4 Nuclear Energy & Energy Transitions …
121
Daiichi incidents. The world first awoke to the gruesome menaces of
the nuclear power accidents following the explosion at the Chernobyl
nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986, in Ukraine (formerly the Soviet
Union).
30 This caused adverse effects such as damage to the atmosphere
environment, urban environment, agriculture, forestry and the aquatic
environment, the contamination of the environment with radioactive
substances, evacuation and relocation of more than 300,000 people as
well as transboundary impacts.
31
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power accident of 2011 in Japan
presents yet another shocking face of the nuclear energy industry.
32 The
accident resulted from a 9.0 magnitude earthquake which triggered a 15meter tsunami, causing damage at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power
plants operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The
plant experienced hydrogen explosions and a meltdown, leading to the
releasing of radiation into the environment. This led to contamination
of soil and groundwater, and today, there is still evidence of contamination of the Pacific Ocean. Although no deaths or cases of radiation were
recorded, over 85,000 people were evacuated from their homes following
the accident.
33
In conclusion, the use of nuclear energy presents many opportunities
for SSA’s energy access and security challenges as well as fostering the
30 See Nuclear Monitor, ‘Chernobyl: Chronology of a Disaster,’ A publication of the Wise
Information Service on Energy (WISE) and the Nuclear Information and Resource Service
(NIRS), March 2011 issue No. 724 pp. 2–4, https://www.nirs.org/wp-content/uploads/mononl
ine/nm724.pdf (accessed on 10/4/2020).
31 See, IAEA, Environmental Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident and Their Remediation:
Twenty Years of Experience/Report of the Chernobyl, Forum Expert Group ‘Environment’.—
Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency, 2006. p.; 29 cm.—(Radiological assessment
reports series, ISSN 1020-6566) STI/PUB/1239 ISBN 92–0–114705–8, https://www-pub.iaea.
org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1239_web.pdf (accessed on 10/4/2020).
32 Stephen L. Kass, ‘International Law Lessons from the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster,’ New York
Law Journal April 29, 2011, www.clm.com/publication.cfm?ID=324; World Nuclear Association www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-ofplants/fukushimaaccident.aspx; World Nuclear Association
21 Pac,’ R im L & Pol’y J. 433 (2012): 433–459, https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/wilj/
vol21/iss3/3 (accessed on 10/4/2020).
121
Daiichi incidents. The world first awoke to the gruesome menaces of
the nuclear power accidents following the explosion at the Chernobyl
nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986, in Ukraine (formerly the Soviet
Union).
30 This caused adverse effects such as damage to the atmosphere
environment, urban environment, agriculture, forestry and the aquatic
environment, the contamination of the environment with radioactive
substances, evacuation and relocation of more than 300,000 people as
well as transboundary impacts.
31
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power accident of 2011 in Japan
presents yet another shocking face of the nuclear energy industry.
32 The
accident resulted from a 9.0 magnitude earthquake which triggered a 15meter tsunami, causing damage at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power
plants operated by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). The
plant experienced hydrogen explosions and a meltdown, leading to the
releasing of radiation into the environment. This led to contamination
of soil and groundwater, and today, there is still evidence of contamination of the Pacific Ocean. Although no deaths or cases of radiation were
recorded, over 85,000 people were evacuated from their homes following
the accident.
33
In conclusion, the use of nuclear energy presents many opportunities
for SSA’s energy access and security challenges as well as fostering the
30 See Nuclear Monitor, ‘Chernobyl: Chronology of a Disaster,’ A publication of the Wise
Information Service on Energy (WISE) and the Nuclear Information and Resource Service
(NIRS), March 2011 issue No. 724 pp. 2–4, https://www.nirs.org/wp-content/uploads/mononl
ine/nm724.pdf (accessed on 10/4/2020).
31 See, IAEA, Environmental Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident and Their Remediation:
Twenty Years of Experience/Report of the Chernobyl, Forum Expert Group ‘Environment’.—
Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency, 2006. p.; 29 cm.—(Radiological assessment
reports series, ISSN 1020-6566) STI/PUB/1239 ISBN 92–0–114705–8, https://www-pub.iaea.
org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1239_web.pdf (accessed on 10/4/2020).
32 Stephen L. Kass, ‘International Law Lessons from the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster,’ New York
Law Journal April 29, 2011, www.clm.com/publication.cfm?ID=324; World Nuclear Association www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-ofplants/fukushimaaccident.aspx; World Nuclear Association
21 Pac,’ R im L & Pol’y J. 433 (2012): 433–459, https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/wilj/
vol21/iss3/3 (accessed on 10/4/2020).