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