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