THORium

The Thor, a portable generator powered by the nuclear element Thorium used by Ridlets is one of the leaps of science in Riddles Island. Nuclear power offers the cleanest, safest and most efficient source of energy for the 21st century, despite today’s abhorrence of nuclear energy because of the remote possibility of meltdown.

In Norse mythology, Thor is known for his physical strength, thunder, lightning and fertility.  Like the powerful nuclear element Thorium, Thor is one of the strongest mythological gods.

Thor in bronze ca. 1000 AD at the National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik.

The Norse God Thor in his chariot pulled by goats by artist Marten Eskil Winges.

Actor Donald Blake as Thor Odinson in the Marvel Avengers movie.

Safely managed thorium-powered nuclear energy can provide clean energy to the Earth’s burgeoning population. Compare the numerous accidents and deaths from fossil fuels to only three nuclear accidents caused by human error: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima. Despite the knee-jerk rejection of nuclear power, it is far less damaging to the environment and caused fewer accidents than fossil fuels.

This interesting and amusing nine-minute video describes the anticipated demand for electricity in developing countries. It shows how it is not feasible to rely on fossil fuels to provide electricity to the millions who hope to get on the grid.

No one died or suffered radiation poisoning at the minor accident at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania, USA, in 1979. Other reactors at the plant continued to produce electricity for 45 more years until 2019. Photo by Richard Hertzler/LNP/Lancaster Online.

The partially-built abandoned nuclear cooling tower still stands today at Chernobyl, USSR. Between 31 and 50 died as a direct result of the 1986 accident. Some 4,000 may die from radiation poisoning, caused by mismanagement.
Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images.

A 2011 earthquake and tsunami damaged the reactor at Fukushima, Japan. There is one confirmed death from radiation exposure and 16 workers were injured. The World Health Organization and United Nations contend the rate of deaths related to nuclear radiation iss zero.
Photo by DigitalGlobe, digitalglobe.com

Three Mile Island in Middleton, Penn., partially melted down in 1979. It was the most serious nuclear accident in America, that despite widespread negative publicity, released a minor amount of radioactivity. There were NO detectable health effects on neighbors or plant workers and no deaths. The hype over the potential for danger fueled a backlash against nuclear power that influences Americans today. The causes of the accident were a combination of poor design, operator error and equipment malfunctions. [Source: Nuclear Regulator Agency.]

As with Three Mile Island, a flawed reactor design and inadequately trained personnel caused the 1986 Chernobyl accident. Two workers died that night, radiation poisoning killed 28 people within a few weeks, and about 5,000 people suffered thyroid cancer, with 15 fatalities so far. [Source: World Nuclear Association.]

Nature landed a double-punch of a tsunami and earthquake in Fukushima in 2111. Like all accidents, it could have been prevented by employing the best safety practices to plan for the worst case scenario. The situation has been erroneously labeled an “act of God.” Unlike Chernobyl, the Japanese moved quickly and effectively to limit the amount of radiation released. [Source: Carnegie Endowment.] One worker died from acute radiation syndrome. Most casualties resulted from the earthquake and tsunami and evacuation.

Jan E. Pat challenges readers to research the potential of well-managed nuclear power and compare the safety record of nuclear against fossil fuels. It is impossible for wind and solar energy to provide electricity to the millions of people who yearn for it. Nuclear power has lurked in the closet for too long. People need to drop their prejudice [aka bias and erroneous preconceived ideas] about nuclear power and open their minds to a clean sustainable energy source that causes minimal environmental damage.