Filmmaker Inspired by Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Filmmaker David Schumacher

Filmmaker David Schumacher is nearing completion of an independent documentary, "The New Fire," that explores the role of next-generation nuclear technologies in combating climate change. I asked Schumacher, who spent 90 days shooting on four continents, why he and his partner chose to take on this subject, the future of nuclear energy and why he feels a sense of urgency to complete this project as quickly as possible.

Q: Did the people you met while learning about nuclear energy align with any preconceptions you may have had about nuclear engineers?

A: Prior to this project, I'd never met a nuclear engineer and don't think I had any particularly strong preconceptions. Since starting this project, I've been struck by the youth, idealism and concern for the environment that seems common to many of the nuclear engineers I've met.

Q: When did you become convinced nuclear energy must play a prominent role in combating climate change?

A: I heard Bill Gates would be speaking about nuclear and was intrigued because it was in 2011, right after Fukushima. Going in, I thought, "How could he be pro-nuclear after what just happened in Japan?" But hearing him speak opened my eyes to what's possible with nuclear. I was really intrigued by the idea of non-light water reactors and advanced technologies.

Q: Were you always a supporter of nuclear energy?

A: No. I was scared of nuclear. Like everyone else during the Cold War, I was afraid of nuclear war, even as a child. I bring up weapons because for many, especially back then, it's lumped together. I remember cooling towers seeming scary -- I used to mistake them for reactors.

Q: Why did you decide to make "The New Fire"?

A: I saw a big disconnect between what scientists were saying needs to happen and what the environmental establishment was actually doing. Scientists were saying, "We need nuclear." Enviro groups were saying, "We can do it without." I felt like somebody needed to make this film and get it out quickly, and since nobody was, I pitched the idea to cinematographer Derek Wiesehahn who said, "Let's just start doing it."

Q: What kind of challenges have you faced trying to get this done quickly?

Dave Schumacher, Derek Wiesehahn, Director of Photography, and James Hansen, Ph.D., while they were shooting in Hainan, China

A: In order to finish this film, we need people engaged on the issue to lend their support. We could wait until we raise enough money through the normal channels, but it seems like people interested in nuclear and the role it can play in climate change get why we are doing this, and why in these uncertain times it's important for this story to come out as soon as possible. We have a Kickstarter campaign so we can be ready in March, and that this film will be at the level it needs to be and deserves to be for a story this important.

Q: Based on your experiences making this film, are you encouraged or discouraged about the future of nuclear energy?

A: I'm really encouraged about the future of nuclear energy. The truth is, before we started this film, I didn't think there was a future for nuclear energy. I thought it was an old and dying technology. Still, there are major, major challenges to the next generation of nuclear technology.

Q: What are those challenges, and how do we overcome them?

A: The two challenges are public opinion and policy. The big storylines that have historically informed public opinion on nuclear have involved danger and destruction. The resulting negative opinion has driven policy over the past 40 or so years. I think it would take a positive new narrative on nuclear to move the needle on opinion and policy.

Q: Because of concerns about climate change, do you see a greater willingness by the environmental community to embrace nuclear energy?

A: Yes. But, if you look at where the environmental movement came from, it came in late '60s, the same time as the peace movement. It's about peace and environment, and nuclear has implications on both fronts. The environmental advocacy groups have their roots in the peace movement and have been anti-nuclear. But in recent years, part of the environmental world has been looking at climate. How do we decarbonize? And they accept nuclear as a low-carbon energy source. Anyone who's serious about global climate mitigation has to acknowledge a role for nuclear.

Q: What surprised you most in the making of this movie?

A: The level of access. I think both of us thought, "We're going to get shut down at some point." Nobody stopped us from doing this film. And so here we are, stuck with it.

Editor's note: You can follow The New Fire on Twitter.

Laura Scheele is a member of the ANS Communications Committee.

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