nuclear-news

We use this anniversary to remind the Governments of the world, that it is the responsibility of all nations to ensure the safety of our planet.

There is no doubt, the suffering for the Japanese people has been immense, especially for those living in and around Fukushima, and it is not yet over. The world has already witnessed suffering following nuclear disasters in Chernobyl (Ukraine), Khystym (Russia), Sellafield (United Kingdom), and Three Mile Island (USA). However, there are currently 71 new nuclear plants under construction around the world, the majority of which are in the Asia Pacific region (China 26, Taiwan 2, India 6, Japan 2, Pakistan 2, South Korea 5). (3)

It is time we fully committed to a nuclear-free world.

Whether your country is listed as one of these constructing further nuclear plants or not, we are all implicated in the nuclear supply chain – through uranium mining, refining, power generation, radioactive waste, nuclear weapons, or through complicity by not discouraging the practice of our trading partners.

Green Parties around the globe oppose the expansion of nuclear power and are working to rapidly phase it out.  Nuclear energy is not the emissions-free solution that the world needs to address climate change, in fact, it is a net producer of greenhouse gases.(4)

As we have seen with Fukushima, the human and planetary costs are too high, and when examining the nuclear supply chain, it is simply ineffective at reducing emissions.

We need to stay focused on transitioning to clean renewable energy sources – these are not only safer, but offer a more equitable solution. We can achieve economic development with genuine quality of life through a sustainable smart green economy. Examples of this kind of development include community-based, co-operative, renewable energy operations complemented by reduced energy consumption through electricity saving government policies.

At this critical moment, we ask the people Asia Pacific to call on their governments to:

1. Commit to a nuclear-free world.
2. Move to clean equitable renewable energy solutions for your country
3. Provide democratic process in citizens’ referenda on nuclear power.
4. Ensure information transparency, participatory democracy, social and environmental justice for residents living near power plants and nuclear waste fields.
5. Prioritise in decision-making the wellbeing of our planet and future generations.