Two Futures Project Blog

What first made you passionate about seeing a world free of nuclear weapons? And what sustains your interest? Because, let’s be honest, it’s an issue that’s easy to ignore, if you want to.

Nuclear technology is so dangerous to human life that it has to be locked away in secrecy, for the sake of public health. But this also makes it an invisible problem — until, as the unfolding tragedy in Japan is showing, the technology escapes our control. This is why often the only people talking about nuclear weapons are those of us who do so for a living. (As I’ve written elsewhere, for me this work is also directly tied with coming to faith in Jesus Christ.)

I asked Nish Weiseth, a mom and Two Futures Project supporter who blogs at A Deeper Story, for her take on what motivates her concern about nuclear weapons. Her response is powerful stuff — check it out here.

And I hope you’ll weigh in, too — maybe especially if you’re a mom or dad out there whose primary daily concern is the minutiae of caring for kids. What’s your story? To crib from Dr. Strangelove, how’d you learn to start worrying and hate the bomb?

Add a comment at A Deeper Story, share this discussion on Facebook or Twitter, or — best of all — use your own blog platform to reflect and broaden this conversation to your friends, family, and network — and then send us the link.

Pax Christi,

Tyler

PS I wanted to include a nuclear-related image here that wasn’t a mushroom cloud, but using most of the results from a Google Image search for “Hiroshima” simply to illustrate a little blog entry felt like misery pornography. So, if you want to bear respectful witness to the suffering that these devices can cause, click here (warning: graphic images not suitable for everyone).

“Plywood People -Jeff Shinabarger: How does nuclear energy work? Is it a good creation?

Tyler Wigg-Stevenson: Nuclear energy uses the release of heat from a controlled, ongoing nuclear reaction to boil water, turning turbines that generate electricity. Supporters of nuclear power like it because it doesn’t generate carbon emissions. Opponents point to other environmental factors, including the creation of spent fuel that is no longer good for generating power, but which remains hazardous to human health for hundreds of thousands of years. And as we’re seeing in Japan, nuclear technology has the capacity for failure leading to catastrophic results—and risk can never completely be eliminated.

At the Two Futures Project we focus on the risks of nuclear weapons, because the same agreements that restrict the spread of nuclear arms also guarantee nations the right to peaceful nuclear power. So we don’t take a general pro or con position on power. If it’s used, it should be as safe as possible. And because the technology used to produce nuclear fuel for power is the same as that used to produce bomb material, it’s critical that safeguards be in place so that power doesn’t become a back door to a weapons program.”

To read the entire interview check out the Plywood People blog.

All of us at 2FP join the world in watching and praying as the tragic events continue to unfold in Japan. The living seek their dead. Valiant workers struggle to contain the nuclear consequences of this natural disaster. And while these efforts are still underway, it is not the time to try to make meaning of this on-going crisis. There will be ample time later to determine its political and economic ramifications. For now it remains an all-too human tragedy.

Understandably, some have asked us to speak up about the Fukushima nuclear crisis and the issue of atomic energy. The Two Futures Project does not have a formal position for or against nuclear power, due to the fact that the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which is the backbone of international law concerning nuclear weapons, provides for the existence of peaceful nuclear energy programs. Weapons and energy, though technically related, have to be separated politically.

Instead, we have consistently said that if nuclear power continues to be used—and especially if it is expanded—a new infrastructure must have built-in technological and diplomatic safeguards to ensure its safe and peaceful use. Fukushima is a stark reminder, however, that we can never eliminate risk altogether—and that the risks of nuclear technology can be unimaginably high.

Below are a number of resources that we think will be helpful in understanding what is going on in Fukushima—and, most importantly, how we can help alleviate the suffering there. In the meantime, please join us in continuing to pray for the people of Japan.

Yours in Christ,

Tyler

Learn more about the crisis in Japan and find ways to get involved:

If you’re wondering what exactly is happening inside the Fukushima reactor, the NYTimes has an interactive feature explaining “How a Reactor Shuts Down and What Happens in a Meltdown”

This is a really great (and constantly updated) list from GOOD Magazine of ways that you can support the on-going rescue and relief efforts in Japan.

BBC News explains why the situation at the Japanese nuclear plant has the potential to be extremely harmful to the health of the surrounding population, “Health Effects of Radiation”

Here’s a pretty comprehensive and accessible discussion about the crisis at Fukushima: “Nuclear Meltdown Explained, and Everything Else You Need to Know About the Situation at Fukushima.”

Be sure to check out the Union of Concerned Scientists’ blog, “All Things Nuclear,” for regular updates about the nuclear crisis in Japan.

The Two Futures Project is developing a custom cross pendant in collaboration with From War to Peace, a company which makes jewelry out of the copper wiring from dismantled nuclear missile systems, and are calling for submissions. Our intention is to produce a physical artifact which will symbolize the pursuit of peace in the nuclear age, and which will be a daily reminder to our supporters of their commitment. We want this cross to be a beautiful and unique sculpture that represents an artist’s interpretation of our mission; as such, explicit visual reference to the nuclear issue or atomic iconography is not required (or even suggested). The cross may be an entirely new design or an interpretation of an existing cross (Latin, Phos-Zoe, Tau, etc.).

The winning design will receive a $2000 commission, with $1000 paid upon the completion of design with From War to Peace, and the balance paid out of revenue from crosses sold.

Submission details:

• [EXTENDED] deadline for submissions is Friday, May 6.
• Submissions should be two-dimensional illustrations, showing multiple angles if necessary. The winning artist will be asked to work with the From War to Peace designers to prepare a final image suitable for rendering into a 3D sculpture.
• Designs may be one- or two-sided. If submitting a two-sided design, please know that a small Peace Bronze logo will need to be added to the back of the cross.
• Color is permitted but not required. See http://www.fromwartopeace.com/shop/pendants.html to view possible patinas and enamels.
• Submissions may be any size, but larger images should be accompanied by a rendering of the design in the actual size of the finished product. Maximum height and width is 1.6” x 1.6”.
• Highly detailed images may be unsuitable, as all areas of detail must be thick enough to allow the flow of molten bronze.
• Please include a short artist bio with each submission. A description of the submission is optional but not required.
• The winning design will become the property of the Two Futures Project and may be employed in formats beyond those outlined here.
• Submissions should be scanned and sent as email attachment to Adam Woods at adam[at]twofuturesproject[dog]org, with subject line “cross submission.” If electronic submission is impossible, please mail the design to the Two Futures Project, 3 McFerrin Ave., Nashville, TN 37206. Mailed submissions will not be returned.