Op-Ed by Noah Hartery and Fiona Baker
Anyone over the age of 18 is familiar with that very specific feeling that comes as you contemplate the next stage of your life – a mixture of excitement and nervousness. It can be tricky trying to juggle different expectations, interests, and long-term goals, especially at such a young age.
Today’s new graduates are acutely aware of the future implications of their actions. Not only do they need to consider their future career, but for many, the future of the planet is of utmost concern.
As Gen Z-ers, we care deeply for the future of our country and our planet. We believe that protecting our planet from a climate catastrophe demands decisive action, deliberate choices, and a concerted effort from people at all levels. And as young people who have studied science, we proudly advocate for nuclear power as a solution to the climate crisis.
The evidence that nuclear power must play a leading role in our future clean energy grid is undeniable. It’s reliable, flexible, non-emitting, and complements other clean sources such as wind, solar, and hydro. As more people are understanding the benefits of nuclear, the industry is once again growing.
Nuclear energy has incredible opportunities in the near and distant future, particularly for the next generation of working professionals. It’s more than just a fantastic career choice – to be a part of this industry will allow us the opportunity to make a difference and make meaningful contributions to Canada’s future.
There is certainly a transition occurring in the industry, something both of us experience every day. Opinions from young minds are being heard, and our ideas are being implemented. The industry is modernizing – both of us are pursuing master’s degrees in chemical engineering by writing code specialized towards implementing advanced safety features in nuclear reactors. We are poised to be leaders; young people are getting active and creating organizations such as the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN), with new chapters in New Brunswick for industry and UNB (that we are fortunate enough to co-chair!).
Nuclear energy is an integral part of North America’s power generation network, producing 15 and 30 percent of energy in Canada and the United States, respectively. Despite this stake, there has not been a new commercial reactor in Canada since the 1990s. Canada, which already holds a prominent nuclear product in the CANDU reactor, has yet another opportunity to be a global leader in the nuclear industry with the advancements of small modular reactors (SMRs).
New Brunswick boasts two innovative SMR companies designing new technologies. ARC Clean Technology and Moltex have been building momentum since 2018 and plan to deploy their reactors at the Point Lepreau site in the next decade. These companies represent a powerful revival of the nuclear industry all over Canada, including provinces that have never seen it before. Outside of Canada, the interest in deploying SMRs for both power generation and industrial processes is rising. In terms of jobs, there is no shortage of work on the horizon.
The icing on the cake of New Brunswick’s nuclear industry is that it is incredibly welcoming to the next generation. Since we’ve been involved, we’ve met tons of passionate and knowledgeable people who have helped us in our journey into the workforce. Having attended conferences for the Canadian Nuclear Association in 2022 and the Canadian Nuclear Society in 2023, we have gained so much insight into the nuclear industry and learned there is a place for everyone.
In the realm of clean and dependable energy sources, nuclear is a powerful backbone which requires support from young professionals. Looking ahead, the nuclear industry offers many opportunities for the next generation workforce and beyond. We are both extremely proud to be contributing to Canada’s innovative nuclear network. It is our goal to raise awareness and garner support for nuclear energy, a critical power source that must be part of the solution to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. Our generation must prioritize nuclear technology for a promising future for generations to come.
Noah Hartery and Fiona Baker are Masters Students in Chemical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick.
