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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 to leave future
generations to deal with the radioactive waste.
Nuclear power will not stop global warming. Even if the world's nuclear energy output doubles by 2050, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by only five per cent. Replacing polluting coal power with another environmental disaster, nuclear power, is not the answer we need.
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.
Studies by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and others estimate that we would need to build at least 1000 reactors worldwide for nuclear power to have any effect on global warming. This 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.
The UN’s Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) promotes nuclear technology which creates the materials used to make nuclear weapons. Several countries have developed nuclear weapons using their 'peaceful' nuclear facilities – India, Israel, South Africa, Pakistan and possibly North Korea. The IAEA needs to focus on the values and principles of the UN – peace, security, and human rights – not on the nuclear industry's profits.
Nuclear waste cannot be safely stored. Australia has a growing radioactive waste problem. Nuclear transports involve risks to human health and the environment.
Nuclear power carries unacceptable risks of terrorist attacks and radiation accidents. People are still dying from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. A 2006 Greenpeace analysis, with input from 52 scientists, shows that Chernobyl’s radioactive emissions are likely to cause 93,000 cancer-related deaths. Millions of people still live in areas highly contaminated with radiation from the accident.
Nuclear power will not stop global warming. Even if the world's nuclear energy output doubles by 2050, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by only five per cent. Replacing polluting coal power with another environmental disaster, nuclear power, is not the answer we need.
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.
Studies by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and others estimate that we would need to build at least 1000 reactors worldwide for nuclear power to have any effect on global warming. This 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.
The UN’s Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) promotes nuclear technology which creates the materials used to make nuclear weapons. Several countries have developed nuclear weapons using their 'peaceful' nuclear facilities – India, Israel, South Africa, Pakistan and possibly North Korea. The IAEA needs to focus on the values and principles of the UN – peace, security, and human rights – not on the nuclear industry's profits.
Nuclear power is dangerous
Nuclear waste cannot be safely stored. Australia has a growing radioactive waste problem. Nuclear transports involve risks to human health and the environment.
Nuclear power carries unacceptable risks of terrorist attacks and radiation accidents. People are still dying from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. A 2006 Greenpeace analysis, with input from 52 scientists, shows that Chernobyl’s radioactive emissions are likely to cause 93,000 cancer-related deaths. Millions of people still live in areas highly contaminated with radiation from the accident.
Photo story: Discover the real face of the nuclear industry.
