Chernobyl at 40: As the world bets on nuclear again, has it learned the lessons?
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred 40 years ago, releasing radioactive material across Europe and causing widespread health and environmental damage. Today, the world is more dependent on nuclear energy, with over 400 operational reactors and 70 under construction.
On April 26, 1986, Reactor Number 4 of the Lenin Nuclear Power Plant near Pripyat, Ukraine, exploded during a safety test, releasing radioactive material across Europe. The disaster resulted in 2 immediate deaths, 28 deaths within three months, and an estimated 4,000 long-term cancer deaths. The accident led to the permanent resettlement of 300,000 residents and the creation of a 1,838 square mile exclusion zone. Forty years later, nuclear energy is experiencing a renaissance, with over 400 operational reactors and 70 under construction, producing 10% of the world's electricity. The International Energy Agency reports 78 GW of capacity is under construction across 15 countries. The world must reckon with the paradox of increased nuclear dependence despite the risks highlighted by Chernobyl.
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