technology that citizens have no exposure to or experience with. Therefore, the
general public is not able to rationally anticipate the consequences, thereby adding
GMOs as an example of the impacts of the fear of the unknown. The discussion of
nuclear radiation, radioactivity, and ultimately nuclear power encounters a similar
challenge. Radiation and radioactivity are largely misunderstood concepts in our
society, resulting in highly charged discussions and decisions driven by emotions.
The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power plant accident, which happened as a
consequence of the Great-Eastern earthquake in March 2011 and the subsequent
tsunami, serves as an important example in which the psychological health effects
have been substantial while the actual health effects due to the feared radiation
remains minimal. We will discuss the need to enhance the radiological resilience to
events like this in more detail in the next section, with the focus on our work in
Berkeley and Japan and in an increasing number of other locations around the
world. The global expansion reflects the need to enhance resilience—here specifically radiological resilience—globally, as the concept of radiation is not well
understood and continues to evoke fear around the world. In addition, any event
associated with the actual or potential release of radioactivity will be broadcasted
instantly around the world through the social media networks, which may cause
mass panic. It is worthwhile to mention that any large release of radioactivity will
have an effect globally: First, due to the actual physical transport and second, due to
the instantaneous communication through electronic and social media. As discussed
above already, this is not only true for radioactive materials but also for viruses or
bacteria, although the physical transport of viruses and bacteria will be slower as the
“transporter” is not expected to be the atmosphere such as the effective jet streams
across the world, but people and goods traveling across the world.
3 The Challenge Associated with Fukushima as Example
The events at the Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, in March 2011
have highlighted the need to enhance the resilience to radiological and nuclear
events. The incidence and the associated large releases of radioactive materials had
and still have an enormous societal and economical impact in Japan and globally.
Although no casualties and health effects have been and likely will be attributable
directly to radiation, these events have manifold and substantial impact on local
communities and have provoked ongoing anxiety and concerns globally.
In order to minimize the impact of these and possible future radiological incidents, technologies and scientific understanding have to be enhanced and equally
important, the understanding of nuclear and radiological matters in the public. An
important reason for concerns and anxiety in local and global communities can be
found in the lack of knowledge and accessible information about radiation and the
lack of clear and transparent communications. As a result, confusion, misinformation, and conflicting statements from the government or scientists, as was the case
after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, can cause public distrust of the
210
K. Vetter
general public is not able to rationally anticipate the consequences, thereby adding
GMOs as an example of the impacts of the fear of the unknown. The discussion of
nuclear radiation, radioactivity, and ultimately nuclear power encounters a similar
challenge. Radiation and radioactivity are largely misunderstood concepts in our
society, resulting in highly charged discussions and decisions driven by emotions.
The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power plant accident, which happened as a
consequence of the Great-Eastern earthquake in March 2011 and the subsequent
tsunami, serves as an important example in which the psychological health effects
have been substantial while the actual health effects due to the feared radiation
remains minimal. We will discuss the need to enhance the radiological resilience to
events like this in more detail in the next section, with the focus on our work in
Berkeley and Japan and in an increasing number of other locations around the
world. The global expansion reflects the need to enhance resilience—here specifically radiological resilience—globally, as the concept of radiation is not well
understood and continues to evoke fear around the world. In addition, any event
associated with the actual or potential release of radioactivity will be broadcasted
instantly around the world through the social media networks, which may cause
mass panic. It is worthwhile to mention that any large release of radioactivity will
have an effect globally: First, due to the actual physical transport and second, due to
the instantaneous communication through electronic and social media. As discussed
above already, this is not only true for radioactive materials but also for viruses or
bacteria, although the physical transport of viruses and bacteria will be slower as the
“transporter” is not expected to be the atmosphere such as the effective jet streams
across the world, but people and goods traveling across the world.
3 The Challenge Associated with Fukushima as Example
The events at the Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, in March 2011
have highlighted the need to enhance the resilience to radiological and nuclear
events. The incidence and the associated large releases of radioactive materials had
and still have an enormous societal and economical impact in Japan and globally.
Although no casualties and health effects have been and likely will be attributable
directly to radiation, these events have manifold and substantial impact on local
communities and have provoked ongoing anxiety and concerns globally.
In order to minimize the impact of these and possible future radiological incidents, technologies and scientific understanding have to be enhanced and equally
important, the understanding of nuclear and radiological matters in the public. An
important reason for concerns and anxiety in local and global communities can be
found in the lack of knowledge and accessible information about radiation and the
lack of clear and transparent communications. As a result, confusion, misinformation, and conflicting statements from the government or scientists, as was the case
after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, can cause public distrust of the
210
K. Vetter