Gaia Devotees Ponder Nuclear Energy's Benefits

A Gaia Theory conference held this weekend at George Mason University's Law School drew nearly 200 environmentalists, educators, policymakers ... and the nuclear energy industry. Our message: Nuclear energy has a role to play in addressing climate change.

James Lovelock, a British environmental scientist who postulated the Gaia Theory as a way of understanding the planet as a self-regulating entity, would agree. Essentially, his theory asserts that living organisms and their inorganic surroundings have evolved together as a single living system that greatly affects the chemistry and conditions of Earth’s surface.

In his latest book, "The Revenge of Gaia," Lovelock writes, "There is no alternative but nuclear fission until fusion energy and sensible forms of renewable energy arrive as a truly long-term provider. Nuclear energy is free of emissions and independent of imports from what will be a disturbed world."

I staffed a booth for the Nuclear Energy Institute, a conference co-sponsor, along with fellow blogger Michael Stuart of Dominion. Frequently asked questions focused on used fuel, new plants and radiation. Although many attendees were in the "no nuclear" camp, we shared information on nuclear energy's clean-air benefits, as well as its safety record and contibution to national energy security. Many attendees were especially intrigued by the U.S. Department of Energy's reprocessing initiative called the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership.

Most encouraging aspect of the day: Many attendees listened to our message. Still, there continued to be some doubters. As one attendee said: "I can't decide if you are the craziest person here or the bravest person here." We'll opt for brave.

Technorati tags: Nuclear Energy, Nuclear Power, Environment, Energy, Politics, Technology, Economics, Gaia, James Lovelock