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Description
The programme examines the question of whether or not facts can be taken at face value. Three 'experts' give their views on the Inhaber Report, a scientific paper on the risks of energy production systems.
Metadata describing this Open University video programme
Module code and title: T101, Living with technology: a foundation course
Item code: T101; 01
First transmission date: 1979
Published: 1979
Rights Statement:
Restrictions on use:
Duration: 00:24:00
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Producer: Michael Cocker
Contributors: Peter Musgrove; John Naughton
Publisher: BBC Open University
Keyword(s): Bio mass; Energy conservation; Inhaber report; Risk assessment; UKAEA; Wind turbine
Footage description: Shots of John Naughton leaving a bookshop and standing on the pavement outside. He introduces the programme. A short animation is also shown. Shots of coal being delivered by rail to an electricity generating station. Naughton briefly points out the importance of fossil fuels for meeting todays energy requirements. Shots of a coal mine. He then points out why alternatives like solar and wind power are not yet viable and goes on to discuss, very briefly some of the advantages and drawbacks of nuclear power. Shots of solar panels, a windmill and the nuclear power station at Harrisburg, Pa. as he talks. Naughton flicks through a copy of the Inhaber Report on risks of energy production. Excerpt from Lord Rothschild's 1978 Dimbleby lecture on 'Risk' in which he defended the safety of nuclear power by citing Inhaber's Report. John Naughton explains what is meant by risk accounting, the method used by Inhaber to compare the risks of several energy systems. Another excerpt from Lord Rothschild's lecture and an animated diagram. Naughton points out that the Inhaber Report found windmill generated power much more dangerous that nuclear power. Peter Musgrave, a wind turbine designer, disagrees with the report and tells why. Naughton and Colin Moorcraft discuss the section of the Inhaber Report which dealt with the risk of producing power from methanol. Moorcraft is critical of the Report's findings and the data used to support them. Naughton sums up the programme so far. He then goes on, with Reg Farmer (UK Atomic Energy Authority) to discuss some of the things which were not covered by the Inhaber Report but which, nevertheless, are risk factors. These include damage to the environment, effects of the labour market, risk of proliferation of nuclear weapons, etc. Reg Farmer goes on to point out that differences in the risks involved in various energy production systems will not be significant at the turn of the century as the older, more dangerous industries such as coal mining become safer. Naughton and Colin Moorcraft discuss the method by which Inhaber put figures to what are essentially value judgements such as loss suffered by broken back, etc. They point out how so called 'facts' like these are open to controversy even among the experts. Peter Musgrave joins in.
Master spool number: OU3263
Production number: FOUT034S
Videofinder number: 2183
Available to public: no