Kristin Shrader-Frechette
Kristin Shrader-Frechette is O'Neill Family Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Philosophy, at the University of Notre Dame. She has previously held senior professorships at the University of California and the University of Florida. Most of Shrader-Frechette's research work analyzes the ethical problems in risk assessment, public health, or environmental justice - especially those related to radiological, ecological, and energy-related risks.
Shrader-Frechette coined the phrase “ecological justice” more than 40 years ago, with the term changing to “environmental justice” over time. Among other things, "environmental injustice" references situations in which certain groups bear disproportionate environmental risks, have unequal access to goods like clean air or water, or have unequal voices in determining the imposition of environmental risks. Shrader-Frechette, who is considered one of the founders of the environmental justice movement, was also an early advocate of the concept of “intergenerational equity,” the idea that the environmental problems of future generations are also significant to the current generation.
Shrader-Frechette has received the Global Citizenship Award, and the Catholic Digest named her one of 12 "Heroes for the US and the World."
Education
Kristin Shrader-Frechette studied physics at Xavier University and graduated in 1967. She received her Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 1972. Shrader-Frechette also did post-doctoral work relating to biology, economics, and hydrogeology.Publications
Shrader-Frechette has published more than 380 articles and 16 books/monographs, including Burying Uncertainty: Risk and the Case Against Geological Disposal of Nuclear Waste ; Method in Ecology ; The Ethics of Scientific Research, Technology and Human Values, Environmental Justice: Creating Equality, Reclaiming Democracy, Taking Action, Saving Lives: Our Duties to Protect Environmental and Public Health, and What Will Work: Fighting Climate Change with Renewable Energy, Not Nuclear Power. Her books and articles have been translated into 13 languages. Shrader-Frechette is currently working on two new volumes: Risks of Risk Assessment and Philosophy of Science and Public Policy.Shrader-Frechette's 2011 book What Will Work says that nuclear power is not an economic or practical technology:
This book uses market data, scientific studies, and ethical analyses to show why we should pursue green energy and conservation, and not nuclear fission, to address global climate change. Chapter 6 uses classic scientific studies from Harvard, Princeton, and the US Department of Energy to show how improved conservation and energy efficiency—along with increased use of wind and solar-PV power—can supply all energy needs while costing less than either fossil fuels or nuclear fission.