Earth: A Precious and Irreplaceable Home

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."

When we pause to consider the scale and uniqueness of our planet, it becomes clear just how precious Earth truly is.

Earth has a diameter of approximately 12,742 kilometres and a circumference of around 40,055 kilometres. While those numbers may seem immense, the reality is that Earth is a finite and fragile world floating through the vastness of space. Every forest, river, mountain, ocean, ecosystem and living creature exists within this relatively thin layer of life that surrounds our planet.

Approximately 71% of Earth's surface is covered by water, while only 29% consists of land. The oceans regulate our climate, support countless species, provide food and livelihoods for billions of people and generate much of the oxygen we breathe. Australia's extensive coastline is part of this precious ecological system, supporting marine life, tourism, fishing industries and unique coastal environments found nowhere else on Earth.

As humanity searches for solutions to growing energy demands and climate challenges, discussions about nuclear power periodically emerge. Supporters argue that nuclear energy can provide large amounts of low-carbon electricity. However, many environmental advocates remain concerned about the long-term risks associated with nuclear facilities, particularly when they are located near coastlines where access to large volumes of water is required for cooling purposes.

The Coastal Question

Most nuclear power stations around the world are built near large bodies of water because reactors require significant cooling capacity. Rivers, lakes and coastal waters often provide this essential resource.  Australia's coastline is one of our greatest natural treasures. It supports iconic ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef, extensive mangrove systems, seagrass meadows, fisheries and marine habitats that sustain countless species.

The concern for many Australians is not simply about the day-to-day operation of nuclear facilities. Rather, it is about what could happen if something goes seriously wrong.  Even if the likelihood of a major accident is low, the consequences can be extraordinarily significant. Environmental stewardship requires us to consider not only what is likely to happen, but also what could happen and whether the potential costs are acceptable.

History reminds us that technological systems, no matter how advanced, are never entirely free from risk.

Chernobyl (1986)

The Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine remains the world's worst nuclear accident. A reactor explosion released large amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere, contaminating extensive areas across Europe.  Thousands of square kilometers became affected by radioactive fallout. Entire communities were evacuated, and exclusion zones remain in place decades later. Wildlife has returned to some areas, but the long-term environmental and human consequences continue to be studied.

Fukushima Daiichi (2011)

Following a devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility failed.  Hydrogen explosions and reactor meltdowns resulted in radioactive releases and widespread evacuations. Large volumes of contaminated water required management and treatment, creating ongoing environmental and political challenges.

Fukushima demonstrated that even highly developed nations with advanced engineering capabilities can encounter circumstances that exceed design expectations.

Three Mile Island (1979)

In the United States, equipment failures and human error contributed to a partial reactor meltdown at Three Mile Island. Although the environmental impact was far less severe than Chernobyl or Fukushima, the event highlighted the reality that complex technological systems can fail despite multiple safety measures.

The Long Shadow of Nuclear Waste

Beyond accidents themselves lies another significant environmental question: nuclear waste.  Some radioactive materials remain hazardous for thousands of years. This raises profound ethical questions about intergenerational responsibility.  Future generations who receive no direct benefit from today's electricity production may nevertheless inherit the responsibility of monitoring and managing waste storage facilities for centuries or even millennia.  Can we confidently guarantee the safety and integrity of storage systems over such vast periods of time? The answer remains uncertain.

Many Indigenous cultures, including Australia's First Nations peoples, have long embraced the principle of caring for Country with future generations in mind.  This perspective invites us to ask deeper questions:

What kind of legacy are we leaving behind?

Are there energy solutions that pose fewer long-term environmental risks?

How much risk is acceptable when the health of ecosystems and future generations is at stake? 

What responsibilities do we have as custodians of the natural world? 

These questions become especially important when considering infrastructure that may operate for decades while producing materials requiring management for centuries.

The Fragility of our Beautiful Blue Planet

From space, Earth appears as a blue sphere wrapped in a thin atmosphere. There is no visible evidence of national borders, political divisions or economic systems. There is simply one planet supporting all known life.

The oceans that cover 71% of our world connect every continent. The air we breathe circulates globally. What affects one part of the planet eventually influences the whole.

Whether discussing nuclear power, fossil fuels, renewable energy or any other technology, the central challenge remains the same: how do we meet humanity's needs while preserving the integrity of the Earth that sustains us?  The answer requires wisdom, humility and a deep respect for the natural systems that make life possible.

Our planet is both remarkably resilient and surprisingly fragile. Once ecosystems are damaged, species are lost or environments are contaminated, restoration may take decades, centuries or may never be fully achieved.  Earth is not simply a resource to be used. It is our shared home and perhaps the most important question we can ask is whether our decisions today honour the extraordinary gift that future generations will inherit tomorrow.

One of the strongest arguments for exercising caution with nuclear energy is that Australia is uniquely positioned to harness a diverse range of renewable energy resources that carry significantly lower environmental risks.  Unlike nuclear facilities, renewable energy systems do not generate long-lived radioactive waste, require complex decommissioning processes or pose the possibility of large-scale radioactive contamination in the event of an accident.

Australia is one of the sunniest continents on Earth, making solar power an obvious and abundant resource. Rooftop solar systems, large-scale solar farms and emerging solar technologies can generate substantial amounts of electricity with minimal environmental impact once installed.  Solar panels can be integrated into existing urban and industrial landscapes, reducing the need for major environmental disruption.

Modern wind farms harness the natural movement of air to produce clean electricity without consuming water or emitting greenhouse gases during operation.  Australia's coastal regions, elevated inland areas and open plains offer exceptional wind resources. Wind energy can often complement solar generation, producing power at different times of day and during varying weather conditions.

Hydroelectric systems utilise the movement of water to generate electricity. While large dams can create ecological impacts, carefully planned hydroelectric infrastructure and pumped hydro storage projects can help stabilise renewable energy systems and provide reliable energy when solar and wind production fluctuates.

Beneath the Earth's surface lies an enormous reservoir of heat. Geothermal energy captures this natural heat to produce electricity and heating with very low emissions.  Although still developing in Australia, geothermal technology has the potential to provide a reliable, continuous source of renewable energy.  As an island continent surrounded by vast oceans, Australia possesses significant tidal and wave energy potential. These technologies harness the natural movements of tides and waves to generate electricity. While still emerging, they represent promising opportunities to utilise the immense energy already present in the marine environment.

Renewable energy becomes even more effective when combined with battery storage systems, pumped hydro storage and intelligent electricity networks.

Advances in energy storage technology are rapidly improving our ability to capture renewable energy when it is abundant and release it when demand increases. This helps address one of the traditional criticisms of renewable energy—its variability.

Perhaps the cleanest energy of all is the energy we never need to generate.

Improving building design, increasing energy efficiency, reducing waste and adopting smarter technologies can dramatically lower overall energy demand. Well-designed homes, passive solar architecture, energy-efficient appliances and community-wide conservation measures can reduce environmental impacts while saving money.

Nature already provides an extraordinary array of renewable energy sources through sunlight, wind, flowing water, ocean tides and the Earth's natural heat. Rather than concentrating energy production into facilities that carry potentially severe consequences if failures occur, renewable systems can be distributed across many locations, reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience.

For a nation blessed with abundant sunshine, vast open spaces, powerful coastal winds and extensive renewable resources, the opportunity exists to build an energy future that aligns with the principles of environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability.

The challenge is not simply generating enough energy. It is choosing solutions that honour and protect the remarkable planet that makes all life possible.

A Feng Shui Perspective: The Wisdom of Landform

From a traditional Feng Shui perspective, the discussion surrounding energy infrastructure extends beyond engineering, economics and environmental science. It also invites us to consider the relationship between human activity and the natural landscape itself.

One of the oldest branches of Feng Shui is San He (Three Harmony) Landform Feng Shui, which studies how mountains, rivers, coastlines and natural geographical features influence the flow and accumulation of Qi (transformative energy). Long before modern environmental science emerged, Feng Shui Masters observed that certain landscapes consistently supported prosperous, healthy and resilient communities, while others appeared associated with hardship, instability or decline.

The underlying principle is simple: when human development works in harmony with the natural environment, both people and place tend to flourish. When development disrupts or damages the natural energetic balance of the land, consequences may ripple through communities for generations.

The Importance of Water

In classical Feng Shui, water is regarded as one of the most powerful carriers and collectors of Qi. The quality, direction, movement and condition of water bodies can influence the wellbeing and prosperity of entire regions.

Australia's coastline represents far more than a source of cooling water for industrial facilities. From a Feng Shui perspective, the oceans surrounding our continent act as vast reservoirs of life-supporting energy that influence climate, ecology, commerce, agriculture and human settlement patterns.

The placement of major infrastructure along coastlines therefore deserves careful consideration, not only because of environmental impacts but because coastlines often form part of the energetic framework that supports surrounding cities and regions.

Throughout history, many of the world's great cities emerged in locations blessed with favourable surrounding landform.  For example, during the current Period of 9 (which extends until early Feb 2044), cities with natural water forms to the North, East, Southwest or Southeast and mountains to the South, West, Northwest or Northeast conform to the most supportive surrounding landform.

Natural water harbours, protective mountain ranges, fertile river systems and balanced geographical features have repeatedly supported the growth of thriving civilisations. Classical Feng Shui teaches that the health of a city is closely connected to the quality of the surrounding landform.  When waterways become polluted, ecosystems degrade or natural landforms are excessively altered, the effects often extend far beyond environmental concerns. Economic challenges, declining health outcomes, social instability and reduced quality of life can emerge over time.

While modern science may describe these effects through ecological, economic and sociological mechanisms, Feng Shui recognises them as manifestations of disrupted environmental Qi.

One of the most valuable lessons offered by traditional Feng Shui is the importance of thinking in generations rather than election cycles.

When evaluating any major development, Feng Shui practitioners traditionally ask:

Will this strengthen or weaken the land?

Will future generations benefit from this decision?

Does the development harmonise with the natural environment?

What are the long-term consequences if something goes wrong?

Does this create balance or introduce unnecessary risk?

These questions mirror many of the concerns raised by modern sustainability advocates.

The ancient Feng Shui classics consistently emphasise observation of nature. Rivers naturally meander rather than move in rigid straight lines. Mountains provide shelter and protection. Healthy ecosystems thrive through balance and interconnectedness.

Rather than imposing our will upon the landscape, Feng Shui encourages us to understand and cooperate with the natural patterns already present.  This perspective does not oppose progress. Rather, it asks whether our progress is aligned with the intelligence of nature itself.

As Australia considers its future energy pathways, there is an opportunity to draw wisdom from both modern science and ancient environmental traditions. Together they remind us that the health of the land, the water and the people are inseparable.

When the land thrives, communities thrive.

When the environment is respected, future generations inherit abundance.

And when we make decisions with both wisdom and foresight, we honour not only the Earth beneath our feet but also the countless generations who will one day call it home.

To read more about the current Period of 9, click here.