani is the President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER). A recognized authority on energy issues, Dr. Makhijani is the author and co-author of numerous reports and books on energy and environment related issues. He was the principal author of the first study of the energy efficiency potential of the US economy published in 1971. Recently, he co-authored Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free: A Roadmap for U.S. Energy Policy (2007). Dr. Caldicott and Dr. Makhijani primarily address the hazards of the proposed thorium reactors, which nuclear scientists are now advocating. They also touch on how much less expensive a program to solarize rooftops would be. Near the end of the interview, Dr. Makhijani gives his perspective on the ramifications of the Fukushima meltdowns. He refers to a May 2012 article he wrote for the U.S. and Japanese press, May 5 could mark new beginning for Japan with reactor shutdown. To listen to Dr. Caldicott’s earlier interviews with Dr. Makhijani, click here, here, and here.
June 9th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
Dr. Arjun Makhijani is an exceptionally valuable speaker. His genial and easygoing manner combines with an insight into the global nuclear problem, a special insight that is so badly needed today. Where else do we here it explained - the truly dreadful psychological dilemma, the stress, of parents who live in the Fukushima prefecture? The mental health aspect of nuclear power is usually completely ignored, and not understood at all by most nuclear engineers. Let’s hope that more of them are like Arjun with his unblinkered view of the world.
For Australians, Arjun’s message is especially timely. Professor Barry Brook, and nuclear promoter Terry Krieg, are getting lots of media cover for that great idea they have - to set up Thorium Nuclear Reactors in outback South Australia. This is a worry - the media coverage in particular. In Australia’s media Murdochracy, there is an opportunity for these nuclear salesmen to con the public in a way that couldn’t happen so easily in other countries. Dr. Arjun Makhijani’s is a voice that needs to be heard in this climate of pro nuclear propaganda in Australia.