Radioactive waste is associated with danger. And risk. Consequently, a deep geological repository for radioactive waste must be just as dangerous and risky. Makes sense, no? What risks does the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste entail? What scenarios could pose a threat to its future safety? At Nagra, we work on finding answers to these questions every day.

But we are not the only ones who have to assess risks. As a society, we are constantly confronted with a wide variety of threats and have to assess, categorise and contain risks – or learn to live with them. In the fourth issue of the Magazine of the Century “500m+”, we shed light on the topic of risk from a wide range of perspectives.

We spoke to Lord Rees, founder of the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, about the greatest threats to the existence of mankind. We met people who take – or even have to take – risks as part of their job: a bomb disposal expert and a trainee forest warden who, statistically speaking, has one of the most dangerous professions in the world.

We thought about why most people prefer to avoid risks – while others are downright addicted to them. We tried to find out how willingly entrepreneurs should take risks. And, of course, we also asked how Nagra assesses risks. Spoiler alert: our experts are convinced that the deep geological repository will remain safe even if the unlikeliest scenarios were to unfold at some point in the future. The greatest challenge are the so-called black swans: unimaginable, absolutely inconceivable scenarios.

German illustrator Anna Haifisch took up this aspect of how to deal with the absurd and the inconceivable. For this issue of the magazine, she creatively explored the risks involved with the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste. In doing so, she dispensed with scientific depth in favour of letting her imagination run wild. The results of her artistic endeavours enliven the magazine from cover to cover.

I hope you enjoy this issue – the only risk you face is ending up with more knowledge than before.

Patrick Studer, Nagra’s Head of Communication