Why isn't NUCLEAR the answer to climate change?
TOO MANY REASONS!

1. Too slow
Nuclear power is extremely slow to bring on line. One nuclear power plant's commissioning takes 10-15 years. We only have until 2050 to significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid irreversible climate change and disaster.

2. Too expensive
Nuclear power relies on the public purse via government subsidies. It costs $2-6 billion to build one reactor; billions more to dean up the environmental mess created. The same investment in alternative energy produces more energy and more jobs and a safe and clean world.

3. Too ineffective
Energy efficiency measures deliver seven times greater reductions in greenhouse emissions per dollar spent.

4. Too dirty
Every reactor produces hundreds of tonnes of toxic radioactive waste and the nuclear cycle produces greenhouse gases.

5. Too destructive       
The nuclear energy cycle is highly destructive 6f the environment and local communities and innovative industries.

6. Too dangerous
By its very nature, the nuclear industry is closely associated with weapons production and proliferation and this could lead to global tensions and destabilisation and the possibility of a nuclear holocaust.

7. Too little
Uranium is not renewable and the reserves are estimated to last a mere 80 years. Currently the world's 430 nuclear reactors produce less than 5% of total world energy use, and 15% of world electricity. 25 nuclear reactors by 2050 in Australia will only produce up to 18-20% of projected energy needs and result in a mere 6-10% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Don't buy the NUCLEAR con!
We all want quick and effective solutions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and stop global warming, but nuclear is NOT the answer.

Focusing on nuclear is a deliberate ploy to distract attention, and
ACTION, away from the real solutions to the world's energy and pollution
problems.

The most effective, timely, safe and affordable way to reduce greenhouse emissions and halt global warming is a mix of:
(1) increasing the cost of fossil fuels to reflect the harm they cause, e.g. a carbon tax;
(2) dramatic and achievable improvement s in energy efficiency;
(3) increased investment in a range of renewable energy technologies especially solar and wind, and;
(4) use of gas as a 'bridging fuel' where necessary.

Write to Prime Minister John Howard and to the Leader of the Opposition Kevin Rudd at Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 and tell them that nuclear power is not the answer!      

Websites with more information:
www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/
www.cana.net.au
AND, for a LAUGH: www.nukeretro.com

Original Flyer by: Environment Centre Northern Territory 98Wood St, Darwin, 0800; Ph: 8981 1984 Web: www.ecnt.org Email: ecnt@octa4.net.au

Distributed by: Gecko - Gold Coast & Hinterland Environment Council 139 Duringan Street, Currumbin Qld 4223 Ph: 5534-1412; Fax: 5534-1401

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