On March 11, 2011, a powerful earthquake and a subsequent tsunami triggered a severe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. This event became one of the most serious nuclear disasters since Chernobyl, leaving profound environmental, social, and economic consequences in its wake.
As a result, thousands of people were evacuated from their homes, entire communities were displaced, and vast territories remained contaminated with radioactive substances. Even years later, recovery efforts continue, and many families are still unable to return to their normal lives.
Fukushima reminds us that nuclear energy carries risks that society and nature may pay for over decades. Accidents of this scale may be rare, but their consequences are immense and long-lasting. No technology is completely immune to natural disasters, human error, or technical problems.
Adding to our concern is the Japanese government’s desire to gradually restore the operation of some of the country’s nuclear power plants. In our view, this approach ignores the lessons of Fukushima and underestimates the long-term risks to both people and the environment.
Today, in a world of growing geopolitical tension and multiple armed conflicts, nuclear energy facilities are also becoming potential strategic targets. This further increases the risks and shows that nuclear energy is increasingly becoming part of the problem, rather than the solution for a sustainable and secure future.
As an environmental organization, we believe that the future of energy must lie in safe, clean, and renewable sources—solar, wind, hydro, and energy efficiency. Investments in sustainable solutions can provide energy without putting people and nature at risk of catastrophe.
The memory of Fukushima is not just a history lesson. It is a warning – that choosing energy is also a choice for the future of our planet.
