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). What is radioactivity then? Do we fear it because we do not know it? Or do we stress ourselves because humans cannot control it?

Various actors in different 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 and foreign to humans, and that it kills. 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 energy 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.