Yeah it looks bombed-out as fuck to anything more complicated than plant-life. I'm not saying we shouldn't be pursuing nuclear energy, just that this argument feels very poorly constructed and intentionally misleading.

https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/food-environment/2022/scientists-cant-agree-about-chernobyls-impact-wildlife

[–] cqst@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

It having an inconclusive effect on wildlife, but wildlife clearly being able to survive in the region, doesn't really detract from what I originally thought.

From the article you linked:

"No matter what the consequences of lingering radiation might be, there were massive benefits to people leaving."

[–] nomous@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

Yeah I think we both agree that nuclear is worth pursuing, it's not 100% safe but nothing is; even windmills catch fire or spin apart. It's far safer than fossil fuels.