Tech Won't Save Us Nuclear Won’t Meet Tech’s Energy Demands w/ MV Ramana
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Nov 28, 2024 M.V. Ramana, a professor at the University of British Columbia and author of "Nuclear Is Not the Solution," discusses the tech industry's hopes of powering data centers with nuclear energy. He debunks the myth that nuclear is the silver bullet for climate issues and reveals the dangers of intertwining nuclear energy with weapons proliferation. Ramana also critiques financial motivations behind nuclear advocacy and emphasizes the urgent need to prioritize renewable energy over unreliable nuclear solutions in the fight against climate change.
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Tech's Nuclear PR Push
- Tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are promoting nuclear energy to power their data centers.
- This is likely a PR move to appear climate-conscious despite rising emissions and fossil fuel use.
Ramana's Nuclear Focus
- MV Ramana's interest in nuclear energy stemmed from his work on nuclear weapons in South Asia.
- He noticed the connection between nuclear energy institutions and weapons material production.
Post-Fukushima Nuclear Interest
- The tech industry's interest in nuclear energy coincides with the post-Fukushima promotion of new reactor designs.
- The 2008 financial crash also contributed, with Silicon Valley seeking investment opportunities in climate solutions.
