Picture courtesy of Scientific American

After the terrifying earthquake took out one of Japan’s nuclear power plants we we’re all thinking twice about nuclear power….but is this cause for drastic measures?

Apparently Germany thinks so.

The country has recently developed a plan to shutdown all their nuclear power plants in the next 11 years. They’re hoping to replace them with safer and more environment-friendly renewable energy sources.

The only other European country who has taken similar actions is Italy. Is Germany onto something?

Chancellor Angela Merkel hopes their nuclear reduction plan will set an example for other countries. She stated

We believe that we can show those countries who decide to abandon nuclear power – or not to start using it – how it is possible to achieve growth, creating jobs and economic prosperity while shifting the energy supply toward renewable energies

The United States is the leading producer of nuclear power with 104 reactors spread across the country. Should we heed the warning of Japan and follow in Germany’s lead? Or is nuclear power still crucial for our energy problems? Would you want to live near a Nuclear reactor?