Tag Archives: radiation

Contaminated Concepts about Chernobyl

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Thoughtscapism

Visiting Chernobyl is an opportunity to reflect on a tragic piece of history, but also our own risk perceptions. It is not dangerous. It offers a great chance to observe thriving wildlife – no three headed fish or glow-in-the-dark rats among them. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, nuclear, psychology, science communication, society | Tagged , | 6 Comments

The Animals of Chernobyl – Trip Report, Day Three

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Thoughtscapism

It was a great juxtaposition to see all this natural life so near the reactor sites. The wildlife doesn’t care about the thought of the radiation, since its presence at these levels has no practical effect on them. The animals aren’t afraid. Continue reading →

Posted in biology, energy, environment, health, nuclear | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Visiting Chernobyl, Day One, The Most Dangerous Part of the Trip: Kyiv

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

I finally found time to write about my visit to Chernobyl. I hope to do justice to the tremendous impression left by the people I got to meet, including locals living in the area, former clean-up workers, as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, nuclear | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

What Level of Risk Justifies Denying People Their Homes? A Look at Fukushima vs Pollution in Big Cities

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

I was very moved after hearing the heartfelt testimonies of teacher Yoshiko Aoki, high-school student Moe Harada, and a group of students dialling in from Fukushima to the OECD NEA risk communication workshop in Paris. I previously shared with you … Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, health, nuclear, psychology, society | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Stories from Tomioka Town, Fukushima

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

I want to share with you the touching testimonies of a teacher and students of Tomioka town in Fukushima prefecture, whom I had the privilege of listening to while I attended a radiological risk communication workshop at OECD Nuclear Energy … Continue reading →

Posted in nuclear, psychology, society | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“What About Radioactive Wastelands?” A Look at Chernobyl’s Effects on Nature

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Thoughtscapism

“What about Chernobyl?” is a question many people ask whenever nuclear power is discussed. In my first look at that question, in the previous article, I put the World’s Deadliest Energy Accidents in Perspective. But many people will point out … Continue reading →

Posted in biology, energy, environment, history, nuclear, psychology, society | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Radiation Exposures at a Glance

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Thoughtscapism

Inspired by a risk conference I attended, I decided to try my hand at visual demonstrations of toxicological safety limits and pesticide exposures. It struck me that the same kind of visualisation might work well for a demonstrating radiation dosages. I … Continue reading →

Posted in biology, health, nuclear | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Risk In Perspective: Zero Risk Is an Impossible Dream

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Thoughtscapism

This series is a collaboration between neuroscientist Alison Bernstein and biologist Iida Ruishalme. Errors in risk perception are at the core of so many issues in science communication that we think this is a critical topic to explore in detail. … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, alternative medicine, energy, environment, health, psychology | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Warming My Hands on Nuclear Waste

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Thoughtscapism

I left my sleeping family at home and headed out without breakfast in the freezing cold to catch the 7 AM train, enthusiastic about the prospect of visiting a nuclear waste repository. I’ve written about nuclear waste at length, and … Continue reading →

Posted in energy, nuclear | Tagged , | 14 Comments