SPECPOL Debates How to Make Nuclear Energy Safer

Special Political and Decolonization Committee delegations discussed possible ways of making nuclear energy safer after the Fukushima incident in 2011.

Fukushima was the biggest nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986. Now, 45 delegations from across the world have proposed three possible resolutions.

The first of these resolutions included delegates from China, Czech Republic, Colombia, Iran and Japan. The delegate from China stressed they are pro-nuclear energy.

“We want to make the community aware that [nuclear energy] is not as bad as it seems,” China’s delegation said. Japan’s delegation added they are trying to move towards solar energy in a gradual change.

Though they do not denounce the usefulness of nuclear energy, they feel strongly that renewable energy is the future. That change would cost 20 trillion Yuan.

The overall goal would be to educate society about the potential deficiencies of nuclear energy, while trying to push renewable solar energy.

The second resolution on the table was named “STAR,” which stands for Safety Through Advancement and Regulation. This resolution included delegates from Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, Chile, Kazakhstan and Slovakia.

They feel that the location of the plants needs to be thoroughly thought out. The delegate from Chile suggested moving plants away from water sources and highly populated areas. STAR also stresses that the responsibility of the workers needs to be assessed and regulated more regularly.

The final resolution that was dominant in the room was entitled “CAMPS,” which stands for Collective Alternative Means Preparation and Social. Camps consisted of delegates from United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, Australia, Austria, Israel, Belgium, Argentina, Norway and Italy.

Norway emphasized communication is key and that after any potential disaster there needs to be people to help revive the society. Austria added the best way to achieve safety is through diversifying energy.

The general ideas presented in SPECPOL include better education, tighter regulation of IAEA’s existing laws, accepting that disaster is a part of the risk associated nuclear energy and being prepared with funding.