Abstract
Purpose of ReviewThe nuclear power industry started in the 1950s and has now reached a phase of disposing high-level nuclear waste. Since the 1980s, the United Nations has developed a concept of sustainable development and governments have accordingly made ethical commitments to take responsibility towards future generations. The purpose of this review is to examine ethical dilemmas related to high-level nuclear waste disposal in a long-term perspective including potential access to the waste in the future. The time span considered here is 100,000 years based on current experts’ assessment of the radiological toxicity of the waste.Recent FindingsIn this review, we take into account findings on ethical issues related to the disposal of high-level nuclear waste put forward by the Radioactive Waste Management Committee (RWMC), the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), nuclear waste management companies (SKB in Sweden and Posiva Oy in Finland), and several researchers. Some historical examples are presented for potential guidance on methods of communication into the future.SummaryAccording to the sustainable development ethical principle, adopted by the United Nations, we conclude that governments with nuclear energy have committed themselves to protect future generations from harm related to high-level nuclear waste. This commitment involves the necessity to convey information together with the nuclear waste. Our paper examines disposal options chosen by Sweden and Finland, as well as some contemporary and historical efforts to design messages towards the future. We conclude that the international community still needs to find methods to communicate in an intelligible way over long periods of time.
Highlights
In 1987, a definition of sustainable development was launched taking the rights of future generations into account
A concept of sustainable development has gained international acceptance through agreements in the United Nations and includes responsibility of current generations towards future generations. This can be interpreted to mean that governments with nuclear energy have committed themselves to protect future generations from harm related to high-level nuclear waste
Sustainability can be interpreted as the right of future generations to access the waste and handle it according to their ethical principles
Summary
In 1987, a definition of sustainable development was launched taking the rights of future generations into account. Sweden and Finland are among few countries that have already decided locations and methods for high-level nuclear waste repositories. Both countries have chosen the KBS-3 (nuclear fuel safety-3) method for final disposal. Swedish law requires companies that operate nuclear power plants in Sweden to pay for all the costs associated with the final disposal of nuclear waste (the polluter pays principle). Nuclear power plant operators own the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company SKB which is responsible for finding a safe method for the final disposal of the spent nuclear fuel. An estimated 6000 canisters will be deposited during the operating phase of the Swedish nuclear waste repository It will be backfilled and sealed with a final closure year in 2090. To see what can be learned about how to convey risks and messages into the future, this review looks at some historical examples of intergenerational communication attempts with similar intentions
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