CHERNOBYLNuclear Energy Impact

Summary

1986April, 25. Employees of Chernobyl NPP decide to test the safety systems due to the planned recovery works. The construction is not perfect already. April, 26, 1:00 am. 4th energy building explodes.

116 thousands inhabitants evacuated, leaving their homes and belongings forever. Over 600 thousands people take part in eliminating the catastrophe, not letting it getting worse.

Over 200 thousands square kilometers land polluted. 5 millions ha expelled from agriculture.

1987-1990Chernobyl disaster scares the public.

USSR used unique NPP type. No one had the same risk.

Yet, Italy, Belgium and Germany refuse to build new nuclear power plants.

International Atomic Energy Agency launched, working on safety and common rules of maintaining nuclear power plants. Emergency instructions published.

2000sNuclear energy in its recovery period.

China and India demand more energy.

Global warming fears people. Nuclear energy doesn’t eject carbon dioxide.

Middle East is not stable enough to provide predictable oil supply nd pricing.

Fear weakens, perspectives recalculated.

2011Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant disaster.

Unlike Chernobyl, all reactors are damaged.

All 54 Japanese NPPs are closed in a year, some of them forever.

It will take 40 years to consider the NPP safe again.

Germany plans to stop all its NPPs by 2022.

IEA double decreases the nuclear power production forecast.

2012Nuclear power production reaches its minimum from 1999.

Western Europe removes old NPPs from service, while Asian countries develop their nuclear programs.

After Fukushima, the public opinion is turned against nuclear power again.

Unlike sun, wind and water power, nuclear energy is considered dangerous and too risky.

2016Bruxelles terrorist attacks suspects claim ISIS having plans to blow up nuclear power plants in Europe.

Potential danger of NPPs is considered higher, again. Due to human factor, again.

Despite the number of NPPs decline, the energy production increases.

Yet, no single country in the world has developed radioactive waste disposal facilities.

The future of nuclear power is anything but clear.

All Chernobyl Pictures, Infographics and Full Data are available here.

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