The Voices’ Newsletter: Christmas Playlist
Aaaaaaah Christmas!
The countdown, the lights, the music, the decorations, the atmosphere, the preparations…, the LETTER… and Christmas shopping.
All this delicious waiting. So well-staged that we might almost forget about the main thing – hey, wait a minute: we still haven’t gotten a gift. Does that ring a bell?
It does for us. We had asked (last year already) for a decision to build at least 6 EPRs, or even more. We’re still waiting for that decision.
Of course, let’s not be ungrateful – we’ve had a lot of luck this year as far as Christmas decorations and Christmas markets go:
- Reports with meaningful conclusions:
- the UNSCEAR report on the final assessment of the radiological consequences of the Fukushima accident on health or the environment – undetectable if they even exist,
- the report from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre confirming that the climate benefit of nuclear is equal to or greater than that of other sustainable electricity generation technologies and that its risks are not greater,
- the IEA report confirming that long-term operation of existing nuclear power plants is the most competitive choice worldwide compared to other options for the electricity production,
- the UNECE report confirming that of all energy sources, nuclear energy emits the least CO2 (over its entire life cycle), occupies the least land, and requires the smallest quantity of raw materials (metals, minerals),
- « The One Billion Tons » report quantifying the consequences of the closure of the last six German nuclear reactors (one billion extra tonnes of CO2 in the atmosphere by 2045),
- the RTE report requested by the French government demonstrating that the more nuclear power there is in the scenarios studied, the more positive their environmental, climatic, economic and network security impact.
- Governments making ambitious decisions to relaunch the nuclear industry on their territories: Russia, China, the UK (the usual suspects…), but also India, the US, Poland, Slovenia, the Netherlands…
A Shift in public opinion, from France (59% in favour of keeping nuclear in France), to Germany (31% of Germans would opt for nuclear power due to its low price), to Poland (74% in favour).
But without a decision, the Christmas tree looks rather empty. And once the decorations are taken down, there will be not much left except the small hope that those decorations raised, at a certain point in time. We understand there are prior conditions. But it’s time to make things real. It is time to put words into action.
Dear Santa,
The greatest gift of all would be not spending the next Christmases in the dark.
Thanks in advance,
The Voices.
Last month, the Voices delegation went to Glasgow to participate in the COP26 climate conference. In three articles, we detail our stay, discuss the challenges and opportunities that going to Glasgow has given us.
Part 1 is already available to read on our site. Parts 2 and 3 coming soon 🙂
We would like to present to on the occasion of Christmas a list of our own selection of nuclear related gifts and cultural recommendations.
They are the result of fierce debates within our team. To some of them we have added our own description. This Christmas Playlist follows the first Voices’ Playlist of June 2020. We hope you enjoy it and find something to satisfy your family and friends’ thirst for curiosity!
Read
Books
Radium Girls
Kate Moore
“A full-length account of the struggles of hundreds of women who were exposed to dangerous levels of radium while working factory jobs during World War I describes how they were mislead by their employers and became embroiled in a groundbreaking battle for workers’ rights” (after Amazon.fr)
On the basis of the book, a film was made.
The Dark Horse: Nuclear Power and Climate Change
Rauli Partanen
“This book takes a serious look how the climate change mitigation is progressing, what needs to be done, and how nuclear has helped in the past, and can help us in the future. Partanen is an award-winning science writer and analyst on climate, environment, energy and society. Korhonen did his PhD in the history of technology, has written about climate and energy for years and is currently researching “Plan B”, and emergency program for climate change mitigation”. (after Amazon.fr)
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need
Bill Gates
In a much-discussed book, Bill Gates tackles the most pressing issues related to the climate change and the energy transition. He does this using very simple language which is a big plus of this book. He speaks in favour of nuclear energy and presents innovative projects for this source of energy. However, a reader may feel that this book serves Gates as a kind of confession and self-absolution. Gates produces far more GHG emissions than an average person (to say the least…) and is known for his extravagant lifestyle. It is up to the reader to decide what to think of him…
The battle for climat (La bataille pour le climat)
Myrto Tripathi
“What is preventing humanity from taking the necessary measures, commensurate with the inevitable changes the planet is experiencing? The solutions exist: technical, physical and behavioral. We could now choose an energy mix that would allow us to adapt to progressive global warming, without sacrificing ourselves completely. And yet …
In this book, the author discusses in turn (1) the nature and challenges of energy transition; (2) the significant efforts made and the poor results achieved; (3) the energies we are talking about and those that we have; (4) the energy mix capable of bending the curve of global warming; (5) the resistances and confusions which prevent us from taking real action”. (after Genèse Edition)
Books for children
Nuclear Physics for Babies
Chris Ferrie and Cara Florance
“Written by industry experts, Nuclear Physics for Babies is a colorfully simple introduction to what goes on in the center of atoms. Babies (and grownups!) will learn all about the nucleus and the amazing process of nuclear decay. Co-written by Cara Florance, who has a PhD in Biochemistry and a BS in Chemistry with work experience in astrobiololgy and radiation decontamination” (after Amazon.com)
George’s Energy Adventure
North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN)
“Come along with George (named after scientist George Alcorn) and his friends for the exciting challenge of powering a city! Take the journey to discover how energy diversification powers your world! The story describes George’s project at Edison’s Inventors Camp to power his own city. Once George realizes that one source of energy is not enough to power his city, he dreams of all the different types of energy. George learns the importance of each energy source and how working together can result in a better outcome. He returns to camp the next day to work with Marie to build a city that uses a diverse energy portfolio”. (after NAYGN)
Download a free e-book from the association’s website!
Marie’s Electric Adventure
North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN)
“Marie’s Electric Adventure chronicles the quest of a young girl and her dog to find out why the night light went out. This story includes whimsical characters, like a talking dog named Einstein, to make science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts fun and relatable to children”. (after NAYGN)
Download a free e-book from the association’s website!
Save the Planet! (Sauvons la Planète !)
Julie Wornan, Philippe Honnoré
“Climate change is happening, and children growing up today will have to deal with it. We must prepare them for the challenge. Gently. But with clarity and facts. How? Julie knew she could write (having published speculative fictions) but did not know who would do the drawings. Luckily, she met Philippe Honnoré, educator of young children and amateur artist. Philippe liked the idea. And Philippe’s talent and vivid imagination matched Julie’s idea of a partner for the project exactly. The result was Save the Planet, first published in January 2015, the year that will see the International Paris Agreement on Climate Change ” (after Amazon.fr)
Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works!
Amelia Frahm, Andrew Handley
“The book is a resource to help explain the basic fundamentals of how a nuclear power plant works. It’s a creative spin on the well-worn “How a Nuclear Power Plant Works” schematic that can be found in many science textbooks.
Released in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear crisis, “Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works!” received harsh criticism from anti-nuclear advocates due to its title and topic.
It’s interesting to note that the picture book that generated this criticism is about a bird and a rat who blame what they don’t understand on a cat they don’t know personally, but dislike anyway”. (after Amazon.fr)
Quantum Festival
Manga comic series
Quantum Festival is a manga mini-series about energy. Dependence on fossil fuels, advantages and disadvantages of energy sources, energy density, nuclear waste, natural radioactivity… Do these subjects bother you or seem too technical? Take a look at Quantum first and we’ll talk about it later 😎
Episode 23 talks about European energy crisis.
Press
The Voices in the media
You’ve probably already noticed that we have a new website! But did you know that you can also find all of our media presence in one place on the site? Check it out here and come back regularly for updates.
Open sources
Revue Générale Nucléaire
The science review of the French nuclear energy society (Sfen).
FORATOM
Detailed publications on nuclear related topics from a scientific and industrial point of view.
Information Library – WNA
The World Nuclear Association’s well-equipped online library.
Listen
Podcast
Decouple
The Canadian podcast in which Dr Chris Keefer and Jesse Freeston interview experts from different fields on topics related to climate change.
Myrto Tripathi, president of the Voices, has been interviewed by Decouple on two occasions. Jesse Freeston also came to Paris in October 2021 to report on the Stand Up organized by our organization.
Music
Ingenue
Atoms For Peace
We recommend a song by Atoms For Peace not only because of their name… 😊 The song “Ingenue” comes from the 2013 album, the only album band has ever released. Atoms were a group of musicians reunited around famous Thom Yorke.
Listen to their album on Spotify, Apple Music or find their songs on YouTube.
Delete Forever
Grimes
Singer Grimes surprised the world recently by announcing her support for nuclear power. This alternative artist is well known among fans of electro-pop. Hopefully one day every artist like this will support nuclear – after all, the genre’s name says it all 😉
Listen to her music on Spotify, Apple Music or find her songs on YouTube.
Radioactive
Marina and the Diamonds
Marina is of mixed Welsh and Greek origin. She is known for her indie- and electro-pop music. In 2011, she released a song called Radioactive where she sings “my heart is nuclear, love is all that I fear”. See you on the dance floor on New Years Eve?
Listen here.
Watch
Dark
Netflix series
At the heart of this story is the fictional Winden nuclear power plant. Obviously, it is about to be closed because of the Energiewende… The German series from Netflix tells the story of Jonas and the inhabitants of Winden who discover time travel. The name “Dark” describes the vibe of this series pretty well. It’s a good position to binge-watch.
The main disadvantage? The image of nuclear waste is misleading and the whole idea of nuclear is quite simplistic and has little to do with reality.
Occupied
Norwegian TV series
“In the near future, as the United States have left NATO, Norway elects a green government and ceases all oil and gas production, while a severe energy crisis hits the European Union. The latter asks for the support of Russia who, in a few minutes, kidnaps the Prime Minister after he had just inaugurated a thorium power plant. He is forced to accept that the production of hydrocarbons resume under control Russian”. (after Wikipedia)
Play
Nuclear Reactor Simulator
A simulator created by the Nuclear Institute.
Destiny 2
“In the massively popular first-person shooter game Destiny 2, whose new “Season of the Chosen” event begins today, it’s revealed that long-dead bad guy Clovis Bray I built a lab that has survived the apocalypse-like Collapse. Basically, everything in the world has fallen into ruin, but centuries after its construction, Bray’s lab is still humming—and the active nuclear reactor inside is rigged to self-destruct if anyone intrudes”. (after Popular Mechanics)
STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl tells a story about survival in the Zone – a very dangerous place, where you fear not only the radiation, anomalies and deadly creatures, but other S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s, who have their own goals and wishes”. (after Steam)
This game portrays nuclear power in a negative light. However, it does show how pop culture and its audience think about nuclear power. Pop culture has a big role to play in the current situation and a game like this can be a good starting point for discussion on the real issues related to Chernobyl and reassuring society that this kind of disaster simply cannot happen today.
Cities Skyline
A Sim City-like game where nuclear is kind of the ultimate way to generate electricity if you don’t have a dam location on the map.
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