“If the government really wants to boost the Australian economy, how about making us a world leader in solar power and the renewables industry?
...The environmental group [GREENPEACE] turned up to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s electorate office in Sydney on Thursday equipped with a truck, white suits and six yellow barrels painted with radioactive symbols to deliver a message that nuclear waste is everyone’s problem.
On Wednesday, Mr Turnbull said Australia could plausibly mine uranium, sell it overseas for use in nuclear power stations, then take it back as waste.
The new Prime Minister has given some significant signals that his government is more interested in science and good policy than his predecessor, but the nuclear thought bubble is just plain wrong headed,” said Emma Gibson, Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s head of program.
“If the government really wants to boost the Australian economy, how about making us a world leader in solar power and the renewables industry?
“Mr Turnbull has indicated that he wants to lead a government focused on innovation, but nuclear power is heavy old tech. We need to move towards clean, modern solutions to our energy needs, like solar power and other renewables," she said.
more: Greenpeace delivers fake nuclear waste to Malcolm Turnbull’s office | Celsius
MEDIA RELEASE
Nuclear option nonsensical, given Australia’s abundant renewable energy
Sydney, 28 October 2015 - Greenpeace Australia Pacific has slammed a call from Australia’s next Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, for a renewed debate on the option of nuclear power as part of the country’s energy future.
“While we welcome government discussions on alternative energy sources, it's completely nonsensical to even pose the idea of building nuclear power stations in Australia when we have such an abundance of truly clean and renewable energy on our doorstep,” said Emma Gibson, Head of Program for Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
“If we used just 1 percent of land in Australia, we could produce enough electricity to power the whole country. [1]
“Nuclear power, on the other hand, is expensive, dirty and unreliable. It leaves a legacy of radioactive waste which remains dangerous for hundreds of thousands of years.
“We only have to look at the Fukushima disaster in Japan to be reminded of the health, social and economic impacts of a nuclear accident, and to see that this is not a safe option for Australians.
“No nuclear reactor has ever been built to deadline or within budget. Nuclear power is an expensive distraction from the real solutions to climate change, like solar and wind power.
“Any government seriously considering the nuclear option needs its head testing,” said Ms Gibson.
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