The Lens: Nuclear power can help mitigate climate change but 2011 Fukushima disaster plays on people’s minds

Tina Lee Tin-yu, 17, Kowloon True Light School

The devastating 2011 earthquake in Tohoku, Japan, triggered a massive tsunami and led to the destruction of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This tragic event resulted in a significant loss of life and casualties.

The safety concerns associated with nuclear power plants are paramount, as demonstrated by this incident. The evacuation of residents and their inability to return to their homes due to high radiation levels serve as poignant reminders of the potential dangers of nuclear power.

However, in the context of addressing climate change, restarting nuclear plants can help mitigate the problem.

Aileen Mioko Smith, an environmental campaigner with Green Action Japan, emphasised that nuclear power can be a low-carbon source of electricity, aiding in the reduction of overall carbon emissions. This aligns with the global goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Nevertheless, it is crucial for the government to carefully consider the high earthquake frequency in Japan while contemplating restarting the nuclear plants. Given Japan’s location along a convergent plate boundary, earthquakes are a recurring phenomenon. The recent Noto Earthquake serves as a reminder of this reality. Therefore, stringent safety measures and regulations must be implemented to address the risks associated with earthquakes and ensure the protection of both the environment and the public.

While nuclear power can contribute to addressing climate change, the safety concerns and potential risks associated with it must be carefully weighed. The government’s decision should prioritise the safety of its citizens and the environment, taking into account the ongoing tectonic activity in Japan.

Catch up on last week’s The Lens!

Indonesia is looking to replicate Singapore’s success in “Swiftonomics” to promote tourism in the country. But experts say they will need more than just a few appearances from megastars for this growth to be significant.

Swift’s performances in Singapore are generating hundreds of millions in tourism revenue for the country. Sandiaga, Indonesia’s minister of tourism, said his ministry had launched the Indonesia Tourism Fund, which is worth 2 trillion rupiah (US$128 million). He said the fund was set up to help the country bid for “music, sports and cultural events deemed capable of generating a multiplier effect for Indonesia’s tourism”.

But Teguh Wicaksono, a music entrepreneur in Indonesia, said: “Hosting mega stars like Taylor Swift may sound impressive and prestigious, but ultimately it’s not what sustains the industry, which needs a steadier stream of events, especially for a country the size of Indonesia.” Despite this, Indonesia still came up short when competing with regional neighbours in attracting artists like Swift, Teguh said, citing British band Coldplay’s single show in Jakarta versus three in Singapore. Teguh urged Indonesia to use its tourism fund to create a better working environment for emerging artists and musicians, rather than chase after lofty projects for the prestige factor.

He said if a thriving creative economy sector was what Indonesia wanted, nurturing the local talent would be the right way to go forward.

Major names gracing Jakarta this month include Ed Sheeran and Tom Jones.
Staff writers

• Do you think bringing in global artists will help Indonesia’s economy? Or is it more beneficial to promote its own local musicians?

• What are some potential setbacks or obstacles to bringing in global artists?