Why nuclear energy cannot be a solution to the climate crisis

Ramana is a professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where he researches and lectures on disarmament, global security, and nuclear physics. He is a member of the International Panel on Fissile Materials and the Canadian Pugwash Group, sits on the International Nuclear Risk Assessment Group, and plays a central role in the annual World Nuclear Industry Status Report. He has received numerous international awards and has published several books, most notably Nuclear is not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change (https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3013-nuclear-is-not-the-solution). In March 2026, together with Susan O'Donnell, he published the report "Eight years on the roadmap: Assessing small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in Canada." A good example of Ramana's talks is the podcast "Pronuclear propaganda and our future" on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxqFURXF4Bs).

In 2018, Canada published a roadmap for developing small modular reactors (SMRs) across the country, to have the first demonstration reactor in operation by 2026. However, significant private financing has failed to materialize for most of the ten SMR designs, and only one design — the BWRX-300 in Darlington, Ontario — is under active development.

This event is a unique opportunity to clarify questions related to the Nuclear Power Committee's recommendation, which is currently before the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) and has a public consultation deadline in early October. Following Ramana's lecture, there will be a panel discussion moderated by Ada Amilia Skjensvold, deputy leader of Nature and Youth (Natur og Ungdom), with panelists including Ole Reistad from Det Norske Veritas and the University of Oslo, and Ingeborg Mork-Knutsen from the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The event will close with a Q&A from the audience.

Program at Litteraturhuset

- Welcome/introduction
- Ramana's lecture (in English) (45 min)
- Short break
- Panel discussion
- Q&A from the audience
- Closing