Learning from Japan’s nuclear disaster

A statement by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) arguing that the Fukushima nuclear disaster demonstrates the inherent dangers and economic obsolescence of nuclear power. Lovins contends that nuclear energy is uniquely risky, costly, and slow to deploy compared to renewable energy, cogeneration, and efficiency measures, which he presents as superior alternatives for climate protection.

• The Fukushima-I reactors utilize a 1960s design with minimal safety margins, which Lovins suggests likely cannot contain 90% of meltdowns. He notes that the U.S. operates 6 identical and 17 very similar plants, and that any operating light-water reactor can melt down if it loses power and cooling water.
• Nuclear power is described as an inefficient climate solution because it is slower and more expensive than alternatives. Lovins states that every dollar spent on a new reactor achieves 2–10 times fewer carbon savings and is 20–40 times slower than spending on electricity efficiency, cogeneration, and renewable energy.
• Market trends show a shift away from nuclear power toward renewables. In 2010, renewables (excluding large hydro) attracted $151 billion in private investment and added over 50 billion watts, while nuclear power received zero private investment. By the end of 2010, of the 66 nuclear units listed as under construction globally, none were free-market purchases, and 50 were located in China, India, Russia, and South Korea.
• The document argues that nuclear power poses unique risks, including the potential for wide-scale casualties from mishaps or malice and the danger of radioactive waste. It cites the Chernobyl disaster, stating that while the IAEA estimated 4,000 deaths in 2005, a 2009 review suggested deaths approaching a million through 2004, including nearly 170,000 in North America.

APA

Lovins, A. B. (2011). Learning from Japan’s nuclear disaster. RMI. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_2011-02_Learning-from-Japan.pdf

Chicago

Lovins, Amory B. Learning from Japan’s nuclear disaster. RMI, 2011. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_2011-02_Learning-from-Japan.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Lovins |first1=Amory B. |title=Learning from Japan’s nuclear disaster |publisher=RMI |date=17 March 2011 |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_2011-02_Learning-from-Japan.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{lovins2011learning, author = {Lovins, Amory B.}, title = {{Learning from Japan’s nuclear disaster}}, publisher = {RMI}, year = {2011}, month = mar, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_2011-02_Learning-from-Japan.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }