Why nuclear power is not a solution

Nuclear power is still as radioactive, dangerous and expensive as ever. But now the uranium and nuclear industries want to increase their profits using global warming as an excuse. They want toleave future generations to deal with the radioactive waste.

Nuclear power will not stop global warming. Replacing polluting coal power with another environmental disaster, nuclear power, is not the answer we need.

No time for nuclear

A new reactor takes 10 years on average to build. Renewable energy is ready now. We need to take action now to stop climate change. We can't wait for 10 years. The UK's first offshore wind farm (at North Hoyle, Wales) took just eight months to build.

FAQs: Get the facts on how renewables can power Australia

Studies by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other estimate that we would need to build at least 1000 reactors worldwide for nuclear power to have any effect on global warming.  This just won't happen as current growth in nuclear electricity is about four per cent and investors aren't keen on nuclear power's uncertain financials. And 1000 new reactors mean 1000 more nuclear threats that we can't guard against.

Nuclear power cannot deliver in the fight against global warming. Nuclear power is used only to generate electricity. It represents only 16 per cent of the world's electricity. Electricity itself only accounts for about one third of greenhouse gases.

 

Independent experts on nuclear energy and climate change

In November, 2006, Greenpeace commissioned an independent panel of nuclear experts to answer frequently asked questions about nuclear power in Australia. Their answers represent their own expertise, independent of Greenpeace opinion.

One of these experts, Peter Bradford, is a former US Nuclear Regulatory Commission member. Here is what he says about nuclear power and climate change:

"Nuclear power cannot be a magic bullet answer to climate change. Even if it is scaled up much faster than anything now in prospect, it cannot provide more than 10 to 15 per cent of the greenhouse gas displacement that is likely to be needed by mid-century... Not only can nuclear power not 'stop global warming', it is probably not even an essential part of the solution to global warming."

Read the full report for other independent answers to questions including:

• Australia's lack of nuclear safeguards
• safety concerns over selling uranium overseas
• greenhouse gas implications with nuclear power.

Read a selection of the independent panel's Q&As

A 2005 report by Australia's leading environment and public health groups shows why nuclear power is not a solution to climate change.

Read Nuclear power: No solution to climate change

Renewables are the answer

Tackling climate change effectively means reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2050. If we build more nuclear power plants, it will create more radioactive waste and targets for terrorism, and cost billions of dollars. There are much more effective ways to reduce carbon emissions.

Renewable energy's potential is vast, far greater than that of nuclear power or climate changing coal. With today’s renewables technology, we can generate almost six times the current global energy demand. (Source: ISES)

Nuclear power is never safe

Accidents can and do occur. Every part of the nuclear industry has unacceptable risks, from uranium mining to energy production to the unsolved problem of safely transporting and storing radioactive waste.

In 50 years, no solution to the nuclear waste problem has ever been found. The only logical solution is to close down the nuclear industry and stop creating the waste.

To solve the climate crisis, Greenpeace is calling for:
A clean energy revolution with a target of 60 per cent renewable energy in Australia by 2050