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