Recently, a powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted Japan's north-east coast off Fukushima – in the area of the defunct Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.  Initially a tsunami warning was issued, but thankfully no tsunami eventuated and warning was cancelled.

This earthquake is a reminder of the risks associated with nuclear energy, and the vulnerability of even relatively modern nuclear energy facilities. 

The ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) News ran an article a few days ago about the proposed Newcastle Waters solar power farm in the Northern Territory, Australia.  If the solar farm goes ahead, it will be world's largest with a power capacity of 10-gigawatts, and will cover an astounding 12,000 hectares.  Are renewable projects like this going to save us from our energy and climate-change problems?