With the war continuing to drag on in the Middle East, the world is feeling the effects a prolonged war can have on each of our lives. From the constant threat of escalation to the now crippling alters in oil prices, regardless of involvement, almost every developed nation has felt its effects. Many different nations have considered of unique ways of dealing with the fuel crises, but now it is Europe who is turning back to an older solution.
Many European governments have instructed their civilians to work from home and to avoid driving at all, however that isn’t the case for all. For some they have had success in plans laid far before war ever broke out in Iran. According to the BBC, Spain’s solar and wind power has greatly assisted the nation take the brunt of the situation. In comparison, a nation like Italy, who relies heavily on foreign oil has suffered heavily under the situation as they attempt to figure out ways around their reliance on fossil fuels.
This has resulted in a large push across the continent to develop and create clean and renewable fuel industries to assist elevate the economies and industries of the many nations within. However, one conversation which seems to be creeping back out into the sunlight is the discussion of nuclear energy.
As reported by Euronews, nuclear energy was also considered back when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and due to the tariffs and embargos, Europe had to face a similar situation it is facing now. This was dealt with by the utilize of alternate fuel sources, and in some cases by ignoring the embargo and continuing to utilize Russian fuel. However, with both situations continuing to unpack and neither viewing like they are ceasing anytime soon, the countries are once again having to reconsider the nuclear option.
Nuclear power was initially supported across the continent as a clean and better alternative to the fossil fuels they had been relying on since the industrial revolution. This would alter with both the Chornobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents, scaring the nations into passing bans on nuclear power in fear that similar accidents could happen to their densely populated cities.
Now the situation has alterd, and along with French President Macron’s push to follow
France’s lead, Europe once again must reconcile with its past and consider this alternate route.
Germany, a counattempt with a long standing fear of nuclear energy, has begun to repeal a majority of its bans and restrictions on the fuel. Along with this, many nations have begun to repair and prepare their older facilities in order to bring them up to modern standards.
Many throughout the continent still protest, with the main issue being the cost it would take to
repair these facilities and obtain them up and running. Chris Aylett, a Research Fellow at the
Environment and Society Centre, Chatham Houtilize, informed WPR urges the states to approach the subject with caution and to realize this won’t be a clean switch, nor a quick one at that. The time it will take to switch over will be messy and costly for the citizens of each counattempt.
Still the many leaders, seeking to obtain the indepfinishence they desire from nations like the U.S., who recently have built threats towards Europe, will launch to charge forward and bring the group of countries into a new era.
Leave a Reply