NUCLEAR POWER

Renewable energy has been a thing for much longer than you think, and many countries have attempted to leave fossil fuels behind as a strategy to combat global warming for decades.

- Jose Alvarez

The Philippines, for example, has been committed to using various renewable energy sources, namely hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, wind, and solar energy. Current Senate President of the Philippines Juan Miguel Zubiri, who has championed green causes in the country during his political career, said in an October 2023 press release, “If we can tap into the country’s vast potential of renewable energy, especially solar, hydro and wind power generation, we can greatly reduce electricity costs in the country. Not only will it have a direct benefit to the people, it would also create favorable conditions for businesses to thrive.”

But what about one of the most controversial energy sources: nuclear power? Nuclear power is considered high risk, high reward: it is renewable and sustainable. However, its track record is checkered with numerous incidents that have caused politicians and environmentalists worldwide to shy away from using nuclear power. The events at Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986), and Fukushima (2011) show that nuclear power has substantial safety risks. Despite these incidents and risks, countries like France have made considerable commitments to nuclear power. France currently generates around 70% of its electricity through nuclear power. The Philippines built its own nuclear reactor in 1976, but it has remained inactive, and debates on whether or not to fuel the plant continue to this day.