Publication Laka-library:
Nuclear Power: An obstacle to rapid development

AuthorGreenpeace Int.
6-01-0-00-263.pdf
Date2009
Classification 6.01.0.00/263 (GENERAL)
Front

From the publication:

Nuclear Power
An obstacle to rapid development

____________________________
Climate change threatens the lives of millions and the ecological integrity of our planet. As
the reality of rising temperatures continues to outstrip research findings, it is becoming clear
that we are approaching a ‘tipping point’ - the window of opportunity for avoiding runaway
climate change and its catastrophic consequences is rapidly and inexorably closing.

As electricity and energy consumption increases in many developing countries, the energy
generation choices made over the coming years will have profound consequences for the
planet’s climate, as well as the lives and livelihoods of billions of people.

This briefing details why nuclear power is neither a necessary nor a beneficial part of a
sustainable energy strategy for countries experiencing rapid industrialisation. Specifically:

       Nuclear power is expensive
       Nuclear power takes too long to build
       Nuclear power does not increase national energy independence
       Nuclear power does not provide jobs for the local population
       Nuclear power is incompatible with most grids in developing countries
       Nuclear power is not safe

Developing countries must guard against becoming locked for decades into expensive and
unsustainable patterns of energy production, transmission and consumption. The promotion
of nuclear power as the answer to climate change is a dangerous diversion from the real
solutions: a massive uptake of renewable energy and the adoption of energy efficiency are
the only effective ways to combat climate change. They are available now, they are clean,
they are cheap, and they have the added benefit of providing energy security.

Nuclear power is expensive
With the global economy in crisis, financial decisions being made today are much more
important than they have been for the past decade. The nuclear industry wants us to believe
that nuclear energy is relatively cheap to produce. On the contrary, nuc