Helen Caldicott, "Nuclear Madness"

"The controversy surrounding nuclear fission is the most important issue that all societies and the world at large have ever faced."

"Nuclear Madness" was originally written in 1978 by Dr. Helen Caldicott, an Australian born physician and activist for nuclear issues, and was updated in 1994. The overall picture that is painted by Caldicott is that we live in a world that allows a very young industry driven by profit, using a power that is not very well understood, to pollute our only lifesystem and sow the seeds of devastation for generations to come. One specific example is that nuclear reactors produces plutonium daily and in great amounts. This material is the basis for creating nuclear weapons, is extremely deadly, and as of yet has no known permanent storage method, even though it will be on our planet for 500,000 years. To know about these dangers and bank on future generations to clean up after this "innovation" is one of the many reasons for the descriptive title of the book. This work provides a history of nuclear power and it's products that has been covered up by vested interests and greatly ignored, has been abhorrently exploitative to the environment and in effect to human life, and has had disasters caused by ignorance and arrogance. The biproducts of nuclear power are dangerous and long-lasting in terms that can only be discussed in abstract terms, since to discuss it any other way would sound like lunacy. Reading this book and understanding the potential and real consequences of progress in this arena reveal the underlying sickness that pervades modern society.

Links:
Helen Caldicott Website

See Also:
Caldicott, H. (1992). If you love this planet: A plan to heal the earth. New York: W.W. Norton.

Radio Interview:



Citation Information:
Caldicott, H. (1994). Nuclear madness: What you can do. New York: Norton.