| Just imagine a world with abundant energy, enabling | | | | people that manage them, and any further accident will |
| you to live the good life forever... Isn't that what most | | | | be one too many. * Modern nuclear power plant |
| of us crave? Nuclear energy is magic isn't it? Nuclear | | | | structures are much safer. * A terrorist attack, using |
| energy has no greenhouse gas emissions. The latest | | | | radioactive material in a dirty bomb cannot be |
| technology has made it safe and we can bury nuclear | | | | excluded. * A terrorist attack using an airplane could be |
| waste without worrying about radiation. Business as | | | | disastrous, even though deactivating a modern nuclear |
| usual without doing any harm. Perfect! Well, is it? | | | | plant can be done in 5 seconds. * A higher-than-normal |
| Nuclear energy is magical thing. It's hard to understand | | | | incidence of childhood leukemia has been reported |
| how it works and it's easy to get bamboozled by | | | | near powerplants in the UK, France and Germany. * |
| claims made by the nuclear magicians - scientists - as | | | | So-called Generation IV nuclear reactors, including "fast |
| well as by opponents. Take veteran environmentalist | | | | breeders" are said to be cleaner (low radiation level |
| Dr James Lovelock, of GAIA fame who says only | | | | waste), cheaper and safer but the first will not be |
| nuclear energy can save us from global warming. Or | | | | ready before 2010, some not until 2030. Cost * |
| Dr Helen Caldicott who says it's too dangerous and | | | | Economics of nuclear energy is a wobbly concept, |
| we do not need it. And governments ... Well, depends | | | | depending on the assumptions about other energy |
| on who you talk to. Your life is full already without | | | | sources and their end costs. * Nuclear reactors |
| figuring out what is valid and what's not. Right? Easier | | | | currently have very high start-up and close-down |
| to just leave it to "Them." But stop! Find out the facts | | | | costs compared to other low-emission, and renewable |
| on nuclear energy and nuclear radiation hazards. Then | | | | energy sources. * Costs are more than just counting |
| make up your mind - and next time there is an election | | | | money. Comparison to low-emission energy sources * |
| you vote with some knowledge under your belt. There | | | | You'll find many studies with different results. * One |
| is plenty of information out there to help you make up | | | | must take into account the urgent threat presented by |
| your mind and I'll give you a leg-up. So, here is an easy | | | | global warming, that of radioactive energy, and |
| framework. Imagine experiencing a certain | | | | appraise the benefits of energy-wise living and |
| "knowing"about this important issue on your way to the | | | | currently available renewable energy sources. The |
| ballot box, or in talking with your friends. Given that | | | | magical attraction of nuclear energy remains: throw |
| global warming is a real threat, and global energy | | | | enough money at it and all our problems will seem to |
| demand is ballooning, then the nuclear energy debate is | | | | go away. But the future is most likely one of a |
| essentially about four Big Issues. 1) Can nuclear energy | | | | diversified use of renewable energy with some nuclear |
| deliver on a low-emission or even non-emission basis? | | | | energy. It's a question of where to put the emphasis. |
| 2) Is nuclear energy for electrical power purposes | | | | Nuclear energy sources removes people even further |
| safe? 3) Can it be delivered at a reasonable cost? 4) | | | | from tangible "natural" processes. More of the same |
| How does it compare with other low-emission | | | | kind of thinking that caused our global warming |
| alternate energy sources? Here is an overview only of | | | | problems in the first place. Why not emphasize |
| those issues. But don't just take my word for it. Find | | | | responsible energy use, and the use of the Great Big |
| out more yourself! Emissions * Yes, nuclear energy is | | | | Nuclear Reactor In The Sky to drive wind, tidal and |
| emission-free if you just measure the exhausts from a | | | | solar energy. And to try and live in harmonious |
| reactor's chimney. * In one study, nuclear energy came | | | | relationship with each other and our environments. But |
| close to wind power in low emissions over its lifetime. * | | | | you just have to make up your own mind. My children's |
| There is no air pollution, with big nuclear energy user | | | | future and yours depend on you. Only your personal |
| France having the cleanest air in Europe. * No, it is not | | | | attitude - the greatest energy source we know - can |
| emission-free and is a greenhouse gas emitter, when | | | | help you live with global warming. And we are going to |
| measuring mining of uranium and transporting it, building | | | | have to live with it for a long, long time. |
| and decommissioning nuclear power plants. Safe? * | | | | Dr Erik Leipoldt has long been concerned about global |
| Chernobyl still stands the only disastrous accident with | | | | warming and writes about the alternate energy |
| a nuclear power plant, and the antiquated structure | | | | sources needed to mitigate and live with climate |
| and action taken after the "melt-down" bears much | | | | change. |
| blame. * Any safeguards are only as good as the | | | | |