Feature story - May 30, 2011
The German government's plans for the immediate closure of eight nuclear plants is a very important step towards ending nuclear power globally. However delaying the closure of the remaining nine plants is both dangerous and unnecessary.
“Every year spent relying on nuclear power is another year spent courting the next Fukushima crisis. Germany could phase out nuclear power as soon as 2015 without depending on imported power or locking itself into fossil fuel technologies,” said Jan Beranek, head of Greenpeace International’s nuclear campaign.
“By waving goodbye to nuclear power, Germany has shown that with real vision and determination any country can get rid of risky, dirty and outdated energy sources, and replace them with already available 21st-century renewable and energy efficient technologies. With Japan and Switzerland also moving away from nuclear, other countries need to wake up and embrace clean energy, or risk being left behind”.
“By hanging on to fossil and nuclear addictions, we are not only gambling with the planet’s future, we’re wasting time and money. A world powered by renewable energy is within our grasp – and Germany has shown that a combination of popular support and political courage can make this happen”, concluded Beranek.