Paul Bossens, Director for Stand Up for Nuclear Belgium- September '22
Paul Bossens, Director for Stand Up for Nuclear Belgium
Paul Bossens, a Belgian nuclear activist and director of Stand Up for Nuclear Belgium.
meet paul bossens, the boomer not afraid of nuclear
Like many baby boomers, Paul Bossens was susceptible to brainwashing that nuclear power is a dangerous source of energy. After researching nuclear, however, Bossens became convinced of its safety and merits. Now, he has embarked on a mission to address misconceptions and inform the public.
The CEO of Micro-Matic Research, Bossens started to fight for nuclear energy several years ago, and serves as the Director of Stand Up for Nuclear Belgium. We featured him as our Ally of the Month in our Sept. 2022 newsletter.
One of Bossens’ primary goals is to save seven nuclear reactors in Belgium slotted to be closed in 2025. The country passed legislation in 2003 to close all of their reactors, the oldest of which began commercial operation in 1975, by 2025. While Belgium made some progress on renewables, notably offshore wind, they still rely heavily on fossil fuels, and emissions are expected to rise if the nuclear plants shut down.
With lifetime extensions, the plants, which provide over 50% of Belgium’s electricity, could stay open for another 10 years. Three years ago this would seem impossible, but within two years with the Ukraine invasion and the global energy crisis, Belgian public support for nuclear may be the thing that allows politicians to find a solution.
“People are slowly realizing that nuclear might be a good solution,” Bossens said. “(Nuclear) supports the environment… (No) air pollution and minimal land use. For humanity it offers a lot of energy.”
Among Bossens’ proudest achievements remains the Stand Up for Nuclear Belgium event organized on the day of the closure of the Tihange 2 Reactor, January 31, 2023. This gathering featured 12 different organizations, politicians, and received massive media attention. This was one of the first times Belgian politicians spoke out and publicly expressed their support for nuclear.
Paul Bossens speaks to a crowd as part of a pro-nuclear rally he organized with Stand Up for Nuclear Belgium on the day of the closure of the Tihange 2 reactor, on January 31, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Stand Up for Nuclear)
Public demonstrations like the one held at Tihange, along with media campaigns online prove essential for shifting popular opinion on nuclear.
Effective communication on behalf of nuclear energy remains one of the most crucial areas for the future of the power source, Bossens said. As an activist, Bossens gives presentations to the public explaining the future of energy and nuclear in simple, accessible language that all can understand.
“The key for nuclear is explaining to the public. As long as the public doesn't understand and is against nuclear, the politicians will never go for nuclear,” Bossens said. “People say it's too complicated for us. So having very simple and understandable explanations is key.”
While nuclear’s position in Europe, and specifically Belgium and Germany, remains difficult, Bossens said he is optimistic for the future of nuclear power on a global scale. Belgium and Germany are among the only countries in Europe phasing out, while others likeChina, Russia, and Africa seek to make nuclear energy a large part of their future.
“Europe is still a big battle, but I'm confident that at the end, maybe five years, maybe 10 years, maybe more nuclear will prevail as the best solution for humanity (and the) climate,” Bossens said.
But with Russia’s military actions in recent years, european countries now see nuclear energy as a vital piece to securing energy security. Because of nuclear’s energy density, its fuel, once loaded into a reactor,stays in a reactor for at least one year without interruption.
On top of energy security, Bossens appreciates nuclear’s contribution to the climate and the electrical grid.
He said he views nuclear power as an ideal source of energy because it is abundant, causes minimal impact on the environment, and is reliable, cheap, and safe. Part of his mission, Bossens said, involves encouraging people to do their own research into energy systems as well.
“I started searching for more information about nuclear. And everything I saw was completely the opposite of what we thought (before research)… I had been brainwashed,” Bossens said. “So that was the beginning of my activities (as an activist.)