The Fukushima disaster prompted several countries, including Switzerland, to abandon nuclear power. However, the need for energy security and cleaner energies in the face of global warming are putting nuclear energy back on the agenda of some countries. The accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan in 2011 was among the most serious in history. The disaster released large amounts of radiation and displaced more than 150,000 people. It also marked a turning point in the energy policy of some countries in response to a public backlash and as they reassessed security of existing plants. Switzerland and Germany decided to phase out nuclear power. Other nations, including Belgium and Taiwan, reiterated their intention to shut down nuclear power plants. Nearly 15 years after Fukushima, the atom is back in vogue. New power plants are being built around the world, and several governments, including Japan’s, plan to revive their atomic power generation programmes. Why are some ...
