Make your choice

As the debate over conventional and renewable energy picks up, in the wake of the Japan disaster it makes sense to look at safe options. People tend to forget the deaths associated with coal mining, as also that fly ash produced by a coal-burning power plant “carries into the surrounding environment 100 times more radiation than a nuclear power plant producing the same amount of energy.” (Scientific American)

Not to forget spills, the latest one in north Atlantic spells sure death to 20,000 penguins!

Solar and wind also have their share of accidents, too. Silane (a key chemical for solar cells) explosions have killed 10 over the last 20 years, according to Scientific American, and others have noted that solar manufacturers pollute streams and natural waterways in China. Solar installers have also been killed or injured falling off roofs. Approximately 46 people in all have been killed as the result of the wind industry over the last few decades. Twenty-three died during construction. Only four members of the public, including one woman who parachuted into a turbine, have died.

The key difference here is that it is more difficult to set off cataclysmic chain reactions in the realm of renewables. A simple way to figure this is to ask people where they would prefer to live: near a solar farm, a coal plant, nuclear reactor or a wind farm?

As to costs, and speed of setting up plants too, renewables are ahead. Yes, the cost factor may seem prohibitive but this is simply due to the highly subsidised fossil fuel energy. Cost of oil is on the rise and so will be the case as coal begins to peak. Which will be before the middle of this century. Not to say that we shut down all our coal power plants, but start thinking of going slow on them and picking up on the renewables.

So, what are we waiting for?