Energetyka jądrowa po Fukushimie: lekcje i fobie

Nuclear energy after Fukushima: lessons and phobias

At the beginning of the paper some basic facts concerning the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and the disaster of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant are recalled. Following that principles of energy production via nuclear fission are briefly explained and both the profits and dangers connected with such technology are discussed. In the final part of the paper lessons following the disaster are considered and the role of human recklessness in causing it is stressed. In the concluding part it is argued that while essential improvement of safety standards should be the primary lesson learnt from the Fukushima disaster, a general ban on nuclear fission as an energy source would be an overreaction bringing about economically harmful consequences.