Nuclear Power
Nuclear power cannot address climate change effectively or in time. Reactors have long, unpredictable construction times are expensive - at least $12 billion or higher per reactor. Furthermore, reactors are sitting-duck targets vulnerable to attack and routinely release - as well as leak - radioactivity. There is so solution to the problem of radioactive waste.
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A position paper published in the journal Science and authored by 16 social science researchers from institutions throughout the U.S. indicates the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future is failing to address public concerns and mistrust related to nuclear safety. News article in Treehugger.com.
In summary, the hard facts about nuclear energy are inconsistent with the possibility of a worldwide renaissance of nuclear energy. Indeed, they point toward a continuing slow phase-out of nuclear energy in most of the large OECD countries. guardian.co.uk.
Even if nothing goes wrong, the best we can do with the byproducts of our nuclear industry is dump it in containers - most only guaranteed to endure for fifty years - and then dig a hole in the ground, erect a fence and instruct people not to go there, while time breaks down what we cannot. This is not green. Justmeans.com.
The CEOs of four energy giants have injected more controversy into an already heated debate on extending the life span of Germany's 17 nuclear power plants by threatening to shut down facilities, if Berlin goes ahead with plans for a nuclear fuel tax. On Monday, they also demanded that the life spans of the reactors be extended by a minimum of 15 years to make their operation worthwhile. DW-WORLD.DE.
The largest wildlife census of its kind conducted in Chernobyl has revealed that mammals are declining in the exclusion zone surrounding the nuclear power reactor. It was based on almost four years of counting and studying animals there. BBC.
August 20, 2010