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I'll be philosophical. Until about two billion years ago, it was impossible to have any life on earth; that is, there was so much radiation on earth you couldn't have any life - fish or anything. Gradually, about two billion years ago, the amount of radiation on this planet and probably in the entire system reduced and made it possible for some form of life to begin... Now when we go back to using nuclear power, we are creating something which nature tried to destroy to make life possible... Every time you produce radiation, you produce something that has a certain half-life, in some cases for billions of years. I think the human race is going to wreck itself, and it is important that we get control of this horrible force and try to eliminate it... I do not believe that nuclear power is worth it if it creates radiation. Then you might ask me why do I have nuclear powered ships. That is a necessary evil. I would sink them all. Have I given you an answer to your question?

Hyman G. Rickover#1

SafetyEnvironmentNuclearTechnology

About this quote

What does it mean?
Nuclear power poses a unique existential risk due to long lasting radiation.
In plain terms
Radiation is a dangerous force we struggle to control.
What can you take from it?
Safety must outweigh energy benefits.

Where it applies

  • energy policy
  • safety regulation

Putting it to work

  • invest in safe waste disposal
  • assess long term costs

Questions to consider

  • Is the risk worth the energy?
  • How do we manage waste?

Another view

Nuclear energy provides low carbon power options.

More from Hyman G. Rickover

  1. I am not proud of the part I played in it. I did it because it was necessary for the safety of this country. That's why I am such a great exponent of stopping …

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  2. If you are going to sin, sin against God, not the bureaucracy. God will forgive you but the bureaucracy won't.

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  3. An academic reactor or reactor plant almost always has the following basic characteristics: (1) It is simple. (2) It is small. (3) It is cheap. (4) It is light…

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