An explosion still echoing: Chernobyl at 40
4/24/202632 min
We go deep inside the Chernobyl nuclear-power plant and the surrounding exclusion zone, recounting the history of the accident on April 26 1986, and speaking with plant workers who were on shift that day. A pre-eminent Chernobyl historian discusses the lessons learned and yet to be learned from the disaster. And we consider the science still being done at Chernobyl.
In 2024 “The Weekend Intelligence” went to Ukraine to consider the aftermath of the Russian invasion and occupation of Chernobyl, and then of the Zaporizhia nuclear-power plant. What we found was an industry that had no expectation that could even happen, and nothing of a plan when it did. Listen here.
Guests and host:
- Serhii Plokhy, historian, Harvard University
- Olena Pareniuk, radiobiologist, Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants
- Jim Smith, environmental scientist, University of Portsmouth
- Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
- Chernobyl nuclear-power plant, history
- nuclear safety, nuclear-energy policy
- radiation exposure, radiobiology, radioecology
Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 00:00
Today we'll attempt a feat once thought impossible, overcoming high interest credit card debt. It requires merely one thing, a SoFi personal loan. With it, you could save big on interest charges by consolidating into one low fixed rate monthly payment. Defy high interest debt with a SoFi personal loan. Visit sofi.com/stunt to learn more. Loans originated by SoFi Bank NA. Member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891.
Jason Palmer· Host0:29
The Economist.
Speaker 20:36
Wash your hands, but cold water. You're ready. Okay. Okay. The, try not to touch anything. Don't sit on the floor. Don't lay on the floor. Don't lick the ground. [laughs] Just follow us, okay? This is your safety and because you are our guest. Okay?
Natalia Olinchenko· Soundbite0:58
Uh-huh.
Speaker 20:59
Uh-huh. So now you don't need to step in there. On the way back, you have to step in and step here and go.
Jason Palmer· Host1:11
Today on The Intelligence, some perspectives on an event that really did shape the world 40 years ago.
Speaker 21:18
No filming here.
Natalia Olinchenko· Soundbite1:20
Uh-huh. Right.
Jason Palmer· Host1:21
[upbeat music] We visit the Chernobyl nuclear power plant four decades after