Nuclear energy 'not the solution to global warming'
Environment ministers from Austria, Iceland, Ireland and Norway said Monday that nuclear power was not the solution to global warming.
In a joint statement following a meeting in Dublin, the four ministers from the non-nuclear countries said the "inherent risks and problems associated with the nuclear energy option remain and it can not therefore claim to be a clean alternative to fossil fuel use."
They said it was the sovereign right of each country to decide its own energy mix.
"However, for Ireland, Iceland, Norway, and Austria, we voice serious concern that nuclear energy is being presented as a solution to climate change.
On the surface, they are probably correct, but not for their stated reasons. If you believe that humans are responsible for the current climate changes (or even capable of affecting a change), then you have to consider the major source of so-called greenhouse gases, that being internal combustion engines. Since we're not likely to be driving DeLoreans with a Mr. Fusion on board any time soon, nuclear power probably isn't the whole answer.
On the other hand, all their arguments are specious. The task of disposing of nuclear "waste" is far less onerous than disposing of the megatons of consumer waste generated every single year. The sub-text of this is that the use of nuclear power quite obviously reduces the emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere. Most of the politicians who have staked their careers on climate change are terrified that it will be discovered that the whole thing is a myth or that there is a straightforward solution. This would remove their reason for self-importance.
In a joint statement following a meeting in Dublin, the four ministers from the non-nuclear countries said the "inherent risks and problems associated with the nuclear energy option remain and it can not therefore claim to be a clean alternative to fossil fuel use."
They said it was the sovereign right of each country to decide its own energy mix.
"However, for Ireland, Iceland, Norway, and Austria, we voice serious concern that nuclear energy is being presented as a solution to climate change.
On the surface, they are probably correct, but not for their stated reasons. If you believe that humans are responsible for the current climate changes (or even capable of affecting a change), then you have to consider the major source of so-called greenhouse gases, that being internal combustion engines. Since we're not likely to be driving DeLoreans with a Mr. Fusion on board any time soon, nuclear power probably isn't the whole answer.
On the other hand, all their arguments are specious. The task of disposing of nuclear "waste" is far less onerous than disposing of the megatons of consumer waste generated every single year. The sub-text of this is that the use of nuclear power quite obviously reduces the emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere. Most of the politicians who have staked their careers on climate change are terrified that it will be discovered that the whole thing is a myth or that there is a straightforward solution. This would remove their reason for self-importance.
posted by Anonymous | 1:14 PM
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