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