Thorium – The Way Forward for Safe, Affordable and Sustainable Nuclear Energy?

The problems caused by Japan’s recent nuclear power plant crisis have revived the debate on the future of nuclear energy. Discussions appear to be centred around the dilemma of whether or not to rely on nuclear technology as a viable long-term source of cheap energy. According to fierce opponents of nuclear power, the situation in Japan should serve as a trigger for a global drop in the use of nuclear energy. On the flipside, nuclear energy proponents argue that, in fact, the events that unfolded in Fukushima demonstrate that nuclear energy continues to be a safe source of energy that facilitates development, which consequently makes us more resistant to forces of nature such as earthquakes or tsunamis.