Into Eternity is a documentary film directed by Danish director Michael Madsen that discusses the issue of nuclear waste and the permanent solution to its disposal. The most compelling and most terrifying theme of the film involves the survival of the human species and the aspects of uncertainty and instability that surround it. The entirety of the film surrounds this idea of ridding nuclear waste to further protect our planet and the human race from a grave danger, yet there still is no real solution that we can 100% trust. In Finland, the Onkalo nuclear fuel repository is under further construction and this underground bunker seems to be the most reliable solution, and is even referred to as the “permanent solution”. It is essentially a nuclear waste storehouse located underground, “deep within a stable geologic environment.” However, is it really the resolution that will enable the guaranteed survival of the human species, at least from the dangers of nuclear waste? Some experts are looking at this situation more realistically and realize that this “permanent solution” will not in fact last forever. Those with a more optimistic perspective see it as permanent because it’ll last a very long time, yet that does not ensure the safety of the human race that will still be living in the future.

What I find horrifying is that there is still a possibility that this solution will fail, and that level of uncertainty and unpredictability is what may jeopardize our survival. The plan is to essentially store the nuclear waste underground and wait until the waste is no longer harmful, yet how can we be sure that it won’t still be harming us whilst within this establishment? This idea of directly harming us brings about another unpredictable aspect that may also deter the survival of the human race, which is radiation. In the film, it is referred to as “an invisible danger”; thus it has the potential to directly harm many without people even knowing. This high level of instability is what may be a major factor that prevents the survival of the human species. I can’t provide a permanent and indefinite resolution myself. However, I do believe we must all embrace a more realistic viewpoint of this situation with nuclear waste and continue to strive for longer-lasting solutions rather than find a solution that will last for what we assume to be a long time and abandon our duty to ensure our survival in the future.

<Jennifer Um, Flintridge Preparatory School 11th Gr>