Humanities Washington tackles “The Promise and Peril of Nuclear Energy” at its next installment of Think & Drink at Naked City Brewery, 8564 Greenwood Ave. N., at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10.
When talking about how to address climate change, the conversation usually turns to solar, wind, electric vehicles, even geoengineering. But what if a part of the solution has been with us for sixty years?
From “The China Syndrome” to Mr. Burns, nuclear power has inspired fear, awe, and anger. High-profile disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima have stuck in the public consciousness. But how justified are our fears? In an era when the stability of the planet itself is threatened, is it time for MORE nuclear power, not less? Or are the risks too great?
The conversation will feature petroleum geologist and University of Washington faculty member Scott Montgomery, whose book The Shape of the New was a New York Times Notable Book for 2015; Chuck Johnson, an activist, writer, and development professional with roots in the anti-nuclear movement dating back to the 1970s; and Kathleen Flenniken, former civil engineer for the Hanford Nuclear site and Washington State Poet Laureate for 2012-2014. Flenniken’s book Plume, a meditation on the Hanford site, won the Washington State Book Award. The event will be moderated by KUOW’s environmental reporter Ashley Ahearn.
Every Think & Drink event is free and open to the public. Attendees purchase their own food and drink.
