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Dangerous Times: Indifference Toward Panic

Dangerous Times: Indifference Toward Panic canada.com By Ray Grigg, Courier-Islander March 13, 2009 “……………………..We are beginning to see such ineffective responses to the issue of climate change. Politicians and the public and are now realizing that global warming is actually happening, that it is serious and we must take corrective action. In the evolution of awareness, we are just beginning the move from indifference toward panic. And just when we need cool reason and strategic wisdom, we are inclined to try solving new problems with old solutions…………………….

Nuclear power is another. The cost of building large stations is huge and rising. The time taken to plan and construct them also makes them impractical as a solution. Disposal and supervision of radioactive waste remains a multi-millennial problem. As well, uranium supplies are limited and would still expose nations to strategic shortages – just like oil. And the price of dismantling old reactors is staggering. At a minimum of $500 to $800 million per reactor, the world is facing at least $1 trillion over the next 30 years to decommission its 440 aging reactors and decontaminate their sites – whatever “decontaminate” means.

And this dismantling cost produces no new energy……………………………….

With so many intelligent options before us, we don’t need old rationales that justify more destruction of a planet already in peril from excessive abuse.

Instead, we need cool, pragmatic and visionary thinking to guide us wisely into a sustainable future.

Dangerous Times: Indifference Toward Panic

March 14, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized