| The energy demands of the world are continuously | | | | generation does, of course, present its own set of |
| increasing. Experts are worried about the future of | | | | environmental concerns". |
| power generation because there are not enough | | | | Despite such efforts, two fundamental questions |
| supplies of coal, water and gas to fulfill the needs of | | | | which are central to the whole debate about nuclear |
| mankind in the long term future. Alternative sources | | | | power and global warming remained unanswered. |
| of energy such as nuclear energy are being | | | | These were, "Does nuclear power contribute to |
| developed. Nuclear energy has several advantages | | | | carbon dioxide emissions?" and "Can nuclear power |
| over other sources of energy because it is not | | | | provide a realistic long-term solution to global |
| limited by space or location. | | | | warming.Mr Obama said they were needed to meet |
| As the name itself suggests, a nuclear power plant is | | | | future energy needs and reduce dependence on |
| a facility where nuclear energy is harnessed to | | | | foreign oil. There has been no new nuclear power |
| generated electricity. For those of us who | | | | plants started in the US since the 1979 accident at |
| haven’t heard about this term, it may seem like | | | | Three Mile Island. President Obama called the |
| a new concept since we usually hear of atomic and | | | | programmed "only the beginning" of efforts to |
| hydrogen bombs which use nuclear energy for large | | | | develop "safe, clean," energy efficient technologies. |
| scale destruction. But the same power is used for | | | | He called for comprehensive energy legislation which |
| constructive purposes in nuclear power plants. This | | | | assigns a cost to the carbon pollution of fossil fuels, |
| gives an edge to nuclear power plants over | | | | giving utility companies more incentive to turn to |
| conventional sources like coal or gas because it | | | | cleaner nuclear fuel. |
| means freedom from geographical factors and | | | | But I think that after announcing the two new |
| parameters. Furthermore since the amount of fuel | | | | nuclear plants in America, will create the confusion |
| required is much less as compared to conventional | | | | about some countries that want to nuclear power |
| sources of power generation, there is no need to | | | | enhancement in their countries will be much |
| have extensive storage facilities and transportation | | | | interested to marketing the nuclear material and |
| networks for the same amount of power generated. | | | | equipments.President Barack Obama insists that the |
| Speaking on BBC television a year ago the then | | | | U.S. mission in Afghanistan is about "making sure that |
| Secretary of State for the Environment, Nicholas | | | | al Qaeda cannot attack the U.S. homeland and U.S. |
| Ridley, stated that, "There is absolutely no doubt | | | | interests and our allies" or "project violence against" |
| that if you want to arrest the Greenhouse Effect | | | | American citizens. The reasoning is that if the Taliban |
| you should concentrate on a massive increase in | | | | win in Afghanistan, al Qaeda will once again be able to |
| nuclear generating capacity. Nuclear power stations | | | | set up shop there to carry out its dirty work. As the |
| give out no sulphur and carbon dioxide, so they are | | | | president puts it, Afghanistan would "again be a base |
| the cleanest form of power generation". Despite | | | | for terrorists who want to kill as many of our people |
| subsequent qualifications to these views, it is obvious | | | | as they possibly can." This argument is constantly |
| that Mr. Ridley was acting as the stalking horse for a | | | | repeated but rarely examined; given the costs and |
| Prime Minister and a Government that clearly favour | | | | risks associated with the Obama administration’s |
| nuclear power. Those responsible for the public | | | | plans for the region. |
| relations campaigns of the nuclear and related | | | | It is time such statements be given the scrutiny they |
| industries have taken a more subtle, yet no less | | | | deserve. Multiple sources, including Lawrence Wright's |
| emotive approach. | | | | book The Looming Tower, make clear that the |
| Faced with a widening gulf between image and reality | | | | Taliban was a reluctant host to al Qaeda in the 1990s |
| over nuclear economics, safety, radiation hazards, | | | | and felt betrayed when the terrorist group |
| nuclear weapons proliferation, decommissioning and | | | | repeatedly violated agreements to refrain from |
| waste disposal; the greenhouse effect and global | | | | issuing inflammatory statements and fomenting |
| warming has provided a welcome lifeline for | | | | violence abroad. Then the al Qaeda-sponsored 9/11 |
| beleaguered public relations staff. In expensive | | | | attacks -- which the Taliban had nothing to do with -- |
| double-spread advertisements, British Nuclear Fuels pic | | | | led to the toppling of the Taliban’s regime. Given |
| proclaims, "The Greenhouse Effect. We have the | | | | the Taliban’s limited interest in issues outside the |
| power to prevent it" and nuclear power is portrayed | | | | "AfPak" region, if they came to power again now, |
| as "a source of clean energy for the future". Mindful | | | | they would be highly unlikely to host provocative |
| of rules governing factual content in advertising and | | | | terrorist groups whose actions could lead to another |
| wary of an audience that has become better | | | | outside intervention. And even if al Qaeda were able |
| informed through bitter experience: National Power, | | | | to relocate to Afghanistan after a Taliban victory |
| one of the intended successors to the Central | | | | there, it would still have to operate under the same |
| Electricity Generating Board, explains in its recent | | | | siege situation it presently enjoys in what Obama |
| publicity that, "Although not implicated in either the | | | | calls its "safe haven" in Pakistan. |
| greenhouse effect or acid rain, nuclear power | | | | |