Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has campaigned for nuclear fuel to be decarbonized by 2050. Mariano Grossi spoke about the development of nuclear power, public awareness, policy and understanding, saying that nuclear has played a major role in providing clean energy, and now it is more than a third of clean energy without CO2 in the world. the core “It’s already part of the solution,” he said.
Despite its potential as a reliable fuel, nuclear power has taken a backseat, he says, because of incidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, people are misinformed about nuclear power’s capabilities.
“If you look at the statistics, you will see that nuclear power is inferior to some renewables in terms of deaths,” he said, contradicting the perception that thousands of people died in the Fukushima nuclear disaster. “Actually, thousands of people died in the March 2011 tsunami in Japan, and not a single person died from radiation.”
“There is no need to save low-carbon, long-term and reliable energy sources” in terms of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has recognized that decarbonisation by 2050 will not be possible without nuclear power.
Nuclear power made history at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (Dubai COP28), when 198 countries added nuclear power to the list of low-emission technologies that must be expanded if we are to end our dependence on fossil fuels.
“But that doesn’t mean we want 100 percent nuclear,” he said. “We believe in a smart energy mix, with nuclear as the main energy,” he said, adding that nuclear power is sustainable, rain or shine, regulated and can be combined with renewable sources.
“We are now seeing the development of nuclear power in the global south, from India and China to Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Bangladesh and South Africa – some African countries are interested in developing small modular reactors more affordable. .”
Small carbon footprint
Mariano Grossi explains more about the potential benefits and risks of nuclear power. “Like any important industrial activity, nuclear power has risks,” he said, citing nuclear waste as an example, adding that it is well managed and that waste is limited. “After 70 years of commercial operation, the waste problem has never compared to the fossil fuel waste that is killing the planet.”
“Coadro energy has a low carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels such as coal and oil,” he said. “Although wind and solar power are renewable energy sources, they depend on weather conditions. (But) nuclear power is safer.”
“We have about 440 nuclear reactors around the world without problems or problems. “We are also responsible for nuclear safety, so our agency is actively working to prevent accidents in Ukraine.”
In addition to energy production, Mariano Grossi highlighted the IAEA’s contribution to other scientific fields, noting that it supports oncology and radiotherapy in developing countries, improves food safety through radiation techniques, and helps in the early detection of pathogens and zoonoses.
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