Let's go nuclear!

How did communist ideology lay the foundations for Chernobyl?

• The flawed reactor design: compromises were made to save costs

• It encouraged the leaders to generate power to sell at high prices

• Centralised decision making: critical decisions are made by small groups.

• Poorly trained personnel, with little understanding of the design

The Chernobyl plant failed as the result of ​ (a)   errors in managing a complex nuclear plant. However, ideology was a relevant ​ (b)   term cause. The Soviet ​ (c)   was flawed. Firstly, the plant could generate sudden bursts of power. Secondly, the reactor was not enclosed. The design was ​ (d)   to construct and operate. However, it needed ​ (e)   trained technicians. The USSR system provided inadequate training and safety measures.

• human
• long
• design
• cheap
• highly

What happened after the explosion?

• The government was closed and secretive.

• The government openly disclosed the explosion.

Place the factors relating to Chernobyl in the correct chronological order.

• Emergency crews tried to contain the explosion using water, then sand and boron

• The operatives were poorly trained and not motivated.

• The explosion killed 300 workers

• The plant design was flawed.

• The USSR did not disclose the explosion: Sweden detected the radiation.

The design flaws were known. Why did the plant continue?

• Centralised government: Moscow made slow decisions, based on broader concerns.

• No-one cared. The workers are replaceable.

The Soviet Government regarded publicising a ​ (a)   disaster as a political risk. The Soviets at first denied the ​ (b)   , then made a brief statement three days after the ​ (c)   in April 1986. The centralised government allowed coordination of ​ (d)   efforts, such as helicopter drops of sand and boron. However, the lack of openness affected citizens. E.g. Children drank contaminated milk, correlating to ​ increased rates of (e)   cancer.

• nuclear
• accident
• explosion
• relief
• thyroid

So... How did communist ideology influence the response to Chernobyl?

Groups:

(a) Positive

,

(b) Negative

• Able to evacuate with little resistance

• Slow to respond

• Central control = easy coordination

• Secretive, unwilling to disclose failure

Let's turn to Fukushima in 2023. Match the nation to their perspective.

• Official protest! Seafood banned

• USA

• We want to release some waste water

• Japan

• Follow the science: support Japan

• Korea

• What about the seafood?

• China

This nation claims the release is reckless, and treats the Pacific as a private sewer.

What European country has followed China's lead, and banned seafood imports?

• Germany

• France

• Russia

• Britain