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Steve Shallhorn, CEO Greenpeace Australia Pacific said: "The assertion
that nuclear is the only solution to climate change is so off the mark
as to put into question the integrity of the whole report.
"The dangerous uranium and nuclear industry are no solution to climate change. Renewables and energy efficiency offer the only substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in the next 10 - 20 years.
"Even the best cases scenarios for nuclear power show it making a minimal contribution to greenhouse reduction and not for decades.
"The pro nuclear Switkowski report itself showed that even with 25 nuclear power stations Australia would get no greenhouse benefits before 2030 and then as little as an 8% reduction in gases by 2050.
"Australia should be embarking on a massive investment program in renewables and energy efficiency, not a dangerous dalliance with uranium mining and the nuclear industry.
"To suggest that nuclear power is 'green' is ludicrous when after 60 years there is still no acceptable solution for disposing of dangerous radioactive nuclear waste.
“The glowing future painted of ‘modern reactors’ is all conjecture. These so called new generation nuclear technologies don't exist yet. It is still just paper physics. So once again the nuclear industry wants us to go down some long and risky path, big on promises, short on outcomes. When our resources and environment would be better off by creating the framework for renewables
"The whole world is made unsafe by any expansion in any aspect of the uranium and nuclear fuel cycle, meanwhile the clean, efficient and safe energy options are ready to go,” concluded Mr Shallhorn.
"The dangerous uranium and nuclear industry are no solution to climate change. Renewables and energy efficiency offer the only substantial cuts in greenhouse gas emissions in the next 10 - 20 years.
"Even the best cases scenarios for nuclear power show it making a minimal contribution to greenhouse reduction and not for decades.
"The pro nuclear Switkowski report itself showed that even with 25 nuclear power stations Australia would get no greenhouse benefits before 2030 and then as little as an 8% reduction in gases by 2050.
"Australia should be embarking on a massive investment program in renewables and energy efficiency, not a dangerous dalliance with uranium mining and the nuclear industry.
"To suggest that nuclear power is 'green' is ludicrous when after 60 years there is still no acceptable solution for disposing of dangerous radioactive nuclear waste.
“The glowing future painted of ‘modern reactors’ is all conjecture. These so called new generation nuclear technologies don't exist yet. It is still just paper physics. So once again the nuclear industry wants us to go down some long and risky path, big on promises, short on outcomes. When our resources and environment would be better off by creating the framework for renewables
"The whole world is made unsafe by any expansion in any aspect of the uranium and nuclear fuel cycle, meanwhile the clean, efficient and safe energy options are ready to go,” concluded Mr Shallhorn.
For further information or comment
Ben Oquist: 0419 704095 or Clare Henderson 0419 266110
