nuclear-news

Nuclear power: factor in all aspects, and it contributes to global warming

  Wishful thinking on nuclear power

By Dr. Dale Dewar, The StarPhoenix December 21, 2012 Dewar is
executive director of the group Physicians for Global Survival.

” What’s to like about nuclear power?……….Is it green, as a Dec. 7 editorial suggests? Those who promote nuclear
as a rescue to global warming get mixed up about the proportion of the
world’s energy that is actually provided by nuclear power. The fact is
that nuclear power represents less than three per cent of the world’s
total energy use. Increasing its share of electricity production would
not make a dent in preventing climate warming.

Nuclear power accounts for only 11 per cent of the world’s total
electrical production, down from its peak in 1995 of 17 per cent. At
the current rate of new builds versus old power plants reaching their
end dates, the IAEA estimates a 2040 share of 6.7 per cent.

Factor in the mining, transportation, carbon costs of construction,
security, waste management and decommissioning all at the greatest
cost of any source and nuclear power is only green at best when it is
up and running at 90 per cent or better efficiency a figure rarely
reached by most reactors.

The cost to our pocketbooks and to the environment is incredibly
important. At a time when Saskatoon city council is trading off
improved bicycle paths for fixing potholes in streets, doesn’t it make
sense to invest in conservation and sustainable energy sources .
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Wishful+thinking+nuclear+power/7729997/story.html#ixzz2FnvtztHi

December 22, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, climate change