The need to ban fighting on and around nuclear sites is “urgent”, argues the Harvard historian. “Exposure to radiation in Ukraine or elsewhere will harm attackers, defenders and civilians in equal measure”
USSIA’S INVASION of Ukraine came as a shock and reminded the world of the worst moments in its history. Not since the end of the second world war has Europe seen a conflict of such proportions, destruction and human suffering.
Muted responses, including from the International Atomic Energy Agency , which has responsibility for the security of the world’s approximately 440 nuclear reactors , point to an inability to deal with the dangers posed by conventional warfare at nuclear sites. The IAEA’s early statements failed even to call Russia the aggressor or condemn its actions.
Today nine countries possess nuclear weapons; 33 countries use nuclear reactors to produce electrical energy. Nuclear energy accounts for the production of 10% of global electricity. There are growing hopes that a new generation of reactors will help to curb the use of fossil fuels and so tackle climate change.
At Chernobyl the question of how nuclear waste should be dealt with emerged in frightening circumstances. The most dangerous moment of Russia’s five-week period of control came with a power outage as a result of shelling. Electricity is needed for the control systems of the shelter which encases the station’s damaged fourth reactor. It also powers the pumps that bring water to the cooling pond containing spent fuel assemblies from Chernobyl’s last reactor .
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