nuclear-news

Indian scientists contradict nuclear lobby’s propaganda

Unlike the pro-nuclear propaganda that tries to project nuclear power as a scientifically-proven energy option that is both efficient and environment-friendly, there are scores of scientists who have been against nuclear energy but their voice got drowned in the clamor of powerful lobbyists,”

Scientists enroll students into anti-nuke lobby – The Times of India, 26 May,”……………….The scientists, gathered under the umbrella of Poromanu Shakti Birodhi Mancha or Anti-Nuclear Power Front, have already given a talk to students of La Martinere, Lakshmipat Singhania, Don Bosco, Mitra Institution and Loreto Day School. After the summer vacation, more talks are lined up in at least nine more schools in the city.
Unlike the pro-nuclear propaganda that tries to project nuclear power as a scientifically-proven energy option that is both efficient and environment-friendly, there are scores of scientists who have been against nuclear energy but their voice got drowned in the clamor of powerful lobbyists,” said Sujoy Basu, former director of school of energy studies at Jadavpur University……..

The Fukoshima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan earlier this March changed the tide inextricably, forcing several countries across the world to declare a moratorium on nuclear projects and review of existing nuclear plants.

However, Department of Atomic Energy-the nodal agency that oversees all nuclear-related issues in India-hastily declared the existing plants safe and agreed to review safety measures at proposed nuclear units and incorporate additional safety features if required.

An angry Basu rubbished the review, terming it an eyewash. Branding those who propagate nuclear power as enemy of the state, he said: “It is not just about the safety of human lives in the present time. It is also about setting a bomb ticking that will affect future generations. Each nuclear plant is a time bomb with issues like nuclear waste and decommissioning of plants after its life ends not talked about.”…..”Solar is the way to go. A complete solar alternative is possible. In the past, there were issues about energy storage that have now been sorted out. Now, there are alternatives like compressed air storage and pump storage. And all equipment is available in the market,” Chakraborty said……Incidentally, there is no minimum dose of radiation that can be labeled harmless. In 2006, National Academics’ Research Council published a comprehensive report: Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation. The report concluded that even exposure to low-level radiation is likely to cause health risks. “There is no threshold of exposure below which the risk drops to zero,” Basu added emphatically….

Scientists enroll students into anti-nuke lobby – The Times of India

May 26, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | India, spinbuster