When we discuss nuclear energy as one of the solutions to tackle the climate crisis, the biggest fear we confront is the release of radioactivity from a nuclear plant (in either an accident, from its waste, or its regular use). Then what is radioactivity? Do we fear it because we do not know? Or do we stress ourselves that humans can not control it?
Various actors in societies perceive radioactivity in different ways. While one says, it is a part of the earth, life, and the human body. Others say it is demonic foreign to humans that kill. Strikingly, the EU recently decided to classify nuclear energy as green energy. Several EU countries protested and are keeping their stance anti-nuclear. However, the Finland government, the green party, and climate activists agreed that nuclear is green energy. Why do we have such distant opinions? How does each group perceive radioactivity from atomic energy? This project will explore this question by talking to people from multiple fields, such as scientists, social scientists, politicians from green political parties, and environmental activists.
Yeongran Suh is a choreographer and researcher residing in Seoul and Copenhagen. Her research has been focused on ancient beliefs, traditional dance, rituals, and modernization in Asia.
Thore Jürgensen is a climate & glaciology researcher and climber. He researches climatic changes in the arctic and the change of sea and land ice due to climate change. He has interests in various ways of minimalizing climate change, such as traditional agriculture and small-scale nuclear energy plants.