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