We Need Democratization, Not of Nuclear Energy Debate but Energy Debate in General… - in Conversation with Professor M.V. Ramana

In this conversation with M. V. Ramana, we delve into one of the most pressing issues of our time: the climate crisis. In response to this crisis, various solutions have been proposed, with nuclear energy emerging as one of the most prominent. After more than a decade of caution following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, a global consensus has gradually formed around nuclear power as a viable and efficient solution to meet energy demands. Advocates argue that nuclear energy can not only complement fossil fuels but also fulfill the growing energy needs of the world.

However, these arguments often prioritize the energy requirements of developed countries, overlooking the high costs, significant risks, and the lengthy timeline needed to build the necessary infrastructure for nuclear energy optimization. Moreover, the current push for nuclear energy sidesteps democratic considerations, with decisions skewed by a technocratic and bureaucratic approach to energy regulation.

Professor M. V. Ramana critically examines the often-misleading optimism surrounding nuclear energy and highlights how this industry's resurgence signals a return to a techno-bureaucratic model of governance.