Better late than never
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China Daily, June 22, 2011
Among the many challenges the world is facing today, nuclear safety is one of the most pressing, and demands immediate action. The on-going ministerial conference on nuclear safety hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna is an ideal platform for concerted international efforts to address this issue.
In this regard, Japan's nuclear woes provide a number of lessons that need to be learnt as well as a case study for the international community.
Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant accident, triggered by a devastating earthquake and the ensuing tsunami on March 11, laid bare the fact that nuclear energy is a double-edged sword.
With Japan still grappling with its nuclear woes, many countries in the world have gained a deeper understanding of nuclear energy safety issues and now regard improved safety procedures as of paramount importance when tapping the energy potential of nuclear fission.
Some countries that have advanced nuclear energy technologies have announced plans to overhaul their industries following the disaster in Japan. However, Germany has decided to shut down all its reactors by 2022, and Italy has vetoed plans to revive its nuclear power program. Even those countries with severe energy shortages have demonstrated caution in blueprinting new nuclear energy projects.
Still, a greater consensus on strengthening nuclear safety must be reached so that Japan's tragedy will not be repeated again.
Given that there are 442 nuclear reactors operating worldwide, with another 62 under construction, 158 approved and 324 proposed, more still needs to be done to increase the safety of nuclear plants by plugging the loopholes in management, improving emergency response systems and adopting disaster-resisting measures.
Hence, the IAEA's call on Monday for "thorough and transparent national risk assessments" on all nuclear power plants in the world, though it comes a little late, should be responded to with enthusiasm and action.
As the only international organization overseeing the global nuclear industry, the IAEA should be given a leading role in rallying international cooperation to strengthen nuclear safety and promote the safe development of nuclear energy.
Instead of being mired in the controversy over whether any new safety regime should be mandatory, the world body should begin with what can be done right now. It should concentrate on devising a full set of safety measures for the world's nuclear plants to prepare for any contingencies and deal with the aftermath should any future nuclear accident occur.
It should also seek to improve global nuclear safety standards for new nuclear plants and more stringent safety requirements should be imposed on nuclear power plant sites prone to earthquakes or other natural disasters.
Last but not the least, the IAEA should serve as a bridge for members of the international community to share and exchange information and resources on nuclear safety.
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