Lessons of Chernobyl

It has been 27 years since one of the largest man-made disasters on our planet – the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. Why is this disaster so tragic for our people, and indeed for all of humanity? What lessons should be learned from it?

The first lesson. No matter how high the level of education of the population, it is still necessary to know the basic principles of operation of equipment that uses such high-energy processes. The world is moving towards the efficient use of energy in its various manifestations. From a physics perspective, humanity is increasingly striving to increase the efficiency of the machines and devices it creates. We can hardly do without mobile phones, computers, televisions, etc. But most importantly – without electricity. Now it is the most accessible form of energy for the end consumer – you and me. But its generation requires ever-increasing costs. And there is no other way than to use raw materials with a high concentration of energy, i.e., nuclear. The principles of its generation have been known for over 50 years, but new possibilities for its use are still being discovered. Nuclear energy is the near future. Unfortunately, and this is a global trend, humanity is paying less and less attention to the technical education of the population. In the case of nuclear energy, this manifested itself most vividly.
From this follows the second lesson of Chernobyl.

Any complex, especially high-energy system requires respect. In the age of technology, a new, higher level of knowledge is needed. The use of highly concentrated raw materials presupposes the strictest adherence to the entire chain of its processing.

Modern technologies are an order of magnitude more automated than 50 years ago. Therefore, their modernization must be carried out taking into account all conceivable consequences of improper organization of the technological chain. And Chernobyl showed this clearly. One cannot experiment beyond what is permitted. For this, there are scientific, experimental devices where qualified scientists and designers can conduct the necessary research. Moreover, this applies not only to nuclear energy. Genetic engineering can cause even greater harm if it is not placed under the strictest control. Chernobyl showed that an experiment must be conducted after thinking through and simulating all possible consequences.

Hence, the third lesson from Chernobyl. To operate such systems, high special training is required, not only technical but also psychological. It is no secret that the human factor (a very broad concept) is playing an increasingly important role in our lives. Chernobyl showed that the tragedy was not caused by equipment and technology, but by the irresponsibility of the people who operate them.

Progress is irreversible, like the sunrise, but each step of it requires an awareness of the complexity and danger of the result. The lessons of Chernobyl will forever remain in the memory of humanity.

Yuri Bokhan, Dean of the Faculty of Physics, VSU named after P. Masherov.