2009 APS April Meeting
Volume 54, Number 4
Saturday–Tuesday, May 2–5, 2009;
Denver, Colorado
Session H7: Managing Nuclear Fuels: An International Perspective
10:45 AM–12:33 PM,
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Room: Governor's Square 12
Sponsoring
Units:
FIP FPS
Chair: Noemie Benczer-Koller, Rutgers University
Abstract ID: BAPS.2009.APR.H7.1
Abstract: H7.00001 : A Contract Between Science and Society
10:45 AM–11:21 AM
Preview Abstract
Abstract
Author:
Elizabeth Dowdeswell
(Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Canada)
Growing energy demand, global climate disruption and the prospect
of a
carbon-constrained world have opened the door for discussion of a
potential nuclear renaissance.
The fact that deployment of nuclear energy has not been fully
embraced
points to a number of challenges. These range from concerns about
safety, security and proliferation
of nuclear materials to questions of feasibiity and economics. Others
cite the continuing quest for an acceptable approach to the
management
of long-lived wastes and uncertainty
about risks to human health and the environment. Arguably public
acceptance of nuclear energy will require policy makers to examine
many social and ethical concerns, both real
and perceived. Yet research suggests that public trust in governments
and institutions is eroding while society's expectations to be
involved in decision-making have become
more intense and sophisticated.
The recent Canadian experience of selecting an approach for the
long-term management of used nuclear fuel illustrates the complexity
of obtaining a ``social licence'' to proceed.
A key objective was to gather and document the terms and conditions
that would make such a project acceptable to society and to reflect a
fundamental understanding and respect
for these factors in the project's actual design and
implementation. The underlying philosophy was that the analysis of
scientific and technical evidence, while essential, could not
be the sole determining factor. Ultimately it is society that will
determine which risks it is prepared to accept.
The mission of developing collaboratively with Canadians a management
approach that would be socially acceptable, technically sound,
environmentally
responsible and economically
feasible required the development of an integrated, systemic
analytical framework and an interactive and transparent process of
dialogue and deliberation.
This investment in seeking
diversity of perspectives resulted in the mergence of common ground
among citizens and specialists. It defined the terms of a
socio-scientific contract: safety, fairness and flexibility
and taught us the importance of continuing to earn trust and
confidence.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2009.APR.H7.1